Delta's Monroe Energy refinery, located on the Delaware River in Trainer, Delaware County, ceased operations of its two 100,000-barrels-per-day crude-oil distilleries on Tuesday, June 17, 2026. The shutdown was attributed to an internal leak within the facility, as reported by Industrial Info Resources (IIR), a Texas-based energy research service. This incident could lead to a halt in daily production of up to 200,000 barrels of jet fuel and other products for at least several days, according to an article published on June 18, 2026.
Delta Air Lines, which owns the refinery, acquired the facility in 2012 to produce its own jet fuel and other refined products to mitigate fluctuating oil prices. A Delta spokesperson declined to comment on daily operations but assured the public there was no danger. The refinery, employing around 500 union workers, managers, and contractors, is one of three remaining similarly sized oil refineries on the Delaware River.
The stoppage occurred amidst a backdrop of rising jet fuel prices, which have been exacerbated by the war in Iran. U.S. refinery closings have already reduced supplies of gasoline, fuel oil, and jet fuel, leading to increased vulnerability to supply disruptions. Although the refinery provides a significant hedge against refining margin fluctuations, it doesn't eliminate Delta's exposure to higher fuel prices entirely. Delta's filings show Monroe reduced average fuel prices by 23 cents per gallon in 2022 and 10 cents in 2023, equating to roughly $785 million and $393 million in savings respectively. However, it also incurred an operating loss of $216 million in 2020 when demand was low.
