Operational Energy Service (France)

The Service de l'énergie opérationnelle (SEO), formerly known as Service des essences des armées (SEA), which translates as the Operational Energy Service is an inter-service branch of the French Army subordinate to the head of the defence staff.

During the First World War, facing the increased use of mechanized warfare, the French armed forces needed to set up a new network for fuel supply.

At the same time, a wider service to provide petrol, oils and lubricants was created.

The order of March 17 1945 defines the SEA as a central service in charge of refueling the whole of the armed forces.

The Corps des Agents Techniques (Corps of Technical Agents) provides fuel and lubricant experts, specialists, and advisers to the SEA.