In recent news, ExxonMobil, a major American oil company, has announced plans to reduce its activities in Port-Jérôme, Normandy. This decision is expected to result in the loss of 677 jobs. The company also plans to sell the refinery of Fos-sur-Mer and fuel depots in the south of France to a Swiss consortium through its subsidiary Esso France.
The group will shut down several petrochemical units on the Gravenchon site near Le Havre. ExxonMobil has stated that they will work with employees to find individual and collective solutions for those affected by this decision. No departures are expected before 2025.
The Minister of Industry, Roland Lescure, expressed concern for the employees and their families. He emphasized the need for ExxonMobil to provide reclassification prospects and development opportunities for the site. The challenges faced by ExxonMobil were attributed to factors such as the size and configuration of the steam cracker, as well as higher operating and energy costs in Europe.
The announcement has caused sadness and anger among employees who are uncertain about how to react to this news. Despite these difficulties, however, the Port-Jérôme refinery will continue its activities after a recent fire in a distillation unit that resulted in minor injuries.
Esso France also announced plans to sell its Fos-sur-Mer refinery and depots in Toulouse and Villette-de-Vienne. The Swiss consortium, Rhône Énergies, comprised of Trafigura and Entara, has committed to maintaining employment for the 310 employees at the Fos-sur-Mer site.
The reorganization of ExxonMobil’s activities in France reflects broader challenges faced by the oil industry as a whole, including high energy costs and declining demand for petroleum products. Some experts predict that refineries may need to adapt their operations or even convert into biorefineries that produce biomass-based fuels if they are to remain viable in a changing market environment where sustainability concerns become increasingly important.
