ExxonMobil suspends deliveries from four UK fuel depots due to protests

ExxonMobil said April 1 it has temporarily suspended operations at four of its UK fuel terminals after environmental protesters blocked depots across the country.

Exxon said "small protests" were currently underway outside its Hythe, Birmingham, Purfleet and West London fuel terminals adding that its other fuel terminal at Avonmouth was not affected.

The temporary closure comes at a time of high prices for domestic road transport fuels in the UK and across Europe, especially diesel. ARA diesel cracks reached $47.80/b March 24, weeks after a record $59.20/b March 8, after the US and the UK announced bans against imports of Russian crude and refined products.

The Just Stop Oil group claimed early April 1 that it had blocked key oil terminals at 10 sites across the country in the hope of disrupting fuel supplies to London and the South East, demanding that the government stops new oil and gas projects in the UK.