BHP Group Regulatory News (BHP)

BHP BILLITON RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

Information in this report has been presented on a continuing operations basis to exclude the contribution from assets that were demerged with South32, unless otherwise noted. The contribution of the South32 assets to the Group's results are disclosed as discontinued operations within the Group's financial statements.

· The health and safety of our people is our first priority. After no fatalities in the 2014 financial year, we tragically lost five colleagues this year. It is our ongoing goal to have a workplace free from fatalities and serious injury and we have implemented a company-wide program to improve performance.

· Underlying EBITDA(1) of US$21.9 billion and an Underlying EBITDA margin(2) of 50% for the 2015 financial year demonstrate the quality of our portfolio and its resilience in challenging markets. Underlying EBIT(1) declined by 46% to US$11.9 billion.

· Our focus on best-in-class performance delivered productivity gains of US$4.1 billion(3), two years ahead of target. We expect further cost reductions in the 2016 financial year across all businesses.

· Capital and exploration expenditure(4) decreased by 24% to US$11.0 billion in the period and is expected to decline to US$8.5 billion in the 2016 financial year and US$7.0 billion in the 2017 financial year.

· Improved operating and capital productivity combined with the flexibility of our investment program supported free cash flow(2) of US$6.3 billion.

· We maintained our solid A credit rating(5) and finished the period with net debt(2) of US$24.4 billion, a decline of US$1.4 billion.

· Our commitment to the progressive dividend is unchanged. Our full-year dividend increased by 2% to 124 US cents per share.

Results for the 2015 financial year

BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Mackenzie, said: "We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of five colleagues over the past year. These fatalities have had a permanent impact on our Company and on the families and friends of those who died. The health and safety of our people must come first and we are making an even greater effort to improve our performance as we strive for a fatality-free workplace. Across BHP Billiton we have held a series of safety interventions to reaffirm our commitment to focus on the things that matter most.

"The success of our productivity initiatives generated strong cash flow which supported our dividend commitment, funded continued investment in growth and enabled a reduction in net debt, despite the dramatic fall in commodity prices. And while we recorded a sector-leading EBITDA margin of 50 per cent, we will cut costs further and exercise our growing capital flexibility to improve our competitiveness and support our progressive dividend policy through the cycle.

"In the short term we expect ongoing economic reforms in China to contribute to periods of market volatility. And, while we remain confident in the long-term outlook for commodities demand as emerging economies continue to urbanise and industrialise, we have lowered our forecast of peak Chinese steel demand to between 935 million tonnes and 985 million tonnes in the mid 2020's. This backdrop will favour low-cost producers with economies of scale.

"Importantly, we do not require the same level of investment to grow as in the past. Improved productivity can further stretch the capacity of our existing operations to increase volumes at very low cost. For example, in Western Australia Iron Ore we can increase the capacity of our system from 254 million tonnes today to 290 million tonnes over time with minimal investment, while making more than US$20 per tonne margin at today's prices. Beyond this, we continue to reduce development costs within our project portfolio. However, we remain focused on value and will only approve projects when the time is right."

The health and safety of our people is core to our values

The health and safety of our people is our first priority. After no fatalities in the 2014 financial year, we tragically lost five colleagues this year. It is our ongoing goal to have a workplace free from fatalities and serious injury and we are making an even greater effort to improve our performance. This includes launching a company-wide safety intervention with more than 40,000 of our people having participated in sessions so far.

During the 2015 financial year, BHP Billiton reported a Total Recordable Injury Frequency of 4.1 per million hours worked(6), a two per cent improvement compared with the 2014 financial year.

Delivered strong cash flow, funded the dividend, invested in growth and reduced net debt

BHP Billiton delivered Underlying EBITDA of US$21.9 billion in the 2015 financial year, down 28 per cent, as lower realised prices reduced earnings by US$16.4 billion and more than offset the substantial productivity gains that continue to be achieved across the portfolio. Non-cash charges increased by US$1.3 billion and contributed to a 46 per cent decline in Underlying EBIT to US$11.9 billion.

Despite the significant decline in commodity prices, we generated US$6.3 billion of free cash flow during the period as we further improved both operating and capital productivity and exercised the flexibility in our investment program. In this regard, we invested US$11.0 billion in capital projects and exploration(4) during the year.

We maintained our solid A credit rating, finishing the period with net debt of US$24.4 billion, a decline of US$1.4 billion, and a gearing ratio(2) of 25.7 per cent (2014: 23.2 per cent). We remain committed to our strong balance sheet which allows us to maintain our progressive dividend and invest through the cycle.

In line with our progressive dividend policy, we increased our full-year dividend by two per cent to 124 US cents per share.

Early delivery of our productivity target provides a strong platform to generate further improvements

BHP Billiton's focus on operational excellence continued to yield significant results in the 2015 financial year. We reduced costs faster than expected in all our major businesses, with unit cash costs down by 31 per cent at Western Australia Iron Ore, 23 per cent at Queensland Coal, eight per cent at Escondida(7) while Black Hawk well costs fell 19 per cent. This contributed to the delivery of US$4.1 billion(3) of productivity gains during the period, two years ahead of our 2017 target, comprising a reduction in controllable cash costs of US$2.7 billion, productivity-led volume efficiencies of US$1.2 billion and a US$142 million reduction in capitalised exploration expenditure.

Following the successful demerger of South32, BHP Billiton is almost exclusively focused on its exceptionally large, long-life petroleum, copper, iron ore, coal and potash assets. With a significantly simpler portfolio, we are even better placed to achieve further productivity improvements in the assets that underpin the value of the Company.

Historical costs and guidance for the 2016 financial year are summarised in the following table:

(i) 2016 financial year guidance is based on exchange rates of AUD/USD 0.74 and USD/CLP 674.

(ii) Guidance is presented on a grade-equivalent basis relative to the 2015 financial year. Grades are expected to decline by 27 per cent in the 2016 financial year.

Capital productivity, the release of latent capacity and our high-quality growth options will create value

The successful ramp-up of the Jimblebar mining hub and growth in Onshore US liquids volumes increased Underlying EBIT by US$1.8 billion in the 2015 financial year. Improved capital productivity and the flexibility of our investment program, allowed us to reduce capital and exploration expenditure(4) by 24 per cent to US$11.0 billion during the period and is expected to lead to a 23 per cent reduction to US$8.5 billion in the 2016 financial year. We forecast capital and exploration expenditure will further reduce to US$7.0 billion in the 2017 financial year.

Over the short to medium term, the release of latent capacity across the portfolio will deliver production growth at low capital cost.

· Better productivity will be the sole source of volume growth at Western Australia Iron Ore in the 2016 financial year and will contribute to an increase in system capacity to 290 Mtpa over time.

· As we improve the efficiency of our capital, we expect to maintain aggregate Black Hawk and Permian volumes in the 2016 financial year despite cutting shale investment by over 50 per cent. We retain the option to rapidly ramp-up Onshore US production, however we will continue to monitor market conditions to optimise value. In addition, we now see the potential of the Permian field at over 150 kboe/d.

· At Escondida, our three concentrator strategy with the commissioning of the desalination plant, is expected to offset grade decline and support a strong recovery in production post the 2016 financial year.

Our medium and longer-term development options are expected to support our production growth rates over the cycle and generate strong returns on investment.

· In Copper, we recently filed two Environmental Impact Statements in relation to the Spence Growth Option project and continue to progress the Olympic Dam underground expansion option.

· In Petroleum, Mad Dog 2 and Haynesville present excellent development options.

· We continue to make good progress in shaft excavation at the Jansen potash project.

Outlook

Economic outlook

The global economy grew at a modest rate in the 2015 financial year with a mild improvement in developed economies offsetting a moderation in emerging markets. In the short to medium term, we expect moderate growth of the global economy. In the longer term, urbanisation and industrialisation will remain the primary drivers of commodity demand. The transition to consumption-led growth in emerging economies should provide particular support for industrial metals, energy and fertilisers.

In China, a slowdown in the property sector and fixed asset investment led to lower economic growth following policy tightening in the 2014 calendar year. Consumer spending remained resilient reflecting the continued rebalancing of the economy. A number of interest rate reductions, cuts in bank reserve requirements, boosts to infrastructure spending and administrative measures supporting the property market are likely to buttress growth over the remainder of the 2015 calendar year. In line with our expectations, the economy is growing more slowly, though off a higher base, as it matures over the medium term and the government's reform program promotes domestic consumption over investment. We expect near-term volatility to continue as the authorities press ahead with reform in a cautious but sustained manner as they seek to improve the efficiency of capital allocation in the economy while maintaining support for employment. However, our robust longer-term outlook for China remains intact as the economy transitions.

The United States economy continued to improve despite weakness in the March 2015 quarter caused by severe weather in the North-East and a stronger US dollar. Ongoing strength in the labour market, rising disposable incomes, higher equity markets and improved housing prices supported consumer demand. After a period in which businesses failed to respond to improved economic conditions and higher levels of profitability, corporate investment has begun to show signs of recovery. The Federal Reserve is expected to begin increasing interest rates in the first half of the 2016 financial year.

The European Central Bank began a program of quantitative easing in March 2015, which appears to be driving a modest pick-up in economic growth. Activity has improved across the Eurozone, with the exception of Greece, reflecting a broad-based lift in domestic demand and we expect the improvement in growth to continue in the 2016 financial year.

Japan's economy saw growth improve in annualised terms as the year progressed, supported by the Bank of Japan's quantitative easing and a weaker yen. Growth should be supported by stronger business investment into the 2016 financial year. A longer-term, sustainable recovery is contingent on the scale and speed of structural reform.

Commodities outlook

Commodity prices generally trended down in the 2015 financial year, with prices for most of our commodities notably lower going into the new financial year.

Chinese steel production declined by 1.3 per cent in the second half of the 2015 financial year versus the corresponding period in 2014, triggered largely by a slowing construction sector. New construction starts were lower this year due to considerable levels of existing stock. Although China's steel exports are at an all-time high, we expect subdued crude steel production growth over the remainder of the 2015 calendar year with some upside potential should the construction sector recover. However with steel stock per capita still well below that of developed nations, we expect moderate but sustainable growth in Chinese steel production over the next decade. An extended view on the life cycle of steel usage has resulted in a lower but longer plateau for crude steel production, peaking between 935 Mt and 985 Mt in the middle of the next decade. The implications for pig iron demand, and therefore iron ore and metallurgical coal, are mitigated in the medium term by lower scrap availability as the scrap cycle in China will take longer to develop. Outside China, steel production growth is improving steadily driven by India, the Middle East and South-East Asia.

The supply of most steelmaking raw materials has grown faster than demand. In iron ore, we estimate that approximately 100 Mt of incremental lower cost seaborne supply will enter the market in the 2015 calendar year, outweighing demand growth. In this context, higher cost Chinese domestic production, along with high-cost seaborne exports, continues to exit the market. Private mines in China have seen their operating rates fall from approximately 90 per cent in the 2011 calendar year to approximately 35 per cent today. Many producers have also cut their costs. As a result, the iron ore cost curve has both flattened and fallen from previous levels.

In metallurgical coal, while uneconomic high-cost supply has slowly withdrawn from the seaborne market, prices remain subdued as industry-wide cost reductions and weaker producer currencies against the US dollar support continued production from marginal suppliers. Recent quality restrictions have also weakened China's import demand but this was partially offset by growth in traditional markets. The long-term outlook remains robust as the supply of premium hard coking coals becomes scarce.

Depreciating currencies have sustained Indonesian and Australian thermal coal exports, prolonging the weak pricing environment. Despite healthy seaborne demand growth from India, China's import demand has weakened, limiting prospects for price recovery in the near term.

In copper, prices were affected by weaker than expected consumption and the strengthening US dollar. In the near term, new supply under development is expected to keep the market well supplied. However, a deficit is expected to emerge at the end of this decade as grade decline, rising costs and a scarcity of high-quality future development opportunities are likely to constrain the industry's ability to meet attractive demand growth.

Global crude oil demand growth was outpaced by supply growth putting pressure on prices throughout the year. Despite strong demand growth, liquids supply exceeded demand by 2.6 MMboe/d in the second half of the 2015 financial year. We expect prices to remain range bound in the short term due to available supply capacity from the United States and OPEC. The long-term demand outlook remains healthy, underpinned by the transport sector, notably in the Asian region.

US natural gas prices declined during the year as production growth was only partially offset by increased consumption in the power sector. In the longer term, demand is expected to benefit from increasing industrial use, growth in gas-fired power generation and the start of LNG exports. As core acreage is depleted, less productive and higher-cost shale areas will be required to meet growing demand. In the LNG market, weaker North Asian end-user demand and ample supply have kept prices subdued.

Projects

Historical capital and exploration expenditure and guidance for the 2016 and 2017 financial years are summarised in the following table:

(i) Capitalised deferred stripping includes US$142 million attributable to non-controlling interests in the 2015 financial year (2014: US$243 million).

During the 2015 financial year, three major projects achieved first production, namely: Escondida Oxide Leach Area Project, BMA Hay Point Stage Three Expansion and Escondida Organic Growth Project 1. At the end of the period, BHP Billiton had four major projects under development with a combined budget of US$7.0 billion.

Projects completed or which delivered first production during the 2015 financial year

Projects in execution at the end of the 2015 financial year

Other projects in progress at the end of the 2015 financial year

(i) Unless noted otherwise, references to capacity are on a 100 per cent basis, references to capital expenditure from subsidiaries are reported on a 100 per cent basis and references to capital expenditure from joint operations are reported on a proportionate consolidation basis.

(ii) Amount subject to finalisation.

(iii) As per revised budget and/or schedule.

(iv) Excludes announced pre-commitment funding.

Income statement

To provide clarity into the underlying performance of our operations, Underlying attributable profit and Underlying EBIT are set out in the following tables:

Underlying EBIT

The following table and commentary describes the approximate impact of the principal factors that affected Underlying EBIT for the 2015 financial year compared with the 2014 financial year:

The following table reconciles relevant factors with the Group's productivity gains:

Prices

Lower realised prices reduced Underlying EBIT by US$16.4 billion in the 2015 financial year. A 41 per cent decline in the average realised price of iron ore was the major contributor and reduced Underlying EBIT by US$9.5 billion. Weaker average realised prices for our Petroleum, Copper and Coal businesses decreased Underlying EBIT by US$4.2 billion, US$1.6 billion and US$1.1 billion, respectively. A reduction in price-linked costs increased Underlying EBIT by US$1.2 billion and primarily reflected lower royalty charges in our Iron Ore business.

The average realised prices achieved for our major commodities are summarised in the following table:

(i) Prices exclude third party product and internal sales, and represent the weighted average of various sales terms (for example: FOB, CIF and CFR), unless otherwise noted.

(ii) Includes third party product and the impact of provisional pricing and finalisation adjustments which decreased EBIT by US$382 million in the 2015 financial year (2014: US$73 million increase).

(iii) Export sales only; excludes Cerrejón. Includes thermal coal sales from metallurgical coal mines.

Volumes

Productivity-led volume efficiencies and the ramp up of major projects underpinned a US$3.0 billion increase in Underlying EBIT. Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) was the major contributor as the improved performance of our integrated supply chain and the successful ramp up of the Jimblebar mining hub supported a US$1.9 billion increase in Underlying EBIT. A doubling of liquids production from both Black Hawk and Permian supported a further US$799 million volume-related increase in Petroleum's Underlying EBIT.

Controllable cash costs

Operating cash costs

Our focus on best-in-class performance underpinned a US$2.7 billion reduction in operating cash costs during the 2015 financial year.

A reduction in labour, contractor and maintenance costs increased Underlying EBIT by US$1.5 billion during the period. This was most evident in WAIO where the standardisation of our equipment and maintenance systems, and the insourcing of third party services facilitated a step change in the performance of our mining operations. Mining-related efficiencies contributed to a further US$580 million reduction in cash costs and largely reflected improved productivity at Escondida.

Exploration and business development

The Group's exploration and business development expenditure was broadly in line with the 2014 financial year. Our exploration program remains focused on greenfield copper targets within Chile, Peru and the South-West United States, and petroleum liquids opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico, Western Australia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Other costs

Exchange rates

A stronger US dollar increased Underlying EBIT by US$1.6 billion during the period. This included the restatement of monetary items in the balance sheet which increased Underlying EBIT by US$637 million relative to the 2014 financial year.

The following exchange rates have been applied:

(i) Displayed as US$ to A$1 based on common convention.

Inflation

The impact of inflation reduced Underlying EBIT by US$433 million during the period. This was most notable in Australia and Chile, which accounted for over 85 per cent of the total variance.

Fuel and energy

A reduction in diesel prices across our minerals businesses supported a US$518 million increase in Underlying EBIT.

Non-cash

An increase in non-cash charges reduced Underlying EBIT by US$1.3 billion during the period.

An US$839 million increase in non-cash charges in our Copper business reflects: higher ore mined which resulted in increased depletion of stripping capitalised in previous periods in line with mine plans at Escondida; increased depreciation following the completion of the Escondida Oxide Leach Area Project; and a US$199 million impairment driven by a lower copper price and permitting uncertainty for the proposed mine life extension at Cerro Colorado.

A US$639 million increase in non-cash charges in our Petroleum business reflects: US$316 million of higher depreciation and amortisation charges in Onshore US following the ramp-up of liquids production at Black Hawk and the progressive development of our Permian acreage; and US$328 million of impairment charges associated with the divestment of assets in North Louisiana and the Pecos field in the Permian. During the period, a US$79 million impairment of Neptune was also recognised as the fall in near-term oil prices has affected its value due to its short field life.

The decrease in non-cash charges in our Potash business relates to a mine site rehabilitation provision charge recognised in the 2014 financial year for the Group's North American closed mines.

The contribution of asset sales to Underlying EBIT decreased by US$72 million from the 2014 financial year which included the sale of Liverpool Bay.

Underlying EBIT from ceased and sold operations increased by US$22 million in the 2015 financial year. This largely reflected an unfavourable US$143 million adjustment to the Browse divestment proceeds, due to unitisation changes subsequent to the completion of sale, offset by the closure of the Nickel West Leinster Perseverance underground mine, both during the 2014 financial year.

Other items

Lower average realised prices received by our equity accounted investments more than accounted for the US$599 million decrease in Underlying EBIT reported in other items.

Net finance costs

Net finance costs decreased by US$300 million to US$614 million. The decrease reflected foreign exchange gains on finance leases and the early redemption of the Petrohawk Energy Corporation Senior Notes in August 2014, which resulted in a gain on redemption and lower interest expense.

Taxation expense

The Group's adjusted effective tax rate(2), which excludes the influence of exchange rate movements, remeasurement of deferred tax assets associated with the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) and exceptional items, was 31.8 per cent (2014: 32.2 per cent). The adjusted effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of 33 per cent to 37 per cent for the 2016 financial year. This anticipated increase reflects the expected higher proportion of profit from Australian petroleum assets (which are subject to a higher rate of tax due to the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax) in the Group's overall profit, and finalisation of MRRT balances in the 2015 financial year.

Total taxation expense, including royalty-related taxation, exceptional items and exchange rate movements, was US$3.7 billion, representing a statutory effective tax rate of 45.5 per cent (2014: 31.2 per cent).

Government imposed royalty arrangements calculated by reference to profits are reported as royalty-related taxation. An exceptional item of US$698 million tax expense (2014: US$ nil) was recognised on a continuing operations basis for the derecognition of deferred tax assets upon the repeal of the MRRT legislation in Australia.

Exchange rate movements increased taxation expense by US$339 million (2014: decrease of US$34 million).

Other royalty and excise arrangements which are not profit based are recognised as operating costs within Profit before taxation. These amounted to US$1.7 billion during the period (2014: US$2.4 billion).

Exceptional items

(i) Includes amounts attributable to non-controlling interests of US$(12) million.

Impairment of Onshore US assets

The Group recognised an impairment charge of US$2.0 billion (after tax benefit) in relation to its Onshore US assets. The gas-focused Hawkville field accounts for the substantial majority of this charge reflecting its geological complexity, product mix, acreage relinquishments and amended development plans. The remainder relates to the impairment of goodwill associated with the Petrohawk acquisition.

Impairment of Nickel West assets

On 12 November 2014, the Group announced that the review of its Nickel West business was complete and the preferred option, the sale of the business, was not achieved on an acceptable basis. As a result of operational decisions made subsequent to the conclusion of this process, an impairment charge of US$290 million (after tax benefit) was recognised in the 2015 financial year.

Repeal of Minerals Resource Rent Tax legislation

The legislation to repeal the MRRT in Australia took effect on 30 September 2014. As a result, the Group derecognised a MRRT deferred tax asset of US$809 million, and corresponding taxation charges of US$698 million related to continuing operations and US$111 million related to discontinued operations were recognised in the 2015 financial year.

Discontinued operations

On 25 May 2015 the Group announced that it completed the demerger of a selection of its aluminium, coal, manganese, nickel and silver assets to create an independent metals and mining company, South32.

South32's contribution to BHP Billion's 2015 financial year results comprised a US$753 million profit after taxation excluding exceptional items. Exceptional items comprised a tax expense of US$111 million related to the repeal of the MRRT and a net loss on demerger of US$2.2 billion (after tax benefit). This contribution has been included in attributable loss after taxation from discontinued operations of US$1.6 billion.

Cash flows

Free cash flow, comprising net operating cash flows less net investing cash flows, decreased by US$2.2 billion to US$6.3 billion during the 2015 financial year.

Net operating cash flows after interest and tax decreased by 25 per cent to US$17.8 billion during the 2015 financial year. The major contributor was the US$7.7 billion decrease in cash generated from operations (after changes in working capital balances), which was partially offset by a decrease of US$2.1 billion in net tax paid.

Net investing cash outflows decreased by US$3.6 billion to US$11.5 billion during the 2015 financial year and reflected a US$3.4 billion reduction in capital and exploration expenditure. Expenditure on growth projects totalled US$9.3 billion, including US$4.5 billion on Petroleum projects and US$4.8 billion on Minerals projects. Sustaining capital expenditure and other items totalled US$2.6 billion. Exploration expenditure was US$816 million, including US$670 million classified within net operating cash flows.

Net financing cash outflows increased by US$1.6 billion to US$8.1 billion. A decrease in proceeds from interest bearing liabilities of US$2.6 billion, a decrease in contributions from non-controlling interests of US$1.4 billion and higher dividends paid to non-controlling interests of US$435 million were partially offset by a decrease in repayments of interest bearing liabilities of US$2.9 billion during the 2015 financial year.

Net debt, comprising interest bearing liabilities less cash, finished the 2015 financial year at US$24.4 billion, a decrease of US$1.4 billion compared to the net debt position at 30 June 2014.

Dividend

BHP Billiton has a progressive dividend policy. The aim of this policy is to steadily increase or at least maintain the dividend per share in US dollar terms at each financial half year. Our Board today determined to pay a final dividend of 62 US cents per share. The final dividend to be paid by BHP Billiton Limited will be fully franked for Australian taxation purposes.

BHP Billiton Plc shareholders registered on the South African section of the register will not be able to dematerialise or rematerialise their shareholdings between the dates of 7 and 11 September 2015 (inclusive), nor will transfers between the UK register and the South African register be permitted between the dates of 4 and 11 September 2015 (inclusive). American Depositary Shares (ADSs) each represent two fully paid ordinary shares and receive dividends accordingly.

Details of the currency exchange rates applicable for the dividend will be announced to the relevant stock exchanges following conversion and will appear on the Group's website.

Debt management and liquidity

During the 2015 financial year, the Group issued a three tranche Euro denominated bond under its Euro Medium Term Note Programme, comprising EUR600 million Floating Rate Notes due 2020 paying interest at 3 month Euribor plus 35 basis points, EUR650 million 0.75 per cent bonds due 2022 and EUR750 million 1.50 per cent bonds due 2030. The Group also priced a five year A$1.0 billion note issue under its Australian Medium Term Note Program, paying interest at 3.00 per cent due 2020.

In August 2014, the Group redeemed all outstanding Petrohawk Energy Corporation 7.25 per cent Senior Notes due August 2018 and 6.25 per cent Senior Notes due June 2019 at the applicable call prices. The aggregate principal value of the notes redeemed was approximately US$1.8 billion.

The Group has a US$6.0 billion commercial paper program backed by a US$6.0 billion revolving credit facility. The facility expires in May 2020 and has a one-year extension option. As at 30 June 2015, the Group had US$nil outstanding in the US commercial paper market and the Group's cash and cash equivalents on hand were US$6.8 billion.

Corporate governance

As announced on 1 May 2015, Margaret Taylor was appointed Group Company Secretary effective 1 June 2015 to coincide with the resignation of Jane McAloon from the position.

On 22 May 2015, we confirmed the retirement of Keith Rumble as an independent, Non-executive Director, effective from that date. On 14 July 2015, we advised the passing of Sir John Buchanan on 13 July 2015, who was up until the time of his death an independent, Non-executive Director and Senior Independent Director of BHP Billiton Plc.

On 14 August 2015, we announced the appointment of Anita Frew to the Board as an independent, Non-executive Director, effective 15 September 2015. We also announced that Carlos Cordeiro would be retiring from the Board at the conclusion of the BHP Billiton Limited Annual General Meeting in November 2015, and that Shriti Vadera had been appointed as the Senior Independent Director of BHP Billiton Plc and as a member of the Nomination and Governance Committee.

The current members of the Board's committees are:

Business summary(i)

A summary of the performance of the businesses for the 2015 and 2014 financial years is presented below.

(i) Group and business level information is reported on a statutory basis which, in relation to Underlying EBIT, includes net finance costs and taxation expense related to equity accounted investments.

(ii) Revenue is based on Group realised prices and includes third party products. Sale of third party products by the Group contributed revenue of US$1,179 million and Underlying EBIT of US$14 million (2014: US$1,717 million and US$15 million).

(iii) Underlying EBIT includes the Group's share of net finance costs and taxation expense of US$418 million related to equity accounted investments (2014: US$528 million).

(iv) Includes US$146 million capitalised exploration (2014: US$288 million).

(v) Includes US$28 million of exploration expenditure previously capitalised, written off as impaired (included in depreciation and amortisation) (2014: US$72 million).

(vi) Comprises Group Functions, other unallocated operations including Nickel West (previously disclosed in the former Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel business), consolidation adjustments and external sales of freight and fuel to third parties.

Petroleum and Potash

Petroleum

Underlying EBIT for Petroleum decreased by US$3.9 billion to US$1.9 billion in the 2015 financial year.

(i) Average realised price: crude and condensate oil US$68/bbl (2014: US$102/bbl); US natural gas US$3.27/Mscf (2014: US$4.10/Mscf); LNG US$11.65/Mscf (2014: US$14.67/Mscf).

(ii) Other includes: exchange rates; asset sales; ceased and sold operations; other items. Also includes Onshore US rig termination charges of US$123 million (2014: US$75 million).

Total petroleum production increased by four per cent in the 2015 financial year to a record 256 MMboe. A 17 per cent increase in liquids production to 125 MMboe was supported by a 67 per cent increase in Onshore US liquids volumes and strong uptime performance in the Gulf of Mexico. Natural gas production declined by six per cent to 787 bcf due to weaker seasonal demand at Bass Strait, along with lower Onshore US gas volumes as a result of the decision to defer development activity for longer-term value.

Petroleum production is forecast to decrease by seven per cent in the 2016 financial year to 237 MMboe (Conventional: 125 MMboe; Onshore US: 112 MMboe). In Onshore US, further improvements in drilling and completions efficiency will support stable volumes in the liquids-rich Black Hawk and Permian despite lower capital spend in the 2016 financial year. However, we anticipate a 19 per cent decline in the combined production of the predominantly gas-rich, and currently lower-margin Haynesville, Fayetteville and Hawkville fields as we continue to defer development of these assets for longer-term value. Conventional volumes are expected to decrease as a result of planned maintenance programs and natural field decline.

The increase in non-cash costs includes: US$316 million of higher depreciation and amortisation charges in Onshore US following the ramp-up of liquids production at Black Hawk and the progressive development of our Permian acreage; and US$328 million of impairment charges associated with the divestment of conventional assets in North Louisiana (Haynesville) and unconventional gas assets in the Pecos field (Permian). The rate of depreciation in Onshore US will continue to rise as the proportion of currently higher-margin liquids volumes increase relative to gas. During the period, a US$79 million impairment of Neptune was also recognised as the fall in near-term oil prices has affected its value due to its short field life.

Petroleum capital expenditure declined by 15 per cent to US$5.0 billion in the 2015 financial year. This included US$3.7 billion of Onshore US drilling and development expenditure. We continued to realise significant improvements in shale drilling efficiency during the period as spud to sales timing in the Black Hawk improved by 17 per cent and drilling costs declined by 19 per cent to US$3.4 million per well. In the 2016 financial year, we expect to reduce drilling costs even further to US$2.5 million per well, lower than our previous guidance of US$2.9 million per well.

In our Conventional business, investment remained focused on high-return infill drilling opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico and life extension projects at Bass Strait and North West Shelf.

Petroleum capital expenditure of approximately US$3.1 billion is planned in the 2016 financial year. Onshore US capital expenditure is expected to account for US$1.5 billion of this and support a development program of 10 operated rigs. Completions activity will continue to be tailored to market conditions and we will exercise further flexibility should there be greater value in deferral. Drilling activity will be focused on our liquids-rich Black Hawk and Permian acreage with our dry-gas development program in Haynesville and Fayetteville deferred for longer-term value.

(i) Includes land acquisition, site preparation, drilling, completions, well site facilities, mid-stream infrastructure and pipelines.

(ii) Can vary between periods based on changes in rig activity and the inventory of wells drilled but not yet completed at period end.

(iii) Change in productive well count includes reduction associated with the divestment of assets in North Louisiana (Haynesville) and Pecos (Permian).

Petroleum exploration expenditure for the 2015 financial year was US$567 million, of which US$481 million was expensed. Activity for the period was largely focused on the Gulf of Mexico, Western Australia and Trinidad and Tobago. A US$600 million exploration program is planned for the 2016 financial year, largely focused on acreage access and seismic data acquisition.

On 16 February 2015, BHP Billiton signed an agreement with Tri-Resources, a subsidiary of the Hashoo Group, for the sale of our gas business in Pakistan. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Potash

Potash recorded an Underlying EBIT loss of US$184 million in the 2015 financial year. The excavation and lining of the Jansen Potash project shafts is steadily progressing and the pre-development project was 46 per cent complete at the end of the period. We expect to spend approximately US$350 million in the 2016 financial year. With our investment premised on the attractive longer-term market fundamentals for potash, we will continue to review the appropriate pace and level of development activity and capital expenditure for the project.

Financial information for the Petroleum and Potash business for the 2015 and 2014 financial years is presented below.

(i) Petroleum revenue from Group production includes: crude oil US$6,592 million (2014: US$8,645 million), natural gas US$2,489 million (2014: US$3,119 million), LNG US$1,366 million (2014: US$1,614 million), NGL US$665 million (2014: US$916 million) and other US$266 million (2014: US$102 million).

(ii) Includes US$86 million of capitalised exploration (2014: US$231 million).

(iii) Includes US$48 million of exploration expenditure previously capitalised, written off as impaired (included in depreciation and amortisation) (2014: US$128 million).

(iv) Australia Production Unit includes Macedon, Pyrenees, Minerva and Stybarrow. Comparative period has been restated to report Australia Production Unit and Trinidad/Tobago separately from Other.

(v) Onshore US is now reported separately between Eagle Ford, Permian, Haynesville and Fayetteville.

(vi) Includes US$328 million of impairments associated with the divestment of assets in North Louisiana (Haynesville) and the Pecos field (Permian).

(vii) Predominantly divisional activities, business development, Pakistan, UK, Neptune, Genesis and ceased and sold operations. Also includes the Caesar oil pipeline and the Cleopatra gas pipeline which are equity accounted investments and are reported on a proportionate consolidation basis (with the exception of net operating assets).

(viii) Goodwill associated with Onshore US of US$3,026 million is included in Other net operating assets (2014: US$3,568 million).

(ix) Includes closed mining and smelting operations in Canada and the United States.

(x) Includes statutory adjustments for the Caesar oil pipeline and the Cleopatra gas pipeline to reconcile the proportionately consolidated business total to the statutory result.

(xi) Includes an expense of US$143 million incurred in May 2014 related to the purchase price adjustment for the Browse asset sale completed in the 2013 financial year.

(xii) Includes an expense of US$112 million incurred in November 2013 related to the closure of the UK pension plan. Also includes a gain of US$120 million related to the sale of the Liverpool Bay asset in March 2014.

Copper

Underlying EBIT for the 2015 financial year decreased by US$1.3 billion to US$3.4 billion.

(i) Average realised price: copper US$2.78/lb (2014: US$3.22/lb).

(ii) Other includes: fuel and energy; asset sales; ceased and sold operations; other items.

Total copper production(8) for the 2015 financial year was unchanged at 1.7 Mt. Escondida copper production increased by six per cent to 1.23 Mt as an 11 per cent improvement in truck utilisation and higher grades more than offset the impact of severe wet weather, water restrictions, industrial action and a power outage throughout Northern Chile. Pampa Norte copper production increased by seven per cent to 250 kt as Spence benefited from higher recoveries. Olympic Dam copper production decreased by 32 per cent to 125 kt following an electrical failure which caused a mill outage in January 2015. Antamina copper production decreased by 25 per cent to 108 kt as lower grades more than offset record mill throughput.

Total copper production is forecast to decrease by 12 per cent in the 2016 financial year to 1.5 Mt. Escondida copper production of approximately 940 kt is forecast as increased throughput, enabled by the completion of the Escondida Organic Growth Project 1 (OGP1) and further productivity improvements, partly offset an anticipated 27 per cent decline in grade. Pampa Norte production is forecast to remain at a similar level for the 2016 financial year. At Olympic Dam, an increase in full-year production is anticipated following the full ramp-up of the mill at the end of July 2015. Higher average copper grades at Antamina are expected to support an increase in copper volumes in the 2016 financial year.

During the 2015 financial year, the Escondida Oxide Leach Area Project delivered first production while OGP1 achieved mechanical completion and is now in the commissioning phase. The commissioning of the Escondida Water Supply (EWS) project remains on schedule to commence in the 2017 calendar year. In the medium term, completion of the EWS project and the life extension of Los Colorados will allow the use of three concentrators at Escondida to offset grade decline and support a strong recovery in production. At Olympic Dam, we will continue with our low-cost underground transition into the higher-grade Southern Mining Area. This high-grade ore will release latent capacity within our existing operations and lay the foundation for the longer-term underground expansion.

Unit cash costs at our operated copper assets declined by 14 per cent during the 2015 financial year. At Escondida, the improvement in truck utilisation and significant costs savings resulted in an eight per cent decrease to US$1.07 per pound excluding one-off costs. The one-off costs primarily reflect the implementation of the Escondida voluntary redundancy program which is expected to reduce employee head count by more than 20 per cent.

(i) Royalties are reported within taxation expense.

(ii) Sales volumes adjusted to exclude intercompany sales and purchases.

(iii) Unit cost including one-off items is US$1.14 per pound in the 2015 financial year.

In the 2016 financial year, despite an anticipated increase in material moved to mitigate grade decline, a further step change in unit cost performance is expected as additional benefits from our productivity agenda are realised. In this context, Escondida unit costs are expected to decline by 15 per cent to US$0.91 per pound on a grade-adjusted basis(9).

The increase in non-cash costs largely reflects: increased ore mined resulting in higher depletion of stripping capitalised in previous periods in line with mine plans at Escondida; increased depreciation following the completion of the Escondida Oxide Leach Area Project; and a US$199 million impairment driven by a lower copper price and permitting uncertainty for the proposed mine life extension at Cerro Colorado.

On 24 July 2015, Spence filed two Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) in relation to the Spence Growth Option project (Spence Hypogene). The first EIS contemplates the development of a 95 ktpd concentrator and the second is for the development of an 800 litre per second desalination plant. While this project has the potential to extend the life of the operation by 50 years, it remains subject to Board approval.

Financial information for the Copper business for the 2015 and 2014 financial years is presented below.