French Protests Shut Down 4 out of 5 Total Oil Refineries

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19:34 27.05.2016(updated 19:47 27.05.2016)

Four out of the five oil refineries run by French energy firm Total remained shut down on Friday after a wave of industrial action swept the country this week, the company said in a statement.

People are queuing to refuel their cars in a gas station in Rennes, western Franceon May 25, 2016 following the blockades of oil depot during protest against proposed government labour and employment law reforms

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MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Total operates five of France’s eight refineries as well as nine fuel depots. The storages have not been affected.

"At the sites in Normandie, Grandpuits, Donges and Feyzin, the protest movement caused complete disruption of [refineries]," the statement read. "La Mede refinery has been hit by blockade of oil shipments and is still running at reduced capacity."

Total said that 741 of its 11,500 petrol stations in France had run dry or were struggling to operate. Further 66 were requisitioned by French authorities. The company said it mobilized its entire truck fleet on Friday to continue petrol deliveries.

Protests against controversial labor reforms hit France’s energy infrastructure earlier this week, with strikes led by the CGT union disrupting work at nuclear power plants, refineries, fuel depots, train services and ports.