UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

BHP Billiton's Chairman, Don Argus, said "the increase in the Company's capital management programme reflects the Board's continued commitment to generating long-term, sustainable shareholder value. The Board of BHP Billiton continues its absolute commitment to capital discipline. Our confidence in the Company's outlook and strong cash generative capability has underpinned our decision to continue to announce sizeable returns to our shareholders.

"In August 2006 we announced a capital management initiative of US$3 billion to be returned to shareholders over an 18 month period. In the six months since then, we have returned US$1.7 billion through a series of on-market buy-backs of the BHP Billiton Plc stock at an average price per share of US$18.23. Today we have increased the programme by a further US$10 billion. We will start this with an off-market buy-back of BHP Billiton Limited shares at a discount of no less than 10 per cent. This is our third sizeable capital return announcement within a 12 month period and in aggregate amounts to US$15 billion.

"Our financial strength means we are well positioned to fund our US$17.5 billion pipeline of projects and capture other value enhancing opportunities as they arise. At the same time, we are able to maintain a robust capital structure and continue with our progressive dividend policy, as well as undertake this additional $10 billion return to shareholders," Mr Argus said.

BHP Billiton's Chief Executive Officer, Chip Goodyear, said "At the conclusion of today's initiative we will have repurchased approximately 16.9 per cent of the shares on issue since November 2004. We will have also returned US$26.6 billion to shareholders through capital initiatives and dividends since June 2001. This has occurred during a period when we have pursued significant organic growth and acquisition opportunities as well as establishing a strong track record in executing against our announced initiatives promptly and effectively," he said.

Undertaking both an off-market and on-market buy-back, coupled with an increased interim dividend allows the entire BHP Billiton global shareholder base to participate, both directly and indirectly, in this initiative. The off-market buy-back provides an optimal means for maximising economic value for all shareholders. The resulting increase in the Company's Earnings Per Share means all BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc shareholders, including those not participating in the buy-back process and regardless of location and tax status, benefit from an off-market buy-back. In addition, because shares are purchased at a minimum discount of 10% to the market price, a greater number of shares can be bought back for the same total cost, compared with buying back at market price. The value of the remaining shares will therefore be enhanced through the increased earnings, cash flow and return on equity attributable to each share.

The capital management programme will be funded from cash and borrowings. Given the strength of BHP Billiton's financial position, it will remain strongly capitalised after completion of the programme in line with the Company's solid A credit rating and will not compromise its ability to fund the strong pipeline of organic growth projects.

Eligible shareholders may choose to participate in the off-market buy-back for various reasons and in so doing may take account of the tax benefits that only arise under the Australian taxation regime. BHP Billiton does not anticipate that shareholders who are resident outside Australia will participate, as they are likely to obtain a better outcome by selling their shares on-market. Excluded foreign persons, including shareholders in the US, US persons and residents of Canada will not be eligible to participate in the buy-back. ADRs and restricted employee shares may not be tendered into the buy-back.

For Australian tax purposes, the buy-back price received by participating shareholders will comprise the following:

a) a capital component of A$2.50 per share; and
b) a fully franked deemed dividend equal to the buy-back price less A$2.50.

For the purpose of Capital Gains Tax calculations, the capital proceeds will be the A$2.50 capital component plus an amount equal to the excess of the Tax Value(1) over the buy-back price.

Under the off-market process, BHP Billiton Limited will buy all shares tendered by eligible shareholders who elect to receive the final buy-back price or who tender their shares at a discount greater than or equal to the final buy-back discount determined under the tender process, subject to any required scale back. The operation of the scale back has been structured to ensure that eligible registered shareholders with small holdings are not disadvantaged. All shares that are accepted by BHP Billiton Limited will be bought back at the final buy-back price, even if they are tendered at a discount that represents a price below the final buy-back price.

BHP Billiton Limited will not buy back any shares tendered by shareholders at a price above the final buy-back price. Although the maximum target buy-back size is A$3.25 billion (approximately US$2.5 billion), the Company may vary the size of the buy-back depending on tenders lodged by shareholders and market conditions. In particular the Company may buy back significantly less than the target maximum amount if the relative value of repurchasing BHP Billiton Limited shares rather than BHP Billiton Plc shares materially reduces by the end of the tender period. The final size of the off-market buy-back will not be materially more than A$3.25 billion which will enable BHP Billiton to continue to pay fully franked dividends under its progressive dividend policy.

Eligible shareholders will be sent the buy-back booklet containing the terms and conditions of the off-market buy-back by 28 February 2007. The booklet cannot be sent into the United States or Canada.

The indicative timetable for the off-market buy-back is outlined below.

Shareholders who have any enquiries in relation to the off-market buy-back may contact BHP Billiton's buy-back enquiry line on 1300 558 547 toll free within Australia or +61 3 9415 4633 if calling from outside Australia, or visit our website www.bhpbilliton.com. Shareholders should seek their own professional advice (including tax advice) about the implications of participating in the buy-back in their own individual circumstances.

(2) While BHP Billiton does not anticipate any changes to these times and dates, it reserves the right to vary them without notification.

(3) Shares acquired after this date will generally not satisfy the 45-day rule for the purposes of calculating an Australian taxpayer's tax credits.

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

                                                                  The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia