Date 21 December 2000
Number 115/00
BHP SELLS PARCEL OF ALGERIAN INTERESTS TO WOODSIDE
BHP Limited (BHP) today announced the sale of a parcel of interests in its
Algerian oil and gas exploration and development activities to Woodside
Petroleum Ltd. The move is consistent with BHP's strategy of actively managing
its asset portfolio.
Woodside will take a 15 per cent interest in the Ohanet Risk Service Contract
(RSC), a 50 per cent interest in the Boukhechba Production Sharing Contract
and a 50 per cent interest in the Ouest Hassi R'Mel Gas Study Agreement.
The transaction is subject to Algerian government and SONATRACH approvals.
BHP had always intended to reduce its initial equity exposure in the Ohanet
gas development following Algerian government approval of the project
(received on 12 November 2000). The Company's capital commitment and maximum
exposure to the Ohanet gas-condensate development project is reduced by around
US$150 million as a result of the Woodside transaction.
Following the necessary approvals, BHP's interest in the Ohanet Development,
will stand at 45 per cent with joint venture partners, Japan Ohanet Oil & Gas
Co., Ltd. (30%) and Petrofac Resources (Ohanet) LLC (10%). The RSC for the
development was signed on 2 July this year.
The joint venture with Woodside in the Boukhechba Production Sharing Contract
enables BHP to mitigate risk in the Company's previously 100 per cent-owned
exploration blocks, ahead of next year's exploration drilling program.
In addition, Woodside's involvement in the Ouest Hassi R'Mel Gas Study
Agreement signals closer cooperation between the two companies in pursuit
of future development opportunities in Algeria and elsewhere in North Africa.
The Agreement, signed in November 1999, grants BHP rights to analyse seismic
and well data covering 84,000 sq km in the area north and west of Algeria's
strategic Hassi R'Mel gas field and puts the Company in a strong position
to pursue future exploration licences in that area.
The total cash consideration for the parcel of Algerian interests is US$22.5
million, with Woodside assuming responsibility for its share of capital and
other costs from 1 September 2000.
President BHP Petroleum Philip Aiken said: "This deal re-affirms our
commitment to Algeria and extends our highly successful domestic relationship
with Woodside into the international arena. We look forward to developing
our working relationship in this core area for BHP and building on our current
asset base."
The total cost of developing the Ohanet reservoirs will be around US$1.0
billion. In return, BHP and its joint venture partners will be entitled
to recover their investment - together with an agreed fixed profit
consideration - over a target eight-year period from the start of production.
The RSC commits BHP and its joint venture partners to establish commercial
production of 710 million standard cubic feet per day of wet gas. First
production is planned for July 2003 with a peak liquids production rate of
58,000 barrels per day. BHP's revenue is taken from its share of the
condensate and LPG produced.
The structure of the RSC means that BHP's reserves entitlement fluctuates
with movements in hydrocarbon prices and the company expects to book proved
reserves in the range of 40 million to 57 million barrels of oil equivalent,
grossed up for Algerian tax, which is paid by SONATRACH on behalf of BHP and
its JV partners.
Further information can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhp.com
MEDIA RELATIONS
Mandy Frostick, Manager Media Relations
Ph: 61 3 9609 4157
Mob: 61 419 546 245
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Robert Porter, Vice President Investor Relations
Mob: 61 419 587 456
Ph: 61 3 9609 3540
Francis McAllister
Vice President Investor Relations, Houston (North America)
Tel: (713) 961 8625
