French fuel strikes

OutTheOffice

OutTheOffice

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We are currently in the south of France and noticed some v long queues at petrol stations this am. Our neighbour where we have stopped has made us aware that the refineries have walked out on strike so no fuel is making its way to forecourts

I was wondering if anyone is aware how long this might be going on for ???
 
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We are on the Somme at Bray. Only realised there was an issue when we left the Ardennes on Saturday. Every outlet is sold out. We are on fresh air, so can't go anywhere until there is a breakthrough.
Vive la France :rolleyes:
 
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OutTheOffice said:
We are currently in the south of France and noticed some v long queues at petrol stations this am. Our neighbour where we have stopped has made us aware that the refineries have walked out on strike so no fuel is making its way to forecourts

I was wondering if anyone is aware how long this might be going on for ???
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Same here. Failed at two garages. Had great fun when Waze took us up a one way entrance which ended in a 2.1m height barrier. Had to reverse 200 yds then better half had to stop traffic coming off roundabout slip road before we made our way out. Finally found BPgarage on the road to Marseille. Long queues everywhere today. Hope it doesn’t last long.
 
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Driving up the west coast on our way home. Listening to the radio (I speak French) it said that shortages are affecting about 1% of fuel stations, worst area is the NE. Unless it gets significantly worse the issue is people overreacting. It’s just Total right now, hopefully it won’t get worse. 🤞

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NoMadVan42 said:
Driving up the west coast on our way home. Listening to the radio (I speak French) it said that shortages are affecting about 1% of fuel stations, worst area is the NE. Unless it gets significantly worse the issue is people overreacting. It’s just Total right now, hopefully it won’t get worse. 🤞
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Only 1% ?! Really??

The French government admitted 2 days ago that one in five filling stations were affected, but this was seen as them playing down the situation which was in reality substantially worse.

In south east France, I haven't seen a filling station with any diesel for three or four days, not just Total, but supermarkets including Super U and Intermarche. (I haven't seen a Total Energies site open with fuel for over a week).
 
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Sounds like it’s regional. We are driving up D roads on the coast, Ile de Ré, La Tranches, Sables, Noirmoutier, etc. No probs seen. Maybe the quiet roads are less affected.
 
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NoMadVan42 said:
Driving up the west coast on our way home. Listening to the radio (I speak French) it said that shortages are affecting about 1% of fuel stations, worst area is the NE. Unless it gets significantly worse the issue is people overreacting. It’s just Total right now, hopefully it won’t get worse. 🤞
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Blimey it’s way more than that. Just got back from 4 weeks to the South and back. On the way down every Total garage had queues, on the way back, using non-motorway routes, I can’t remember seeing any open. From what I saw It’s affecting all areas and suppliers. I had enough diesel to get back across and filled up at Morrisons in Canterbury.
 
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Barti Ddu said:
Only 1% ?! Really??

The French government admitted 2 days ago that one in five filling stations were affected, but this was seen as them playing down the situation which was in reality substantially worse.

In south east France, I haven't seen a filling station with any diesel for three or four days, not just Total, but supermarkets including Super U and Intermarche. (I haven't seen a Total Energies site open with fuel for over a week).
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Not sure how trustworthy euro news is but mention affecting 60% of France output.

https://www.euronews.com/2022/10/09/strikers-set-for-talks-as-some-french-petrol-stations-run-dry

Looks like we will have to fill up in U.K. near Newhaven, not planning massive route over the week to Caen for return journey.

Hopeful it will be sorted next few days but aware these things won’t have immediate impact on forecourts.

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We are near Dunkirk having travelled from Germany with no idea till tonight about the fuel problems in France. As fuel is a lot cheaper here than other countries we had run down, which we would never normally do (should have stuck to our ‘rules’ … live and learn!!). We are not far from Belgium but does the problem go over the border (maybe served from same refineries?) or does anyone know if it’s worth going there for fuel.
(In theory we’ve enough to get to the tunnel - just, but I don’t fancy running out on the motorway.)
Any info gratefully received.
 
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Latest news from Reuters -

www.reuters.com

TotalEnergies accelerates refinery wage talks as fuel supply shrinks

TotalEnergies on Sunday offered to bring forward wage talks, in response to union demands, as it sought to end a strike that has disrupted supplies to almost a third of French petrol stations and led the government to tap strategic reserves.
www.reuters.com www.reuters.com
 
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I confess I thought it was only the UK that had this shit.

Cos of Brexit and all :rolleyes:

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We are stuck in peronne, having left the a1 en route to Calais earlier this afternoon to try and find diesel.

We’ve been here for two weeks travelling from the South and hadn’t noticed anything - wish we had. No idea when we can get petrol and eurotunnel charge us 97.00 everytime we change the booking.

Bit of a nightmare and we were both expected at work tomorrow!
 
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You have our sympathy, for what good that does you. We are near Dunkirk and looking at a ‘fuel’ website there is no diesel anywhere round here - sorry to tell you that.

The only way I can look at this **** is to compare it with people in real trouble … we’ve no bombs falling on us, we’ve got food in the fridge (and shops within cycling distance), money to supply our needs etc. Being retired we won’t lose our wages, but in a lifetime it will just be another experience - in time!
Wish you well and hope you can find some fuel. Either way, it’s part of life’s ‘rich tapestry’, and if you’ve food and shelter then the rest will sort itself out.
And my apologies if you think that’s a load of ****
 
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Hi all. We made our way over the bumps from Italy, leaving with enough to get us across Switzerland. We thought we would be very clever and fill up in France, Swiss prices €2.20 a Ltr. !!!
we got over the border running on fumes to find - lines of cars waiting to fill up. We ran into a town and found a supermarket - that old orange light does burn bright in the corner of the fuel gauge.
we plan to go via Luxembourg so will have a full tank there and hope to be OK for Calais. Given we will be in Belgium we can always top up there though the cost is high.
Oh the joys of motoring

we paid €1.68 pr Ltr in Italy and did see it as cheap as €1.64. Alas Fiat fitted a biscuit tin for a fuel tank.

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Timetraveller said:
The last time we sailed from Newhaven, customs made us put our 5 litre container of diesel in the tank or leave it behind !
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What has it to do with customs? nothing. dfds yes anyone else no.
I run with 40+ litres in jerry cans always & it stays on the rear ladder shelf. It wouldn't be left anywhere except emptied as im not supplying expensive cans to scum like them. It would go inside or I 'd leave with it & dump the crossing & return another day.
hblewett said:
We are not far from Belgium but does the problem go over the border (maybe served from same refineries?) or does anyone know if it’s worth going there for fuel.
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should be good as it is dearer in belgium & they make the situation worse in france by coming over to buy.

Here we are at war & anyone striking should be pulling their weight. I'd round them up & ship them all to ukraine for mine clearance.
 
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When we came over from the UK, we arrived at the port in Dover. Apart from passport checks, we did not stop, even on the apron before loading, we were waved onto the boat without stopping. No checks for fuel, cheese, or anything else.
 
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I believe it is illegal to carry spare fuel in France so every right to ask

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Boldly said:
I believe it is illegal to carry spare fuel in France so every right to ask
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Wrong !!

What’s the law on petrol cans?

Can I legally transport spare diesel or petrol in a can in my car and does the law change on this when you cross the border to another EU country? K.R.
www.connexionfrance.com www.connexionfrance.com
 
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Just stopped at the LeClerc at Blois as all the fuel prices were lit up on the sign. Got to the pump, no diesel, still got over ½ a tank.

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Always happy to be corrected when wrong. Think I was trying to take 20 litres from Spain to France when the last or last but one shortage was on five or six years ago. Was told I couldn't by someone and believed them. Container is now my fresh water tank.
 
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