Total Announces Plan to Repurpose its Dunkirk Refinery Site

In response to a structural decline in petroleum product demand, Total today presented the Central Works Council with a plan to permanently shut down refining operations at its Dunkirk site, which will be repurposed.
In order to ensure the site’s future and maintain jobs, Total will:
Develop new refining operations support and petroleum logistics activities on the Dunkirk site.
Partner French electric utility EDF in the implementation of the planned LNG terminal project for Dunkirk.
Participate actively in local discussions on revitalizing the Dunkirk region’s economy.
There will be no lay-offs. All employees concerned are guaranteed jobs with Total.
The collapse in petroleum product demand in France, Europe and the United States has compelled Total to adjust its refining capacity, in particular in northern France.
The Flandres refinery reported a loss of more than €130 million in 2009. Production was halted in September 2009. Given the poor outlook, resuming refining operations at the site is no longer considered viable.
Under the plan, the Flandres refinery will be shut down permanently, resulting in a gradual dismantling of units that could continue to 2013.

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