Signs Gas Sale with TXU

BHP Billiton Limited
17 December 2003

     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                 17 December 2003
Number               39/03



    BHP BILLITON SIGNS GAS SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH TXU ELECTRICITY


BHP Billiton, together with its joint venturer Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd,
today announced the signing of a substantial gas sale and purchase agreement
with TXU Electricity Ltd (TXU).

The agreement is for the sale and purchase of 825 petajoules gross of Bass
Strait gas to TXU in the period 2004 to 2017. First gas sales are scheduled to
commence on 1 January 2004.

'This is a significant milestone for the Bass Strait joint venture involving one
of the largest sales of Gippsland gas since long-term supply arrangements were
entered into with the Victorian Government in the late 1960s,' said Philip
Aiken, President and Chief Executive Officer for BHP Billiton Petroleum.

Currently, the majority of gas entering the South Eastern Australia gas market
is supplied under a long-term contract between BHP Billiton/Esso and the
previously State Government owned Gascor. This contract is due to expire towards
the end of the decade.

'The agreement is consistent with BHP Billiton's gas marketing strategy which is
to increase our market diversification and secure new gas markets and volumes,'
Mr Aiken said.

In the 34 years since the BHP Billiton/Esso Bass Strait joint venture began
production in October 1969, more than 3.5 billion barrels of oil and 5 trillion
cubic feet of gas have been produced. Current production is around 120 thousand
barrels per day of crude and condensate, and 570 million cubic feet per day of
gas.

BHP Billiton and Esso are also continuing with exploration and production
activity in the Gippsland Basin. In October the joint venture announced that it
is planning to commence what is expected to be the largest combined exploration
and production drilling program in the Gippsland Basin since the 1980s.

BHP Billiton has a 50 percent interest in the Bass Strait oil and gas project
with joint venturer Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd (50 percent, operator).


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

Australia                                                     United Kingdom
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