BHP Billiton Limited reported production results for the quarter and half year ended December 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported that the total petroleum products production was 57.7 million boe compared to 59.9 million boe a year ago. Iron ore production was 48,867,000 tonnes tonnes compared to 42,190,000 tonnes a year ago. Metallurgical coal production was 11,540,000 tonnes compared to 8,888,000 tonnes a year ago. Energy coal production was 17,767,000 tonnes compared to 18,738,000 tonnes a year ago. Alumina production was 1,352,000 tonnes compared to 1,232,000 tonnes a year ago. Aluminium production was 302,000 tonnes compared to 297,000 tonnes a year ago. Manganese ore production was 2,200,000 tonnes compared to 2,117,000 tonnes a year ago. Manganese alloy production was 166,000 tonnes compared to 153,000 tonnes a year ago. Copper production was 439,900 tonnes compared to 414,600 tonnes a year ago. Nickel production was 37,800 tonnes compared to 34,700 tonnes a year ago.

For the half year, the company reported that the total petroleum products production was 120.4 million boe compared to 121.2 million boe a year ago. Iron ore production was 97,820,000 tonnes compared to 81,962,000 tonnes a year ago. Metallurgical coal production was 21,725,000 tonnes compared to 17,826,000 tonnes a year ago. Energy coal production was 37,406,000 c compared to 37,882,000 tonnes a year ago. Alumina production was 2,603,000 compared to 2,402,000 tonnes a year ago. Aluminium production was 612,000 compared to 566,000 tonnes a year ago. Manganese ore production was 4,246,000 compared to 4,263,000 tonnes a year ago. Manganese alloy production was 303,000 compared to 283,000 tonnes a year ago. Copper production was 843,200 compared to 794,000 tonnes a year ago. Nickel production was 78,200 compared to 71,700 tonnes a year ago.

The company reported that total petroleum production guidance for the 2014 financial year remains unchanged at approximately 250 million barrels of oil equivalent. Copper production guidance remains unchanged at 1.7 million tonnes, although the Group's equity interest is 1.2 million tonnes. Production in the second half is expected to be weighted towards the June 2014 quarter. Total iron ore production guidance remains unchanged at 192 million tonnes. The company has retained total metallurgical coal production guidance of 41 million tonnes. Total energy coal production guidance remains unchanged at 73 million tonnes. Total saleable nickel production at Nickel West in the 2014 financial year is expected to be in line with the prior year, although the impact on production for the 2015 financial year continues to be assessed.

As a consequence of new accounting standards and interpretations, taxation expense, including royalty- related taxation, as a proportion of pre-tax profit is now expected to be in the range of 31% to 34% in the 2014 financial year. This excludes the influence of exchange rate movements, adjustments to deferred tax balances associated with the Minerals Resource Rent Tax and the impact of exceptional items. Following the adoption of the new accounting standards, guidance for capital and exploration expenditure will now refer to BHP Billiton share. On this basis, the company's share of capital and exploration expenditure is expected to be USD 16.1 billion in the 2014 financial year.