BP project conclusion will involve big layoffs

WHITING | The $3.8 billion BP Whiting refinery project is set to wrap up later this year and layoffs of involved construction workers are expected.

February figures show unemployment increase

Contractors walk to a job site at the BP Whiting Refinery in 2011. Indiana's unemployment rate increased slightly in February, up 0.1 percent from January to 8.7 percent, according to government data released Friday.

Monkey business a show-stopper at BP Whiting Refinery

The remains of two small monkeys found in a crate of equipment at the BP Whiting Refinery have been removed for safe disposal, a company spokesman said Thursday.

Dead monkeys found in shipment at BP

Contract workers got a jarring surprise Wednesday afternoon at the BP Whiting Refinery when they encountered a shipment crate that contained two dead monkeys.

BP Whiting Refinery

Treated water flows into lake Michigan at the BP Whiting Refinery Lakefront Wastewater Treatment Plant in November. HAMMOND | Technologies exist that will allow BP's Whiting Refinery to meet federal standards for mercury discharges in waste water released into Lake Michigan, a study commissi…

USW Local authorizes strike against BP Whiting Refinery

United Steelworkers Local 7-1 has alerted the BP Whiting Refinery it has authorized its members to strike as of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday when the current three-year contract is expected to expire, The Times has learned. Locally, there are more than 1,200 United Steelworkers members at the BP Whiti…

Whiting works to improve lakefront living

The BP Whiting Refinery's expansion to process oil from Canadian tar sands is contributing to the town's bustling image.

Built on strong foundation, NWI has profound potential

BP's Whiting Refinery, showin in this March 30 aerial photo, is fueling economic growth as well as motor vehicles.

BP to build new office building for 500

WHITING | BP will completely retrofit a warehouse on 121st Street and convert it into a modern office building for 500 people as part of its $3.8 billion expansion project.

BP Whiting Refinery

The start-up of the BP Whiting Refinery's largest crude distillation unit, the No. 12 pipestill, is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2012.

BP Whiting Refinery

A wastewater treatment plant engineer at BP Whiting Refinery monitors a biological treatment tank.

BP Whiting Refinery

Treated water flows into Lake Michigan at BP Whiting Refinery's wastewater treatment plant.

BP Whiting Refinery

Joe and Dorthea Zrnchik stand in their backyard in Whiting, with the BP Whiting Refinery towering behind them. Joe Zrnchik, 75, has lived on the same city block his whole life. He said he's a BP shareholder and wants to see the company prosper but must balance that against local environmenta…

BP Whiting refinery

Steam rises from the BP Whiting Refinery earlier this month. The company is investing several billion dollars to modernize the refinery to boost processing of heavier crude oil extracted from Canadian tar sands.

Lake County works hard, plays harder

The BP Whiting Refinery is currently investing several billion dollars to modernize its operations, including a new coker, seen from the Marktown neighborhood in East Chicago.

Refinery workers voting on policy goals for new contract

Process safety is a top concern the United Steelworkers union plans to bring to the bargaining table with companies such as BP PLC next year.

BP Whiting refinery aerial

BP's Whiting Refinery is shown in March. Process safety is a top concern the United Steelworkers union plans to bring to the bargaining table with companies such as BP PLC next year.

Whiting refinery project nearly two-thirds complete

HAMMOND | Local BP official Thomas Keilman said Tuesday he has joked with Whiting city officials that the number of contractors working at the BP Whiting Refinery is close to the entire city's population.

Whiting refinery project nearly two-thirds complete

Local BP official Thomas Keilman said Tuesday he has joked with Whiting city officials that the number of contractors working at the BP Whiting Refinery-5,000-is close to the entire city's population.