BHP Group Limited — Capital/Financing Update 2008

Apr 22, 2008

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To	Company Announcements Office		Facsimile	1900 999 279
Company	Australian Stock Exchange Limited		Date	23 April 2008
From	Bill Hundy		Pages	3
	ORIGIN SIGNS NEW GAS AGREEMENT WITH ESSO AUSTRALIA AND BHP
Subject	BILLITON.

For your information please find attached an ASX Release relating to a new gas supply agreement between Origin and the Esso Australia and BHP Billiton joint venture.

Regards

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Bill Hundy Company Secretary

02 8345 5467 – bill.hundy@originenergy.com.au

Origin Energy Limited ACN 000 051 696 • Lvl 45 Australia Square, 264-278 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 5376, Sydney NSW 2001 • Telephone (02) 8345 5000 • Facsimile (02) 9252 1566 • www.originenergy.com.au

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ASX/Media Release

23 April 2008

Origin signs new gas agreement with Esso Australia and BHP Billiton - strengthening retail gas portfolio

Origin Energy today announced it has entered into a Gas Supply Agreement with the Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd and BHP Billiton Gippsland Basin joint venture to purchase up to 250 petajoules (PJ) of natural gas over 10 years.

The Esso Australia-BHP Billiton contract is expected to commence late 2009, providing a smooth transition from the current Gascor contract.

Origin Chief Operating Officer Karen Moses said the contract would significantly contribute to meeting Origin’s retail gas demand in south-eastern Australia.

“The contract strengthens Origin’s long term gas position. We continue to maintain a highly flexible gas supply portfolio by developing our own equity gas reserves and contracting from a range of other gas suppliers.

“Together with our current equity gas reserves, the contract will help service customers across south-eastern Australia and potential new generation projects such as Origin’s proposed Mortlake Power Station.

“The contract supports our business strategy and position as Australia’s leading fuel integrated generator and retailer,” she said.

Origin has developed its own sources of gas supply in Victoria through the BassGas development south-east of Melbourne, which currently contributes 20 PJ annually to Origin’s gas supply arrangements and the Otway Gas Project in south-western Victoria which, when fully operational, will contribute an additional 30 PJ per annum.

In addition, Origin has recently announced the acquisition of the Halladale and Black Watch exploration permit in the Otway basin which may supplement this gas supply and add further flexibility to Origin’s gas supply portfolio.

For more information:

For Media – Origin Energy

Michelle Hindson Acting General Manager, Corporate Communications Ph: 02 8345 5217 Mobile: 0414 207 049

For Investors – Origin Energy

Aline Van Deventer Investor Relations Ph: 02 8345 5589 Mobile: 0413 680 870

Origin Energy Limited ABN 30 000 051 696 • Level 45 Australia Square, 264-278 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 5376, Sydney NSW 2001 • Telephone (02) 8345 5000 • Facsimile (02) 9252 1566 • www.originenergy.com.au

About Origin Energy - Origin is one of Australasia’s leading integrated energy companies focused on gas and oil exploration and production, power generation and energy retailing. Listed in the ASX top 50, with a market capitalisation of around $7.5 billion, Origin is both a producer and retailer of energy. Our strengths come from our integration across the supply chain, from exploration and production to the supply of energy to over 3 million customer accounts. Origin’s portfolio of assets together with more than 3,000 employees, provide flexibility, stability and significant opportunities for growth in the ever changing energy industry. Origin is also the major shareholder in New Zealand’s Contact Energy. Origin is the Ethical Investor 2007 Sustainable Company of the Year.

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