BHP Billiton, together with other participants in the North West
Shelf Venture, today announced agreement on key terms with Chubu
Electric Power Company Inc. of Japan for the sale and purchase of
liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the North West Shelf (NWS) in
Western Australia.
The agreement covers the supply of 0.6 million tonnes of LNG per
annum (mtpa) for a long-term period starting in 2009.  The parties
will now move to finalise a sale and purchase agreement.
The agreement with Chubu Electric follows recent Letters of Intent
with other Japanese customers, these being:
Tokyo Gas and Toho Gas on 22 September 2000 for the supply of 1
mtpa of LNG, starting 2004.
Osaka Gas on 16 January 2001 for the supply of 1 mtpa of LNG,
starting 2004.
Tohoku Electric Co., Ltd. on 5 February for 0.4 mtpa of LNG,
starting 2005.
Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. on 28 March for the supply of 0.5
million mtpa of LNG, starting April 2006.
In April this year, BHP Billiton also announced approval for a
fourth train expansion of the liquefied natural gas facilities at
the North West Shelf Project on the Burrup Peninsula in Western
Australia
BHP Billiton's equity in the North West Shelf Project is 16.67%.
The other participants are Woodside Energy Ltd (operator -
16.67%); BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd (16.67%); Chevron
Australia Pty Ltd (16.67%); Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty Ltd
(16.67%); and Shell Development (Australia) Proprietary Limited
(16.67%).
Further information including a PFD format release can be found
on: http://www.bhpbilliton.com or contact:
Australia
Dr. Robert Porter, Investor Relations
Tel: + 61 3 9609 3540
Mobile: +61 419 587 456  email: Robert.Porter@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom
Marc Gonsalves, Investor Relations & Communications
Tel: +44 20 7747 3956
Mobile: +44 7768 264 950 email: Marc.Gonsalves@bhpbilliton.com
Mandy Frostick, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4157
Mobile: +61 419 546 245 email: Mandy.J.Frostick@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +27 11 376 3360
Mobile: +27 82 458 2587 email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com
United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 961 8625
Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 email:francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com