UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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BHP Billiton
Limited
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| (Translation of registrant's name into English) | ||||
| 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia | ||||
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27 September 2005
Number 36/05
Typhoon Production Platform Damaged By Hurricane Rita
An initial assessment of BHP Billiton assets in the Gulf of Mexico following Hurricane Rita has revealed that the Typhoon tension leg platform (located in 2,000 feet of water in Green Canyon area Blocks 236/237, approximately 165 miles south-southwest of New Orleans) was severed from its mooring and suffered severe damage during the storm. The facility has been located and is being secured.
Chevron, the operator of the Typhoon field, has mobilised appropriate resources to address any environmental concerns. No employees are at risk as all were evacuated prior to the storm, and production was shut-in. BHP Billiton holds a 50-percent interest in the Typhoon field with Chevron holding the remaining 50 percent. The facility commenced production in 2001. It has a nameplate capacity for the daily production of 40,000 barrels of oil and 60-million cubic feet of natural gas. For the year ended June 2005, 4.3 million barrels of oil and 7.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas were produced through the Typhoon facility (BHP Billiton share).
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653 email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com |
United Kingdom Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942 email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com |
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Tania Price, Media Relations United States Tel: +1 713 599 6100 or +44 (0)20 7802 4031 Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com |
Ariane Gentil, Media Relations South Africa Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587 email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com |
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BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 Registered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 |
BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 |
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The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia
| Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. |
| BHP Billiton Limited | ||
| Date: 27 September 2005 | By: |
Karen Wood |
| Name: | Karen Wood |