BHP confirmed that SBM Offshore USA, Inc., Technip USA, Inc. dba Genesis North America and McDermott, Inc. have been selected to deliver an early engineering study for a Semisubmersible Floating Production Unit (FPU) for the Trion field in the deep-water Gulf of Mexico offshore Mexico.

The design contracts have been awarded following a competitive tender process, and the work is anticipated to be completed within six months.

BHP President Operations Petroleum, Geraldine Slattery, said: “This is another step forward for the Trion project which allows for early engagement with the chosen contractors to optimize the design together with the contracting and execution strategy options for the FPU delivery. We look forward to working with the selected contractors through this study phase.”

BHP holds a 60 per cent interest (and operatorship) in Trion. PEMEX holds a 40 per cent interest.

About BHP

BHP is a world-leading resources company. We extract and process minerals, oil and gas, with more than 60,000 employees and contractors, primarily in Australia and the Americas. Our products are sold worldwide, with sales and marketing led through Singapore and Houston, United States. Our global headquarters are in Melbourne, Australia.

We operate under a Dual Listed Company structure with two parent companies (BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc) operated as if we were a single economic entity, which we refer to as BHP. We are run by a unified Board and management.