BHP sells Australia gas stake to PetroChina

BEIJING (AP) - BHP Billiton said on Wednesday that it has agreed to sell its stake in a proposed Australian gas project to Chinese state-owned energy producer PetroChina for US$1.6 billion (S$2 billion).

PetroChina is Asia's biggest oil producer by volume and, along with other Chinese energy companies, has been acquiring assets abroad to profit from increased Chinese demand for imported oil and gas.

BHP said the sale covers its 8.33 per cent interest in the East Browse Joint Venture and 20 per cent interest in the West Browse Joint Venture, located off Australia's west coast. The Australian mining giant said other partners in the Browse joint venture have the right to match the offer and the deal still requires regulatory approval.

"PetroChina has acquired an interest in a world class gas resource and BHP Billiton has exited a non-strategic asset," said BHP Billiton's chief executive for petroleum, J. Michael Yeager, in a statement.