Refining Forum

The EU Refining Forum has been taking place once or twice a year under two forms: the High Level Forum, dedicated to a high level and general discussions about the future of the refining sector, and the Expert Forum, going into the technical details of specific issues.

The 10th High Level Refining Forum took place (online) on the 18th of February 2021. This last edition’s described the vital developments and policy initiatives relevant to the evolution of the EU refining industry in the framework of the energy and climate transition. It focused on the European Green Deal and its implications for the industry, as well as the role of renewable and low-carbon liquid fuels on the way towards climate-neutrality.

Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy, opened the Forum with her keynote speech. The Commissioner declared that, in 2050, transport fuels would be a mix of electricity, biofuels, hydrogen, bio-methane and e-fuels. The top EC official added that she has been seeing the refining sector’s confidence with initiatives such as the Clean Fuels for All pathway, “a tool that sheds a light on the steps we need to take”.

The programme included interventions by representatives from Member States, top officials from the European Commission, the European Parliament, a trade union, the refining industry and the heavy truck industry.

The programme can be downloaded here. 

The presentations from the speakers are now available and can be downloaded here.

BACKGROUND

The EU Refining Forum dates back to 2012, when stakeholders – Member States, MEPs, the EU refining industry and trade unions – gathered to discuss the pressures faced by the sector, and called for coordinated action. The forum provides an opportunity to talk about regulatory proposals that could have significant impacts on the industry and on the security of supply of petroleum products in the EU.

In the period 2008-2014, some 17 refineries shut down in the EU, adding up to an 8% capacity decline and the loss of some 10,000 direct and 40,000 indirect jobs. Previous Refining Forum meetings recognized the economic and social value of the European refining sector and called for a continued review of the Refining Fitness Check and its use in assessing the cumulative impact of existing and upcoming legislation that can affect the sector’s competitiveness.