President Gas and Power

BHP Billiton Limited
16 March 2004

'BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure 
obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange.  
The text of this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc 
earlier.'

  Date         16 March 2004
  Number       15/04

                 BHP BILLITON APPOINTS PRESIDENT GAS AND POWER


BHP Billiton announced today the appointment of Rebecca McDonald as President
Gas and Power and a member of the BHP Billiton Executive Committee. In this role
Ms McDonald will have responsibility for the development and implementation of
BHP Billiton's gas marketing and commercialisation strategy and will report to
Phil Aiken, Group President Energy.

Ms McDonald has over 20 years experience in the energy industry, including from
1993 to 1995 as Group Vice President, Amoco Corporation, responsible for Amoco's
world-wide natural gas commercialisation and North American natural gas liquids
business, and from 1995 to 1999 as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Amoco Energy Development Corporation, responsible for the development of equity
interests in international natural gas and power production operations. Most
recently, Ms McDonald was employed as President, Houston Museum of Natural
Science and prior to this was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enron
Global Assets, responsible for the growth and operations of their asset
portfolio throughout Asia, Africa and South America.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Aiken said: 'We are delighted to welcome
Rebecca to BHP Billiton's management team. Rebecca's knowledge of the oil and
gas markets throughout the world is ideal for this role as we further develop
our gas marketing and commercialisation strategy in North America, Europe and
the Asia Pacific region.'

Ms McDonald is due to take up her appointment on 29 March 2004.


Biographical details of Ms McDonald are attached.



BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Ms Rebecca McDonald

Rebecca McDonald was appointed President Gas and Power and a member of the BHP
Billiton Executive Committee on 16 March 2004.

Prior to joining BHP Billiton, Ms McDonald served as President of the Houston
Museum of Natural Science having been on the board of trustees for a period of
five years.

From 1999 to May 2001, Ms McDonald, as Chairman and Chief Executive officer of
Enron Global Assets, was responsible for the development, construction and
operation of Enron's asset portfolio throughout Asia, Africa and South America.
These operations included natural gas and liquids pipelines, gas and electricity
distribution companies, power plant and gas processing facilities.

From June 1993 to February 1999, Ms McDonald was employed by Amoco Corporation,
initially as Group Vice President, responsible for Amoco's natural gas
commercialisation world-wide, North American natural gas liquids business and
establishing their North America trading operations. In 1995, Ms McDonald was
appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Amoco Energy Development
Company and added to her responsibilities the development of equity interests in
international natural gas and power operations. During her time at Amoco, Ms
McDonald oversaw the completion of more that US$10 billion of projects
world-wide.

Ms McDonald started her career in the energy industry in 1981. Ms McDonald
currently serves as an independent director for Granite Construction Company,
Trammell Crow Company, Eagle Global Logistics and Noble Energy, Inc.


CAREER

President, Houston Museum of Natural Science 2001-2004; Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Enron Global Assets 1999-2001; President and Chief Executive
Officer, Amoco Energy Development Company 1995-1999; Group Vice President, Amoco
Corporation 1993-1995; President, Tenneco Energy Services 1991-1993; Vice
President Strategic Planning, Tenneco Gas Company 1990-1991; Vice President and
General Manager, Panhandle Trading Company 1983-1990; Panhandle Eastern
1980-1983; Fluor Corporation 1974-1979.


PERSONAL

Bachelor of Science, Stephen F. Austin University, USA

JP MorganChase, Regional Advisory Board

Served on the U.S. Clean Air Act Advisory Committee

Married, one child.

Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://
www.bhpbilliton.com

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