SEC Company Response from HALLIBURTON CO (HAL) (CIK 0000045012) (HAL) — Oct 16, 2007
HALLIBURTON CO (HAL) (CIK 0000045012)
Date: Oct. 16, 2007 · CIK: 0000045012 · Accession: 0000045012-07-000307
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
File numbers found in text: 333-128750
Referenced dates: August 21, 2007
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HALLIBURTON
COMPANY
______________________________________________________________________
1401
McKinney, Suite 2400 (77010-4035) · Post Office Box 42807 · Houston, Texas
77242-2807
Phone
713.759.2600
Sherry
D. Williams
Vice
President and Corporate Secretary
October
16, 2007
Division
of Corporation Finance
Securities
and Exchange Commission
100
F
Street, N.E.
Washington,
D.C. 20549
Re: Halliburton
Company
Definitive
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
Filed
April 11, 2007
File
No.
333-128750
We
are responding to comments received from the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange
Commission by letter dated August 21, 2007 regarding the Definitive
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (File No. 333-128750) of Halliburton
Company filed April 11, 2007. For your convenience, our responses are prefaced
by the exact text of the Staff’s corresponding comment in bold text. The
references to page numbers in the responses to the Staff’s comments correspond
to the pages in the Definitive Proxy Statement.
Corporate
Governance, page 7
1.
Consistent
with the requirements of Item 404(a)(6) of Regulation S-K, provide
further
detail regarding the transactions involving Hunt Oil Company and
Hunt
Consolidated Inc. For example, in light of the standards established
for
the approval or ratification of related party transactions that are
articulated on page 7, discuss whether consideration was given to
alternative sources for the subject matter of the
transaction.
Response: With
respect to the requirements of Item 404(a)(6) of Regulation S-K, Halliburton
does not believe any additional information regarding the transactions between
Halliburton and Hunt Oil Company and Hunt Consolidated, Inc. is material to
investors. Halliburton is in the business of providing services and
products to major, national, and independent oil and gas companies
worldwide. The Hunt companies, as independent oil and gas companies,
utilize those services. The services were provided in the ordinary
course of business at negotiated prices. An alternative source for
the transaction would not have been considered, at least by Halliburton, as
that
would involve turning down work and having it performed by our
competitors. Also, Mr. Hunt did not stand for re-election to the
board in 2007 so the question with respect to Mr. Hunt will not recur in
connection with future proxy statements.
The
Board of Directors and Standing Committees of the Board of Directors, page
7
2.
You
disclose that each of the standing committees is comprised of non-employee
directors who are independent in the “business judgment” of the board of
directors. Given that the company’s securities are listed on the New York
Stock Exchange, clarify whether the independence standard used by
the
board is consistent with the NYSE definition of independence and
the
requirements set forth in Item 407(a)(1) of Regulation S-K. Moreover,
rather than referring readers to Appendix A for the definition of
independence, include such information in the disclosure and clarify
whether the standards articulated in Appendix A are more stringent
than
those called for pursuant to Item 407(a)(1)(i) of Regulation
S-K.
Response: Halliburton’s
independence standards for Directors are consistent with the NYSE definition
of
independence and Halliburton will clarify this disclosure in its 2008 proxy
statement. Also, rather than referring to Appendix A for the
definition of independence, Halliburton will include the independence standards
in the body of its 2008 proxy statement.
3.
On
page 9 you identify the independent directors of the board. Please
provide
the information required by Item 407(a)(3) of Regulation S-K. For
each
director and nominee for director that is identified as independent,
describe, by specific category or type, any transactions, relationships
or
arrangements not disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) that were considered
by
the board of directors under the applicable independence definitions
in
determining that the director is
independent.
Response: There
were no transactions, relationships or arrangements not disclosed pursuant
to
Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K that were considered by the Board in making its
determination as to the independence of the Directors so
designated. Halliburton will add appropriate language to the footnote
to the table on page 9 in future proxy statements to that effect. Of
course, if there are transactions, relationships or arrangements between
Halliburton and a Director considered by the Board in making its independence
determination that were not otherwise disclosed under “Certain Relationships and
Related Transactions,” the footnote will disclose those transactions,
relationships or arrangements.
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis, page 10
4.
Your
disclosure contains defined terms and language that does not facilitate
a
clear understanding of your compensation program. Please define terms,
if
necessary, when first used and use such terms consistently throughout
your
disclosure. Additionally, tailor your discussion to avoid disclosure
that
could apply to any other company. Please note the following examples
of
such disclosure:
·
references
to the defined terms “Executive Compensation Program,” “Compensation
Philosophy and Strategy,” “Philosophy and Strategy,” “Plan,” “1993 Plan,”
“Annual Performance Pay Plan,” and “Performance Unit
Program”;
·
disclosure
regarding the “internal executive compensation resources” with whom the
compensation consultant coordinates regarding
compensation;
·
disclosure
in the bullet points at the beginning of page 14 that could apply
to any
company and that does not provide insight into specific factors unique
to
your company; and,
·
disclosure
on page 17 that insufficiently explains how the performance unit
program
functions, specific targets established pursuant to the program and
identifying the “individual incentive opportunities ...established based
on market references...”
Response: The
Staff’s comments on the use of defined terms and language that does not
facilitate a clear understanding of our compensation program are noted, and
we
will address the Staff’s comments in preparing the 2008 proxy
statement.
5.
The
disclosure required by Item 402 should be presented for “covered” persons
as defined in Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, and unless material
to an
understanding of the principal features of the way compensation is
structured overall, additional information should be removed if
potentially confusing. For example, on page 18 you disclose that
the use
of perquisites for “Executives” is “limited in both scope and value;” yet,
it is clear that Senior Executives (as defined in your disclosure)
do
receive perquisites regularly and in material amounts. As noted in
the
comment above, limit the use of defined terms and present your disclosure
clearly and concisely.
Response: The
Staff’s comments on limiting the disclosure to “covered” persons as defined in
Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, unless material to an understanding of the
principal features of the way compensation is structured is noted, and we will
address the Staff’s comments in preparing the 2008 proxy statement.
6.
Please
refer to Item 402(b) and Section II.B.1 of Release 33-8732A. Your
Compensation Discussion and Analysis should provide insight into
how
compensation elements and levels of compensation are actually structured
and determined with regard to each of the named executive officers.
For
example, we refer you to the bullet points listed on page 16 and
Item
402(b)(2)(vii) of Regulation S-K. Provide an analysis of how the
listed
criteria were considered in evaluating each named executive officer
and in
determining the compensation awarded to the officer during the fiscal
year. Moreover, add disclosure on page 19 under the heading “Conclusion”
to link your conclusion to a more in-depth analysis of the compensation
elements and levels of compensation actually awarded to the named
executive officers during the
year.
Response: Regarding
the analysis of how the listed criteria were considered in evaluating each
named
executive officer, please see our response to comment #7. The Staff’s
comments regarding the Conclusion are noted, and we will address the Staff’s
comments in preparing the 2008 proxy statement.
7.
You
provide several references throughout the Compensation Discussion
and
Analysis to the discretion that may be exercised by the committee
in
determining compensation types and levels. For example, you disclose
that
allocations to named executive officers under the Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan are made at the sole discretion of the committee.
Similarly, early retirement and benefits, if approved, are subject
to the
“sole discretion of the compensation committee” and in the discussion of
base salary and long-term incentives, you disclose that the committee
may
exercise its discretion in determining the type or amount of compensation
awarded. Please provide an analysis of the specific factors the committee
considered when exercising its discretion in awarding the type and
amount
of compensation to a named executive officer. Please see Item 402(b)(1)(v)
and Instruction 1 to Item 402(b) of Regulation
S-K.
Response: Our
compensation package consists of base salary, short-term incentives, long-term
incentives, retirement benefits and perquisites. Market data
(information provided by an external consultant that represents the elements
and
average compensation of similar positions within our defined comparator group)
is used by the Compensation Committee as the primary reference point for the
target value and actual value of each of the above elements of compensation,
individually and in aggregate for each executive. This approach
confirms that our compensation package for named executive officers (“NEOs”) is
appropriate given our pay philosophy and competitive to market peers given
their
position and scope of responsibility.
The
Compensation Committee then sets the final compensation opportunity for each
NEO
so that their actual total compensation is consistent with our philosophy of
paying at the 50th percentile
or
higher for those years of superior performance and paying below the 50th percentile
when
performance does not meet competitive standards. In doing this, the Compensation
Committee considers (1) how compensation elements serve to motivate and reward
each NEO appropriately and competitively position their pay opportunity in
order
to retain their services and skills, (2) individual performance in reaching
financial and operational objectives, (3) other factors including business
unit
or functional goals, and (4) sustained levels of performance, future potential,
time in position and years of service with the company. These factors
are considered on an unweighted basis to determine final pay decisions and
to
ensure internal equity among positions having similar scope and responsibility
within the organization.
8.
We
direct you to Release 33-8732A, Section II.B.1. As noted therein,
the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis should be sufficiently precise
to
identify material differences in compensation policies with respect
to
individual executive officers. Please explain the discrepancies in
type
and amount of compensation awarded to the named executive officers.
For
example, identify the specific achievements or other material factors
considered in the award of the base salary and stock awards granted
to
your Chief Executive
Officer.
Response: The
policies used to set compensation for each of the NEOs are the
same. There are no discrepancies in the types of compensation among
the NEOs. The discrepancies that exist in the amounts of compensation
among the NEOs relate to each NEO’s position, his corresponding scope of
responsibility, individual performance, and differences in the competitive
market pay levels for like positions in the peer group.
For
example, when determining the base salary and stock awards for the CEO, the
Compensation Committee took into consideration competitive market pay levels
for
the CEOs at our comparator group and Mr. Lesar’s accomplishments in the areas of
business development, expansion into strategic markets, management succession,
management of the KBR separation and the achievement of financial and
operational objectives. For further explanation, please see our
response to comment #10.
Executive
Compensation Procedures, page 14
9.
On
page 14 you disclose that