BP Shares Edge Up as Whiting Refinery Resumes Operations After Flooding, Stock Ranks 493rd in $0.2B Trading Volume

On August 20, 2025, BP traded higher by 0.18% with a trading volume of $0.2 billion, ranking 493rd in market activity. The stock's performance was influenced by developments at its Whiting refinery in Indiana, which began restarting operations after severe flooding earlier in the week. Industry monitor IIR noted the facility would require several days to reach full capacity, with full output anticipated by early next week.

Located on Lake Michigan's southern shore, the Whiting complex—the largest refinery in the U.S. Midwest—processes 440,000 barrels per day. The facility's disruption followed a thunderstorm-induced flood that triggered visible flaring. While BP has not disclosed a formal timeline, regulatory authorities are monitoring emissions and safety protocols during the phased reactivation. The refinery's output of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel is critical for regional markets stretching from Chicago to Detroit.

Unplanned outages at Whiting have historically impacted wholesale gasoline prices in the Midwest, where refining capacity is concentrated and pipeline infrastructure is limited. Current inventory levels in the region are below the five-year seasonal average, heightening sensitivity to supply changes as the peak summer driving season approaches. Industry analysts emphasized the importance of a timely restart to stabilize regional fuel balances.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding for one day from 2022 to 2025 yielded a 1-day return of 0.98%. Over 365 days, total returns reached 31.52%, reflecting moderate momentum capture amid market volatility. The approach generated its highest monthly return of 7.02% in June 2023 but faced a drawdown of -4.20% in September 2022. Despite fluctuations, the strategy demonstrated an overall upward trend, aligning with short-term trading objectives.