10th Jun 2005 07:01
BHP Billiton PLC10 June 2005 Date 10 June 2005Number 26/05 BHP BILLITON APPROVES ITS SHARE OF NORTH WEST SHELF EXPANSION BHP Billiton today announced approval for a fifth train expansion of theliquefied natural gas (LNG) processing facilities at the North West ShelfProject on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia. The approval covers a liquefaction processing train with a capacity of 4.2million tonnes per annum (mtpa), additional processing facilities and associatedinfrastructure. Based on the operator's estimate the total investment isapproximately A$2 billion (BHP Billiton's share approximately US$250 million). BHP Billiton's Group President Energy, Philip Aiken, said: "This expansion isintegral to BHP Billiton's gas commercialisation strategy and our goal tomaximise the value of our interest in the North West Shelf." "It reflects our interest in extending our long-term relationships with ourexisting buyers in Japan and Korea together with the increasing global LNGdemand in particular from emerging markets such as China and the United States,"Mr Aiken said. "The North West Shelf provides a high-value product based on a proven trackrecord of stable and reliable supply," Mr Aiken said. Construction on the fifth train, which is similar to the fourth train, willcommence later this year and first production is expected in late 2008. At its completion the expansion will increase the production capacity of theNorth West Shelf Project to 15.9 million tonnes of LNG per annum. The six equal participants in the Train 5 expansion project are BHP BillitonPetroleum (North West Shelf) Pty Ltd (16.67%); BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd(16.67%); ChevronTexaco Australia Pty Ltd (16.67%); Japan Australia LNG (MIMI)Pty Ltd (16.67%); Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd (16.67%); and WoodsideEnergy Limited (16.67%) (operator). CNOOC NWS Private Limited is also a memberof the North West Shelf Venture but does not have an interest in North WestShelf Venture infrastructure. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United KingdomJane Belcher, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Tania Price, Media Relations Ariane Gentil, Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 3815 Mobile: +61 419 152 780 Tel: +44 20 7802 4177 Mobile: +44 78 81 51 8715email: [email protected] email: [email protected] United States South AfricaMark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations Michael Campbell, Investor & Media RelationsTel: USA +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587email: [email protected] email: [email protected] BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209Registered in Australia Registered in England and WalesRegistered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH UnitedVictoria 3000 KingdomTelephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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