Halter Marine Confirms Merger Talks

Shipbuilder Halter Marine Group Inc. confirmed it is in talks with an oilfield service company about a possible stock-for-stock merger. The company, which in January announced a sweeping restructuring to cut costs, said it cannot assure the talks will lead to a transaction. It also said it cannot guarantee a deal, if any, would represent a premium over current market prices. Halter Marine, which also builds offshore drilling rigs and engineered products serving the offshore energy industry, said it will not issue further comment until the talks are completed or are called off.