BG AUS intends to move to compulsory acquisition of the outstanding QGC shares it does not own by lodging a compulsory acquisition notice on Monday 8 December, five business days prior to the end of the offer period, which will close at 4.00pm (AEST) on Monday 15 December 2008.

BG AUS expects that the ASX will suspend trading in QGC shares at, or shortly after, the close of trading on Monday 15 December 2008 in accordance with the ASX Listing Rules. If QGC shareholders have not sold their QGC shares into the BG AUS offer by that time, they will no longer have the opportunity to sell those QGC shares to BG AUS and receive payment for them within three business days, and will not be able to sell their QGC shares on ASX.

Instead, remaining QGC shareholders will have their QGC shares compulsorily acquired by BG AUS in accordance with the statutory procedure. Shareholders will have to wait at least a month before receiving the proceeds from the compulsory acquisition of their shares.

BG Group plc is a world leader in natural gas, with a strategy focused on connecting competitively priced resources to specific, high-value markets. Active in 27 countries on five continents, BG Group has a broad portfolio of exploration and production, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), transmission and distribution and power generation business interests. It combines a deep understanding of gas markets with a proven track record in finding and commercializing reserves.

QGC is a leading and award-winning Australian integrated energy business with a strategy focused on developing its world-class coal seam gas reserves in the Surat Basin for domestic supply and power generation, and international supply. Founded in 2000 as a junior explorer, QGC now employs more than 240 staff who are developing projects including the 140 MW gas-fired Condamine Power Station and the Queensland Curtis LNG Project.