BHP Billiton, the Australian mining and oil giant, will cut capital spending in its petroleum division by $279 million in 2015, the company announced in its annual report. The trend follows that of other major oil and gas companies. Major producers including Shell, Chevron and Total have all announced plans this year plans to pull back on capital expenditures. The company said petroleum capital expenditures of about $5.6 billion are planned for the 2015 fiscal year. That’s down from nearly $5.9 billion in 2014 and $7.1 billion in 2013. The company’s fiscal year ends June 30. The company has a heavy presence in Houston, where its petroleum business is headquartered. In the United States., BHP Billiton operates in the Gulf of Mexico as well as the Eagle Ford, Permian, Haynesville and Fayetteville plays. The move is part of a broader reduction in capital expenditures for the company. In 2014, it reduced its exploration and capital expenditures by 32 percent to $15.2 billion. In 2015, that figure will shrink to $14.8 billion, according to the annual report. “This approach has increased internal competition for capital, improved our capital efficiency and provides for long-term, sustainable shareholder value,” chief executive Andrew Mackenzie wrote in the report. In addition to petroleum, the company produces copper, iron ore, coal, aluminum and nickel, among other metals.