|
BHP Billiton Plc - BHP Billiton approves its share of NWS Angel development
BHP Billiton Plc
Share Code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
BHP BILLITON APPROVES ITS SHARE OF NWS ANGEL DEVELOPMENT
BHP Billiton announced today its share of development costs for the North West
Shelf Venture"s Angel gas and condensate field off the north west coast of
Australia. Development will begin immediately following final investment
decisions by all of the joint-venture participants.
Based on the operator"s estimate the total investment is A$1.6 billion (BHP
Billiton"s share approximately US$200 million). This will include installation
of the Venture"s third major offshore production platform off the North West
Shelf and associated infrastructure, including a new subsea 50km pipeline which
will be tied in to the first trunkline at the North Rankin platform. The
development is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2008.
BHP Billiton"s Group President Energy, Philip Aiken, said: "The development is
another significant step in BHP Billiton"s goal to maximise the value of our
interest in the North West Shelf and follows our approval of the fifth train
expansion earlier this year."
"The Angel project continues to build on the foundation of the North West
Shelf"s LNG business," Mr Aiken said.
The remotely operated Angel processing platform will be in 80 metres of water
about 49km east of the Venture"s existing North Rankin production facility.
Hydrocarbons will be produced through one processing unit with a capacity of up
to 800 million standard cubic feet of gas a day plus associated condensate.
The six equal participants in the NWS Project are: Woodside Energy Ltd. (16.67%
and operator); BHP Billiton Petroleum (North West Shelf) Pty Ltd 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)
Pty Ltd (16.67%). CNOOC NWS Private Limited is also a member of the North West
Shelf Venture but does not have an interest in North West Shelf Venture
infrastructure.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
http://www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Relations
Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Samantha Evans, Media Relations Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Tel: +44 20 7802 4177
Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Mobile: +44 78 81 51 8715
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com
United States South Africa
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations
Relations Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
or UK +44 20 7802 4031 email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
Date 16 December 2005
Date: 19/12/2005 07:37:12 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
|
|
