`Obviously Orbital falls into the category of being non-core with respect to a resources company so we are clearly looking at that investment,'' BHP services group division chief Kirby Adams said at a news briefing. Adams said BHP was proceeding with the objective of supporting Orbital Engine and would not take any action that would damage the company. ``With respect to our investment in Orbital, yes, at some particular time we would seek a natural owner if that natural owner came forward,'' he said. Orbital, founded by Perth-based inventor Ralph Sarich in the early 1970s, has a market value of A$378.74 million based on Tuesday's price of A$1.17 per share.

The company has 323.71 million shares on issue.