The Whiting refinery is one of the largest refineries in the US and bp’s biggest in the world.
Safety and environment
At bp, safety underpins everything we do. Our goal is to eliminate fatalities, life-changing injuries and the most serious process safety events.
Technology is helping teams at Whiting work more safely and make better-informed decisions. The refinery uses high-tech simulators to give operators hands-on experience in a safe, controlled environment. It also uses drones to inspect elevated structures, reducing the need for personnel to climb them, and crews are piloting an AI-driven tool that monitors operational conditions in real time to support earlier intervention and improve risk awareness.
bp also is actively working to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.
What is a flare?
A flare stack is a tall, narrow structure that can be seen in refineries and other industrial processing plants that burns excess material. During startups, shutdowns or incidents at refineries, flares act as safety valves, releasing pressure and burning excess material.
How many flares does the Whiting refinery have?
The Whiting refinery has 9 flares. Each of the flares supports a specific area or specific units in the refinery.
What is happening at the refinery where there is flaring?
Flaring can be seen when units are starting up or shutting down or, in some instances, experiencing an upset. When an upset leads to flaring, operators work to try to find the source of the issue on the impacted unit or units and respond to the flaring as quickly and safely as possible.
How does bp monitor air quality?
The refinery monitors the air quality by using a combination of stationary and mobile air monitors.
Where can I see the air quality results for my community?
Federal regulations require bp to maintain fence line monitors and to submit the results to regulators. The US EPA manages how that data is made available to the public.
Is there any additional data that can be shared?
As part of a recent settlement reached with regulators, bp has also agreed to install additional air monitoring equipment, including one new monitor within the refinery fence line, three new monitors at the refinery fence line, and 10 new monitors outside the refinery fence line in the surrounding community. Sampling data from the community air monitors is publicly available through bp's Community Air Monitoring Data Platform.
What are the air quality impacts of a flare?
If a flare is operating normally, there should be minimal air quality impacts. During a flaring event, air emissions are closely monitored and reported to regulators.
What causes the odors I smell from the refinery?
During flaring, material is combusted, and that process can, at times, result in odors. Some of this material can produce odors that humans can perceive at very low concentrations but are well below the concentrations that may affect human health. Additionally, we take steps to try to minimize odors from the refinery that may impact local residents. In a heavily industrialized area like the one in which Whiting sits, the source of any particular odor is not always easily identifiable in the absence of additional data.
Community impact
In addition to providing the energy and jobs that fuel the Midwest region’s economy, Whiting refinery also supports a wide range of institutions and initiatives that strengthen the communities where our employees live and work.
We have invested more than $3 million in the last five years in community programs benefitting the region. We are focused on STEM education in local schools, workforce development programs at colleges and universities in the region, a tree-planting initiative in nearby neighborhoods, and sponsorship of major community events, like Pierogi Fest.
Looking to the future
Whiting continues to invest in the safety and reliability of its operations while producing the transportation fuels the Midwest relies on.
The refinery has begun a multi-year capital investment program for its electrical distribution system, funding key improvements to help strengthen safety and reliability. Teams are also using data-analysis tools designed to complement workers’ expertise and support decision-making and pre-job safety checks.
People of Whiting
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A 32-year Whiting veteran reflects on the refinery’s impact
Leadership insights
Meet the executive leading the Midwest’s largest refinery
Chris DellaFranco shares insights on the energy industry, innovation, safety, and building trust with communities.
Meet ChrisContact us
General information
For questions and more information about Whiting refinery, please contact whitingrefineryexternalaffairs@bp.com.
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