Whiting refinery
Located in northwest Indiana, about 17 miles from downtown Chicago, the Whiting refinery is bp’s largest in the world and a vital source of transportation fuels, investment and jobs in the Midwest region.
Whiting refinery
- The Whiting refinery processes around 440,000 barrels of crude oil every day and produces a wide range of liquid fuels.
- The refinery employs about 1,500 employees and an average of about 1,500 contractors and supports more than 90,000 jobs in the region.
- In 2024, the Whiting refinery spent more than $1 billion with suppliers.
- bp’s Whiting refinery provides gasoline to states across the Midwest and can produce enough fuel each day to support the average daily travel of more than 7 million cars.1
- The refinery produces about 7% of all asphalt in the United States.
1 Calculation based on the average amount of gasoline an American passenger car uses each day.
Safety and environment
At bp, safety comes first. Maintaining safe and efficient operations underpins everything we do. Our goal is to eliminate fatalities, life-changing injuries, and the most serious process safety incidents.
bp also is actively working to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.
We believe that technology will continue to play an increasingly important role in reducing safety risks. For example, we now use drones and robotic technologies for some of our inspections, removing the risks involved when people are tasked with carrying out inspections.
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. bp is developing a public website that will be available beginning in summer 2024 to host sampling data from these new community air monitors.
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
bp recognizes the need to continue providing the world with the fuel it needs today, while at the same time investing in lower carbon energy solutions for the future. We are committed to helping deliver secure, affordable and lower carbon energy.
That is why we are evaluating plans at the Whiting refinery for lower-carbon products like biofuels, hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
In October 2023, bp and the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen – the MachH2 coalition – announced their selection by the US Department of Energy for regional clean hydrogen hub funding. bp is looking to develop blue hydrogen production at or near our Whiting refinery.
Meet the executive leading the Midwest’s largest refinery
Chris DellaFranco, Whiting refinery’s top leader, shares insights on the energy industry, innovation, safety, and building trust with communities.
Whiting refinery: Committed to being a good neighbor to NWI
Whiting refinery leadership reaffirms commitment to communication, transparency and engagement with Northwest Indiana.
Contact us
General information
For questions and more information about Whiting refinery, please contact whitingrefineryexternalaffairs@bp.com.
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