May 1 (Reuters) - Cooper Energy Ltd COE.AX :
* SIGNED DEAL WITH BHP BILLITON PETROLEUM (VICTORIA) PTY TO BUY BHP'S 90% INTEREST IN MINERVA GAS PLANT
* TOGETHER WITH AWE LIMITED AND MITSUI E&P AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, CO HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH BHP BILLITON PETROLEUM (VICTORIA) PTY
* AFTER COMPLETION TRANSACTION, COOPER TO HOLD A 50% INTEREST IN GAS PLANT AND AWE AND MITSUI E&P AUSTRALIA TO EACH HOLD A 25% INTEREST
* AFTER DEAL COMPLETION, CO TO HOLD 50 PERCENT STAKE IN GAS PLANT; AWE LTD & MITSUI E&P AUSTRALIA WILL EACH HOLD 25 PERCENT STAKE