<article><p>French industry association Ufip chief executive Francis Duseux said today he expects more than one refinery in France to stop processing crude in the future.</p><p>Demand for European crude products has declined in recent years as more new refineries start up in the Middle East, India and the US. This, coupled with cheaper fuel products from the US, has led to overcapacity in Europe, Duseux said, which will cause more than one refinery to stop production. He expects restructuring to continue even after Total implements its refinery plan.</p><p>Total chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said in January that the company will announce decisions about restructuring its refineries in the spring. Pouyanne said two of Total's five refineries are losing money, with one of those making heavy losses. The 160,000 b/d La Mede refinery is deemed to be the most vulnerable to closure in the face of overcapacity in Europe. Total also operates the 240,000 b/d Gonfreville plant, the 222,000 b/d Donges refinery, the 105,000 b/d Feyzin plant and the 93,000 b/d Grandpuits refinery. Exxonmobil's 233,000 b/d Port Jerome is still running in France as well as its 117,000 b/d Fos Sur Mer refinery.</p><p>Total met with the French unions yesterday to discuss the social measures in place in case industrial activity stops. Total was reported as saying there is still a possibility that refining activity will stop at La Mede, according to a spokesman for CGT, but Total did not reveal their plans for the site.</p><p>rc/et</p><p><br> Send comments to <a href="mailto:feedback@argusmedia.com" target="_parent"> feedback@argusmedia.com </a></p><p><u><a href="http://www.argusmedia.com/Info/General/News" target="_TOP"> Request more information </a></u> about Argus' energy and commodity news, data and analysis services. </p><p><i> Copyright © 2015 Argus Media Ltd - <a href="http://www.argusmedia.com/" target="_TOP"> www.argusmedia.com </a> - All rights reserved. </i></p></article>
