UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 17, 2008

NEWPARK RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		001-2960 (Commission File Number)		72-1123385 (IRS Employer Identification No.)
2700 Research Forest Drive, Suite 100 The Woodlands, TX (Address of principal executive offices)				77381 (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (281) 362-6800

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-4(c))

 

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

     On September 17, 2008, Newpark Resources, Inc. (“Newpark”) issued a press release providing an operational update on its Gulf Coast operations following its initial assessment of the impact of Hurricane Ike. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

     The information referenced under Item 7.01 (including Exhibit 99.1 referenced in Item 9.01 below) of this Current Report on Form 8-K is being “furnished” under “Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure” and, as such, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1 referenced in Item 9.01 below) shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement, report or other document filed by Newpark pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (d)      Exhibits.

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press release dated September 17, 2008.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press release dated September 17, 2008.

Exhibit 99.1

NEWPARK RESOURCES PROVIDES OPERATIONAL
UPDATE FOLLOWING HURRICANE IKE

THE WOODLANDS, TX — September 17, 2008 — Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today provided an update on its Gulf Coast operations following its initial assessment of the impact of Hurricane Ike.

     The hurricane caused a loss of power and flooding in the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast region. The greater Houston area is still experiencing widespread power outages; and as a part of its disaster preparedness plan, Newpark has switched its key information technology systems to its backup disaster center location. Members of the management team without access to power have moved to other Newpark offices located outside of the effected region.

     Most Gulf Coast facilities in the Company’s Fluids Systems and Engineering segment did not suffer major damage, but many have only recently had power restored, including the barite grinding facility in Houston. Other grinding facilities located in Corpus Christi and Brownsville, Texas had no damage and continue with normal operations. However, the Cameron, Louisiana area was hit hard by a tidal surge; and at this point access is limited, but major damage is expected at that location. In the Mats and Integrated Services segment, the division office in Lafayette, Louisiana was not impacted; had no significant damage to its facilities; and its operations were not interrupted. The Environmental Services business suffered major damage at the Port Arthur, Texas facility, and major damage is expected at the Cameron, Louisiana facility as well.

     Paul Howes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newpark, stated, “We implemented our disaster preparedness plan last Thursday and continue to focus on getting our facilities operating to pre-storm levels. We are especially focused on our barite operations and are optimistic that we will be able to continue to satisfy the needs of our customers.”

     Newpark Resources, Inc. is a worldwide provider of drilling fluids, temporary worksites and access roads for oilfield and other commercial markets, and environmental waste treatment solutions. For more information, visit our website at www.newpark.com.

     This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including potential damage to Newpark’s facilities from Hurricane Ike and its impact upon operations, Newpark’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, particularly its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, the extent of damages suffered as a result of the storm and its impact on operations, Newpark’s successful completion of the proposed sale of the environmental business, the investigation of the certain accounting matters by the Securities and Exchange Commission; changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions, including inflation, interest and foreign currency exchange rates, of countries in which Newpark 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 Newpark products. Newpark’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission can be obtained at no charge at http://www.sec.gov, as well as through our website at http://www.newpark.com.

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