Oil giant to relocate offices to Jurong plant as part of global restructuring plan.
ExxonMobil announced plans to cut up to 500 jobs in Singapore by 2027 as part of its global restructuring strategy. The move includes shifting its HarbourFront office to the Jurong refinery, signaling a significant reshaping of operations in the city-state.
Job Cuts as Part of Global Strategy
ExxonMobil confirmed that it will trim 10 to 15 per cent of its Singapore workforce, which currently numbers around 3,500 employees. This equates to as many as 500 job losses by the end of 2027. The announcement follows the company’s global decision to lay off 2,000 workers, mostly in Europe and Canada, representing 3 to 4 per cent of its total workforce.
Relocation to Jurong
In addition to the job cuts, ExxonMobil plans to relocate its HarbourFront-based staff to new facilities at its Jurong refinery complex by 2027. According to the company, consolidating operations into a single site will “improve competitiveness, increase effectiveness, and drive innovation.”
Employees React to Uncertainty
Some employees at the Singapore office said the news was not a surprise, given ongoing cuts in other regions. Staff were informed that redundancies would occur by December, though managers have yet to confirm which roles will be made redundant or shifted offshore. Workers expressed concerns over severance packages, though management clarified that voluntary departures would not be permitted.
Continued Investment in Singapore
Despite the layoffs, ExxonMobil stressed its ongoing commitment to Singapore as a key regional hub. The firm recently started production at a new Jurong Island facility that converts residue fuels into higher-value base stocks. ExxonMobil’s two Singapore refineries — Jurong Island and Pioneer Road — have a combined processing capacity of 592,000 barrels per day, making it one of the company’s largest integrated manufacturing bases worldwide.
Authorities and Union Support
Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) said it would work closely with Workforce Singapore (WSG) and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to help affected workers find new roles. The ExxonMobil Singapore Employees Union (EMSEU) also stated that it is in active discussions with the company to safeguard workers’ rights and ensure support throughout the transition.
Broader Industry Implications
ExxonMobil’s decision reflects wider shifts in the global oil and gas industry, which has been restructuring amid energy transitions and market challenges. For Singapore, long regarded as a major oil and gas hub, the cuts represent both a workforce challenge and an opportunity to accelerate diversification into cleaner energy sectors.
ExxonMobil’s planned layoffs in Singapore highlight the tension between global cost-cutting and local commitments. While up to 500 workers face uncertainty, the company’s continued investment in refining capacity underlines Singapore’s strategic role in its global operations. The move reinforces the need for resilience in Singapore’s workforce and adaptability within its energy sector.
Sources: CNA (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: ExxonMobil, Singapore Jobs, Job Cuts, Jurong Refinery, Oil and Gas, Workforce
