PARIS, Jan 18 (Reuters) – In the future of strikes and protests towards a deliberate pension reform in France won’t disrupt refinery operations, TotalEnergies’ chief government mentioned on Wednesday night, however this might change if the strikes had been to final.
His feedback, made in an interview with BFM TV, got here hours forward of a significant strike motion day anticipated on Thursday towards plans by President Emmanuel Macron’s authorities to reform the pension system and lift the retirement age.
“We do not cease the refineries for in the future”, Pouyanne mentioned, “we put them at a minimal which retains them functioning”, including “strikers can determine to dam shipments which may stop the vehicles from rolling.”
Operations at refineries may solely be disrupted if the strike lasts a number of days, he mentioned.
A union consultant earlier mentioned no oil will probably be shipped from the TotalEnergies’ refinery in Dunkirk, northern France, on Thursday.
“Do not panic”, Pouyanne mentioned, including that petrol stations had been ready and absolutely provided and folks mustn’t hoard gasoline in anticipation of any shortages which may result in difficulties.
ExxonMobil’s <XOM.N> French department Esso, which operates a refinery at Fos-sur-Mer within the south and Gravenchon-Port Jerome within the north, mentioned that websites are working regular operations and there’s no influence on its product provide at this stage.
“We now have plans in place to maximise our fuels provide to mitigate any potential impacts on our clients,” a spokesperson from Esso mentioned.
Reporting by Forrest Crellin, modifying by Tassilo Hummel and Elaine Hardcastle
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.
