BP Whiting Refinery Modernization Project FAQ

What is the status of the BP Whiting Refinery $3.8 billion modernization project?

We are committed to modernizing the Whiting refinery with world-class equipment of significant size and scale.  The project currently is in the design phase, and work is expected to be complete in 2011. We believe that these improvements will make the refinery a top-tier, efficient and safe refinery serving the Midwest for decades to come.
The project is important to consumers and business in the Midwest, and to BP.  It addresses calls by Congress and the White House for more U.S. refining capacity, and increased diversity and security of U.S. and Midwest enery supply, while still balancing our environmental responsibilities.    

How much motor fuel is currently produced at the Whiting Refinery?

On average, the refinery produces about 290,000 barrels (or more than 12 million gallons) of vehicle motor fuels each day.  The refinery also produces aviation fuel, xylene, asphalt, and other petroleum products, bringing total daily output up to the range of 400,000 barrels of refined product per day.  

How much more motor fuel do you expect to produce at the Whiting Refinery as a result of this project?

We expect gasoline and diesel production could increase by as much as about 10 percent, which is about 1.7 million gallons (or about 40,000 barrels) of gasoline and diesel per day. The Whiting refinery each day produces enough fuel to run 430,000 cars and pick-up trucks, 22,000 commercial trucks, 2,000 commercial jet liners, 10,000 tractors, and fill 350,000 propane tanks.  The potential to increase motor fuel production from the refinery will bring that total to more than 6 million vehicles.  


What percentage of gasoline for the Midwest does the Whiting refinery supply?

The Whiting refinery provides approximately 16 percent of the gasoline and 20 percent of the diesel and jet fuel for Midwestern states we operate in, which include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin

What is the major reason for the Whiting Refinery modernization project?

BP intends to re-configure and modernize its Whiting Refinery so it can refine mostly heavy crude oil from Canada.  Currently, about 20 to 25 percent of the Whiting Refinery’s feed stock is heavy crude oil. The reconfiguration will increase the refinery’s heavy crude processing capability to 80 to 90 percent.  BP will modernize the Whiting Refinery with world-class equipment of significant size and scale.  We believe that these improvements will make the refinery a top-tier, competitive refinery for decades to come.

What is BP investing at Whiting?

BP plans to invest more than $3.8 billion to modernize the Whiting Refinery. This investment signals a significant commitment by BP to consumers and businesses in the Midwest, and to the company’s U.S. refining system.  It will allow the refinery to tap into a growing oil resource from a secure and reliable supplier:  Canada.