Refineries
Carson, CA
Oil discoveries in Southern California in the early part of the 20th century set the stage for the growth of the petroleum industry in the Los Angeles basin. The Watson Ranch, which was only three miles west of Signal Hill, and the first developed land north of Los Angeles Harbor, became a prime location for storage tanks and a refinery. On March 3rd 1923, Pan-American Petroleum paid $2,000 per acre for Patrick Watson’s 100-acre tract.In 1937, the Richfield Oil Company of California bought out Pan-American and decided to expand by constructing the Watson Refinery at a cost of five million dollars. With a capacity of 50,000 barrels per day, Watson was brought on line in October of 1938. A pioneer in the production of 100-octane aviation gasoline, the refinery played a crucial role in fulfilling the military needs of World War II.
The refinery went through four major renovations before the Atlantic and Richfield merger. Additional modernizations and expansions have punctuated the refinery’s history since then. In November 1987, the Watson Cogeneration Plant began producing electricity and steam for the refinery, with the balance of the electricity sold to Southern California Edison.
In that same year, the Watson Refinery’s name was officially changed to the “Los Angeles Refinery.” Following the BP merger in April 2000, the name was changed to “BP-Carson Refinery.”
BP Carson Refinery leads the nation in the production of low-emission gasoline, setting the standard for other refineries and for the state of California. Encompassing over 630 acres of land, 1,200 employees work to help process some 265,000 barrels of oil per day into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petroleum coke. The refinery supplies about 25 percent of the Los Angeles gasoline market.
In that same year, the Watson Refinery’s name was officially changed to the “Los Angeles Refinery.” Following the BP merger in April 2000, the name was changed to “BP-Carson Refinery.”
BP Carson Refinery leads the nation in the production of low-emission gasoline, setting the standard for other refineries and for the state of California. Encompassing over 630 acres of land, 1,200 employees work to help process some 265,000 barrels of oil per day into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petroleum coke. The refinery supplies about 25 percent of the Los Angeles gasoline market.
Cherry Point, WA
BP's Cherry Point refinery has quietly provided a significant portion of US energy needs for more than 30 years. Now it’s being positioned to meet the challenges of a diverse and rapidly changing energy market.Since it started operations in 1971, Cherry Point has processed a large share of Alaska North Slope crude oil. A refining workhorse, Cherry Point became one of BP's premier U.S. assets following the merger with ARCO in 2000.
Situated on 2,400 acres and employing about 825 full-time workers, the facility processes more than 225,000 barrels of crude oil a day, primarily transportation fuels. It provides about 20 percent of the gasoline market share in Washington and Oregon, the majority of jet fuel for Seattle, Portland and Vancouver, B.C. international airports, and is the largest west coast supplier of jet fuel to the U.S. military.
Texas City, TX
Over three-quarters of a century, BP and its heritage companies have invested billions of dollars in the Texas City refinery for numerous expansions and modernizations to meet the growing and changing fuel needs of the United States.From 2005 through 2007, investments made to produce ultra-low sulfur diesel now allow the refinery to manufacture diesel fuel emitting just 15 sulfur parts per million, a 97 percent reduction from the old standard of 500 sulfur parts per million. Also since 2006, other significant investments have refurbished most of the plant’s major process units, resulting in improved environmental performance.
More than 2,000 people are employed at the 1,200 acre facility, continuing the tradition of providing good-paying jobs to four generations of area residents. Since 2006, operational and safety training for employees has been increased significantly.
BP Texas City can process 475,000 barrels of oil per day, more than 7 billion gallons of petroleum products per year. (Of which three billion are gasoline.) It is the third largest refinery in the United States and can process three percent of the nation’s gasoline supply, enough to fill the gas tanks of seven cars every second. BP Texas City has more than 20 process units and is considered one of the most versatile refineries in the world.
BP Texas City’s flexibility also enables the refinery to produce a wide range of products including gasoline, ultra low sulfur diesel, jet fuel, chemical feed stocks and heavy fuels.
BP Texas City can process 475,000 barrels of oil per day, more than 7 billion gallons of petroleum products per year. (Of which three billion are gasoline.) It is the third largest refinery in the United States and can process three percent of the nation’s gasoline supply, enough to fill the gas tanks of seven cars every second. BP Texas City has more than 20 process units and is considered one of the most versatile refineries in the world.
BP Texas City’s flexibility also enables the refinery to produce a wide range of products including gasoline, ultra low sulfur diesel, jet fuel, chemical feed stocks and heavy fuels.
Toledo, OH
BP-Husky Refining LLC (i.e., the Toledo Refinery) occupies 585 acres just east of the City of Toledo. Operating continuously since 1919, the facility has undergone numerous improvements and expansions to achieve its current capacity for processing 160,000 barrels of crude oil daily.BP and Husky Energy finalized the formation of two 50/50 joint ventures in 2008. One joint venture (JV) will develop Husky’s Sunrise oil sands field located in Alberta, Canada, while the other repositions the refinery through a major investment enabling it to run 100% Canadian oil sands. This gives the refinery access to a reliable source of North American crude oil, ensuring the facility’s future for years to come.
Under the agreement, BP operates the refinery on behalf of the joint venture. Day-to-day operations are driven by some 600 BP employees and another 500-700 contract workers. They work year-round to convert crude oil into almost six million gallons of product each day.
Most of the refinery’s output is gasoline, including low-sulfur fuels that produce lower vehicle emissions. The refinery also produces diesel fuel, aviation fuel, propane, kerosene and asphalt.
Whiting, IN
The BP Whiting Refinery is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan and the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal in the communities of Whiting, East Chicago and Hammond, Indiana. Whiting Refinery is the second largest refinery in the BP refining system, and the 5th largest refinery in the United States. Operations began in 1889, prior to the advent of the automobile.Today, BP is investing $3.8 billion (USD) in Northwest Indiana to modernize its Whiting Refinery for the processing of heavier crudes. The modernization is essential to the long-term viability of the refinery, and includes $1.4 billion toward environmental improvements.
Whiting Refinery employs approximately 1700 employees. In addition, the Whiting Refinery Modernization Project is employing thousands of contractors. Following the modernization, the refinery will continue to employ hundreds of contractors involved with routine maintenance work.
The modernization project will provide for greater energy security in the Midwest, as conventional supplies of the lighter crudes diminish, and are replaced by heavier crudes.
As we progress with the project, the health, safety and security of our employees, and of those who come into contact with our operations and products, remains our highest priority. Our policy is that no job is worth doing, unless it is done safely, while protecting our shared natural environment.
For more information on BP’s Whiting Refinery, please see the pdf files below.
Refining
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