A process is presented for the control of the exotherm from an oligomerization process. The oligomerization process is for the conversion of C3 and C4 olefins to distillate. The process includes controlling the extent of the reaction to limit temperature rise, and recycle of a portion of the reactor effluent stream for dilution of the C3 and C4 olefins passed to the oligomerization reactors, and for separating out the product distillate.