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Investigation into Nigerian corruption involves Halliburton, Shell, the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice and the UK Serious Fraud Office

The information below relates to the article published by The Calgary Herald on 26 April 2008 under the headline: “The Calgary Herald: Halliburton implicates Shell in probe”

Halliburton implicates Shell in Nigerian bribes probe

Extracts from Halliburton’s filing with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission filing date 25 April 2008

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-Q[X]   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008 HALLIBURTON COMPANY  

(a Delaware Corporation)
75-2677995

5 Houston Center
1401 McKinney, Suite 2400
Houston, Texas  77010
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Telephone Number – Area Code (713) 759-2600
Note 8.  Commitments and Contingencies

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is conducting a formal investigation into whether improper payments were made to government officials in Nigeria through the use of agents or subcontractors in connection with the construction and subsequent expansion by TSKJ of a multibillion dollar natural gas liquefaction complex and related facilities at Bonny Island in Rivers State, Nigeria.  The Department of Justice (DOJ) is also conducting a related criminal investigation. 

The SEC has also issued subpoenas seeking information, which we and KBR are furnishing, regarding current and former agents used in connection with multiple projects, including current and prior projects, over the past 20 years located both in and outside of Nigeria in which the Halliburton energy services business, KBR or affiliates, subsidiaries or joint ventures of Halliburton or KBR, are or were participants.  In September 2006 and October 2007, the SEC and the DOJ, respectively, each requested that we enter into an agreement to extend the statute of limitations with respect to its investigation.  We have entered into tolling agreements with the SEC and the DOJ.

TSKJ is a private limited liability company registered in Madeira, Portugal whose members are Technip SA of France, Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. (a subsidiary of Saipem SpA of Italy), JGC Corporation of Japan, and Kellogg Brown & Root LLC (a subsidiary of KBR), each of which had an approximate 25% interest in the venture.  TSKJ and other similarly owned entities entered into various contracts to build and expand the liquefied natural gas project for Nigeria LNG Limited, which is owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Shell Gas B.V., Cleag Limited (an affiliate of Total), and Agip International B.V. (an affiliate of ENI SpA of Italy).

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The SEC and the DOJ have been reviewing these matters in light of the requirements of the FCPA.  In addition to performing our own investigation, we have been cooperating with the SEC and the DOJ investigations and with other investigations in France, Nigeria, and Switzerland regarding the Bonny Island project.  The government of Nigeria gave notice in 2004 to the French magistrate of a civil claim as an injured party in the French investigation.  We also believe that the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom is conducting an investigation relating to the Bonny Island project.  Our Board of Directors has appointed a committee of independent directors to oversee and direct the FCPA investigations.

The matters under investigation relating to the Bonny Island project cover an extended period of time (in some cases significantly before our 1998 acquisition of Dresser Industries and continuing through the current time period).  We have produced documents to the SEC and the DOJ from the files of numerous officers and employees of Halliburton and KBR, including current and former executives of Halliburton and KBR, both voluntarily and pursuant to company subpoenas from the SEC and a grand jury, and we are making our employees and we understand KBR is making its employees available to the SEC and the DOJ for interviews.  In addition, the SEC has issued a subpoena to A. Jack Stanley, who formerly served as a consultant and chairman of Kellogg Brown & Root LLC, and to others, including certain of our and KBR’s current or former executive officers or employees, and at least one subcontractor of KBR.  We further understand that the DOJ has issued subpoenas for the purpose of obtaining information abroad, and we understand that other partners in TSKJ have provided information to the DOJ and the SEC with respect to the investigations, either voluntarily or under subpoenas.

The SEC and DOJ investigations include an examination of whether TSKJ’s engagements of Tri-Star Investments as an agent and a Japanese trading company as a subcontractor to provide services to TSKJ were utilized to make improper payments to Nigerian government officials.  In connection with the Bonny Island project, TSKJ entered into a series of agency agreements, including with Tri-Star Investments, of which Jeffrey Tesler is a principal, commencing in 1995 and a series of subcontracts with a Japanese trading company commencing in 1996.  We understand that a French magistrate has officially placed Mr. Tesler under investigation for corruption of a foreign public official.  In Nigeria, a legislative committee of the National Assembly and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which is organized as part of the executive branch of the government, are also investigating these matters.  Our representatives have met with the French magistrate and Nigerian officials.  In October 2004, representatives of TSKJ voluntarily testified before the Nigerian legislative committee.

TSKJ suspended the receipt of services from and payments to Tri-Star Investments and the Japanese trading company and has considered instituting legal proceedings to declare all agency agreements with Tri-Star Investments terminated and to recover all amounts previously paid under those agreements.  In February 2005, TSKJ notified the Attorney General of Nigeria that TSKJ would not oppose the Attorney General’s efforts to have sums of money held on deposit in accounts of Tri-Star Investments in banks in Switzerland transferred to Nigeria and to have the legal ownership of such sums determined in the Nigerian courts.

As a result of these investigations, information has been uncovered suggesting that, commencing at least 10 years ago, members of TSKJ planned payments to Nigerian officials.  We have reason to believe that, based on the ongoing investigations, payments may have been made by agents of TSKJ to Nigerian officials.  The government has recently confirmed that it has evidence of such payments.  The government has also recently advised Halliburton and KBR that it has evidence of payments to Nigerian officials by another agent in connection with a separate KBR-managed project in Nigeria called the Shell EA project and possibly evidence of payments in connection with other projects in Nigeria, potentially including energy services projects.  In addition, information uncovered in the summer of 2006 suggests that, prior to 1998, plans may have been made by employees of The M.W. Kellogg Company (a predecessor of a KBR subsidiary) to make payments to government officials in connection with the pursuit of a number of other projects in countries outside of Nigeria.  We are reviewing a number of more recently discovered documents related to KBR’s activities in countries outside of Nigeria with respect to agents for projects after 1998.  Certain activities discussed in this paragraph involve current or former employees or persons who were or are consultants to KBR, and our investigation is continuing.

In June 2004, all relationships with Mr. Stanley and another consultant and former employee of M.W. Kellogg Limited were terminated.  The terminations occurred because of Code of Business Conduct violations that allegedly involved the receipt of improper personal benefits from Mr. Tesler in connection with TSKJ’s construction of the Bonny Island project.

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In 2006 and 2007, KBR or Halliburton suspended the services of two agents in and outside of Nigeria, including the agent in connection with the Shell EA project
and another agent who, until such suspension, had worked for KBR outside of Nigeria on several current projects and on numerous older projects going back to the early 1980s.  Such suspensions have occurred when possible improper conduct has been discovered or alleged or when Halliburton and KBR have been unable to confirm the agent’s compliance with applicable law and the Code of Business Conduct.

The SEC and DOJ are also investigating and have issued subpoenas concerning TSKJ’s use of an immigration services provider, apparently managed by a Nigerian immigration official, to which approximately $1.8 million in payments in excess of costs of visas were allegedly made between approximately 1997 and the termination of the provider in December 2004.  We understand that TSKJ terminated the immigration services provider after a KBR employee discovered the issue.  We reported this matter to the United States government in 2007.  The SEC has issued a subpoena requesting documents among other things concerning any payment of anything of value to Nigerian government officials.  In response to such subpoena, we have produced and continue to produce additional documents regarding KBR and Halliburton’s energy services business use of immigration and customs service providers, which may result in further inquiries.  Furthermore, as a result of these matters, we have expanded our own investigation to consider any matters raised by energy services activities in Nigeria.

If violations of the FCPA were found, a person or entity found in violation could be subject to fines, civil penalties of up to $500,000 per violation, equitable remedies, including disgorgement (if applicable) generally of profits, including prejudgment interest on such profits, causally connected to the violation, and injunctive relief.  Criminal penalties could range up to the greater of $2 million per violation or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss from the violation, which could be substantially greater than $2 million per violation.  It is possible that both the SEC and the DOJ could assert that there have been multiple violations, which could lead to multiple fines.  The amount of any fines or monetary penalties that could be assessed would depend on, among other factors, the findings regarding the amount, timing, nature, and scope of any improper payments, whether any such payments were authorized by or made with knowledge of us, KBR or our or KBR’s affiliates, the amount of gross pecuniary gain or loss involved, and the level of cooperation provided the government authorities during the investigations.  The government has expressed concern regarding the level of our cooperation.  Agreed dispositions of these types of violations also frequently result in an acknowledgement of wrongdoing by the entity and the appointment of a monitor on terms negotiated with the SEC and the DOJ to review and monitor current and future business practices, including the retention of agents, with the goal of assuring compliance with the FCPA.

These investigations could also result in third-party claims against us, which may include claims for special, indirect, derivative or consequential damages, damage to our business or reputation, loss of, or adverse effect on, cash flow, assets, goodwill, results of operations, business prospects, profits or business value or claims by directors, officers, employees, affiliates, advisors, attorneys, agents, debt holders, or other interest holders or constituents of us or our current or former subsidiaries.  In addition, we could incur costs and expenses for any monitor required by or agreed to with a governmental authority to review our continued compliance with FCPA law.

As of March 31, 2008, we are unable to estimate an amount of probable loss or a range of possible loss related to these matters as it relates to Halliburton directly.  However, we provided indemnification in favor of KBR under the master separation agreement for certain contingent liabilities, including Halliburton’s indemnification of KBR and any of its greater than 50%-owned subsidiaries as of November 20, 2006, the date of the m

aster separation agreement, for fines or other monetary penalties or direct monetary damages, including disgorgement, as a result of a claim made or assessed by a governmental authority in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Nigeria, Switzerland, and/or Algeria, or a settlement thereof, related to alleged or actual violations occurring prior to November 20, 2006 of the FCPA or particular, analogous applicable foreign statutes, laws, rules, and regulations in connection with investigations pending as of that date, including with respect to the construction and subsequent expansion by TSKJ of a natural gas liquefaction complex and related facilities at Bonny Island in Rivers State, Nigeria.  We recorded the estimated fair market value of this indemnity regarding FCPA matters described above upon our separation from KBR.  See Note 2 for additional information.

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Our indemnification obligation to KBR does not include losses resulting from third-party claims against KBR, including claims for special, indirect, derivative or consequential damages, nor does our indemnification apply to damage to KBR’s business or reputation, loss of, or adverse effect on, cash flow, assets, goodwill, results of operations, business prospects, profits or business value or claims by directors, officers, employees, affiliates, advisors, attorneys, agents, debt holders, or other interest holders or constituents of KBR or KBR’s current or former subsidiaries.

In consideration of our agreement to indemnify KBR for the liabilities referred to above, KBR has agreed that we will at all times, in our sole discretion, have and maintain control over the investigation, defense and/or settlement of these FCPA matters until such time, if any, that KBR exercises its right to assume control of the investigation, defense and/or settlement of the FCPA matters as it relates to KBR.  KBR has also agreed, at our expense, to assist with Halliburton’s full cooperation with any governmental authority in our investigation of these FCPA matters and our investigation, defense and/or settlement of any claim made by a governmental authority or court relating to these FCPA matters, in each case even if KBR assumes control of these FCPA matters as it relates to KBR.  If KBR takes control over the investigation, defense, and/or settlement of FCPA matters, refuses a settlement of FCPA matters negotiated by us, enters into a settlement of FCPA matters without our consent, or materially breaches its obligation to cooperate with respect to our investigation, defense, and/or settlement of FCPA matters, we may terminate the indemnity.

Barracuda-Caratinga arbitration

We also provided indemnification in favor of KBR under the master separation agreement for all out-of-pocket cash costs and expenses (except for legal fees and other expenses of the arbitration so long as KBR controls and directs it), or cash settlements or cash arbitration awards in lieu thereof, KBR may incur after November 20, 2006 as a result of the replacement of certain subsea flowline bolts installed in connection with the Barracuda-Caratinga project.  Under the master separation agreement, KBR currently controls the defense, counterclaim, and settlement of the subsea flowline bolts matter.  As a condition of our indemnity, for any settlement to be binding upon us, KBR must secure our prior written consent to such settlement’s terms.  We have the right to terminate the indemnity in the event KBR enters into any settlement without our prior written consent.  See Note 2 for additional information regarding the KBR indemnification.

At Petrobras’ direction, KBR replaced certain bolts located on the subsea flowlines that failed through mid-November 2005, and KBR has informed us that additional bolts have failed thereafter, which were replaced by Petrobras.  These failed bolts were identified by Petrobras when it conducted inspections of the bolts.  A key issue in the arbitration is which party is responsible for the designation of the material to be used for the bolts.  We understand that KBR believes that an instruction to use the particular bolts was issued by Petrobras, and as such, KBR believes the cost resulting from any replacement is not KBR’s responsibility.  We understand Petrobras disagrees.  We understand KBR believes several possible solutions may exist, including replacement of the bolts.  Estimates indicate that costs of these various solutions range up to $140 million.  In March 2006, Petrobras commenced arbitration against KBR claiming $220 million plus interest for the cost of monitoring and replacing the defective bolts and all related costs and expenses of the arbitration, including the cost of attorneys’ fees.  We understand KBR is vigorously defending and pursuing recovery of the costs incurred to date through the arbitration process and to that end has submitted a counterclaim in the arbitration seeking the recovery of $22 million.  The arbitration panel held an evidentiary hearing during the week of March 31, 2008 and took evidence and arguments under advisement.

RISK FACTORS

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Investigations

The SEC is conducting a formal investigation into whether improper payments were made to government officials in Nigeria through the use of agents or subcontractors in connection with the construction and subsequent expansion by TSKJ of a multibillion dollar natural gas liquefaction complex and related facilities at Bonny Island in Rivers State, Nigeria.  The DOJ is also conducting a related criminal investigation.  The SEC has also issued subpoenas seeking information, which we and KBR are furnishing, regarding current and former agents used in connection with multiple projects, including current and prior projects, over the past 20 years located both in and outside of Nigeria in which the Halliburton energy services business, KBR or affiliates, subsidiaries or joint ventures of Halliburton or KBR, are or were participants.  In September 2006 and October 2007, the SEC and the DOJ, respectively, each requested that we enter into an agreement to extend the statute of limitations with respect to its investigation.  We have entered into tolling agreements with the SEC and the DOJ.

TSKJ is a private limited liability company registered in Madeira, Portugal whose members are Technip SA of France, Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. (a subsidiary of Saipem SpA of Italy), JGC Corporation of Japan, and Kellogg Brown & Root LLC (a subsidiary of KBR), each of which had an approximate 25% interest in the venture.  TSKJ and other similarly owned entities entered into various contracts to build and expand the liquefied natural gas project for Nigeria LNG Limited, which is owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Shell Gas B.V., Cleag Limited (an affiliate of Total), and Agip International B.V. (an affiliate of ENI SpA of Italy).

The SEC and the DOJ have been reviewing these matters in light of the requirements of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).  In addition to performing our own investigation, we have been cooperating with the SEC and the DOJ investigations and with other investigations in France, Nigeria, and Switzerland regarding the Bonny Island project.  The government of Nigeria gave notice in 2004 to the French magistrate of a civil claim as an injured party in the French investigation.  We also believe that the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom is conducting an investigation relating to the Bonny Island project.  Our Board of Directors has appointed a committee of independent directors to oversee and direct the FCPA investigations.

The matters under investigation relating to the Bonny Island project cover an extended period of time (in some cases significantly before our 1998 acquisition of Dresser Industries and continuing through the current time period).  We have produced documents to the SEC and the DOJ from the files of numerous officers and employees of Halliburton and KBR, including current and former executives of Halliburton and KBR, both voluntarily and pursuant to company subpoenas from the SEC and a grand jury, and we are making our employees and we understand KBR is making its employees available to the SEC and the DOJ for interviews.  In addition, the SEC has issued a subpoena to A. Jack Stanley, who formerly served as a consultant and chairman of Kellogg Brown & Root LLC, and to others, including certain of our and KBR’s current or former executive officers or employees, and at least one subcontractor of KBR.  We further understand that the DOJ has issued subpoenas for the purpose of obtaining information abroad, and we understand that other partners in TSKJ have provided information to the DOJ and the SEC with respect to the investigations, either voluntarily or under subpoenas.

The SEC and DOJ investigations include an examination of whether TSKJ’s engagements of Tri-Star Investments as an agent and a Japanese trading company as a subcontractor to provide services to TSKJ were utilized to make improper payments to Nigerian government officials.  In connection with the Bonny Island project, TSKJ entered into a series of agency agreements, including with Tri-Star Investments, of which Jeffrey Tesler is a principal, commencing in 1995 and a series of subcontracts with a Japanese trading company commencing in 1996.  We understand that a French magistrate has officially placed Mr. Tesler under investigation for corruption of a foreign public official.  In Nigeria, a legislative committee of the National Assembly and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which is organized as part of the executive branch of the government, are also investigating these matters.  Our representatives have met with the French magistrate and Nigerian officials.  In October 2004, representatives of TSKJ voluntarily testified before the Nigerian legislative committee.

TSKJ suspended the receipt of services from and payments to Tri-Star Investments and the Japanese trading company and has considered instituting legal proceedings to declare all agency agreements with Tri-Star Investments terminated and to recover all amounts previously paid under those agreements.  In February 2005, TSKJ notified the Attorney General of Nigeria that TSKJ would not oppose the Attorney General’s efforts to have sums of money held on deposit in accounts of Tri-Star Investments in banks in Switzerland transferred to Nigeria and to have the legal ownership of such sums determined in the Nigerian courts.

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As a result of these investigations, information has been uncovered suggesting that, commencing at least 10 years ago, members of TSKJ planned payments to Nigerian officials.  We have reason to believe that, based on the ongoing investigations, payments may have been made by agents of TSKJ to Nigerian officials.  The government has recently confirmed that it has evidence of such payments.  The government has also recently advised Halliburton and KBR that it has evidence of payments to Nigerian officials by another agent in connection with a separate KBR-managed project in Nigeria called the Shell EA project and possibly evidence of payments in connection with other projects in Nigeria, potentially including energy services projects.  In addition, information uncovered in the summer of 2006 suggests that, prior to 1998, plans may have been made by employees of The M.W. Kellogg Company (a predecessor of a KBR subsidiary) to make payments to government officials in connection with the pursuit of a number of other projects in countries outside of Nigeria.  We are reviewing a number of more recently discovered documents related to KBR’s activities in countries outside of Nigeria with respect to agents for projects after 1998.  Certain activities discussed in this paragraph involve current or former employees or persons who were or are consultants to KBR, and our investigation is continuing.

In June 2004, all relationships with Mr. Stanley and another consultant and former employee of M.W. Kellogg Limited were terminated.  The terminations occurred because of Code of Business Conduct violations that allegedly involved the receipt of improper personal benefits from Mr. Tesler in connection with TSKJ’s construction of the Bonny Island project.

In 2006 and 2007, KBR or Halliburton suspended the services of two agents in and outside of Nigeria, including the agent in connection with the Shell EA project and another agent who, until such suspension, had worked for KBR outside of Nigeria on several current projects and on numerous older projects going back to the early 1980s.  Such suspensions have occurred when possible improper conduct has been discovered or alleged or when Halliburton and KBR have been unable to confirm the agent’s compliance with applicable law and the Code of Business Conduct.

The SEC and DOJ are also investigating and have issued subpoenas concerning TSKJ’s use of an immigration services provider, apparently managed by a Nigerian immigration official, to which approximately $1.8 million in payments in excess of costs of visas were allegedly made between approximately 1997 and the termination of the provider in December 2004.  We understand that TSKJ terminated the immigration services provider after a KBR employee discovered the issue.  We reported this matter to the United States government in 2007.  The SEC has issued a subpoena requesting documents among other things concerning any payment of anything of value to Nigerian government officials.  In response to such subpoena, we have produced and continue to produce additional documents regarding KBR and Halliburton’s energy services business use of immigration and customs service providers, which may result in further inquiries.  Furthermore, as a result of these matters, we have expanded our own investigation to consider any matters raised by energy services activities in Nigeria.

If violations of the FCPA were found, a person or entity found in violation could be subject to fines, civil penalties of up to $500,000 per violation, equitable remedies, including disgorgement (if applicable) generally of profits, including prejudgment interest on such profits, causally connected to the violation, and injunctive relief.  Criminal penalties could range up to the greater of $2 million per violation or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss from the violation, which could be substantially greater than $2 million per violation.  It is possible that both the SEC and the DOJ could assert that there have been multiple violations, which could lead to multiple fines.  The amount of any fines or monetary penalties that could be assessed would depend on, among other factors, the findings regarding the amount, timing, nature, and scope of any improper payments, whether any such payments were authorized by or made with knowledge of us, KBR or our or KBR’s affiliates, the amount of gross pecuniary gain or loss involved, and the level of cooperation provided the government authorities during the investigations.  The government has expressed concern regarding the level of our cooperation.  Agreed dispositions of these types of violations also frequently result in an acknowledgement of wrongdoing by the entity and the appointment of a monitor on terms negotiated with the SEC and the DOJ to review and monitor current and future business practices, including the retention of agents, with the goal of assuring compliance with the FCPA.

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http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/45012/000004501208000242/edmarch200810q_final.htm

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One Comment

  1. David says:

    Dear Sir,
    I read carefully the above and, to be honest, I canot see any reference to Shell being even remotely implicated. I am not here to protect Shell and, at times, your critical views towards them carry merit. In this particular instance it happens to be by some remote association that, unnecessarily, being overly highlighted and undermines the credibility of the wotk you are performing on other issues.
    David

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