Whiting residents might have noticed flares from BP’s refinery, but a statement from city officials said it was expected.
“BP has informed the City of Whiting on planned operational activities at the Whiting Refinery that may be visible or audible to surrounding communities over the next seven to 10 days,” said a Nov. 13 online city statement. “BP expects that these activities could result in planned flaring or other noise from the refinery.”
As of about 3 p.m. Monday, the flares had concluded, a BP spokesman said in an email.
The Whiting refinery and local roads weren’t shut down for the flare, and employees didn’t evacuate. Local fire departments didn’t help with the company’s planned flare.
Flares are a safety device used to help the refinery safely manage excess gasses during maintenance or operational disruptions, BP said in a statement.
“We apologize for any disruption this may cause our neighbors,” said the company’s statement. “We are monitoring air emissions and will make notifications if necessary.”
In January, the oil refinery was hit by a power outage that required BP to shut down the facility and evacuate workers, according to the Associated Press.
Employees were evacuated, and roads were shut down. BP flared its stacks in response to the refinery’s outage.
Unlike January’s flaring in response to the outage, Monday’s was planned.
“The safety of the BP workforce and of the surrounding communities will remain the highest priority for BP during this period of planned activity,” said a Nov. 13 online Whiting statement.
The Whiting refinery has more than 1,300 employees and 1,400 contractors, according to BP’s website. The refinery provides gas to Midwestern states and can produce enough fuel each day to support the average daily travel of more than 7 million cars.
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
