Pentagon Places Orders for $2.3 Billion in Jet Fuel

The Pentagon needs fuel. Fortunately, it's found a few companies willing to slake its thirst for oil.

On Tuesday, the Department of Defense awarded some $2.3 billion worth of contracts for "aviation turbine fuel." Most of the major oil and refining companies came away with contracts, including:

• Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) subsidiary Equilon Enterprises, which claimed the largest award at an estimated $474.1 million in maximum value.
• Valero (VLO -0.13%), winner of a nearly as large contract valued at up to $456.4 million.
• ExxonMobil (XOM -0.04%), winner of a $405.1 million contract.
• Chevron (CVX -0.78%), which won $391.4 million.
• Western Refining (WNR), awarded a $268.7 million supply contract.

In addition, four other, smaller companies also won contracts. All nine contracts state June 30, 2014, as the deadline for delivery.