Spanish government and oil sector assure the "guarantee" of kerosene in the State

MadridThe conflict in the Middle East and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz are boosting the production of kerosene, but also of diesel and gasoline in Spain. The eight Spanish refineries, one of them in Tarragona, which make Spain the third European country with the greatest refining capacity, are operating "at maximum" to meet the demand for these types of fuels. In particular, there is high demand for kerosene in aviation, especially for the summer months when this means of transport will be boosted by tourism. "Refineries are maximizing their production," explain sector sources to ARA.

It is the airline sector that has raised an alarm because 45% of the total kerosene consumed on the Old Continent passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the alarm, the situation in Spain is one of "guaranteed supply" of all and each one of the petroleum derivatives, indicated the Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, this Monday in a press briefing. "The situation is better than in many surrounding countries," added Aagesen. The Spanish government has met again with agents from the gas and oil sector to monitor the energy scenario. "No signs of risk are observed regarding supply and [natural gas] prices remain relatively stable," indicate sources from the gas sector. For both, the communication from the European Commission scheduled for this Wednesday with measures and recommendations to face the tension in the global energy market will be key.

As ARA explained, Spain's particularity is its high refining capacity: it can receive and process different types of oil and at the same time "squeeze" the barrel to obtain more derivative content (greater production margin). This explains that Spain produces 80% of the kerosene consumed, or that it has been a "net exporter" of petroleum derivatives (gasolines, kerosines, diesel, among others) since 2012. For example, last February, Spain exported kerosene to the United States, Saudi Arabia, France, Morocco, and Portugal, according to the latest data from the Corporation of Strategic Reserves of Petroleum Products (CORES) consulted by ARA.

Who was already sending a message of calm a few days ago was Repsol's CEO, Josu Jon Imaz: "Repsol today has only one obsession: to guarantee in the coming months that there is no shortage of product in Spain. We know the dependence of the Spanish economy on tourism [...]. We have increased our stock by 1.2 billion euros this March because we do not want to suffer a supply shortage," explained Imaz during an economic forum organized by the digital newspaper El Español.. The executive of the leading oil company in the State assured that this is also a "priority" for the Spanish government.

Of the eight refineries in Spain, five are in the hands of Repsol (A Coruña, Bilbao, Puertollano, Tarragona, and Cartagena), two are owned by Moeve (formerly Cepsa), and one by BP. Following the crisis in Hormuz, the sector is "analyzing a battery of measures" regarding production and logistics to increase these fuels, according to sector sources. Data for March, marked by the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, is not yet available, but last February, the State's refineries as a whole produced 711.7 kt (kilotons) of different kerosene, according to the latest oil refinery statistics from the Ministry for Ecological Transition. "We are investing so that we can transform products in such a way that we have the capacity to reach the summer with 15 or 20% more kerosene than we produce now," added Imaz. Record kerosene consumption

In 2025, kerosene experienced a peculiarity. The State achieved a "historic" consumption of this fuel, while gasoline "reached highs since 2007," according to data revealed by the Ministry for Ecological Transition last week, which coincided with the presentation of the Energy Balance in Spain in 2025. Specifically, Spain consumed a total of 7,774 kt (kilotons) of kerosene between January and December, according to CORES data consulted by ARA. Regarding gasolines, consumption was 7,029 kt, while diesel consumption soared to 30,658 kt in 2025. Behind these figures is not only road transport, which accounts for 73.4% of the consumption of all fuels, but also international aviation (13.84%). In fact, it is the transport for which kerosene consumption soared to historic highs.

However, Spain continues to release oil reserves as committed to the International Energy Agency. So far, 4 days of state oil consumption have been released, and 8.3 days remain to meet the commitment to release 12.5 days of crude consumption. "There is no delay [in releasing reserves]. We have ninety days and we are working on it with the operators," indicated the minister.