TotalEnergies will appeal a decision by the French Competition Authority that imposes a fine on the company for alleged anti-competitive practices in the supply of petroleum products in Corsica. The Authority’s ruling follows a four-year investigation. However, TotalEnergies maintains that the decision is not supported by evidence of any negative competitive impact on the island.
The case’s core is a 2016 contractual clause governing access to Corsica’s fuel depots for shareholder-investors. TotalEnergies argued that the clause did not harm market dynamics, stating that non-shareholder distributors already had access through a separate supply arrangement.
According to the company, the Corsican distributor that filed the complaint was still able to increase its fuel sourcing volumes, draw from TotalEnergies and other depot shareholders, and maintain a stable network of service stations during the period under review.
TotalEnergies has operated in Corsica for 60 years and runs 47 service stations there. The company described the fine as disproportionate relative to its business profitability on the island. Consequently, the company has initiated a strategic review of the future of its marketing operations in Corsica.
Furthermore, TotalEnergies highlighted steps it took in recent years to support consumer purchasing power, including a €0.20-per-litre discount in 2022 and the introduction of a €1.99 per litre price cap in 2023, which remains in effect.
Globally, TotalEnergies is a major supplier of refined petroleum products, managing extensive fuel marketing and distribution networks across Europe, Africa, and Asia. In France, its operations cover sourcing, storage, logistics, and retail fuel sales, supported by long-standing infrastructure and partnerships in regional markets such as Corsica.
