Release Details

METAIRIE, La., Feb 03, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today announced the formation of Composite Mat Solutions LLC, a new wholly owned subsidiary focused on the growing composite mat business. Frank M. Buck has been appointed president of the new entity. Separately, J. Phillip Carpenter, president of Newpark Environmental Services, Inc. will assume a second role as president of SOLOCO, LLC, Newpark's oilfield rental and construction business unit.

Headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, Composite Mat Solutions LLC will handle all of Newpark's composite mat sales and operations. Newpark's DURA-BASE(R) Composite Mat System provides temporary surfaces for energy, construction, military and other industry applications around the world. The new business unit will focus on expansion of market share beyond the traditional oilfield applications. Frank Buck was most recently chief executive of the U.S. operation of a leading designer and manufacturer of capital equipment for the plastics industry.

Phil Carpenter, an eight-year veteran of Newpark, will continue as president of Newpark Environmental Services, a position he has held since 2001. Consolidating management responsibility for the Gulf Coast oilfield service and waste disposal business units will help align the company with its customers' project-based approach to complex drilling and remediation projects in the market.

James D. Cole, chairman and chief executive officer of Newpark said: "The creation of Composite Mat Solutions is part of our continuing drive to use our leadership position to expand beyond our traditional markets into premium niche markets. I believe Frank and the entire Composite Mat team are primed to create new markets, strengthen our leadership position in our traditional markets and increase the profitability of the composite mat business. The historic Gulf Coast market has dramatically changed in the last 36 months. We see an opportunity to more efficiently serve the Gulf Coast oilfield market with our rental, construction and waste disposal services, while expanding our composite mat product lines into new markets."

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 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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q, 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.

Matthew W. Hardey, Vice President of Finance of Newpark Resources, Inc.,
+1-504-838-8222

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