French union eyes strike over Exxon's petchem closure

Spanish Market: Crude oil, Oil products, Petrochemicals
12/04/24

ExxonMobil's plan to close its Gravenchon petrochemical plant in Normandy has raised the possibility of more strike action in France's downstream oil sector.

The CGT trade union has called on all ExxonMobil workers in France to down tools and for the "immediate shutdown of installations". The situation is fluid and it is not immediately clear whether workers will vote on strikes today or if ExxonMobil's operations in France will be stopped.

"We are preparing our plan of action. We will be announcing it very soon," a union official told Argus.

ExxonMobil said on 11 April that the Gravenchon plant has made more than €500mn ($540mn) in losses since 2018 and that it cannot afford to continue operating at such a loss. The firm expects the site to fully close, including the steam cracker and related derivatives units, at some point this year with the loss of 677 jobs.

"The configuration of the steam cracker, its small size compared to newer units, high operating costs in Europe and higher energy prices make it uncompetitive," it said.

The announcement coincided with news that a consortium comprising trading firm Trafigura and energy infrastructure company Entara is in talks to buy ExxonMobil's 133,000 b/d Fos refinery on the French Mediterranean coast.

As well as the direct job losses at Gravenchon, the CGT said there would be an additional loss of work for around 3,000 indirect positions and sub-contractors. The local prefecture of Seine Maritime said the decision will have a "very serious impact on employment and the local economy".

The CGT said upgrades costing around €200mn are needed at Gravenchon, which is "around 0.5pc" of ExxonMobil's total profit in 2023.

ExxonMobil said the decision to close the plant will not impact operations at its adjacent 236,000 b/d Port Jerome refinery. "In current market conditions, the refinery will continue to operate and supply France with fuels, lubricants, basestocks and asphalt," the firm said.

ExxonMobil has reduced its exposure to Europe's downstream sector in recent years, selling the 198,000 b/d refinery at Augusta in Italy to Algerian state-owned Sonatrach in 2018 and divesting its stake in the 126,500 b/d Trecate refinery in northern Italy to local refiner API last year.

By Adam Porter

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17/11/24

Trump taps oil services head as US energy secretary

Washington, 17 November (Argus) — President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate oil services company Liberty Energy's chief executive Chris Wright to lead the US Department of Energy (DOE), giving him oversight over LNG export facilities and a vast portfolio of federally-backed energy projects. Wright also will serve on Trump's planned Council of National Energy, which will oversee policies across the federal government affecting energy production, permitting, transportation and regulation. Trump said he wants Wright to work alongside North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, who Trump has nominated as US interior secretary, to oversee "the path to US ENERGY DOMINANCE" by cutting regulations and supporting investments from the private sector. "As Secretary of Energy, Chris will be a key leader, driving innovation, cutting red tape, and ushering in a new 'Golden Age of American Prosperity and Global Peace,'" Trump said. Liberty Energy, which was founded in 2011, focuses on hydraulic fracturing services and earned $1.2bn last year. Wright has downplayed the urgency for the world to address climate change or transition away from fossil fuels. He has criticized the use of phrases like "climate crisis" and "carbon pollution", which he says are impeding projects that could alleviate energy poverty. Those terms "are not only deceptive, they are in fact destructive deceptions," Wright said in a video he posted last year on YouTube. "Destructive because they drive centrist politicians and regulators to oppose life-critical infrastructure, like building pipelines and natural gas export terminals." If confirmed by the US Senate, Wright would be responsible for deciding how to resolve a "pause" on US LNG export licensing that President Joe Biden put in place in January. DOE has been studying whether allowing more gas exports would exacerbate climate change or hurt consumers by increasing domestic natural gas prices. The vast majority of DOE's budget goes to maintaining the US stockpile of nuclear weapons and cleaning up contaminated nuclear sites. DOE also manages the four facilities that make up the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which currently holds 387.8mn bl of crude, and oversees 17 national laboratories that are spread across the US. In the last four years, the US Congress substantially increased DOE's role in energy. DOE is currently managing billions of dollars in funds provided by the 2021 infrastructure law, such as an $8bn initiative meant to support "hydrogen hubs" and a $2.5bn carbon capture demonstration program. The Inflation Reduction Act expanded DOE authority to issue loans for clean energy projects by about $100bn. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: Parties continue slow work on finance goal: Update

16/11/24

Cop: Parties continue slow work on finance goal: Update

Updates throughout Baku, 16 November (Argus) — Parties at the UN Cop 29 climate talks in Baku have asked for more time to work on "specific proposals" for a new finance goal, working from a draft text released yesterday , but it is unlikely to yield progress on key sticking points. Country representatives are seeking to agree on a new climate finance goal for developing nations, following on from the current — broadly recognised as inadequate — $100bn/yr target. A plenary is due to take place later today in Baku. "Over the last few days some people have doubted whether collectively we can deliver. It is time for the negotiators to start proving them wrong," Cop 29 deputy lead negotiator Samir Bejanov said. The current draft text still fails to bridge the huge divide between developed and developing countries on key issues such as an amount for the goal, the contributor base and what the funds should be used for. And the new version due to come out today is unlikely to show meaningful progress on these issues, observers suggested, leaving them for ministers to tackle next week. Technical negotiators continue to try and move forward on topics such as funds' access and transparency. Developed countries have still not proposed a number for the goal, and want the contributor base broadened. Developing countries remain broadly united in calling for climate public finance of over $1 trillion/yr. Options show that developing country parties seek a new finance goal that serves mitigation — actions to reduce emissions — adaptation and loss and damage. Adaptation refers to adjustments to avoid global warming effects where possible, while loss and damage describes the unavoidable and irreversible effects of such change. Developed nations are also pushing for sub-targets of $220bn/yr for least developed countries (LDCs) and $39bn/yr for small island developing states (Sids), in which money for adaptation should come in the form of grants and highly concessional finance and funding for loss and damage "primarily in grants". Multi-layered The multi-layered approach in the draft, mostly supported by developed countries, does not mention loss and damage. On broadening the contributor base, it has options calling on "parties in a position to contribute" or "all capable parties" to "mobilise jointly $100bn/yr for mitigation and adaptation in developing countries by 2035". The UN climate body the UNFCCC works from a list of developed and developing countries from 1992 — delineating 24 countries plus the EU as developed — and many of these note that economic circumstances have changed in some countries, including China, over the past 32 years. China between 2013 and 2022 provided and mobilised $45bn in climate finance to developing countries, equivalent to 6.1pc of climate finance provided by all developed countries in the period, according to think-tank WRI. A few options in the multi-layered approach in the draft talk about "investments", language that developing countries do not support, and "investing trillions "from all sources, public, private, domestic and international". Developing nations are not against private sector financing, but they want the main figure for the new finance goal to come from public sources, observers said. Some parties on both sides are calling for an acceleration of the reforms of multilateral development banks, key to leverage billions in private sector finance, as well as for the use of taxes and levies. But these issues are largely outside of the remit of the Cop, even though they may get a boost from the upcoming G20 leaders summit on 18-19 November. UN climate body chief Simon Stiell today called on G20 to ensure the availability of more grant and concessional finance, make progress on debt relief, and push for additional multilateral development bank reforms. Brazil is looking to use its G20 presidency to advance agreement on energy transition finance, having set fighting climate change as one of its priorities. The country called for a global finance governance that includes rules for financing a "just and equitable" energy transition in developing economies and for an easier access to climate funds. Brazil has also pushing for a 2pc tax on billionaires that could generate up to $250 bn/yr in revenue. By Victoria Hatherick, Jacqueline Echevarria and Caroline Varin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: Colombia’s climate plan to address fossil fuels

16/11/24

Cop: Colombia’s climate plan to address fossil fuels

Baku, 16 November (Argus) — Colombia will seek to address the "divisive issue" of "the proliferation of fossil fuels" in its next emissions reduction plan — nationally determined contribution (NDC), environment minister Susanna Muhammad told Argus, adding that it would prompt a "strong debate" in the country. Colombia's president Gustavo Petro seeks to end the country's dependence on fossil fuels, while promoting a transition to clean and renewable energy. "Of course this is a very divisive issue, especially for a country that is looking for a whole economy transition," Muhammad said on the sidelines of the UN Cop 29 climate summit in Baku. "And trying to get the whole of society and the whole of government behind that will be a strong debate." Petro ordered an end to new hydrocarbon exploration and production contracts soon after taking office in August 2022. Petroleum association ACP said that Colombia's crude output will begin declining in 2027 as reserves are insufficient to maintain output amid falling exploratory activity. Petro's ambition to phase out fossil fuels risks sacrificing key revenues for the country. But Muhammad highlighted the need to achieve an ambitious financial goal that supports a just transition in developing economies. "We cannot continue playing with the same financial rules of the game," she said. "What we are seeing at this Cop 29 is that we need solidarity and fairness in the process of financing this transition." "We said in Dubai that we would triple renewables by 2030. The question remains, who is going to triple renewables and for whom?" she said, pointing to the significant gap in renewables expansion between developed and developing economies. Countries at Cop 28 in Dubai, the UAE, last year agreed on a deal that included transitioning away from fossil fuels, tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling annual energy efficiency gains globally by 2030. Muhammad added that the country will be submitting its NDC to the UN climate body the UNFCCC by June next year because it will "go through a very strong consultation process" with different sectors of the economy. Cop parties are expected to publish their next NDCs to the Paris climate agreement — this time for 2035 — in November-February, as part of a cycle that requires countries to "ratchet up" their commitments every five years. "Our main source of emissions is deforestation, agriculture practices, especially cattle ranching," she said, adding that the government is seeking the participation of actors that are at the forefront of the climate crisis. Risky business Talking about the possibility of the US pulling out of the the Paris Agreement and Argentina's delegation exiting negotiations in Baku, she warned that by not putting the people first in the fight against climate change, leaders are risking that other "authoritarian" regimes or "climate deniers" take more power. Brazil's secretary for climate change Ana Toni said today that private companies like policy consistency and that businesses need to look at the countries that are showing climate commitment and consistency in their NDCs. "The climate crisis is irreversible, we need to focus on climate action and implementation," Toni said. By Jacqueline Echevarria Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: Parties continue work on new finance goal

16/11/24

Cop: Parties continue work on new finance goal

Baku, 16 November (Argus) — Parties at the UN Cop 29 climate talks in Baku have asked for more time to work on "specific proposals" for a new finance goal, working from a draft text released yesterday , before convening for a plenary session later today, according to the summit's presidency. Country representatives are seeking to agree on a new climate finance goal for developing nations, following on from the current — broadly recognised as inadequate — $100bn/yr target. The draft text still fails to bridge the huge divide between developed and developing countries on key issues such as an amount for the goal, the contributor base and what the funds should be used for. A plenary is due to take place later today in Baku. "Over the last few days some people have doubted whether collectively we can deliver. It is time for the negotiators to start proving them wrong," Cop 29 deputy lead negotiator Samir Bejanov said. Parties continue to stick to their positions. Developed countries have still not come forward with a number for the goal, and want the contributor base broadened. Developing countries remain broadly united in calling for climate public finance of over $1 trillion/yr. Options show that developing country parties seek a new finance goal that serves mitigation — actions to reduce emissions — adaptation and loss and damage. Adaptation refers to adjustments to avoid global warming effects where possible, while loss and damage describes the unavoidable and irreversible effects of such change. Developed nations are also pushing for sub-targets of $220bn/yr for least developed countries (LDCs) and $39bn/yr for small island developing states (Sids), in which money for adaptation should come in the form of grants and highly concessional finance and funding for loss and damage "primarily in grants". The multi-layered approach in the draft, mostly supported by developed countries, does not mention loss and damage. On broadening the contributor base, it has options calling on "parties in a position to contribute" or "all capable parties" to "mobilise jointly $100bn/yr for mitigation and adaptation in developing countries by 2035. The UN climate body the UNFCCC works from a list of developed and developing countries from 1992 — delineating 24 countries plus the EU as developed — and many of these note that economic circumstances have changed in some countries, including China, over the past 32 years. China between 2013 and 2022 provided $45bn in climate finance to developing countries, equivalent to 6.1pc of climate finance provided by all developed countries in the period, according to think-tank WRI. A few options in the multi-layered approach in the draft talk about "investments", which developing countries do not support, and "investing trillions "from all sources, public, private, domestic and international". Some parties on both sides are calling for the reforms of multilateral development banks, key to leverage billions in private sector finance, to accelerate. But these issues are largely outside of the remit of the Cop, even though they may get a boost from the upcoming G20 leaders summit on 18-19 November. UN climate body chief Simon Stiell [today urged G20 leaders to make the climate crisis](https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/262963 "order of business number one". He called on G20 to ensure the availability of more grant and concessional finance, make progress on debt relief, and push for additional multi-lateral development bank reforms. Brazil is looking to use its G20 presidency to advance agreement on energy transition finance, having set fighting climate change as one of its G20 priorities. The country called for a global finance governance that includes rules for financing a "just and equitable" energy transition in developing economies and for an easier access to climate funds. Brazil has also pushing for a 2pc tax on billionaires that could generate up to $250 bn/yr in revenue. By Victoria Hatherick and Caroline Varin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: UN’s Stiell urges G20 to make climate its priority

16/11/24

Cop: UN’s Stiell urges G20 to make climate its priority

Baku, 16 November (Argus) — Leaders at next week's G20 summit should make the climate crisis "order of business number one" as negotiations on a new climate finance goal continue at the UN Cop 29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, UN climate body chief Simon Stiell said today. "Stepping it up on climate finance globally requires action both inside our Cop process and outside of it," Stiell said, and the G20's role is "mission critical". Stiell called on G20 leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 18-19 November to ensure the availability of more grant and concessional finance, make progress on debt relief, and push for additional multi-lateral development bank reforms. Some delegates at Cop have noted that the outcome of the G20 meeting will be key for climate finance . G20 in India last year recognised the need to increase global climate investments to trillions of dollars from billions, from all sources, highlighting that $5.8 trillion-5.9 trillion is required before 2030 for developing countries to implement their climate plans. The communique had called on "parties" to set an ambitious goal from $100bn/yr floor, which developed countries committed to mobilise through 2025. Brazil this year is looking to use its G20 presidency to advance agreement on energy transition finance , having set fighting climate change as one of its G20 priorities. The country called for a global finance governance that includes rules for financing a "just and equitable" energy transition in developing economies and for an easier access to climate funds. Brazil has also pushing for a 2pc tax on billionaires that could generate up to $250 bn/yr in revenue. Stiell said today that there is a "long way to go" on talks to agree a new climate finance goal for developing nations in Baku. A round of informal consultations on a third draft text took place late yesterday , but the document was still far off striking a compromise between developed and developing countries on central aspects including the amount of funds to be given, which countries should contribute, and how the money should be used. By Victoria Hatherick Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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