Longford Litigation

BROKEN HILL PROPRIETARY COMPANY LIMITED
21 July 1999

        
           CROSS CLAIM IN LONGFORD LITIGATION
                            
The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP) today expressed
disappointment that the Victorian Government and associated entities
had decided to join the Company as a cross respondent to the class
action litigation in the Federal Court arising out of the tragic events
at the Longford Gas Plant on 25 September 1998.

This means that if Esso recovers any sum from the State parties in its
cross claims against them, those parties in turn will seek contribution
from BHP.

BHP has at all times sought to co-operate fully with both the Victorian
Government and the Royal Commission which inquired into and reported on
the events at Longford and the subsequent curtailment of gas supplies.

The Company has also played, and will continue to play, its part in the
development of competitive energy supplies for the State of Victoria.

For information contact: Robert Porter
                         Group Manager External Affairs
                         BHP Petroleum - Melbourne
                         Tel: [phone] (bh)
                              [phone] (mobile)