Halliburton subsidiaries Halliburton Overseas, Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) and Halliburton Australia will offer a range of oil field services relating to Oil Search's operations in PNG, where Oil Search is a major player in the oil and gas exploration and development market.

"Oil Search can benefit from Halliburton's global structure, technology and skilled professionals to increase growth both in PNG and other countries," said Halliburton president Dave Lesar.

"In return for which we get to gain from the long-term relationship and the success of the alliance."

Oil Search CEO Peter Botten commented that the alliance covers everything from reservoir planning and well construction services to field operations and maintenance and project development.

"It's also got the potential to move beyond Papua New Guinea to Oil Search operations in other parts of the world."

The concept of the alliance developed out of Halliburton's long participation in Papua New Guinea as a traditional oilfield service provider through its Energy Services Group (ESG). It now encompasses Halliburton's engineering and construction division (KBR) in a much closer relationship with Oil Search.