BP's massive oil refinery in northwest Indiana has returned to normal operations following a power outage that led to a temporary shutdown and evacuation of workers. The Whiting Refinery, located along Lake Michigan, is the largest in the U.S. Midwest and the sixth-largest nationally, processing approximately 440,000 barrels of crude oil daily to produce various liquid fuels and asphalt.
The incident occurred on February 1 when a power outage forced BP to halt operations, evacuate personnel, and initiate flaring of its stacks to burn off excess fuel stock and prevent potential explosions. The flaring process resulted in significant smoke emissions over the lakefront, with residents as far as 20 miles away in neighboring Illinois reporting the odor.
During the shutdown, BP sent hundreds of contractors home while working to restore operations gradually. Gas prices in northwest Indiana and across the Midwest rose as a result of the refinery's closure, remaining elevated for several weeks until normal production levels were resumed.
BP spokesperson Christina Audisho confirmed on Tuesday that the Whiting Refinery is now back to full operations, signaling a successful recovery from the power outage that disrupted the facility's activities for over six weeks.
