BHP Billiton CEO waives his bonus of 2012 for the company charge of shale

BHP Billiton CEO Marius Kloppers gives up his 2012 bonus, after the miner reported an impairment of $2.84 billion on its US shale gas assets, and $450-million on its Nickel West assets, in Perth, Australia. The low US gas prices, owing to a short-term oversupply in the market, had resulted in an impairment against the carrying value of the Fayetteville shale gas assets, which BHP bought in February last year from Chesapeake Energy for $4.75-billion.

The review concluded, however, that the value of the more extensive offshore US shale liquids and gas assets, which BHP gained through the Petrohawk Energy acquisition, was not affected. He added that the development of these assets was expected to create substantial, long-term shareholder value. The decision to enter the North American shale hydrocarbon business about 1 year and a half ago was taken after extensive deliberation and the process of evaluating a prospective business decision by getting information about the financial. Their work convinced them that this significant, low-carbon fuel source would play a meaningful role as the world makes its future energy choices. This view, particularly given the ongoing positive technological advancements in the shale industry.