France's limited oil production

France produces just 1% of its petroleum consumption from 64 active oil and gas fields in the Aquitaine and Paris basins, according to Virginie Schadler of L'essentiel. The rest of the country’s petroleum needs are met through imports.

Proposed law change

Marine Le Pen has proposed abolishing the 2017 Hulot law, which bans hydrocarbon research and exploitation on French territory by 2040. She argues that ending the law would prevent France from falling into "underdevelopment and economic ruin."

Uncertain reserves

Although certain regions, especially the Paris basin, show potential for discovering hydrocarbons like shale oil, explorations in Guyana have not confirmed commercially viable reserves. The actual extent of available resources remains uncertain.

Industry and environmental positions

Matthieu Auzanneau, an environmental advocate, argues that restarting hydrocarbon extraction is "perfectly incompatible with our climate commitments." The oil industry, however, claims that such production could fund well closures and decarbonization projects.

Reserves classification

Blandine Ruty of Ufip Énergies et Mobilités explains that reserves are classified into three levels—1P proven, 2P probable, and 3P possible—based on international standards. Proven and exploitable reserves by 2036 are estimated at 5 million tons, equivalent to 10 years of consumption.

Exploration challenges

Auzanneau highlights the "very uncertain potential" of shale oil in the Paris basin, noting that confirming reserves would take years. Restarting exploration, which would conflict with the Hulot law, does not guarantee enough reserves to significantly reduce France’s reliance on imports.

Guyana exploration results

In 2011, oil was discovered in Guyana's deep waters, but appraisal drilling by Shell and TotalEnergies did not confirm a commercially viable deposit. TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné noted that the company spent nearly 400 million euros without success.

Political debate

In 2025, Minister of Overseas Territories Manuel Valls sought to "open the debate" on lifting the hydrocarbon ban, but faced opposition from Environment and Energy ministers. A bill to allow hydrocarbon research in overseas territories was later rejected by the National Assembly in 2026.

Long-term implications

The timeline from discovery to production can span decades, making the economic benefits of drilling take years to materialize. This timeline conflicts with the Paris Agreement and France’s decarbonization goals.

Industry vs. climate goals

While Auzanneau insists that restarting oil production is incompatible with climate commitments, Ruty argues that continuing production maintains a responsible industrial activity and funds decarbonization efforts. France now faces the challenge of balancing these competing priorities.