Several French refineries remain on strike, the CGT union said Wednesday. All refineries are expected to join a national day of protests scheduled on December 17. A decision on whether to start halting units will be made next Tuesday.
Employees in all sectors were called on by French labor unions (including the CGT, FO and FSU) to take part in industrial action against the Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's pension reforms.
Although oil terminals at some sites are blockaded, French oil industry group UFIP said Wednesday that all refineries are operating. Supply from Petroineos and ExxonMobil refineries has not been affected.
Throughput has been reduced, while the refineries continue to operate. Due to a strike in October and November, Total's Feyzin refinery was shut. Operation at the refinery keeps normal and it still delivers products. The operation also runs normally at ExxonMobil's Gravenchon refinery.
From Thursday evening through December 16, the strike will be suspended at Total's Donges refinery. On Tuesday evening, operations had resumed at the Fos and Lavera oil terminals. However, operations will be suspended due to another 24-hour strike on Thursday. Meanwhile, the port and dock workers union called for a 24-hour strike next Tuesday.
To cover demand for three months, local media reported France owns sufficient stocks of crude oil and oil products.
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