Prepared By R.R. Donnelley - Form 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549


FORM 6-K


REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

April 11, 2012

 
Commission File Number

Translation of registrant's name into English; Address of principal executive offices

BHP Billiton Limited (ABN 49 004 028 077)
180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA
3000 AUSTRALIA


-
BHP Billiton Plc (REG. NO. 3196209)
NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON,
UNITED KINGDOM


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will

file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F   X            Form 40-F      

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):      

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):      

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the

information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the

information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes            No   X  

 

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the

registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-.



NEWS RELEASE

Release Time:
IMMEDIATE

Date:
11 April 2012

Number:
09/12

INITIAL FUNDING APPROVED FOR MAD DOG PHASE 2

BHP Billiton today announced approval for US$708 million (BHP Billiton share) in pre-commitment funding for the Mad Dog Phase 2 project in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The funding will facilitate detailed engineering and the procurement of long lead time items related to the hull, topsides and subsea equipment.

The Mad Dog Phase 2 project is based on successful appraisal drilling which confirmed significant hydrocarbons in the southern portion of the Mad Dog field. The proposed project includes the development of a second spar facility with all subsea production and injection wells. The new facility is estimated to have a design capacity of approximately 130,000 barrels of oil per day that will be exported via the Mardi Gras Pipelines under existing agreements. A final investment decision is anticipated in calendar year 2013 with first production scheduled for calendar year 2018.

BHP Billiton Petroleum Chief Executive Officer, J. Michael Yeager, said: “Mad Dog Phase 2 will join our extensive Gulf of Mexico portfolio that includes Mad Dog and Atlantis as well as the Shenzi and Neptune platforms that we operate. The extension of this field will underpin continued valuable liquids production from the Gulf of Mexico and further enhance our growth profile.”

Mad Dog is a partnership between BP (operator, 60.5 percent share), BHP Billiton (23.9 percent) and Chevron (15.6 percent).

Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com

Media Relations

Australia

Antonios Papaspiropoulos
Tel: +61 3 9609 3830 Mobile: +61 477 325 803
email: Antonios.Papaspiropoulos@bhpbilliton.com

Kelly Quirke
Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 429 966 312
email: Kelly.Quirke@bhpbilliton.com

Fiona Martin
Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile: +61 427 777 908
email: Fiona.Martin2@bhpbilliton.com

United Kingdom

Ruban Yogarajah
Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022
email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com
        
Americas

Jaryl Strong
Tel: +1 713 499 5548 Mobile: +1 281 222 6627
email: Jaryl.Strong@bhpbilliton.com

Investor Relations

Australia

James Agar
Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 467 807 064
email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com

Andrew Gunn
Tel: +61 3 9609 3575 Mobile: +61 439 558 454
email: Andrew.Gunn@bhpbilliton.com

United Kingdom and South Africa

Brendan Harris
Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7990 527 726
email: Brendan.Harris@bhpbilliton.com

Tara Dines
Tel : +44 20 7802 7113 Mobile : +44 7825 342 232
Email : Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com

Americas

Scott Espenshade
Tel: +1 713 599 6431   Mobile: +1 713 208 8565
email: Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.com

BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
Registered in Australia
Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015

BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: Neathouse Place
London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom
Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111

Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia


SIGNATURES

 

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 (ABN 49 004 028 077) BHP Billiton Plc (REG NO 3196209)
Date : April 11, 2012 By: /s/ Jane McAloon     
Name: Jane McAloon
                                                                                                                          Title: Group Company Secretary