SGS SA and Halliburton (NYSE:HAL) have entered into a Joint Cooperation Agreement combining formation fluid sample acquisition and analysis services. Halliburton will provide a comprehensive suite of solutions for acquiring fluid samples, and SGS' Oil, Gas and Chemicals division will deliver a full range of fluid analysis services.

Through this agreement, our clients will have access to the industry's most complete and innovative solutions, including portable laboratory services, for the acquisition, analysis and independent quality control of production and reservoir fluid samples. Customers will get timely and impartial data to help with wellbore placement, facility design and pipeline setup decisions.

"Our cutting edge technology and recognized independence combined with Halliburton's leadership position and technical expertise in the energy sector now provides our customers with an unparalleled suite of solutions to their oilfield challenges," says Christopher Kirk, Chief Executive Officer of SGS. "This agreement is an important step toward our goal to become the major player in the provision of analytical solutions to the upstream exploration and production market."

"Halliburton knows that the industry requires a comprehensive fluid sampling and analysis solution," said Tim Probert, President, Global Business Lines and Corporate Development. "The agreement with SGS gives Halliburton access to state-of-the-art, independent laboratory services that allow us to meet this need."

Halliburton and SGS are currently providing the joint fluid sample collection and analysis service to a client offshore Africa, helping the operator make critical decisions about production facilities design faster and with greater confidence.