PUNE, India – Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) inaugurated today its first globally-focused Technology Center outside North America and Europe.  The 5,575 square meter (60,000 square foot) facility, approximately 170 kilometers (106 miles) southwest of Mumbai, is designed to facilitate global research and development across Halliburton’s Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation divisions.

The Pune facility complements the Company’s existing globally focused research and development centers in Houston; Duncan, Okla.; and Carrollton, Texas.  Working in concert with fellow research and scientific colleagues, personnel in Pune collaborate through analytical study and hands-on applications in state-of-the-art laboratories to further advance Halliburton’s global expertise, particularly in the areas of production enhancement, completion tools, drilling fluids and the Company’s founding business of cementing.

“We are excited to open the facility in Pune today, launching a greater offering of innovation and benefits to our customers worldwide,” said Andy Lane, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Halliburton.  “Our expanded presence in India is testimony to our commitment to continue strengthening our relationships with our Eastern Hemisphere customers and delivering local products and services to meet and exceed their needs.”

Currently, Halliburton plans to open a second Eastern Hemisphere-based technology center in Singapore in 2008.

Dr. Vikram (Vik) Rao, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Halliburton, added: “The quality and talent of our scientific personnel in Pune are a superb addition to our global technological capabilities and resources.  The Pune team adds tremendous value and reach to integrate our technology offerings worldwide,” said Rao.

Halliburton currently holds approximately 13,000 U.S.-registered patents for its technology.

Halliburton has been active in the Eastern Hemisphere energy services market since 1926, continually growing to now offer a full range of technology and services across the company’s Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation divisions.

Halliburton has been active in India for more than 40 years.  Today, more than 300 employees support the Company’s various product and service line offerings, including Cementing and Production Enhancement, Completion Tools, Wireline and Perforating Services, Sperry Drilling Services, Baroid, Security DBS Drill Bits, and Landmark – the leading supplier of software, optimized computing solutions and services for the upstream oil and gas industry.
 
Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world's largest providers of products and services to the energy industry.  With nearly 50,000 employees in approximately 70 countries, the company serves the upstream oil and gas industry throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir - from locating hydrocarbons and managing geological data, to drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimizing production through the life of the field. Visit the company's World Wide Web site at www.halliburton.com.