Refining: the government authorizes an increase in production at Gravenchon

The government is preparing to approve an increase in fuel production at the Gravenchon refinery in Seine-Maritime, operated by the Canadian group North Atlantic France. This decision comes amid tensions in energy markets, marked by rising oil prices and supply disruptions linked to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.

According to the authorities, the company will be able to increase the capacity of its distillation unit by 10% in order to produce more diesel and kerosene. However, this increase remains contingent upon strict management of industrial and environmental risks. The ministers responsible for Energy and Ecological Transition have therefore demanded that the additional impacts remain "contained and controlled" before giving their final approval via a prefectural decree expected in the coming days.

This increase in production would be temporary, initially planned for a period of six months. It could allow for the additional production of approximately 12.000 tons of kerosene and 15.000 tons of diesel per month. Nationally, this contribution remains modest, representing slightly more than 2% of monthly kerosene consumption and less than 1% of diesel consumption, but it is considered useful in the current context of supply constraints.

The government had called on refiners to increase their capacity to mitigate the impact of the energy crisis on consumers. While some industry players, such as TotalEnergies, lack sufficient flexibility, the Gravenchon refinery (which represents approximately 20% of French capacity) appears to be a strategic lever. In return, the operator will have to update its safety studies and provide detailed monitoring of the impact of this increase, illustrating the desired balance between energy imperatives and environmental requirements.