01-11-2024

Rhône Energies completes the acquisition of the Fos-sur-Mer refinery

Rhône Energies, a consortium composed of Entara and Trafigura, announces the successful completion of its acquisition of the Fos-sur-Mer refinery and the Toulouse and Villette-de-Vienne terminals from Esso. This acquisition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the refinery, which has been a key asset in the French industrial landscape for over 60 years.

The handover process has involved close collaboration with Esso teams and the existing workforce and employees’ representatives for ensuring a smooth transition process. National and local public authorities helped securing the necessary regulatory approvals.

As the new owner, Rhône Energies will oversee the full range of operations at the Fos-sur-Mer site including maintenance, asset integrity, and commercial activities, while prioritizing health, safety and environmental performance alongside ongoing social dialogue.

Following completion of the transaction, Nicholas Myerson, Chief Executive Officer of Rhône Energies and Derek Becht, Chief Operating Officer, have appointed Hervé Fonlupt, former Operation Manager with Esso as General Manager of the refinery. With 30 years of experience in the energy industry, Hervé will lead daily operations and drive the facility's continued success alongside a dedicated plant leadership team.

Nicholas Myerson, CEO of Rhône Energies, said: “We are delighted that the acquisition process has been successfully finalised. We are grateful for the open and constructive discussions over the past few months with both local and national authorities and are proud to welcome the refinery’s workforce to Rhône Energies. With this acquisition we join an impressive industrial ecosystem in Fos-sur-Mer where we aim to build upon the strong track record of operational excellence by developing capabilities to lead the refinery through the energy transition, while maintaining our strong commitment to meeting the energy demands of the region.”

Hervé Fonlupt, General Manager of the Fos-sur-Mer refinery, said: “It is a privilege to be taking on the leadership of this site and to continue working with its highly skilled team. I believe Rhône Energies is the right partner to support the refinery in the next phase of its development. Now that the transition is complete, we are eager to embark on a new chapter while upholding our high standards of industrial, safety and environmental excellence.”

Fos-sur-Mer refinery is a historic site that has contributed to providing secure and affordable energy to the region since operations commenced in 1965. With a crude oil processing capacity of 140 thousand barrels per day, Fos-sur-Mer benefits from direct access to a major port and plays a significant role in producing petroleum products for distribution to the French domestic market. Current staff is approximately of 310 members. Rhône Energies has committed to a long-term agreement with Esso SAF for the continuation of supply to its downstream business in the region.