European gasoline margins edge lower

Northwest European gasoline barge margins edged slightly lower on Tuesday in thin trading, while labour strikes hit operations at a French refinery.

French energy major Total said on Tuesday that its 102,000 barrel-per-day Grandpuits refinery near Paris was producing at reduced flow after the CGT union voted to halt output as part of a nationwide protest against pension reform.

A spokesman for the company said the refinery would continue operating at reduced levels until Dec. 30 when the union will hold another general assembly meeting.

He said three of Total's other refineries in France; Normandy, Feyzin and Donges were operating normally on Tuesday, with products leaving the refineries.