Number: 50/02

BHP Billiton advises that it has received official confirmation of the selection of the North West Shelf Venture (NWS) as the preferred gas supplier to the first phase of the Guangdong LNG Terminal in China.

The notification was received from the Guangdong LNG Terminal and Trunkline Project Joint Executive Office by means of a facsimile dated 8th August.  The communication to Arthur Dixon, President of ALNG (Australia LNG) was signed by Zhao Xiuguang, Director, Joint Executive Office, Guangdong LNG Terminal and Trunkline Project.

BHP Billiton has a 16.67% equity interest in the NWS

Australia
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations
Tel:    +61 3 9609 3952  Mobile: +61 408 313 259
E-Mail: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com

Mandy Frostick, Media Relations
Tel:    +61 3 9609 4157  Mobile: +61 419 546 245
E-Mail: Mandy.J.Frostick@bhpbilliton.com

United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel:    +1 713 961 8625  Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
E-Mail: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com

United Kingdom
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel:    +44 20 7747 3956
E-Mail: Mark.T.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com

South Africa
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel:    +27 11 376 3360  Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
E-Mail: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com