BHP Billiton SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES US$850 million GLOBAL BOND                   
BHP Billiton Plc                                                                
ISIN:       GB0000566504                                                        
Share code: BIL                                                                 
BHP Billiton, the world"s largest diversified natural resources company,        
announced today the successful launch of its 10 year Global Bond.  The proceeds 
from the issue, which was expanded from US$750 million to US$850 million due to 
strong demand, will be used to repay existing debt and for general corporate    
purposes.                                                                       
BHP Billiton"s Chief Financial Officer, Chris Lynch, commented, "The success of 
this issue in terms of the expanded size, the quality of the book and the       
pricing achieved again illustrates the strength of the BHP Billiton credit      
story.  This is the first issue in the US market for the combined BHP Billiton  
Group, and following on from the success of our inaugural Eurobond in October   
2002, will further our objective of diversifying funding sources."              
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of 
an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any          
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful under  
the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.  A written prospectus meeting the 
requirements of section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 may be obtained   
from the joint book runners, Citigroup at 390 Greenwich Street, 4th Floor, New  
York, NY 10013 or J.P. Morgan at 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017.           
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Australia                                    United Kingdom                     
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United States                                                                   
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations                                          
Tel: +1 713 961 8625                                                            
Mobile: +1 713 480 3699                                                         
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