BREAKDOWN OF PRIMARY ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN FRANCE
TOTAL: 245 Mtoe in 2019 (raw data)
In % (data not adjusted for climate variations)
PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF OIL
TOTAL: 0.7 Mtoe in 2019
Scope: up until and including 2010, the geographical scope is mainland France. From 2011 onwards, it also includes the five French overseas départements (DOM).
On 1 January 2019, France’s reserves of crude oil (7.7 Mtoe) and of hydrocarbons extracted from natural gas (Lacq, 0.12 Mtoe) represented around ten and a half years of operations at the current pace (which is four months less than in 2018, and a year and a half less than in 2017), and nearly one and a half months of national consumption. In 2019, the petroleum produced in France only represented about 1% of the country’s consumption, the same as in previous years.
CONSUMPTION OF REFINED PRODUCTS*
PER SECTOR, TOTAL: 67.0 Mtoe in 2019
In 2019, France’s total consumption of refined petroleum products (excluding biofuels), in data adjusted for climate variations, was 67 Mtoe. It has fallen by 1.3% in a year, which is on a par with the trend observed since the mid-2000s, following a larger drop (of 3.5%) that occurred in 2018. This downward trend can largely be attributed to industry and to the residential and tertiary sectors, since petroleum use for transport has remained fairly stable since 1990. Households, businesses and administrations spent €89 billion on oil and gas products in 2018. More than three quarters of this sum was spent on meeting transportation needs.
MEDICINE
Modern medicine calls for petroleum products that cannot easily be replaced. Plastic is used in a wide range of medical devices, and petrochemical products play a role in manufacturing medication. Oil-based products include hospital equipment, infusion bags, aspirin, antihistamines, artificial limbs, dentures, hearing aids, heart valve prostheses and many more items.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Many personal care products are derived from petroleum, including perfumes, hair dyes, cosmetics (e.g. lipstick, eye-shadow and blusher, foundation, mascara and eyeliner), hand creams, toothpaste, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, tights, combs, shampoo, glasses and contact lenses.
IN THE HOME
Our homes are bursting with products whose manufacture involves oil. This includes construction materials such as roof coverings and insulation materials, but also linoleum, furniture, white goods, and decorative items such as cushions, rugs, curtains and paint. Even everyday kitchen utensils such as crockery, glasses, non-stick pans and washing-up liquid are derived from oil.
ELECTRONICS
Plastics and other petroleum-based products are used in electronic components because of their insulating properties and resistance to heat. From speakers and smartphones to computers, cameras and televisions, most electronic products are derived from petroleum.
SPORTS
Many sports goods contain petroleum products, such as basketballs, golf balls and bags, football helmets, surfboards, skis, tennis rackets and fishing rods.
TEXTILES
Many garments are made with petroleum-based fibers such as acrylic, rayon, artificial leather, polyester, nylon and spandex. Petrochemicals are even incorporated into shoes and handbags to make them lightweight, durable and waterproof.