BHP Group Regulatory News (BHP)

BHP BILLITON RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2016 

· Response efforts at Samarco continue with good progress being made on community resettlement, community health and environment restoration.

· There were no fatalities at our operated sites in the 2016 financial year.

· Underlying EBITDA(1) of US$12.3 billion and an Underlying EBITDA margin(2) of 41% for the 2016 financial year, despite weaker commodity prices which had a negative impact of US$10.7 billion.

· Productivity gains of US$437 million(3) achieved for the period and we remain on track for US$2.2 billion of gains over the two years to the end of the 2017 financial year. Conventional petroleum, grade-adjusted Escondida, Western Australia Iron Ore and Queensland Coal unit cash costs(4) declined by 30%, 22%, 19% and 15% respectively.

· Capital and exploration expenditure declined by 42% to US$6.4 billion and is expected to decrease further to US$5.0 billion in the 2017 financial year (BHP Billiton share)(5). On a cash basis, capital and exploration expenditure was US$7.7 billion and is forecast to decline to US$5.4 billion in the 2017 financial year.

· Reduction in operating costs, the flexibility in our investment program and a targeted reduction of working capital supported free cash flow(2) of US$3.4 billion.

· Our balance sheet remains strong, with net debt(2) of US$26.1 billion broadly unchanged from December 2015.

· The Board has determined to pay a final dividend of 14 US cents per share, which is covered by free cash flow generated in the current period. In accordance with the Group's dividend policy, this comprises the minimum payout of 8 US cents per share and an additional amount of 6 US cents per share, reflecting continued balance sheet strength and strong free cash flow during the period.

Results for the year ended 30 June 2016

BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Mackenzie, said: "The last 12 months have been challenging for both BHP Billiton and the resources industry. Nevertheless, our results demonstrate the resilience of our portfolio and the diverse ways in which we can create value for shareholders despite low commodity prices. Unit cash costs across the Group declined 16 per cent and with increased capital efficiency, supported free cash flow generation of US$3.4 billion despite weaker commodity prices. Next year, we expect another US$1.8 billion of productivity gains as our new Operating Model helps sustain momentum, delivering more than US$7 billion of free cash flow based on current spot prices and a forecast reduction in net debt.

"The strength of our cash flow generation and balance sheet is reflected in the final dividend of 14 US cents per share, which comprises the minimum implied by our payout ratio and a top up from excess cash in line with the capital allocation framework. We continue to pursue capital-efficient latent capacity opportunities which will support volume growth of up to four per cent next year, excluding our Onshore US assets where we continue to defer activity to maximise value. In addition, we have progressed high-return growth projects, with investment decisions on the Mad Dog 2 and Spence Growth Option projects expected by the end of next calendar year.

"Over the past five years we have actively reshaped our portfolio, and we are confident we have the right mix of commodities, assets and opportunities to create substantial value over time. While commodity prices are expected to remain low and volatile in the short to medium term, we are confident in the long-term outlook for our commodities, particularly oil and copper."

In relation to Samarco, he added: "All of us at BHP Billiton remain deeply saddened by the Samarco tragedy. The Company is fully committed to the Framework Agreement and its programs to remediate and compensate for the impacts of the Samarco dam failure. Good progress is being made on community resettlement, community health and environment restoration."

We remain committed to supporting Samarco with the recovery of the communities and environment

Responding to the tragedy following the failure of the Fundão tailings dam at Samarco on 5 November 2015 remains a priority for BHP Billiton. Sadly, authorities have confirmed 19 fatalities, of which five were members of the community and 14 were people who were working on the dams at the time of the dam failure.

On 2 March 2016, Samarco Mineração S.A (Samarco), Vale S.A (Vale) and BHP Billiton Brasil LTDA (BHP Billiton Brasil) entered into an agreement with the Federal Government of Brazil, the States of Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais and certain other public authorities (Brazilian Authorities) (Framework Agreement). Further details are provided in note 7 Significant events on pages 39 to 46.

Samarco and its shareholders continue to believe that the Framework Agreement provides the appropriate long-term framework to remediate and compensate for the impacts of the Samarco dam failure. As set out by the Framework Agreement, a private autonomous foundation has been created to implement the socioeconomic and environmental programs in the Agreement. Samarco has initiated 90 per cent of the 41 programs prescribed by the Framework Agreement, with good progress being made on most programs including community resettlement, education, community health and compensation.

Approximately two-thirds of the houses and buildings in the Mariana and Barra Longa region, outside of the communities to be resettled, have been completely rebuilt or restored. Samarco has been active in addressing the environmental impact of the dam failure. Samarco is building a series of dykes downstream of Fundão to capture sediment and reduce turbidity. A compensation program has been developed under the Framework Agreement to ensure affected people receive fair and reasonable compensation. Preliminary compensation has already been paid to those most severely impacted.

Samarco has confirmed it is unlikely to have in place the necessary approvals to restart its operations in this calendar year. While technical studies carried out to date indicate operations can restart safely, this will only occur when stabilisation work has been completed to a satisfactory standard and all regulatory approvals are granted and accepted by the relevant authorities and communities.

BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale and Samarco have jointly commissioned an external investigation into the cause of the dam failure. Our understanding is that the findings from the investigation will be available in the next few weeks. BHP Billiton has committed to publicly releasing those findings, and to sharing the results with other resources companies.

The health and safety of our people and the communities in which we operate always come first

In the 2016 financial year there were no fatalities at our operated sites and there was a significant decrease in high potential incidents. While this is encouraging, we continue to strive to make our workplace safer. We are replicating successful in-field leadership programs across our assets, which delivers a structured and improved approach to in-field verification of critical controls and safety engagement. The Group reported a Total Recordable Injury Frequency of 4.3 per million hours worked.

Robust free cash flow in a period characterised by weaker commodity prices

BHP Billiton delivered Underlying EBITDA of US$12.3 billion and an Underlying EBITDA margin of 41 per cent in the 2016 financial year, despite significantly weaker prices across all our major commodities which had a negative impact of US$10.7 billion.

The Group achieved US$437 million of productivity gains, or US$2.0 billion excluding the impact of grade decline at Escondida. Further improvements continue to be realised across the portfolio and we remain on track to deliver US$2.2 billion of gains, or US$3.8 billion excluding the impact of grade decline at Escondida, over the two years to the end of the 2017 financial year.

During the period, Conventional petroleum, Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO), and Queensland Coal unit cash costs declined by 30 per cent, 19 per cent and 15 per cent respectively. Escondida unit costs increased by 11 per cent but excluding the impact of grade decline, unit costs decreased by 22 per cent. Historical cash costs and guidance for the 2017 financial year are summarised in the following table:

(i) 2017 financial year guidance is based on exchange rates of AUD/USD 0.71 and USD/CLP 698.

The Group reported Underlying attributable profit of US$1.2 billion, while the Attributable loss of US$6.4 billion includes US$7.7 billion of exceptional items (after tax) related to: an impairment charge of US$4.9 billion against the carrying value of the Onshore US assets; US$2.2 billion for the financial impacts of the Samarco dam failure on the Group's income statement; and US$570 million for global taxation matters.

The Group continued to focus on capital productivity and exercise flexibility in its investment program in response to market conditions, which led to a 40 per cent decline in capital and exploration expenditure to US$7.7 billion (cash basis). Combined with the reduction in operating costs and a targeted reduction of working capital, the Group delivered free cash flow of US$3.4 billion. Capital and exploration expenditure of US$5.4 billion (cash basis) is planned for the 2017 financial year, before rising to US$6.2 billion (cash basis) in the 2018 financial year.

We maintained our strong balance sheet, finishing the period with net debt broadly unchanged at US$26.1 billion (31 December 2015: US$25.9 billion; 30 June 2015: US$24.4 billion). The gearing ratio(2) ended the period at 30.3 per cent (31 December 2015: 29.7 per cent; 30 June 2015: 25.7 per cent). We expect net debt to decline in the 2017 financial year from current levels.

Disciplined application of the capital allocation framework to maximise shareholder value

Strict adherence to our capital allocation framework balances value creation, cash returns to shareholders and balance sheet strength in a transparent and consistent manner.

First, capital expenditure has been appropriately prioritised to maintain safe and stable operations.

Second, our balance sheet strength has been maintained with both cash flow and gearing metrics within our target ranges, liquidity of US$16 billion and a long-dated debt maturity profile.

Third, the dividend policy provides a minimum 50 per cent payout of Underlying attributable profit at every reporting period, assuming our operations have sufficient capital allocated to maintain integrity and the balance sheet is strong. In accordance with this, the minimum dividend payment for the period is 8 US cents per share.

Fourth, reflecting robust free cash flow during the period, the Board has determined to pay an additional amount of 6 US cents per share, taking the final dividend to 14 US cents per share. The Board considers cash returns in excess of the minimum implied by the dividend payout ratio at every reporting period. We have also continued to invest in growth and the remaining excess free cash flow of US$1.3 billion has been directed to further strengthen the balance sheet during the second half of the 2016 financial year.

The Group's productivity focus and consistent investment in latent capacity opportunities will support volume growth in the 2017 financial year of five per cent in copper, up to four per cent in iron ore, and three per cent in metallurgical coal. We expect growth in total copper equivalent production of up to four per cent for the 2017 financial year(7), excluding our Onshore US assets where we have chosen to defer development activity for value given the current low commodity price environment.

Strongly positioned to grow shareholder value

While we remain confident in the outlook for our commodities, our capital allocation framework and strong balance sheet provide us with the flexibility and financial strength to pursue a diverse range of opportunities to create shareholder value even without a significant recovery in prices.

We continue to make considerable improvements to productivity. The new Operating Model is already accelerating the replication of best practices across the organisation and will support the expected delivery of a further US$1.8 billion of productivity gains and increasing free cash flow in the 2017 financial year.

Capital-efficient latent capacity options could add more than 10 per cent to current production(7). The Group has made significant progress with these options including: approval of the Escondida Los Colorados Extension copper project in June 2016; commissioning of the Spence Recovery Optimisation project which commenced in June 2016, additional capacity at WAIO's Jimblebar mining hub to be completed during the December 2016 quarter; and the development of the Southern Mine Area at Olympic Dam which will continue into the 2017 financial year. We will also maximise the value of our high-quality Onshore US assets in a disciplined manner as prices recover.

Our growth projects have continued to progress as planned. Board approval will be sought in relation to Mad Dog 2 and the Spence Growth Option before the end of the 2017 calendar year. The Brownfield Expansion (BFX) project at Olympic Dam, which is part of the staged expansion approach to approximately 280 ktpa, is now at concept study phase and we continue to receive encouraging results from the heap leach trials which will enable growth beyond this to 450 ktpa of copper.

We are accelerating our counter-cyclical exploration program and plan to invest approximately US$800 million in exploration in the 2017 financial year. In Petroleum, exploration drilling has commenced in Trinidad and Tobago and in the Gulf of Mexico following positive results at Shenzi North during the 2016 financial year.

Finally, we expect technology will unlock resources and lower the Group's cost base, with a broad range of opportunities identified at a number of our major assets that should create substantial value over time.

Outlook

Economic outlook

Global growth over the remainder of the 2016 calendar year is expected to remain modest and subject to downside risks, including the uncertain economic consequences of 'Brexit'. World trade is still expanding more slowly than global GDP growth, principally reflecting weak business investment and soft demand for consumer durables. Global growth is forecast to remain between 3 and 3.5 per cent in the 2017 calendar year, while global trade should accelerate modestly.

The rate of growth in the Chinese economy appears to have stabilised and we expect that Government policy will remain supportive, in line with the authorities' GDP growth target of between 6.5 and 7 per cent for the 2016 calendar year. Over the medium term, China is expected to grow more slowly. The Government's reform program will improve productivity but this will only partially offset the impact of an expected decline in the workforce and the maturation of the economy's structure. Reform will proceed in a cautious but sustained manner as the authorities seek to improve the efficiency of capital allocation, reduce excess capacity in sectors such as coal and steel while boosting the role of consumer demand and maintaining support for employment.

Commodities outlook

Crude oil prices fell at the start of the 2016 calendar year on growing OPEC supply, rising inventories and resilient United States production. The market has since begun to rebalance due to declining production in the United States, unplanned supply outages elsewhere and strong non-OECD demand growth. While the market will continue to rebalance in the short term, economic uncertainty and high inventory levels are likely to keep prices volatile but range bound. The long-term outlook remains healthy, underpinned by rising demand from the petrochemical industry, a growing transport sector in developing countries and natural field decline.

The domestic gas price in the United States weakened following strong production and subdued heating demand due to a mild winter. This resulted in record inventory levels. In the short term, seasonal demand for cooling offers some price support, but high inventories are likely to prevent significant price appreciation. Longer term, natural field decline and increasing demand underpinned by the environmental, operational and economic advantages of gas in power generation and other applications will support higher prices.

Copper prices continue to be affected by growing supply on the back of improving levels of productivity and slightly weaker rates of demand growth. In the short to medium term, new and expanded production should keep the market well supplied, notwithstanding announced cuts to higher-cost production. Longer term, the copper outlook remains positive as demand is supported by China's shift towards consumption in addition to the scope for substantial growth in other emerging markets. A deficit is expected to emerge as grade decline and limited high-quality development opportunities constrain the industry's ability to cheaply meet growing demand.

Global steel production has been weak in the first half of the 2016 calendar year compared to the prior year as most regions saw a contraction in output, with the exception of India. Chinese steel production increased in the June 2016 quarter aided by improving construction demand, however this is expected to soften over the rest of the calendar year. Longer term, Chinese crude steel production is expected to peak between 935 Mt and 985 Mt in the middle of next decade. Global scrap availability will also increase over time and substitute pig iron as a steel making input.

The iron ore price has trended higher since the conclusion of the Lunar New Year holidays, driven by a rebound in the Chinese construction sector, region specific output restrictions and the moderation of seaborne supply growth. The appetite of mills to build iron ore inventories will remain low in the near term due to the availability of port stocks. In the short to medium term, the cost curve should continue to flatten as new seaborne supply ramps up. In the future, the marginal producer's cost structure should determine the long-term price.

The recent rise in metallurgical coal prices has been driven by seasonal demand, China's domestic coal capacity controls and temporary supply disruptions in Queensland. Near term, prices are expected to trend lower as new projects come online in Australia and Mozambique and more than offset the withdrawal of uneconomic high-cost seaborne supply. The longer-term outlook remains robust as the supply of premium hard coking coals is projected to become scarce and demand is driven by steel production growth in emerging markets, particularly India.

Projects

Historical capital and exploration expenditure and guidance for the 2017 and 2018 financial years are summarised in the following table. In future periods, guidance will be provided on the cash basis only.

(i) Capitalised deferred stripping includes US$183 million attributable to non-controlling interests in the 2016 financial year (2015: US$142 million).

During the 2016 financial year, BHP Billiton approved an investment of US$314 million for the North West Shelf Greater Western Flank-B petroleum project. This follows the delivery of first production from the North West Shelf Greater Western Flank-A project during the period. At the end of the period, BHP Billiton had four major projects in progress with a combined budget of US$6.9 billion over the life of the projects.

(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 reflects BHP Billiton's share.

(ii) Excavation and lining of the Jansen project shafts is steadily progressing. Total potash expenditure of approximately US$300 million, including capital expenditure of less than US$200 million, is expected for the 2017 financial year.

Income statement

To provide clarity into the underlying performance of our operations, Underlying attributable profit and Underlying EBITDA are set out in the following tables. While we have reported Underlying EBIT as a key non-IFRS measure of operating results in past periods, we believe focusing on Underlying EBITDA more closely reflects the operating cash generative capacity and hence the underlying performance of our business.

Underlying EBITDA

The following table and commentary describes the impact of the principal factors that affected Underlying EBITDA for the 2016 financial year compared with the 2015 financial year:

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

Prices and exchange rates

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 internal sales.

(iii) Includes impact of provisional pricing and finalisation adjustments which decreased EBITDA by US$260 million in the 2016 financial year.

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

The following exchange rates relative to the US dollar have been applied in the financial information:

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

Depreciation, amortisation and impairments

Depreciation, amortisation and impairments declined by US$1.1 billion during the 2016 financial year to US$8.9 billion. This reflects a decline in non-exceptional item impairment charges of US$618 million in the current year. In addition, depreciation and amortisation charges decreased by US$497 million primarily due to a reduction in the depreciable asset base at Onshore US resulting from the exceptional item impairment charges previously recorded.

Net finance costs

Net finance costs increased by US$410 million to US$1.0 billion. This reflected higher benchmark interest rates and the issue of multi-currency hybrid notes during the 2016 financial year, and a gain on the early redemption of the Petrohawk Energy Corporation Senior Notes in the prior period.

Taxation expense

The Group's adjusted effective tax rate(2), which excludes the influence of exchange rate movements and exceptional items, was 35.8 per cent (2015: 31.8 per cent). The increase in the 2016 financial year primarily reflects the relative 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 compared to the prior year. The adjusted effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of approximately 35 to 40 per cent for the 2017 financial year.

Other royalty arrangements which are not profit based are recognised as operating costs within (Loss)/profit before taxation. These amounted to US$1.3 billion during the period (2015: US$1.7 billion).

Exceptional items

The following table sets out the exceptional items for the 2016 financial year. Additional commentary is included on page 36.

(i) BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda has adjusted its investment in Samarco to US$ nil, recognised a provision of US$(1.2) billion for potential obligations under the Framework Agreement and together with other BHP Billiton entities incurred US$(70) million of direct costs in relation to the Samarco dam failure. Refer to note 2 Exceptional items and note 7 Significant events of the Financial Information for further information.

(ii) Includes amounts attributable to non-controlling interests of US$(51) million after tax benefit.

Dividend

Our Board today determined to pay a final dividend of 14 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 31 August and 2 September 2016 (inclusive), nor will transfers between the UK register and the South African register be permitted between the dates of 26 August and 2 September 2016 (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 2016 financial year, the Group issued US$3.25 billion of subordinated fixed rate reset notes in the US Dollar market across two tranches, EUR2.0 billion of subordinated fixed rate reset notes in the Euro market across two tranches and GBP600 million of subordinated fixed rate reset notes in the Sterling market.

The issuance of these hybrid notes comprised the following:

During the 2016 financial year, the Group repaid US$1.1 billion and EUR1.0 billion of senior debt at maturity.

The Group has a US$6.0 billion commercial paper program backed by a US$6.0 billion revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility expires in May 2021, after the one-year extension option was exercised in May 2016. As at 30 June 2016, the Group had US$ nil outstanding in the US commercial paper market, US$ nil drawn under the revolving credit facility and US$10.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents.

Segment summary(i)

A summary of performance for the 2016 and 2015 financial years is presented below.

(i) Group and commodity level information is reported on a statutory basis which, in relation to Underlying EBITDA, includes depreciation, amortisation and impairments, net finance costs and taxation benefit/(expense) of US$476 million (2015: US$786 million) related to equity accounted investments. It excludes exceptional items of US$1,227 million (2015: US$ nil) related to share of loss from equity accounted investments. Group (loss)/profit before taxation comprised Underlying EBITDA, exceptional items, depreciation, amortisation and impairments of US$8,871 million (2015: US$9,986 million) and net finance costs of US$1,024 million (2015: US$614 million).

(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$1,068 million and Underlying EBITDA of US$55 million (2015: US$1,179 million and US$14 million).

(iii) Includes US$335 million capitalised exploration (2015: US$146 million).

(iv) Includes US$15 million of exploration expenditure previously capitalised, written off as impaired (included in depreciation and amortisation) (2015: US$28 million).

(v) Group and unallocated items includes Functions, other unallocated operations including Potash (previously disclosed in the former Petroleum and Potash reportable segment), Nickel West and consolidation adjustments. Comparative information for the year ended 30 June 2015 has been restated for the effects of the change in reporting related to Potash. Revenue not attributable to reportable segments comprises the sale of freight and fuel to third parties. Exploration and technology activities are recognised within relevant segments.

(vi) Comprises revenue of US$118 million generated by Petroleum (2015: US$267 million) and US$22 million generated by Iron Ore (2015: US$104 million).

Petroleum

Underlying EBITDA for Petroleum decreased by US$3.5 billion to US$3.7 billion in the 2016 financial year.

(i) Average realised price: crude and condensate oil US$39/bbl (2015: US$68/bbl); US natural gas US$2.16/Mscf (2015: US$3.27/Mscf); LNG US$7.71/Mscf (2015: US$11.65/Mscf).

(ii) Other includes: inflation; fuel and energy; asset sales; other items. Other items includes Onshore US rig termination charges of US$76 million (2015: US$123 million).

Total petroleum production for the 2016 financial year decreased by six per cent to 240 MMboe.

· Conventional production increased by one per cent to 131 MMboe as new production wells at Atlantis, Mad Dog and Pyrenees and higher gas demand at Bass Strait, offset natural field decline across the portfolio and the divestment of our gas business in Pakistan.

· Onshore US production declined by 13 per cent to 109 MMboe largely as a result of the decision to defer development activity in the Black Hawk and Hawkville.

Total petroleum production for the 2017 financial year is expected to decrease to between 200 and 210 MMboe.

· Conventional volumes to decrease to between 123 and 127 MMboe due to the divestment of our gas business in Pakistan, a planned 35 day maintenance shutdown at Atlantis in the September 2016 quarter, deferral of infill drilling in the Gulf of Mexico for value and natural field decline.

· Onshore US volumes to decline to between 77 and 83 MMboe as a result of lower capital expenditure and development activity as we continue to balance near-term cash flow performance and long-term value maximisation.

The decrease in total petroleum controllable cash costs reflects: a US$365 million reduction in total operating costs; a US$208 million reduction in exploration expense primarily attributable to the completion of the Trinidad and Tobago seismic program and higher capitalisation rate of other exploration spend; and a US$104 million decrease in business development. Conventional unit costs(4) decreased by 30 per cent to US$8.53 per barrel as a result of lower lifting, labour and maintenance expenses, but is expected to increase to approximately US$10 per barrel in the 2017 financial year as a result of lower volumes and planned maintenance at Atlantis.

Petroleum capital expenditure for the 2016 financial year declined by 50 per cent to US$2.5 billion. This included US$1.2 billion of Onshore US drilling and development expenditure, of which US$380 million related to a reduction in capital creditors. Our Onshore US operated rig count has been reduced to four however completion activity in the Black Hawk resumed late in the June 2016 quarter.

Increased shale drilling and completions efficiency during the period was reflected in a significant improvement in drill time and completion techniques in the Black Hawk and Permian. Drilling times improved by 19 per cent to 15 days per well in the Black Hawk and by 22 per cent to 26 days per well in the Permian.

Petroleum capital expenditure of approximately US$1.4 billion is planned in the 2017 financial year. This includes conventional capital expenditure of US$0.8 billion which is focused on life extension projects at Bass Strait and North West Shelf. Onshore US capital expenditure is expected to be approximately US$0.6 billion with development activity tailored to market conditions.

(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 (62 net drilled and uncompleted wells at the end of the 2016 financial year).

Petroleum exploration expenditure for the 2016 financial year was US$590 million, of which US$273 million was expensed. Activity for the period was largely focused on our core areas in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the Northern Beagle sub-basin off the coast of Western Australia, where we acquired additional acreage, seismic data and increased drilling activity. Our exploration activity has increased in the Gulf of Mexico following the positive exploration well results at Shenzi North. The Group is also encouraged by early indications from the deepwater Le Clerc well in Trinidad and Tobago which encountered gas in multiple zones. While the focus is on a commercial oil discovery, these results support further appraisal of the basin. We are pursuing high-quality oil plays in our three priority basins and a US$700 million exploration program is planned for the 2017 financial year as we accelerate testing of our future growth opportunities.

Financial information for Petroleum for the 2016 and 2015 financial years is presented below.

(i) Petroleum revenue from Group production includes: crude oil US$3,566 million (2015: US$6,592 million), natural gas US$1,761 million (2015: US$2,489 million), LNG US$864 million (2015: US$1,366 million), NGL US$383 million (2015: US$665 million) and other US$192 million (2015: US$266 million).

(ii) Includes US$317 million of capitalised exploration (2015: US$86 million).

(iii) Includes US$15 million of exploration expenditure previously capitalised, written off as impaired (included in depreciation and amortisation) (2015: US$48 million).

(iv) Australia Production Unit includes Macedon, Pyrenees, Minerva and Stybarrow (ceased production June 2015).

(v) Negative capital expenditure reflects movements in capital creditors.

(vi) Predominantly divisional activities, business development, Pakistan (divested in December 2015), UK, Neptune and Genesis. Also includes the Caesar oil pipeline and the Cleopatra gas pipeline which are equity accounted investments and their financial information presented above with the exception of net operating assets reflects BHP Billiton's share.

(vii) Goodwill associated with Onshore US of US$3,026 million is included in Other net operating assets (2015: US$3,026 million).

(viii) Comprises closed mining and smelting operations in Canada and the United States.

(ix) Total Petroleum segment Revenue excludes US$15 million (2015: US$14 million) revenue related to the Caesar oil pipeline and the Cleopatra gas pipeline. Total Petroleum segment Underlying EBITDA includes US$3 million (2015: US$3 million) D&A related to the Caesar oil pipeline and the Cleopatra gas pipeline.

Copper

Underlying EBITDA for the 2016 financial year decreased by US$2.6 billion to US$2.6 billion.

(i) Average realised price: copper US$2.14/lb (2015: US$2.78/lb).

(ii) One-off items primarily reflects implementation of the Escondida Voluntary Redundancy Program in the 2015 financial year.

(iii) Other includes: fuel and energy; asset sales; other items (including profit from equity accounted investments).

Total copper production for the 2016 financial year decreased by eight per cent to 1,580 kt.

· Escondida production decreased by 20 per cent to 979 kt despite a 28 per cent decline in grades.

· Pampa Norte production increased by one per cent to 251 kt.

· Olympic Dam production increased by 63 per cent to 203 kt reflecting improved smelter and mill utilisation following the Svedala mill outage in the prior period and higher grades.

· Antamina production increased by 36 per cent to 146 kt due to higher grades and mill throughput.

Total copper production for the 2017 financial year is expected to increase by five per cent to 1.66 Mt.

· Escondida production to increase by nine per cent to 1,070 kt enabled by the commissioning of the Escondida Water Supply (EWS) project and the ramp-up of the Los Colorados Extension (LCE) project, with volumes weighted to the second half of the 2017 financial year.

· Pampa Norte production to increase with the commissioning of the Spence Recovery Optimisation project which is expected to ramp-up during the September 2016 quarter and achieve an annualised production rate of approximately 200kt from the December 2016 quarter.

· Olympic Dam production to remain broadly unchanged from the 2016 financial year.

· Antamina production to decrease by 11 per cent to 130 kt as the planned mining sequence moves through lower copper grades and zones of high zinc content. Zinc production is expected to increase from 55 kt to approximately 90 kt in the 2017 financial year.

We will continue to unlock latent capacity across our copper assets. Following the approval of the US$180 million (100 per cent basis) LCE project, first production is expected in the second half of the 2017 financial year adding incremental capacity of approximately 200 ktpa in the 2018 financial year. In the medium term, the Spence Growth Option has the potential to extend mining operations by more than 50 years and increase copper capacity by approximately 200 ktpa. Final Board review is expected in the second half of the 2017 calendar year.

Unit cash costs at our operated copper assets increased by nine per cent to US$1.20 per pound during the 2016 financial year due to anticipated grade decline at Escondida. This was six per cent lower than prior guidance of US$1.27 per pound and was underpinned by a significant reduction in absolute costs. In addition, Olympic Dam unit cash costs declined by 29 per cent to US$1.38 per pound as a result of productivity-led cost improvements and a further reduction in labour and contractor costs. In the 2017 financial year unit cash costs at our operated copper assets are expected to decline by 12 per cent to US$1.05(4) per pound.

Escondida's Underlying EBITDA declined by US$2.3 billion in the 2016 financial year and reflected lower realised prices and grade-related volume decline. This was partially offset by a US$369 million (US$269 million post tax) increase in estimated recoverable copper contained in the sulphide leach pad following the successful completion of the Escondida Bioleach Pad Extension project and productivity initiatives.

Escondida's unit cash costs increased by 11 per cent to US$1.12 per pound. This was seven per cent lower than guidance due to a significant reduction in absolute costs and productivity initiatives. On a grade-adjusted basis, unit costs declined by 22 per cent to US$0.79 per pound. In the 2017 financial year, Escondida unit costs are expected to decline by 11 per cent to US$1.00 per pound(4) largely reflecting higher concentrate throughput as a result of EWS commissioning and ongoing productivity improvements.

(i) Royalties are reported within taxation expense.

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

Financial information for Copper for the 2016 and 2015 financial years is presented below.