Frequently Asked Questions

Detroit HOUP overview

What is Detroit HOUP?
The Detroit HOUP, an acronym for Detroit Heavy Oil Upgrade Project, will help secure Michigan's supply of petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel and asphalt, by transporting crude oil extracted from Canadian oil fields to Michigan's only refinery, located in southwest Detroit.

The project calls for upgrading and expanding the Detroit refinery to process the heavy Canadian crude oil delivered by the pipeline. Once completed, the Detroit refinery will increase its capacity from approximately 102,000 barrels per day to 115,000 bpd with an additional output of more than 400,000 gallons per day of transportation fuels.

Another aspect of the project includes the construction of a new 29-mile pipeline in Monroe and Wayne counties that will deliver additional supplies of Canadian crude to the refinery. The new section of 24-inch pipeline will cross six townships in Monroe County, beginning at Marathon’s Samaria station in Bedford Township. The new pipeline will cross six townships in Monroe County and will enter southern Wayne County before connecting to the existing line en route to the refinery.

Who is building the project?
Marathon Petroleum Company LLC and Marathon Pipe Line LLC.