Jan 25 (Reuters) - BHP Billiton (LON:BLT) Ltd BHP.AX :
* Says half-year ended Dec petroleum production 106 mmboe versus 125 mmboe last year
* "Full year production guidance maintained for petroleum, iron ore and coal."
* Total iron ore production for december 2016 half year increased by four per cent to 118 mt or 136 mt on a 100 per cent basis
* Total copper production for december 2016 half year decreased by seven per cent to 712 kt
* Underlying attributable profit in half year expected to include gains related to asset divestments of approximately us$150 million to us$200 million
* Copper production for 2017 financial year is now expected to be approximately 1.62 mt, two per cent below prior guidance
* In petroleum, we will accelerate our counter-cyclical oil exploration efforts this year
* Olympic dam copper production for december 2016 half year decreased by 30 per cent to 78 kt
* "Provisional pricing and finalisation adjustments will increase earnings before interest and tax by us$37 million in december 2016 half year"
* "All major projects under development are tracking to plan"
* Olympic dam copper production of approximately 160 kt to 170 kt is now expected for 2017 financial year
* For dec hy, not yet in position to provide update to ongoing potential financial impacts on BHP Billiton Brasil of Samarco dam failure
* Petroleum capex guidance of about us$1.4 billion (excluding us$0.2 billion from capital creditor movements) for 2017 fy remains unchanged
* Reduced copper production guidance for 2017 financial year reflects a reduction in volumes at olympic dam
* Petroleum capital expenditure includes conventional capital expenditure of us$0.8 billion
* Expects to record an exceptional item of us$164 million (us$115 million post-tax) for hy
* For petroleum , US$820 million exploration program is now planned for 2017 financial year
* At 31 dec 2016, group had 267 kt of outstanding copper sales;final price of these sales will be determined over remainder of 2017 Source text for Eikon: [] Further company coverage: BHP.AX