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Newpark Resources Earns $.12 Per Share on 37% Revenue Increase in 3rd Quarter

October 25, 2001
METAIRIE, La., Oct 25, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) today reported that it earned $8.6 million, equal to $.12 per diluted share, on revenue of $108.9 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2001. This compares to third quarter earnings of $3.3 million, equal to $.05 per diluted share, on revenue of $69.0 million in the same period of 2000. EBITDA for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 increased 51% to $25.6 million compared to $17.0 million in the third quarter of last year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, Newpark earned $24.8 million, or $.34 per diluted share on revenue of $316.6 million, compared to $1.6 million, or $.02 per diluted share, on revenue of $186.4 million in the comparable 2000 period. EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 was $75.9 million. This compares to EBITDA of $41.9 million for the nine-month period of the prior fiscal year. Working capital in the nine months rose to $132 million, while long term debt was reduced by 10% to $183 million over the same period.

Drilling Fluids

Revenue from drilling fluids operations totaled $58.4 million in the third quarter, an increase of $24.6 million, or 73% from the year-ago level, and up $4.5 million, or 8% sequentially. During the quarter, Newpark provided drilling fluids services to an average of 169 U.S. rigs, equivalent to 18% of the rigs active in the markets served by the company, and 31 rigs, or 10% of the total, in Canada. James D. Cole, Newpark's Chairman and CEO, stated: "Growth in drilling fluids revenue in the coming quarters will be the result of continued market penetration in the deep waters of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the deeper basins of Western Canada. While the number of rigs active in these markets will likely decline for several quarters as the industry slows, we anticipate that our penetration of critical wells should increase as industry acceptance of the DeepDrill(TM) product line continues to broaden. We believe that some measure of market acceptance of Newpark Drilling Fluids is indicated by the 31% growth in annualized revenue per average rig serviced to $1,168,000 in the recent quarter, compared to $890,000 in the third quarter of last year, as our mix of work shifts to deeper and more complex projects. While lower gas prices may also slow Canadian drilling activity in the near term, we continue to look at that market as a key source of energy that will become increasingly important to the U.S. and to Newpark over time.

Mat and Integrated Services

Mat and integrated services revenue of $33.9 million in the recent quarter exceeded the $19.8 million reported in the year-ago quarter, an increase of 72%. Most of the revenue gain resulted from sales of approximately 5,800 Dura-Base(TM) composite mats in both domestic and international markets and comparative improvement in our traditional domestic mat rental activity and higher pricing relative to the year-ago quarter. Sequential quarter revenues, however, declined by $4.4 million mostly in integrated services revenue due to the unusually large number of marsh locations completed in the second quarter that did not recur in the third quarter. Mr. Cole indicated that: "Despite the slowing in total market activity, the rig count in the Gulf Coast Transition Zone remained relatively steady. Our customers have four sites actively drilling in the area and four more currently being installed. Several recent successful completions suggest that additional development drilling may help sustain current levels of activity in that market."

Pricing for Newpark's mat services in the Gulf Coast market moved down during the quarter, averaging $1.04 per square foot compared to $1.69 in the second quarter of this year, but still well above the $.99 average of a year- ago. "We expect some further softness in mat rental pricing in the fourth quarter, particularly outside of the Transition Zone market," Mr. Cole said.

Waste Disposal

Waste disposal revenue totaled $16.5 million in the quarter, improving 7% from the $15.4 million reported in the year-ago quarter. E&P waste volume in the quarter reached 1,194,000 barrels, up approximately 12% from 1,089,000 in the year-ago quarter and 15% from the preceding quarter of 2001. Segment operating margins declined to 25.4% in the recent quarter, but should begin to improve from recent cost reductions and logistics improvements now in place in the market. "We expect these improvements to be in evidence over the next two quarters. The EPA is expected to publish final regulations imposing new limitations on the discharge of cuttings from wells drilled using synthetic oil-based fluid systems into the Gulf of Mexico within the next few weeks. The regulations will be phased in over a period of six months thereafter. "We believe that the new regulations could result in an increase in waste disposal volume in this market," Mr. Cole said.

Summation

"With the exception of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico and seasonal gains in western Canada, we anticipate that drilling activity will gradually decline through early 2002, as the industry sorts out the significance of the level of natural gas in storage, oil and gas prices, rig rates, and the health of the domestic economy. Although we anticipate a pickup in the second half of 2002, we are planning for a slower recoestor.rest in case. The good news is that Newpark and the entire industry are financially healthy and that the continuing rapid depletion of gas reservoirs should soon result in increased drilling activity in order to sustain current production levels," Cole concluded.

Newpark Resources, Inc. provides integrated fluids management, environmental and oilfield services to the exploration and production industry.

The foregoing discussion contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. There are risks and uncertainties that could cause future events and results to differ materially from those anticipated by management in the forward-looking statements included in this press release. For further information regarding these and other factors, risks and uncertainties affecting Newpark, reference is made to the risk factors set forth in the Prospectus dated March 27, 2001, included in Newpark's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-53824), and to the section entitled "Forward Looking Statements" on page 17 of that Prospectus. In particular, as described on page 9 of that Prospectus, any material decline in the level of oil and gas exploration and production activity could result in fewer opportunities being available for the service industry in general and Newpark in particular, and may adversely affect the demand for our services. In addition, as described on page 13 of that Prospectus, and rescission or relaxation of governmental regulations, including any delays in implementing the new discharge regulations, could reduce the demand for Newpark's services and reduce Newpark's revenues and income. You are strongly urged to review these sections for a more detailed discussion of these risks and uncertainties. Newpark's SEC filings can be obtained at no charge at www.sec.gov, as well as through our Website, www.newpark.com.

                           Newpark Resources, Inc.
                         Year-Ago Quarter Comparison

    (dollars in thousands)                              3Q01           3Q00
    Revenue
     Mat & Integrated Services                       $33,915        $19,772
     Drilling Fluids                                  58,414         33,806
     E&P Waste Disposal                               16,561         15,409
                                                    $108,890        $68,987

    Operating Income
     Mat & Integrated Services                        $9,589         $5,391
     Drilling Fluids                                   7,520          2,140
    E&P Waste Disposal                                 4,213          5,297
                                                      21,322         12,828

    Corporate G&A                                    (1,571)          (587)
    Goodwill Amortization                            (1,232)        (1,243)
    Foreign Currency gain (loss)                       (116)             --

    Interest Income                                      237            178
    Interest Expense                                 (3,752)        (4,576)
    Pre-Tax                                           14,888          6,600
    Income tax                                       (5,360)        (2,670)
    Net income                                         9,528          3,930
    Preferred Dividends                                (975)          (637)
    Net income to common                              $8,553         $3,293

    Common share equiv's.                             74,030         70,315
    EPS                                               $ 0.12          $0.05

    EBITDA
     Pre-tax                                         $14,888         $6,600
     Interest                                          3,752          4,576
     Depreciation & Amortization                       7,141          5,941
     Total                                           $25,781        $17,117
     % of Revenue                                      23.7%          24.8%

    Waste Data
     E&P Waste Volume (thousand barrels)               1,194          1,089
     Average Revenue per Barrel                       $11.72         $11.51

     E&P Revenue                                     $14,541        $13,382
     NORM                                              1,548          1,453
     Industrial                                          472            574
                                                     $16,561        $15,409

    Mat Rental Data
     Installation                                    $ 4,684        $ 5,269
     Re-rental                                         5,132          1,281
      Totals                                         $ 9,816        $ 6,550

     Average price per square foot                     $1.04          $0.99
     Square feet installed (MM)                          4.5            5.4

    Drilling Fluids Data
     Average Rigs Serviced                               200            152
     Annualized Rev. per Rig                          $1,168           $890

                             Newpark Resources, Inc.
                           9 Months to Date Comparison

    (dollars in thousands)                          9 Mos 01       9 Mos 00
    Revenue
     Mat & Integrated Services                      $106,515        $51,281
     Drilling Fluids                                 162,685         93,538
     E&P Waste Disposal                               47,418         41,646
      Total                                         $316,618       $186,465

    Operating Income
     Mat & Integrated Services                       $29,325        $10,630
     Drilling Fluids                                  20,643          6,069
     E&P Waste Disposal                               12,709         13,408
                                                      62,677         30,107

    Corporate G&A                                    (3,838)        (2,238)
    Goodwill Amortization                            (3,699)        (3,733)
    Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)                       (360)             --

    Interest Income                                      685            636
    Interest Expense                                (12,157)       (13,926)
    Pre-Tax                                           43,308         10,846
    Income tax                                      (15,592)        (4,380)
    Net income                                        27,716          6,466
    Preferred Dividends                              (2,925)        (4,879)
    Net income to common                            $ 24,791        $ 1,587

    Common share equiv's. (dil.)                      73,891         68,917
    EPS                                               $ 0.34         $ 0.02

    Note (a)Includes $3.5 in non-cash charges related to preferred stock
    issuance equal to $.05 per share.

    EBITDA
     Pre-tax                                         $43,308        $10,846
     Interest                                         12,157         13,926
     Depreciation & Amortization                      20,385         17,099
      Total                                          $75,850        $41,871
      % of Revenue                                     24.0%          22.5%

    Waste Data
     E&P Waste Volume (thousand barrels)               3,416          3,093
     Average Revenue per Barrel                       $11.87         $11.51

     E&P Revenue                                     $42,400        $37,498
     NORM                                              3,618          2,916
     Industrial                                        1,400          1,232
                                                     $47,418        $41,646

    Mat Rental Data
     Installation                                    $17,435        $11,770
     Re-rental                                        12,607          4,186
      Total                                          $30,042        $15,956

     Average price per square foot                     $1.35          $0.83
     Square feet installed (MM)                         12.9           14.1

    Drilling Fluids Data
     Average Rigs Serviced                               196            138
     Annualized Rev. per Rig                          $1,105           $905

                             Newpark Resources, Inc.
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

    (Unaudited)                                September 30,   December 31,
    (In thousands, except share data)                   2001           2000

    ASSETS
    Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                        $7,713        $31,245
     Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance
      of $2,448 in 2001 and $2,482 in 2000           112,457         75,776
     Inventories                                      37,865         24,998
     Deferred tax asset                               16,047         15,715
     Other current assets                             10,480          4,530
      Total current assets                           184,562        152,264

     Property, plant and equipment, at cost, net of
      accumulated depreciation                       192,816        184,755
     Cost in excess of net assets of
      purchased businesses,
      net of accumulated amortization                107,034        111,487
     Deferred tax asset                                6,919         22,965
     Other assets                                     34,965         35,972
                                                    $526,296       $507,443

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:

     Current maturities of long-term debt             $1,078           $329
     Accounts payable                                 30,432         25,816
     Accrued liabilities                              21,363         13,621
     Arbitration settlement payable                       --          2,448

      Total current liabilities                       52,873         42,214

     Long-term debt                                  183,088        203,520

     Other non-current liabilities                       896          1,654

     Commitments and contingencies                        --             --

    Stockholders' equity:
     Preferred Stock, $.01 par value,
      1,000,000 shares
      authorized, 270,000
      shares outstanding                              73,858         73,521
     Common Stock, $.01 par value,
      100,000,000 shares authorized,
      70,262,508 shares outstanding in 2001
      and 69,587,725 in 2000                             702            696
     Paid-in capital                                 334,124        329,650
     Unearned restricted stock compensation          (1,287)        (2,339)
     Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (1,959)          (607)
     Accumulated deficit                           (115,999)      (140,866)
      Total stockholders' equity                     289,439        260,055
                                                    $526,296       $507,443

    Ratio of long-term debt to total capital           38.7%          43.9%

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SOURCE Newpark Resources, Inc.

CONTACT:          Matthew W. Hardey, Vice President of Finance of Newpark
                  Resources, Inc., +1-504-838-8222; or Ron Hengen of R. F. Hengen, Inc.,
                  +1-908-508-9000
                  (NR)

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