[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21027-21028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9746]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Antitrust Division


Joint Motion To Modify Final Judgment and United States' 
Memorandum in Support of Motion To Modify; United States v. Baroid 
Corp., et al.

    Notice is hereby given that the United States and Diamond Products 
International (``DPI'') have filed a joint motion to modify the final 
judgment filed in a civil antitrust case, United States v. Baroid 
Corpation., et al. Civil Action No. 93-2621, in the United States 
District Court for the District of Columbia. The Department has 
consented to modification of the Judgment but has reserved the right to 
withdraw its consent if it determines that, based upon comments filed 
or other information received, consent to the modification is not in 
the public interest.
    This case was filed on December 23, 1993, and alleged that the 
merger of Dresser Industries, Inc. (``Dresser'') and Baroid Corporation 
(``Baroid'') might substantially lessen competition in the United 
States in the manufacture and sale of two oil field service products, 
diamond drill bits and drilling fluids, in violation of section 7 of 
the Clayton Act. The Final Judgment was entered on April 12, 1994.

[[Page 21028]]

    Under the Final Judgment, Dresser was required to divest Baroid's 
diamond bit business, which included all Baroid assets used in the 
United States to research, develop, test, manufacture, service, or 
market its diamond drill bits. Pursuant to the judgment, Dresser sold 
that business to a company then called International Superior Products, 
Inc., and now known as Diamond Products International (``DPI'').
    Paragraph V.F. of the Final Judgment states that the purchaser of 
the divested diamond drill bit business may not sell that business to, 
or combine that business with the diamond bit business of, any of four 
named companies: Dresser (now part of Halliburton Company), Camco, Inc. 
(Now part of Schlumberger Ltd.), Baker Hughes, Inc., or Smith 
International, Inc, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates. The 
joint motion proposes modifying the Final Judgment to eliminate the 
absolute prohibition or transactions involving Camco, Baker Hughes, or 
Smith and instead require DPI to give notice to the Department of any 
such proposed transactions. The Final Judgment would continue to bar 
DIP from selling its diamond drill bit business to, or combining that 
business with the diamond drill bit operations, of Dresser, the firm 
required by the Final Judgment to divest the diamond bit business in 
the final instance.
    Copies of the Complaint and Judgment, the joint motion, and the 
United States' supporting memorandum are available for inspection in 
Room 215, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 325 7th St., 
NW, Washington, DC 20530 and at the Office of the Clerk of the United 
States District Court for the District of Columbia, Third Street and 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Copies of any of these 
materials may be obtained upon request and payment of a copying fee.
    Comments to the Department of Justice and to the Court regarding 
the proposed modification of the Final Judgment are invited from 
members of the public. They should be addressed to Roger W. Fones, 
Chief, Transportation, Energy and Agriculture Section, Antitrust 
Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Suite 500, 325 7th Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20530 (202-307-6351). Such comments must be received 
within 50 days.

Constance K. Robinson,
Director of Operations & Merger Enforcement, Antitrust Division.
[FR Doc. 00-9746 Filed 4-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-01-M