Approves Bream Gas Pipeline

BHP Billiton Limited
25 October 2001

    BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure
 obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

   The text of this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc
                                   earlier.


Date: 25 October 2001

Number: 22/01

           BHP Billiton Approves BREAM GAS PIPELINE IN BASS STRAIT

BHP Billiton today announced approval for the construction of a fourth Bass
Strait gas pipeline from the Bream field into the BHP Billiton/Esso Australia
joint venture's Gippsland production network.

The new pipeline will allow the production of gas reserves currently being
re-injected into the Bream reservoir. It will also access and accelerate the
production of around 30 million barrels of hydrocarbon liquids (BHP Billiton
share 15 million barrels) over a 10-year period.

President and CEO BHP Billiton Petroleum Philip Aiken said: 'The pipeline will
provide a significant enhancement to BHP Billiton/Esso Australia's Gippsland
gas supply system, allowing production of the Bream gas reserves at a time
when demand for Bass Strait gas is increasing.

'The investment is also consistent with BHP Billiton's strategy to maximise
shareholder value through incremental additions to existing assets.'

The 46-km pipeline will run from the existing Bream A platform in Bass Strait,
cross the Gippsland coast near Paradise Beach, and continue a further five
kilometres underground to an existing pipeline upstream of the joint venture's
gas and crude oil processing plant at Longford.

Construction of the pipeline and the gas handling facilities on the existing
Bream A oil production platform is expected to commence in December 2001 at a
gross cost of around A$200 million (BHP Billiton share A$100 million).  First
gas/liquids is expected to flow by mid 2003.

The joint venture also announced today that it has commenced the largest 3-D
seismic survey ever undertaken in Bass Strait.

The 3,900-square km survey will cover all of BHP Billiton/Esso Australia's
northern oil and gas fields in Bass Strait, and is designed to identify
hydrocarbon targets over a range of geological horizons.

It is expected the survey (gross cost approximately A$55 million) will result
in a new round of drilling activities in the basin that could add materially
to the joint venture's proven reserves.

BHP Billiton has a 50 percent interest in the Bass Strait oil and gas joint
venture with its partner Esso Australia (50 percent, operator).

                                   * * * *

Further news and information can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com


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