Refiners join talks on higher output
The European Commission launched its first high-level dialogue with Europe’s oil-refining industry on October 28. Dan Jørgensen, the European commissioner for energy and housing, and Andrius Kubilius, the commissioner for defence and space, chaired the meeting. Refiners and other industry representatives joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, to discuss reliable fuel supplies for civilian transport and military needs. Jørgensen said the Commission would work to increase output from European refining assets, with the aim of bringing fuel prices down.[1], [2]
The immediate agenda addressed disruption arising from the conflict in the Middle East. Participants considered how to use existing European capacity more effectively and maintain enough production to meet increased demand during crises. The Commission puts EU refineries’ share of the jet fuel consumed in Europe at about 70 per cent and their share of diesel at 85 per cent. It identifies both fuels as essential for mobility, the economy and defence. Emerging fuel producers, engineering companies, technology providers and industry associations also took part.[1]
