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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Date of
13 January 2004BHP Billiton Limited
ABN 49 004 028 077
180 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Australia
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 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):
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Date |
13 January 2004 |
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Number |
01/04 |
BHP BILLITON ANNOUNCES
OIL DISCOVERY AT PUMA WELL IN DEEPWATER GULF OF MEXICO
BHP Billiton today announced that it had completed drilling the Puma-1 exploration in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
The well encountered approximately 500 feet of net oil pay in Miocene sandstones, and two subsequent sidetrack bores also encountered oil in reservoir intervals of a similar age.
Steve Bell, President, Exploration and Business Development said today: "The drilling result is encouraging, however, the well was drilled in a structurally complex subsurface area and in a zone where seismic imaging data is of only moderate quality. Further seismic reprocessing and appraisal drilling will be necessary to evaluate the size
and significance of the discovery".Drilling on Puma-1 began on August 14 2003 on Block GC 823 in the Western Atwater Foldbelt using the BP-operated Ocean Confidence drillship. The well is located 140 miles from the Louisiana coast and eight miles from the company's Mad Dog development. The well was drilled to a total measured depth of 19,034 feet in a water depth of 4130 feet. Technical data was taken from the straight hole and sidetrack bores.
BHP Billiton has a 33.34% interest in Puma with BP (operator) 51.66% and Unocal 15%.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 408 313 259 email: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com |
United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com |
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Tania Price, Media Relations United States Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com |
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
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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
LIMITEDKaren Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: