BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP.AU) Chief Executive Marius Kloppers said Wednesday the miner will wait for the outcome of a feasibility study into the Browse liquefied natural gas project before making a decision on where a processing plant for the development should be sited.

Project operator Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (WPL.AU) plans to process gas at a plant just north of the town of Broome in Western Australia's north west.

Asked if he supported this option, Kloppers said he would wait and see what emerged from the feasibility study that is underway.

"These things have got to run their course and in due course the history of these large projects is that the best economic option normally emerges," he told reporters.

"But it is very early days in that project and we will see what comes out of the feasibility studies that are being conducted."

The partners in Browse are Woodside, BHP, BP PLC (BP), Chevron Corp. (CVX), and Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSB).

-By Alex Wilson, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-3-9292-2094; alex.wilson@dowjones.com