HOUSTON (AP) — Halliburton will institute a mandatory furlough for 3,500 employees in Houston beginning next week amid falling oil prices. The furlough will begin Monday and will last up to 60 days, company spokeswoman Emily Mir said Wednesday. During the furlough, affected employees will work one week on followed by one week off, the Houston-based company said. Employees will …

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — A Texas-based energy service provider has laid off 178 workers at its Colorado office saying it is a permanent employment loss. The Daily Sentinel reports that oil field company Halliburton told the state Department of Labor and Employment about the anticipated layoffs in a written letter dated Monday. Company officials say the layoffs were due …