BP (BP)

Plant provides reliable source of steam to refinery

BP Alternative Energy today announced that it has acquired the Whiting Clean Energy facility, a 525 megawatt (MW) natural-gas fired combined-cycle cogeneration power plant located in Whiting, Indiana, USA. The plant was acquired for $210 million from NiSource Inc., a Fortune 500 company engaged in natural gas transmission, storage and distribution, as well as electric generation, transmission and distribution.
 
The Whiting Clean Energy facility provides an efficient and consistent source of steam for BP’s Whiting refinery. The acquisition also offers BP the opportunity to sell lower-carbon power into the local power market.
 
“BP’s purchase of the Whiting Clean Energy facility will enhance the efficiency of our Whiting refinery and serve as a reliable source of energy for the Midwest,” said Bob Malone, BP America president and chairman.
 
BP has received all necessary approvals from regulatory authorities including consents from FERC and the Federal Trade Commission and has taken over the day-to-day operational control of the plant. No staff reductions are expected as a result of the acquisition.
 

BP purchased Whiting Clean Energy after exercising its right of first refusal with NiSource. The investment is consistent with BP’s strategy of owning cogeneration projects that enhance energy efficiency and minimize the company’s global emissions.

BP Alternative Energy today announced that it has acquired the Whiting Clean Energy
facility, a 525 megawatt (MW) natural-gas fired combined-cycle cogeneration power plant
located in Whiting, Indiana, USA. The plant was acquired for $210 million from NiSource
Inc., a Fortune 500 company engaged in natural gas transmission, storage and distribution,
as well as electric generation, transmission and distribution.

 

The Whiting Clean Energy facility provides an efficient and consistent source of steam for
BP’s Whiting refinery. The acquisition also offers BP the opportunity to sell
lower-carbon power into the local power market.

 

“BP’s purchase of the Whiting Clean Energy facility will enhance the efficiency
of our Whiting refinery and serve as a reliable source of energy for the Midwest,”
said Bob Malone, BP America president and chairman.

 

BP has received all necessary approvals from regulatory authorities including consents from
FERC and the Federal Trade Commission and has taken over the day-to-day operational control
of the plant. No staff reductions are expected as a result of the acquisition.

 

BP purchased Whiting Clean Energy after exercising its right of first refusal with
NiSource. The investment is consistent with BP’s strategy of owning cogeneration
projects that enhance energy efficiency and minimize the company’s global
emissions.

Notes to editors:

• BP America is the largest producer of oil and gas in the United
  States and one of the nation's largest energy investors.



• BP Alternative Energy, launched in November 2005, combines all of BP's
  interests in low and zero-carbon energy including wind, solar, hydrogen power with
  carbon capture and storage, natural gas-fired power generation, biofuels for low carbon
  transport and distributed energy for emerging markets.



• 
  
  
  BP Alternative Energy is one of the leading wind developers in
  the US and has portfolios in Europe, Asia & Latin America.
  BP's US wind portfolio includes the opportunity to develop almost 100
  projects with a potential total generating capacity of 15,000 MW. For more
  information about BP Alternative Energy,
  visit: www.bpalternativenergy.com 
  
  
  

Media enquiries:

BP Press Office: +1 630 821 3212

 

— ENDS —

      SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.

                                        
BP p.l.c.

                                       
(Registrant)

Dated:    01 July
2008                                                                                                                                 
                            
 /s/ D. J. PEARL

                                                 
..............................

                                                 
D. J. PEARL

                                                 
Deputy Company Secretary