LNG

Oct 19 (LNGJ) - BHP Billiton, the Australian energy and commodity company, said its natural gas production for the third quarter declined by 10 per cent to 182 billion cubic feet. “The decline primarily reflects lower onshore US gas volumes as a result of the decision to defer development activity for longer-term value and the successful divestment of our gas business in Pakistan. This was partially offset by increased LNG volumes at North West Shelf and higher demand at Bass Strait,” BHP said. It expects the completion by the end of 2016 of the transaction whereby it sold 50 percent of its interest in the undeveloped Scarborough area gas fields. Under the proposal, ExxonMobil will remain operator of Scarborough and operatorship of North Scarborough will transfer from BHP Billiton to Australia’s Woodside.