European oil refineries increase jet fuel production amid supply concerns

Oil prices rose above 100 dollars per barrel on Thursday following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The supply interruption has forced Europe to seek alternative crude oil sources from the Middle East. Shell's Pernis refinery, the largest in Europe with a processing capacity of 400,000 barrels per day, has shifted to maximum jet fuel production mode. Frans Everts, head of Shell Netherlands, confirmed that refineries across Europe are operating at similar high capacities to address potential fuel shortages. The facility in Pernis supplies fuel to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany, while its linked petrochemical complex at Moerdijk is currently under scheduled maintenance. Major airlines, including KLM and Lufthansa, have announced plans to reduce flights as a result of the supply constraints. Washington and Tehran have not yet scheduled new diplomatic talks to address the ongoing regional tensions. The situation has resulted in significant fuel price increases across various European nations.