BP Boosts European Jet Fuel Output by 30% Amid Iran War

BP increased jet fuel production by about 30% at its European refineries during the Iran conflict, helping to avoid major shortages in the region. The war disrupted Middle East exports, driving prices to records, but higher European output and imports from other suppliers prevented a summer supply crunch. Refiners such as Repsol and Shell are adjusting operations to maximize jet fuel production, underscoring efforts to manage supply risks during the disruption. BP’s Senior Vice President Brenda Stout stated that the company continuously works to identify and address the next bottleneck, and has invested to allow its plants to process a wider range of crudes and alter their mix of products. Europe is a net importer of jet fuel, with most purchases coming from the Middle East, and the near-halt of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz prompted multiple refiners to tweak their operations, skewing their output toward jet fuel and kerosene. Repsol increased jet fuel yields by as much as 25%, while Shell’s Pernis refinery in Rotterdam was churning out as much fuel as it could.