Release Details

METAIRIE, La., May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today announced the formation of Newpark Mats and Integrated Services, which will consolidate the company's worldwide mat operations into a single entity that combines six former business units.

SOLOCO, LLC, Composite Mat Solutions, LLC, International Mat of Canada, Ltd, DURA-BASE de Mexico, S.A., DURA-BASE Nevada, LLC and Batson Mill will comprise the new entity.

In addition, the company is pleased to announce that Sean Mikaelian has been appointed President of Newpark Mats and Integrated Services. Prior to joining Newpark, he managed the $225 million packaging division of Flint Ink Corporation as Vice President and General Manager. Mr. Mikaelian holds a BS in Marketing from Ferris State University and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Paul Howes, Newpark Resources Chief Executive Officer said: "The creation of Newpark Mats and Integrated Services is part of our continuing focus on improved customer service, new product development, and sustainable earnings growth. Sean's prior experience as a General Manager of a larger business and his strategic capabilities will clearly benefit Newpark as we strive to strengthen and grow our matting business."

"Our goals for the consolidation are to maximize synergies between the business units, provide a more transparent environment, improve profit margins and maximize pricing for our various products and service. We are excited to have Sean on board to lead these efforts," he said.

Newpark Resources, Inc. is a worldwide provider of drilling fluids, environmental waste treatment solutions, and temporary work sites and access roads for oilfield and other commercial markets. For information visit our web site at http://www.newpark.com .

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward- looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Newpark Resources, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions, including inflation, interest and foreign currency exchange rates, of countries in which the company does business; competitive pressures; successful integration of structural changes, including restructuring plans, acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; cost of raw materials, research and development of new products, including regulatory approval and market acceptance; and seasonality of sales of agricultural products.

SOURCE  Newpark Resources, Inc.
    -0-                             05/18/2006
    /CONTACT:  Eric Wingerter, Vice President of Finance, Corporate Controller
of Newpark Resources, Inc., +1-504-838-8222/
    /Web site:  http://www.newpark.com /
    (NR)

CO:  Newpark Resources, Inc.; Newpark Mats and Integrated Services; SOLOCO,
     LLC; Composite Mat Solutions, LLC; International Mat of Canada, Ltd;
     DURA-BASE de Mexico, S.A.; DURA-BASE Nevada, LLC; Batson Mill
ST:  Louisiana
IN:  OIL ENV
SU:  PER TNM

AH-JP
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2082 05/18/2006 16:30 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com