Organisational
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

 REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

January 25, 2007

 

 

 

BHP BILLITON LIMITED

(ABN 49 004 028 077)

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)

 

180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

3000 AUSTRALIA

(Address of principal executive offices)

  

 

 

BHP BILLITON PLC

(REG. NO. 3196209)

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

ENGLAND AND WALES

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)

 

NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON,

UNITED KINGDOM

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:  [x] Form 20-F   [  ] 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    [x] No
 
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):    n/a 
 

25 January 2007
Number 01/07


BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

 

BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 December 2006. Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share.

     

  • Record half year and quarterly production of aluminium, alumina, copper cathode, iron ore, and manganese ore from continuing operations in response to strong customer demand. A half year production record was also achieved for molybdenum.
  • Half year production records at Zamzama (Pakistan), Worsley (Australia), Paranam (Suriname), Hillside and Bayside (both South Africa), Mozal (Mozambique), Western Australia Iron Ore and GEMCO (both Australia), Samancor (South Africa) and Hunter Valley Coal (Australia).
  • Quarterly production records at Zamzama, Worsley, Alumar (Brazil), Bayside, Mt Newman, Saraji and GEMCO (all Australia).
  • Record quarterly production of natural gas from North West Shelf (Australia) and copper from Escondida (Chile) in response to strong demand.
  • First production from the recently commissioned Spence (Chile) and Poitrel (Australia) operations.

 

 

 

PETROLEUM

DEC

2006

HALF

DEC

2006

QTR

DEC H06

vs

DEC H05

DEC Q06

vs

DEC Q05

DEC Q06

vs

SEPT Q06

Crude Oil & Condensate and Natural Gas Liquid ('000 bbl) (a)

28,889

13,673

0%

-1%

-10%

Natural Gas (bcf) (a)

173.47

82.93

-4%

-2%

-8%

Total Petroleum Products (million boe) (a)

57.85

27.52

-2%

0%

-9%

(a) Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields (sold March 2006 quarter), Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (sold September 2006 quarter) and Typhoon / Boris (sold December 2006 quarter).

Total Petroleum Production - Total production for the half year ended December 2006 was broadly in line with the half year ended 31 December 2005. Improving base operational performance had a very positive impact and reduced the effect of natural field decline.

Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquid - December 2006 half year production was in line with previous period due to improved operational uptime mitigating natural field decline.

Production for the December 2006 quarter was lower than the September 2006 quarter primarily due to lower liquids associated with expected lower seasonal gas demand in southeast Australia, unscheduled equipment changes at Angostura (Trinidad), and the timing of recognising entitlement barrels in Production Sharing Contracts.

Natural Gas - Production for the December 2006 half year was lower than the December 2005 half year primarily due to the strategy to limit gas sales to maximise liquids recovery at Liverpool Bay, and lower contractual demand.

Production from continuing operations for the December 2006 quarter was lower than the September 2006 quarter primarily due to the expected lower seasonal demand in southeast Australia. Well capacities remain strong and in excess of the quarterly gas sales.

 

 

 

ALUMINIUM

DEC

2006

HALF

DEC

2006

QTR

DEC H06

vs

DEC H05

DEC Q06

vs

DEC Q05

DEC Q06

vs

SEPT Q06

Alumina ('000 tonnes)

2,231

1,153

9%

14%

7%

Aluminium ('000 tonnes) (a)

675

338

3%

1%

0%

(a) Excluding Valesul which was sold effective from 1 July 2006.

Alumina - Production and sales for the half year and quarter ended 31 December 2006 were all time records. Both half year and quarterly production records were achieved at Worsley due to continued ramp up of the Worsley Development Capital Project and processing of stockpiled hydrate. Paranam achieved half year record production due to lower downtime and full utilisation of expanded capacity. Record quarterly production from Alumar also contributed to the strong result.

Aluminium - Third consecutive record half year production was achieved. All operations performed at record or near record levels due to successful implementation of a series of business improvement initiatives.

 

 

 

BASE METALS

DEC

2006

HALF

DEC

2006

QTR

DEC H06

vs

DEC H05

DEC Q06

vs

DEC Q05

DEC Q06

vs

SEPT Q06

Copper ('000 tonnes) (a)

550.6

300.7

-5%

0%

20%

Silver ('000 ounces) (a)

13,915

6,566

-44%

-52%

-11%

Lead (tonnes)

85,431

36,454

-40%

-53%

-26%

Zinc (tonnes)

43,787

19,776

-17%

-17%

-18%

Uranium Oxide Concentrate (Uranium) (tonnes)

1,615

822

-25%

-23%

4%

(a) Excluding Tintaya which was sold effective from 1 June 2006.

Copper - Production from continuing operations (excluding Tintaya (Peru)) was in line with the December 2005 half year and quarter. Record half year and quarterly copper cathode production from continuing operations (excluding Tintaya) reflecting the continued ramp up of the Sulphide Leach Project and the successful commissioning of Spence.

Escondida achieved a quarterly production record due to continued ramp up of the Sulphide Leach Project which produced 20,700 tonnes for the half year ended December 2006. Increased mill throughput and higher head grades contributed to near record half year and quarterly production at Antamina (Peru).

At the half year ended 31 December 2006 the Group had 205,129 tonnes of copper sales that were provisionally priced at a weighted average price of US$6,325 per tonne. The final price of these sales will be determined in 2007. In addition, 274,280 tonnes of copper sales were subject to a finalisation adjustment from the prior period. The finalisation adjustment and provisional pricing impact as at 31 December 2006 will decrease earnings by US$220 million for the period.

Silver / Lead - Production was lower as the rehabilitation of ground support at Cannington (Australia) progressed. The rehabilitation project is substantially complete.

Zinc - In addition to the temporary partial closure at Cannington, production for the quarter was impacted by lower head grades at Antamina.

Uranium - Production was lower than the half year and quarter ended December 2005 due to variability of ore sources, unscheduled maintenance and reduced ore hoisting at Olympic Dam (Australia).

 

 

 

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS - IRON ORE

DEC

2006

HALF

DEC

2006

QTR

DEC H06

vs

DEC H05

DEC Q06

vs

DEC Q05

DEC Q06

vs

SEPT Q06

Iron ore ('000 tonnes) (a)

49,567

25,370

9%

11%

5%

(a) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year 2006.

Iron Ore - Record production and sales were achieved for the half year ended December 2006. This reflects the increased production from the recently expanded Western Australia Iron Ore operations in response to continuing strong customer demand. Tie-in activity for Rapid Growth Project 3 (Australia), including the Goldsworthy suspension, negatively impacted production and is expected to continue for the remainder of the year.

 

 

 

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS - METALLURGICAL COAL

DEC

2006

HALF

DEC

2006

QTR

DEC H06

vs

DEC H05

DEC Q06

vs

DEC Q05

DEC Q06

vs

SEPT Q06

Metallurgical Coal ('000 tonnes)

18,213

8,966

1%

0%

-3%

 

Metallurgical Coal - Metallurgical coal production was in line with previous periods. First production was achieved at Poitrel during the quarter.

 

 

 

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS - MANGANESE

DEC

2006

HALF

DEC

2006

QTR

DEC H06

vs

DEC H05

DEC Q06

vs

DEC Q05

DEC Q06

vs

SEPT Q06

Manganese Ore ('000 tonnes)

3,038

1,529

14%

20%

1%

Manganese Alloy ('000 tonnes)

345

192

13%

16%

25%

 

Manganese Ore - Record production in response to stronger customer demand.

Manganese Alloy - Higher production was due to optimisation of the product mix, improved equipment availability, and scheduled maintenance in prior periods.

 

 

 

DIAMONDS & SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DEC

2006

HALF

DEC

2006

QTR

DEC H06

vs

DEC H05

DEC Q06

vs

DEC Q05

DEC Q06

vs

SEPT Q06

Diamonds ('000 carats)

1,424

937

-3%

53%

92%

 

Diamonds - As Ekati (Canada) increases the diversity of its ore sources, the mix of ore processed will change from time to time and impact the carats recovered. In the December 2006 quarter, processing of higher grade, with lower diamonds values, had a positive impact on production.

 

 

 

ENERGY COAL

DEC

2006

HALF

DEC

2006

QTR

DEC H06

vs

DEC H05

DEC Q06

vs

DEC Q05

DEC Q06

vs

SEPT Q06

Energy Coal ('000 tonnes)

43,812

22,030

-3%

3%

1%

 

Energy Coal - Production was in line with all comparative periods. Hunter Valley Coal achieved a record half year of production due to operational improvement initiatives.

 

 

 

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

DEC

2006

HALF

DEC

2006

QTR

DEC H06

vs

DEC H05

DEC Q06

vs

DEC Q05

DEC Q06

vs

SEPT Q06

Nickel ('000 tonnes)

92.8

48.3

0%

-1%

9%

 

Nickel - Production for the December 2006 half year was in line with the record production in the December 2005 half year.

 

****

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

Australia
Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com

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

Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com

United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com

South Africa
Ivan Arriagada, Investor Relations
Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
Mobile: +44 7769 936 227
email: Ivan.D.Arriagada@bhpbilliton.com

 

 

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY - CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 QUARTER ENDED      

 HALF YEAR ENDED

% CHANGE

DEC H06

DEC Q06

DEC Q06

DEC

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

vs

vs

vs

2005

2006

2006

2006

2005

DEC H05

DEC Q05

SEPT Q06

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate (a)

('000 bbl)

11,104

12,091

10,963

23,054

22,953

0%

-1%

-9%

Natural gas (b)

(bcf)

84.49

90.54

82.93

173.47

179.95

-4%

-2%

-8%

Natural gas liquid

('000 bbl)

2,672

3,125

2,710

5,835

5,917

-1%

1%

-13%

Total Petroleum Products (b)

(million boe)

27.52

30.33

27.52

57.85

59.25

-2%

0%

-9%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

1,012

1,078

1,153

2,231

2,040

9%

14%

7%

Aluminium (c)

('000 tonnes)

334

337

338

675

657

3%

1%

0%

BASE METALS

Copper (d)

('000 tonnes)

300.4

249.9

300.7

550.6

582.3

-5%

0%

20%

Lead

(tonnes)

77,187

48,977

36,454

85,431

142,060

-40%

-53%

-26%

Zinc

(tonnes)

23,928

24,011

19,776

43,787

53,075

-17%

-17%

-18%

Gold (d)

(ounces)

46,500

41,160

38,564

79,724

92,118

-13%

-17%

-6%

Silver (d)

('000 ounces)

13,698

7,349

6,566

13,915

24,893

-44%

-52%

-11%

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

1,070

793

822

1,615

2,158

-25%

-23%

4%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

772

719

768

1,487

1,345

11%

-1%

7%

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

Iron ore (e)

('000 tonnes)

22,941

24,197

25,370

49,567

45,396

9%

11%

5%

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

8,973

9,247

8,966

18,213

17,959

1%

0%

-3%

Manganese ore

('000 tonnes)

1,278

1,509

1,529

3,038

2,665

14%

20%

1%

Manganese alloy

('000 tonnes)

165

153

192

345

304

13%

16%

25%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

614

487

937

1,424

1,466

-3%

53%

92%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

21,287

21,782

22,030

43,812

45,297

-3%

3%

1%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

49.0

44.5

48.3

92.8

93.1

0%

-1%

9%

(a)

Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields and Typhoon / Boris. Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields was disposed with effect from 16 January 2006.

The sale of Typhoon / Boris was completed in the December 2006 quarter.

(b)

Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields, Moranbah Coal Bed Methane and Typhoon/ Boris. The sale of Moranbah Coal Bed Methane was completed in the September 2006 quarter.

(c)

Excluding Valesul which was disposed with effect from 1 July 2006.

(d)

Excluding Tintaya which was disposed with effect from 1 June 2006.

(e)

Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year 2006.

Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has been adjusted since it was previously reported.

 

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

 

           QUARTER ENDED       

       HALF YEAR ENDED

BHP Billiton

  

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

Interest

2005

2006

2006

2006

2006

  

2006

2005

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

11,202

10,886

11,551

12,091

10,963

23,054

23,436

Natural gas

(bcf)

86.35

77.85

98.59

91.83

83.09

174.92

184.00

NGL (a)

('000 bbl)

2,672

2,448

3,063

3,125

2,710

5,835

5,917

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

28.26

26.31

31.04

30.52

27.52

58.04

60.01

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

663

717

694

704

776

1,480

1,352

Suriname

45%

219

228

247

253

241

494

446

Alumar

36%

130

130

131

121

136

257

242

Total

1,012

1,075

1,072

1,078

1,153

2,231

2,040

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

177

174

177

177

176

353

349

Bayside

100%

46

46

46

49

50

99

87

Alumar

46.3%

45

44

44

44

45

89

90

Valesul (b)

45.5%

10

11

11

-

-

-

21

Mozal

47%

66

65

66

67

67

134

131

Total

344

340

344

337

338

675

678

BASE METALS (c)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

169.0

168.2

165.2

129.7

160.6

290.3

337.6

Antamina

33.8%

34.3

32.9

29.1

29.0

34.1

63.1

62.2

Tintaya (d)

100%

18.1

16.2

12.9

-

-

-

35.4

Total

221.4

217.3

207.2

158.7

194.7

353.4

435.2

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

20.0

15.4

11.7

17.5

32.7

50.2

39.6

Cerro Colorado

100%

21.5

28.1

30.0

30.0

27.4

57.4

36.0

Spence (e)

100%

-

-

-

-

4.3

4.3

-

Tintaya (d)

100%

9.9

9.1

6.1

-

-

-

19.6

Pinto Valley

100%

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

1.9

4.0

4.3

Olympic Dam

100%

53.5

47.1

54.6

41.6

39.7

81.3

102.6

Total

107.0

101.8

104.5

91.2

106.0

197.2

202.1

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

77,187

68,754

55,507

48,977

36,454

85,431

142,060

Total

77,187

68,754

55,507

48,977

36,454

85,431

142,060

ZINC

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

18,780

20,885

14,926

10,426

8,806

19,232

32,968

Antamina

33.8%

5,148

7,534

12,638

13,585

10,970

24,555

20,107

Total

23,928

28,419

27,564

24,011

19,776

43,787

53,075

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

19,200

17,877

23,567

17,049

22,365

39,414

38,394

Tintaya (d)

100%

8,200

8,032

4,958

-

-

-

16,248

Olympic Dam (refined gold)

100%

27,300

26,186

27,636

24,111

16,199

40,310

53,724

Total

54,700

52,095

56,161

41,160

38,564

79,724

108,366

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

945

714

925

724

880

1,604

1,740

Antamina

33.8%

859

865

808

713

736

1,449

1,501

Tintaya (d)

100%

168

138

119

-

-

-

335

Cannington

100%

11,672

9,693

7,503

5,714

4,805

10,519

21,251

Olympic Dam (refined silver)

100%

222

245

238

198

145

343

401

Total

13,866

11,655

9,593

7,349

6,566

13,915

25,228

URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATE

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Olympic Dam

100%

1,070

913

865

793

822

1,615

2,158

Total

1,070

913

865

793

822

1,615

2,158

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

772

632

538

719

768

1,487

1,345

Total

772

632

538

719

768

1,487

1,345

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

IRON ORE (f)

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

6,166

5,884

6,490

7,394

7,536

14,930

12,400

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

85%

1,669

1,371

1,808

806

84

890

3,062

Area C Joint Venture

85%

4,969

3,332

5,401

4,821

5,334

10,155

9,255

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

8,372

8,561

8,854

8,504

9,106

17,610

16,781

Jimblebar

85%

1,569

1,549

1,607

1,490

1,449

2,939

3,214

Samarco

50%

1,865

1,802

1,955

1,988

1,945

3,933

3,746

Total

24,610

22,499

26,115

25,003

25,454

50,457

48,458

METALLURGICAL COAL (g)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA

50%

6,441

5,972

6,474

6,657

6,106

12,763

13,134

BHP Mitsui Coal (h)

80%

710

763

850

873

873

1,746

1,436

Illawarra

100%

1,822

1,725

1,900

1,717

1,987

3,704

3,389

Total

8,973

8,460

9,224

9,247

8,966

18,213

17,959

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (i)

60%

529

532

673

644

663

1,307

1,095

Australia (i)

60%

749

694

716

865

866

1,731

1,570

Total

1,278

1,226

1,389

1,509

1,529

3,038

2,665

Refer footnotes on page 4.

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (i)

60%

105

119

131

93

126

219

184

Australia (i)

60%

60

54

44

60

66

126

120

Total

165

173

175

153

192

345

304

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati™

80%

614

512

583

487

937

1,424

1,466

FERTILISER

Production ('000 tonnes)

Southern Cross Fertiliser Operations (j)

100%

252.6

222.5

141.3

84.3

-

84.3

497.5

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

12,940

11,605

12,854

13,151

13,032

26,183

27,489

USA

100%

4,065

2,829

3,891

3,467

3,871

7,338

8,626

Australia

100%

2,045

1,897

2,636

2,766

2,790

5,556

4,613

Colombia

33%

2,237

2,341

2,406

2,398

2,337

4,735

4,569

Total

21,287

18,672

21,787

21,782

22,030

43,812

45,297

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

13.0

12.9

12.8

12.7

12.8

25.5

25.8

Yabulu

100%

5.9

7.0

4.3

7.3

7.5

14.8

12.0

Nickel West

100%

30.1

20.3

24.5

24.5

28.0

52.5

55.3

Total

49.0

40.2

41.6

44.5

48.3

92.8

93.1

(a)

LPG and Ethane are now reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL), consistent with petroleum industry practice. Product-specific conversions will be made and NGL will be reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe).

(b)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of Valesul on 1 July 2006.

(c)

Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal.

(d)

BHP Billiton sold Tintaya effective from 1 June 2006.

(e)

Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.

(f)

Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.

(g)

Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.

(h)

Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%.

(i)

Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.

(j)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of Southern Cross Fertiliser operations on 1 August 2006.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

QUARTER ENDED 

HALF YEAR ENDED

  DEC

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

  2005

2006

2006

2006

2006

2006

2005

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

3,584

3,414

3,964

3,847

3,311

7,158

7,304

Minerva

26

18

20

23

21

44

60

North West Shelf - condensate

1,405

1,263

1,091

1,350

1,410

2,760

2,775

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

979

751

1,111

1,634

1,325

2,959

2,128

Griffin

344

204

296

323

312

635

780

Pakistan

54

59

60

61

62

123

103

Typhoon/Boris (a)

23

-

-

-

-

-

329

Mad Dog

604

549

698

528

549

1,077

1,044

Other Americas (b)

161

68

68

78

81

159

284

Angostura

1,018

1,080

1,191

1,174

618

1,792

2,016

Liverpool Bay

1,161

1,278

1,199

931

1,280

2,211

2,321

Bruce/Keith

256

209

182

178

202

380

510

Ohanet

353

389

426

357

472

829

836

ROD

1,234

1,604

1,245

1,607

1,320

2,927

2,946

Total

11,202

10,886

11,551

12,091

10,963

23,054

23,436

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

21.12

18.26

34.43

33.54

20.53

54.07

57.05

Minerva

8.14

5.78

6.36

7.73

6.90

14.63

18.44

North West Shelf - Domestic

3.81

3.55

4.63

3.54

3.89

7.43

7.78

North West Shelf - LNG

23.16

21.15

22.70

21.68

23.59

45.27

44.35

Griffin

0.41

0.12

0.19

0.49

0.45

0.94

0.97

Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (c)

1.73

1.75

1.86

1.12

-

1.12

3.38

Illawarra Coal Bed Methane

1.60

1.50

1.35

1.50

0.95

2.45

2.72

Pakistan

8.40

8.52

9.02

9.14

9.34

18.48

15.72

Typhoon/Boris (a)

0.01

-

-

-

-

-

0.47

Mad Dog

0.12

0.11

0.25

0.17

0.16

0.33

0.20

Other Americas (b)

1.00

1.78

2.34

2.55

2.27

4.82

2.89

Bruce/Keith

6.28

6.52

5.40

4.21

5.42

9.63

12.09

Liverpool Bay

10.57

8.81

10.06

6.16

9.59

15.75

17.94

Total

86.35

77.85

98.59

91.83

83.09

174.92

184.00

NGL ('000 barrels) (d)

Bass Strait

1,719

1,574

2,254

2,224

1,726

3,950

3,912

North West Shelf

465

410

349

444

441

885

924

Bruce/Keith

176

94

59

138

107

245

336

Ohanet

312

370

401

319

436

755

745

Total

2,672

2,448

3,063

3,125

2,710

5,835

5,917

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

28.26

26.31

31.04

30.52

27.52

58.04

60.01

(million barrels of oil equivalent) (e)

(a)

BHP Billiton sold its interests in Typhoon / Boris, including the Little Burn field with effect from 1 July 2006. The sale was completed on 6 October 2006.

(b)

BHP Billiton sold its interests in the Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields with effect from 16 January 2006.

(c)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of its interest in Moranbah Coal Bed Methane in September 2006 quarter.

(d)

LPG and Ethane are now reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL), consistent with petroleum industry practice. Product-specific

conversions will be made and NGL will be reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe).

(e)

Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are based on 6000scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

QUARTER ENDED 

HALF YEAR ENDED

 

DEC

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

 

2005

2006

2006

2006

2006

2006

2005

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

663

717

694

704

776

1,480

1,352

Paranam, Suriname

219

228

247

253

241

494

446

Alumar, Brazil

130

130

131

121

136

257

242

Total

1,012

1,075

1,072

1,078

1,153

2,231

2,040

Sales

Worsley, Australia

710

709

672

666

820

1,486

1,294

Paranam, Suriname

249

213

244

236

243

479

452

Alumar, Brazil

121

130

147

108

137

245

228

Total (a)

1,080

1,052

1,063

1,010

1,200

2,210

1,974

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

177

174

177

177

176

353

349

Bayside, South Africa

46

46

46

49

50

99

87

Alumar, Brazil

45

44

44

44

45

89

90

Valesul, Brazil (b)

10

11

11

-

-

-

21

Mozal, Mozambique

66

65

66

67

67

134

131

Total

344

340

344

337

338

675

678

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

175

162

186

170

173

343

343

Bayside, South Africa

43

40

48

44

47

91

77

Alumar, Brazil

44

48

44

44

42

86

86

Valesul, Brazil (b)

12

10

11

-

-

-

23

Mozal, Mozambique

79

58

68

60

66

126

133

Total

353

318

357

318

328

646

662

Tolling Agreement (a)

22

22

38

24

20

44

45

 

375

340

395

342

348

690

707

(a)

Equity Alumina is converted into Aluminium under a third party tolling agreement. These tonnages are allocated to equity sales.

(b)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of Valesul with effect 1 July 2006.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

QUARTER ENDED

 HALF YEAR ENDED

 

DEC

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

 

2005

2006

2006

2006

2006

2006

2005

BASE METALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.

Escondida, Chile

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

92,155

90,781

94,429

59,601

93,770

153,371

183,074

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

22,161

21,843

21,473

18,257

22,585

40,842

44,416

Average copper grade

(%)

1.58%

1.62%

1.63%

1.55%

1.55%

1.55%

1.59%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

304.0

302.8

295.9

234.0

289.4

523.4

608.4

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

169.0

168.2

165.2

129.7

160.6

290.3

337.6

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

19,200

17,877

23,567

17,049

22,365

39,414

38,394

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

20.0

15.4

11.7

17.5

32.7

50.2

39.6

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

945

714

925

724

880

1,604

1,740

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

160.7

184.4

158.6

133.8

167.9

301.7

330.1

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

18,145

20,159

22,627

17,778

23,089

40,867

37,439

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

19.4

16.7

11.5

14.2

27.3

41.5

38.7

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

892

802

891

752

909

1,661

1,695

Tintaya, Peru (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

17,107

15,960

11,539

-

-

-

34,335

Sulphide Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

1,734

1,523

1,123

-

-

-

3,280

Average copper grade

(%)

1.26%

1.26%

1.33%

-

-

-

1.29%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

18.1

16.2

12.9

-

-

-

35

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

8,200

8,032

4,958

-

-

-

16,248

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

9.9

9.1

6.1

-

-

-

20

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

168

138

119

-

-

-

335

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

19.4

15.1

12.0

-

-

-

36

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

8,376

8,016

5,079

-

-

-

15,159

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

9.8

8.3

7.1

-

-

-

20

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

207

127

109

-

-

-

368

(a)

BHP Billiton sold Tintaya with effect from 1 June 2006.

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

17,107

17,926

18,258

16,334

18,858

35,192

33,803

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

4,348

4,266

4,490

4,508

4,578

9,086

7,692

Average copper grade

(%)

0.90%

0.94%

0.83%

0.80%

0.81%

0.81%

0.85%

Production

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

21.5

28.1

30.0

30.0

27.4

57.4

36.0

Sales

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

19.7

24.4

34.5

27.9

28.3

56.2

34.7

Spence, Chile (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

20,329

20,329

-

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

3,510

3,510

-

Average copper grade

(%)

-

-

-

-

1.76%

1.76%

-

Production

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

4.3

4.3

-

Sales

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

1.3

1.3

-

(a)

Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

32,598

28,982

29,740

29,917

28,317

58,234

65,437

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

8,349

7,549

7,196

7,581

7,930

15,511

15,716

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.36%

1.48%

1.45%

1.22%

1.41%

1.32%

1.33%

- Zinc

(%)

0.51%

0.62%

0.88%

0.87%

0.65%

0.76%

0.76%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

34.3

32.9

29.1

29.0

34.1

63.1

62.2

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

5,148

7,534

12,638

13,585

10,970

24,555

20,107

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

859

865

808

713

736

1,449

1,501

Payable molybdenum

(tonnes)

772

632

538

719

768

1,487

1,345

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

35.5

30.5

25.6

33.9

35.3

69.2

66.2

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

7,894

9,634

7,638

14,224

13,853

28,077

21,097

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

813

750

505

713

623

1,336

1,482

Payable molybdenum

(tonnes)

751

697

627

719

808

1,527

1,289

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

887

799

496

428

506

934

1,797

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

850

809

589

478

478

956

1,622

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

493

431

462

423

360

392

474

- Lead

(%)

10.8%

9.8%

10.9%

11.6%

8.8%

10.2%

10.3%

- Zinc

(%)

3.5%

4.0%

4.1%

3.6%

3.1%

3.4%

3.4%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

11,672

9,693

7,503

5,714

4,805

10,519

21,251

Payable lead

(tonnes)

77,187

68,754

55,507

48,977

36,454

85,431

142,060

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

18,780

20,885

14,926

10,426

8,806

19,232

32,968

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

11,972

9,061

8,516

5,010

6,637

11,647

21,050

Payable lead

(tonnes)

79,474

63,112

62,787

39,694

51,521

91,215

139,416

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

16,814

17,508

20,121

6,346

12,315

18,661

27,490

Olympic Dam, Australia

Material mined (a)

('000 tonnes)

2,145

2,065

2,002

2,178

2,030

4,208

4,152

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

2,430

2,343

2,517

2,043

2,182

4,225

4,775

Average copper grade

(%)

2.32%

2.10%

2.10%

2.10%

2.21%

2.16%

2.29%

Average uranium grade

kg/t

0.65

0.59

0.55

0.57

0.58

1.15

1.29

Production

Copper cathode (ER)

('000 tonnes)

48.6

43.1

50.5

38.4

35.4

73.8

92.8

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

4.9

4.0

4.1

3.2

4.3

7.5

9.8

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

1,070

913

865

793

822

1,615

2,158

Refined gold

(fine ounces)

27,300

26,186

27,636

24,111

16,199

40,310

53,724

Refined silver

('000 ounces)

222

245

238

198

145

343

401

Sales

Copper cathode (ER)

('000 tonnes)

44.9

44.1

49.0

41.6

33.7

75.3

92.4

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

5.8

4.2

4.1

3.5

2.7

6.2

11.0

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

1,287

992

1,183

620

1,009

1,629

2,166

Refined gold

(fine ounces)

26,369

27,300

27,375

23,233

18,404

41,637

47,561

Refined silver

('000 ounces)

254

178

320

188

157

345

398

(a)

Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

1.9

4.0

4.3

Sales

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

1.6

4.2

4.9

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

QUARTER ENDED 

HALF YEAR ENDED

 

DEC

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

 

2005

2006

2006

2006

2006

2006

2005

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

IRON ORE (a)

Pilbara, Australia

Production

Mt Newman Joint Venture

6,166

5,884

6,490

7,394

7,536

14,930

12,400

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

1,669

1,371

1,808

806

84

890

3,062

Area C Joint Venture

4,969

3,332

5,401

4,821

5,334

10,155

9,255

Yandi Joint Venture

8,372

8,561

8,854

8,504

9,106

17,610

16,781

Jimblebar

1,569

1,549

1,607

1,490

1,449

2,939

3,214

Total (BHP Billiton share)

22,745

20,697

24,160

23,015

23,509

46,524

44,712

Total production (100%)

26,760

24,350

28,423

27,076

27,658

54,734

52,313

Sales

Lump

6,483

5,276

6,092

6,429

5,856

12,285

12,474

Fines

16,357

15,547

18,481

16,222

18,499

34,721

32,194

Total (BHP Billiton share)

22,840

20,823

24,573

22,651

24,355

47,006

44,668

Total sales (100%)

26,871

24,498

28,909

26,648

28,653

55,301

52,260

(a)

Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis.

Samarco, Brazil

Production

1,865

1,802

1,955

1,988

1,945

3,933

3,746

Shipments

2,155

1,532

2,022

1,872

2,357

4,229

4,055

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,409

1,533

1,449

1,536

1,388

2,924

3,036

Goonyella

1,921

1,751

1,986

1,892

1,296

3,188

3,530

Peak Downs

1,186

1,095

858

1,202

1,161

2,363

2,436

Saraji

602

563

794

682

893

1,575

1,277

Norwich Park

678

550

675

631

677

1,308

1,437

Gregory Joint Venture

645

480

712

714

691

1,405

1,418

BMA total

6,441

5,972

6,474

6,657

6,106

12,763

13,134

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

South Walker Creek

710

763

850

873

782

1,655

1,436

Poitrel (c)

-

-

-

-

91

91

-

BHP Mitsui Coal total

710

763

850

873

873

1,746

1,436

Queensland total

7,151

6,735

7,324

7,530

6,979

14,509

14,570

Shipments

Coking coal

4,987

5,032

5,798

5,190

5,040

10,230

9,856

Weak coking coal

1,366

1,342

1,444

1,600

1,749

3,349

2,573

Thermal coal

403

482

581

344

502

846

982

Total

6,756

6,856

7,823

7,134

7,291

14,425

13,411

(a)

Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.

(b)

Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%.

(c)

Poitrel was commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.

Illawarra, Australia

Production

1,822

1,725

1,900

1,717

1,987

3,704

3,389

Shipments

Coking coal

1,457

1,508

1,292

1,366

1,583

2,949

2,647

Thermal coal

103

313

136

188

280

468

486

Total

1,560

1,821

1,428

1,554

1,863

3,417

3,133

MANGANESE ORE

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

529

532

673

644

663

1,307

1,095

Australia

Saleable production (a)

749

694

716

865

866

1,731

1,570

MANGANESE ALLOY

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

105

119

131

93

126

219

184

Australia

Saleable production (a)

60

54

44

60

66

126

120

(a)

Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

QUARTER ENDED 

HALF YEAR ENDED

 

DEC

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

 

2005

2006

2006

2006

2006

2006

2005

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati™, Canada

Ore Processed (100%)

('000 tonnes)

962

995

1,181

1,199

1,100

2,299

2,120

Production

('000 carats)

614

512

583

487

937

1,424

1,466

FERTILISER

Southern Cross Fertiliser Operations, Australia (a)

Production (b)

('000 tonnes)

252.6

222.5

141.3

84.3

-

84.3

497.5

Sales (b)

('000 tonnes)

221.2

200.4

304.4

41.6

-

41.6

396.7

(a)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of Southern Cross Fertiliser operations on 1 August 2006.

(b)

Includes diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

QUARTER ENDED

 HALF YEAR ENDED

 

DEC

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

 

2005

2006

2006

2006

2006

2006

2005

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

Ingwe, South Africa

Production

12,940

11,605

12,854

13,151

13,032

26,183

27,489

Sales

Export

6,273

5,658

4,271

5,168

5,211

10,379

11,709

Local utility

7,250

7,328

7,365

7,552

7,413

14,965

15,263

Inland

268

203

253

255

227

482

577

Total

13,791

13,189

11,889

12,975

12,851

25,826

27,549

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

2,252

2,305

1,471

1,778

2,104

3,882

4,490

San Juan Coal

1,813

524

2,420

1,689

1,767

3,456

4,136

Total

4,065

2,829

3,891

3,467

3,871

7,338

8,626

Sales - local utility

3,628

3,553

3,556

3,822

3,616

7,438

7,397

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

2,045

1,897

2,636

2,766

2,790

5,556

4,613

Sales

Export

1,312

1,267

1,048

1,245

1,858

3,103

2,882

Inland

793

643

1,475

1,031

1,005

2,036

1,776

Total

2,105

1,910

2,523

2,276

2,863

5,139

4,658

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

2,237

2,341

2,406

2,398

2,337

4,735

4,569

Sales - export

2,087

2,116

2,387

2,336

2,323

4,659

4,257

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

QUARTER ENDED 

HALF YEAR ENDED

 

DEC

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

 

2005

2006

2006

2006

2006

2006

2005

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

13.0

12.9

12.8

12.7

12.8

25.5

25.8

Sales

14.2

12.4

13.6

11.7

14.4

26.1

25.3

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel metal

5.9

7.0

4.3

7.3

7.5

14.8

12.0

Cobalt

0.2

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.5

0.8

0.5

Sales

Nickel metal

6.6

6.9

4.9

6.0

7.2

13.2

12.9

Cobalt

0.3

0.4

0.3

0.4

0.4

0.8

0.7

Nickel West, Australia

Production

Nickel contained in finished matte

13.9

5.2

9.6

11.1

12.4

23.5

23.6

Nickel metal

16.2

15.1

14.9

13.4

15.6

29.0

31.7

Nickel production (a)

30.1

20.3

24.5

24.5

28.0

52.5

55.3

Sales

Nickel contained in finished matte

14.3

8.8

7.9

9.3

13.5

22.8

21.9

Nickel metal (b)

14.9

15.7

15.8

12.9

14.3

27.2

30.8

Nickel sales (a)

29.2

24.5

23.7

22.2

27.8

50.0

52.7

(a)

In addition to the production and sales reported above, Nickel West also produced and sold 1.2 kt nickel in concentrate during the

quarter ended 30 June 2006. There has been no sales of nickel in concentrate in the December 2006 half year.

 

BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
Registered in Australia
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 in England and Wales
Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom
Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111

                                                                  The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia