BP America projected Friday that it could add 2,000 employees to its Houston-based operations on the city’s west side energy corridor, bringing its total number of employees in Houston to 8,000 in a major expansion planned for the next four years. The recent acquisition of more than 50 acres of land adjacent to BP’s Westlake campus solidified a three-phased growth plan, the company said.

“The Houston area represents a strategic hub for BP’s North America Exploration and Production segment and its gas, renewables, supply and trading (GRS&T) segment,” said BP America Chairman Robert Malone. “The expansion of the Westlake campus is essential to the development of our businesses here. The planned infrastructure improvements and the construction of environmentally friendly buildings will showcase our values in a way that is beneficial to our staff and to the greater community as well.”

The first phase of the development will include construction of a seven-story commercial facility that will accommodate BP’s GRS&T businesses. BP has promised cutting-edge designs for energy conservation and progressive employee environments. BP said the building is expected to be the first in the Houston area with platinum certification for leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) from the U.S. Green Building Council. The facility is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Phase one of BP’s plan also will include construction of a new 700-vehicle temporary parking lot to ease congestion, a new parking garage for 1,700 cars, widening of Grisby Road and the ongoing modernization of existing buildings.

Phase two of the project commences with the construction of a new and larger Westlake Child Development Center and team sports fields on the campus. Also under consideration are new facilities to house training and development functions to support BP’s Westlake and regional populations.

In the third phase BP will evaluate the development of additional commercial facilities, including a hotel with meeting facilities and a town square for shops, restaurants and other businesses.

“BP is committed to developing and sustaining a presence in Houston for the long term,” said Malone. “The Westlake campus will provide a progressive office environment and enable us to thrive today and in the future.”

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