### ExxonMobil Affiliate to Divest Fos-sur-Mer Refinery and Logistics Assets
In a strategic move aimed at maintaining operational competitiveness, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise (a majority-owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil, boasting 82.89% ownership) has entered into a formal agreement to sell its refining and logistics operations in southern France, including the 140,000-barrel-per-day (b/d) Fos-sur-Mer integrated refinery in the Bouches-du-Rhône region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. This transaction involves the sale of the Fos-sur-Mer refinery, as well as the Toulouse (Fondeyre) and Villette de Vienne terminals, to Rhône Energies, a consortium comprising Entara LLC and Trafigura Pte Ltd.
The agreement, signed on July 31, 2024, follows the completion of mandatory information and consultation processes with Esso SAF’s employee representative bodies. The divestment is subject to ongoing discussions with relevant authorities and expected to be finalized by the end of 2024, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
Approximately 310 employees from Esso Raffinage and Esso SAF will transfer to Rhône Energies as part of the sale. The proposed divestments align with Esso SAF’s long-term strategy in France, aimed at maintaining the competitiveness of its operations while ensuring continuity of fuel and specialty product supplies (such as lubricants, base oils, and bitumen) to its customers in southern France. This will be maintained through the operation of the company’s 244,000-b/d Notre-Dame-de-Gravenchon refinery in Port-Jérôme-sur-Seine, Normandy.
Rhône Energies has committed to capitalizing on the Fos-sur-Mer refinery’s skilled workforce and strong operational performance. They plan to enhance margin capture, crude processing flexibility