31st Mar 2008 07:00
BHP Billiton PLC31 March 2008 31 March 2008Number 11/08 BHP BILLITON APPROVES FUNDING FOR NORTH WEST SHELF NORTH RANKIN GAS COMPRESSION PROJECT BHP Billiton today announced approval for the North West Shelf's North RankinGas Compression project which is designed to recover remaining lower pressuregas from the North Rankin and Perseus gas fields. BHP Billiton has approvedexpenditure of US$850 million (BHP Billiton share) on the project. The project comprises a new gas compression platform, North Rankin B (NRB), tobe constructed adjacent to the existing North Rankin A platform, which willitself require significant brownfield work including the installation of newequipment. The two platforms will be connected by a 100-metre bridge and operateas a single facility. The NRB platform is a major offshore facility with a topsides weight of about23,600 tonnes. NRB is expected to start-up in 2012, with-steady state productionscheduled for early 2013. BHP Billiton Petroleum Chief Executive J. Michael Yeager said the North Rankin Bproject would deliver high-value gas supply from the North West Shelf foranother 25 years. "The North Rankin B project is part of BHP Billiton's continued commitment todeveloping Australia's major resources. This extension of the North West Shelfproject follows our approval of the fifth LNG train which significantly expandedthe LNG facility as well as the Angel gas and condensate field which are underdevelopment," he said. "These investments in this long-life, world-class asset underpin a significantextension of BHP Billiton's long-term production profile." North Rankin is located in 125 metres of water (410 feet), approximately 135kilometres (80 miles) offshore from Karratha on the North West coast of WesternAustralia. Production from the North Rankin and Perseus fields started in 1984and mid-1990's respectively. The six equal participants in the North West Shelf project are: Woodside EnergyLtd. (16.67 per cent and operator); BHP Billiton Petroleum (North West Shelf)Pty Ltd 16.67 per cent; BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd (16.67 per cent);Chevron Australia Pty Ltd (16.67 per cent); Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty Ltd(16.67 per cent); and Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd (16.67 per cent).CNOOC NWS Private Limited is also a member of the North West Shelf Venture butdoes not have an interest in North West Shelf Venture infrastructure. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United KingdomSamantha Evans, Media Relations Andre Liebenberg, Investor RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Don Carroll, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 2686 Mobile: +61 417 591 938 Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246email: [email protected] email: [email protected] United States South AfricaTracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations Alison Gilbert, Investor RelationsTel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 Mobile: +44 7769 936 227email: [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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