RPT-BHP Billiton eyeing nickel asset sales - report

(Repeats to additional subscribers)

SYDNEY, June 26 (Reuters) - Global miner BHP Billiton (BHP.AX)(BLT.L) is looking to sell its Yabulu and Ravensthorpe nickel operations in Australia as a package, the Australian Financial Review reported on Friday.

The paper said BHP would complete a review of Yabulu next week, with Xstrata plc (XTA.L) and Gladstone Pacific Nickel seen front-runners to buy the operation.

A review of Ravensthorpe, which was closed down earlier this year amid a sharp decline in nickel prices, would run until the end of the year, but a sale could come earlier, the paper said, citing a source close to BHP. (Reporting by James Thornhill; Editing by Wayne Cole)