Why Shell is Moving Away from Crude-Based Jet Fuel
Crude oil is the primary source for most jet fuel, using refining processes like fractional distillation to extract kerosene-like fuels.
Shell has ceased the production of jet fuel from crude oil at its Wesseling, Germany facility, a move in its broader ambition to become a net zero emissions energy business by 2050.
By 2030, the company aims to halve Scope 1 and 2 emissions under its operational control on a net basis compared with 2016.
It also aims to reduce the net carbon intensity of the product it sells by 15-20% by 2030.
Ending crude based jet fuel
Conventional jet fuels derived from crude oil are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in aviation.
Combustion of these fuels release CO₂ alongside pollutants including particulates and aromatic compounds.
In early 2024, Shell made a final investment decision to convert the hydrocracker at its Wesseling site into a production unit for Group III base oils.
Instead, this production unit will be used to make lubricants such as engine and transmission oils.
On the announcement of the final investment decision, Huibert Vigeveno, Shell’s Downstream and Renewables Director, said: “The repurposing of this European refinery is a significant step towards serving our growing lubricant customer base with premium base oils.
“This investment is part of Shell’s drive to create more value with less emissions.”
Crude oil processing as a whole will end at this site in 2025, Shell said.
At the time of the final investment decision, Shell said that the high degree of electrification of the base oil plant, alongside the ceasing of crude oil processing into fuels at the Wesseling site, is expected to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by around 620,000 tonnes each year.
Shell’s emissions targets
Shell’s roadmap to net zero includes a set of targets across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
This includes halving Scope 1 and 2 emissions under its operational control on a net basis compared with 2016.
By the end of 2024, the company said it had achieved a 30% reduction, meeting 60% of that target.
Shell reduced its Net Carbon Intensity by 9% from 2016 levels by the end of 2024, hitting its short-term milestone ahead of schedule.
Scope 3 emissions from the use of Shell’s oil products were down 14% compared to 2021, showing traction in curbing end-use emissions.
Decarbonising products
Shell says it is focusing on diversifying its energy offering to include more sustainable options.
Its initiatives to decarbonise its energy mix include:
- Replacing oil products with biofuels and renewable power
- Increasing production and trading of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
Expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, with more than 70,000 public EV charge points installed globally by the end of 2024.
Additionally, Shell is investing in carbon capture and storage (CCS), including a project in Louisiana, US where it has invested in the world’s largest direct air capture plant with RepAir and Mitsubishi.
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