By Rowena Edwards
(Reuters) – ExxonMobil is gradually shutting down its 235,000 barrel per day (bpd) Fos-Sur-Mer refinery in France as a result of ongoing strike action, the company said in an emailed statement on Thursday.
Walkouts caused the gradual shut down of Exxon’s 240,000 bpd Port Jerome-Gravenchon oil refinery and Notre Dame de Gravenchon (NDG) petrochemical site in France on Sept. 20 before spreading to Fos-Sur-Mer 24 hours later.
French unions CGT and Force Ouvriere called for a strike on Tuesday following wage negotiations with Exxon Mobil related to growing inflation in Europe.
“We are gradually shutting down the Gravenchon refinery and petrochemical plant and we have started preparations to gradually shut down the Fos refinery,” an Exxon Mobil spokesperson said in the statement.
“This unfortunate situation may impact our customers, contractors, suppliers, and employees, and affects the international reputation of ExxonMobil activities in France,” the statement said.
(Reporting by Rowena Edwards; editing by David Evans)
