BHP Billiton longford gas conditioning plant project approval

　　BHP Billiton announced approval for a US$520 million (BHP Billiton share) investment in the Longford Gas Conditioning Plant (LGCP) Project as part of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture located in Victoria, Australia.

　　The LGCP will add carbon dioxide (CO2) removal capacity to the Longford Gas Plant which is necessary to condition production from the Turrum offshore development project. The LGCP will be designed to process approximately 400 million standard cubic feet of gas per day and will reduce the CO2 content of treated gas to less than three per cent. Saleable gas production will commence in calendar year 2016.

　　BHP Billiton Chief Executive Petroleum, J Michael Yeager, said: “The Longford Gas Conditioning Plant is a necessary extension of Bass Strait infrastructure to enable valuable hydrocarbon liquids production and domestic gas supply for years to come.”

　　BHP Billiton and Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd (operator) each have a 50 per cent interest in the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture.