Discv Vortex-1 Well in GOM

BHP Billiton Limited
05 December 2002

     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.



5 December 2002
Number 60/02



                  BHP Billiton Announces Hydrocarbon Discovery

                 with Vortex-1 Well in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico


BHP Billiton today announced that it has made a natural gas discovery at the
exploratory well on its Vortex prospect in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

Drilling on Vortex-1 began September 9, 2002, in Atwater Valley Block 261 in
water depths of approximately 8,344 feet using the drillship Deepwater
Millennium. In addition to the initial well, a sidetrack was drilled 2,900 feet
west of the #1 well to a total depth of 19,330 feet.  BHP Billiton holds a
one-third interest and is operator of the Vortex prospect, with partners
Kerr-McGee Corp. and Ocean Energy, Inc. each also holding a one-third interest.


Further information can be found on our Internet site: http://
www.bhpbilliton.com



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