The $US1.7 billion ($A1.98 billion) project, in the Exmouth Sub-Basin, was given the green light by BHP and partner Apache Energy last Wednesday.

The development will consists of a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel capable of producing about 96,000 barrels of oil per day that will be tied into 13 subsea wells in the Ravensworth, Crosby and Stickle fields in WA-12-R.

Under the engineering contract, Cameron will provide 13 wellhead and subsea tree systems, and control systems, plus several subsea manifolds and the associated flowline connection system, and chokes and related equipment.

Initial equipment delivery and installation is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2008, with additional deliveries of trees, manifolds and associated equipment to continue through 2010.

Expansion of the Pyrenees field beyond the initial 13 wells is expected in the future.

Cameron president and chief operating officer Jack Moore said in a statement to the NY stock exchange that the company had been supplying equipment and services to Australia’s energy industry for more than 30 years.

“We are pleased to extend our relationship with BHP Billiton to include the development of the Pyrenees area offshore Australia, and we welcome the opportunity to assist them in developing this important oil province,” he said.

“We have provided equipment in support of BHP Billiton's programs in a number of worldwide locations, including Australia, the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.”

BHPB has a 71.43% operating interest in WA-12-R while Apache Energy has the remaining 28.57%.