Proceed with Zamzama Field

BHP Billiton Limited
6 March 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.



6th March 2002

Number: 13/02

             BHP BILLITON TO PROCEED WITH ZAMZAMA FIELD DEVELOPMENT

BHP Billiton today announced approval for the development of the Zamzama gas
field in southern Pakistan. The announcement follows the signing of separate Gas
Sales and Purchase Agreements and a Gas Pricing Agreement with the Government of
Pakistan, the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines
Limited.

The agreements cover the supply of up to 320 million standard cubic feet per day
(MMcf/d) of gas over the expected field life of 20 years, commencing in 2003.
The core area of the Zamzama field to be developed has estimated proven and
probable gross reserves of  1.7 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), of which BHP
Billiton's equity share is around 650 billion cubic feet (Bcf).

The Zamzama development will commercialise gas resources from the field that
were initially produced via an extended well test (EWT) production facility.
Capital expenditure for this phase of the project will be in the order of US$100
million (BHP Billiton share US$40 million).

First production from the EWT commenced in March 2001, and at present the field
is producing up to 100 MMcf/d of gas, which is being supplied to the Sui
Southern Gas Company Limited under a 21-month contract.

President and CEO BHP Billiton Petroleum Philip Aiken said the successful
technical and commercial operation of the EWT was an important precursor to the
development of the field reserves.

'The success of the EWT has provided the impetus to develop further what is a
key asset in BHP Billiton's gas commercialisation strategy,' he said.

'The expansion of the Zamzama field will provide long-term benefits to all
stakeholders and also will enable BHP Billiton to continue its positive
association with the people and Government of Pakistan.'

The Zamzama field development will require two additional processing trains
which will be located on the existing EWT plant site, and the drilling of a
minimum of three development wells.  A stabilised condensate flow of 2,000
barrels per day will be exported by a small diameter pipeline to nearby pipeline
infrastructure.

The Zamzama field lies within the original Dadu Exploration Concession awarded
to BHP Billiton Petroleum in February 1995, located in the Sindh Province of
southern Pakistan (approximately 200 kilometres north east of Karachi).  The
field is a major resource, covering an area of about 120 square kilometres, and
ranks fourth in terms of Pakistan's discovered gas reserves.

BHP Petroleum (Pakistan) Pty Ltd has a 47.5 per cent interest in the Zamzama
field, with partners LASMO (MP) Ltd  (a wholly owned subsidiary of Eni S.p.A) -
23.75 per cent, PKP Exploration Ltd (formerly Premier Exploration Pakistan Ltd)
- 23.75 per cent and Government Holdings (Private) Ltd - five per cent.

Government Holdings has the right to acquire an additional 20 per cent equity,
following which revised interests would be: BHP Billiton - 38.5 per cent,
Government Holdings -  25 per cent; PKP Exploration - 18.75 per cent and LASMO -
17.75 per cent.

                                      ****

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


Australia
Dr. Robert Porter, Investor Relations             United Kingdom/South Africa
Tel: + 61 3 9609 3540                             Michael Campbell, Investor & 
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Mandy Frostick, Media Relations
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United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
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BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077                    
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