The reimbursable contract covers the onshore facilities consisting of a gas plant and pipeline works.

Technip said its operating centres in Perth and Kuala Lumpur would carry out the contract which is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

The Macedon development involves four offshore production wells supplying a wet gas pipeline to an onshore gas treatment plant to be built at Ashburton North, 17km southwest of Onslow.

This will be connected to the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline for sale into WA's domestic gas market.

First gas is targeted for 2013 at rates of 200 million cubic feet per day.

Macedon has estimated recoverable reserves of 400-750 billion cubic feet of gas.

BHP Billiton owns a 71.43% interest and is operator of WA-12-R, where Macedon is located, with partner Apache Energy holding 28.57%.