Exhibit 99.1

                 Newpark Resources Sees Loss in Fourth Quarter;
                              Sets Conference Call

    METAIRIE, La., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Newpark Resources, Inc.
(NYSE: NR) today announced that it expects to report a loss of approximately
$3.2 million, equal to $0.04 per share, on $94.0 million in revenue during the
fourth quarter ended December 31, 2003.  The company anticipates break-even
results for the full-year 2003.

    Commenting on fourth quarter operations, James D. Cole, Newpark's chairman
and CEO said: "The continuing weakness in U.S. Gulf Coast activity negatively
impacted all segments of the business for most of the fourth quarter.
However, a recent upturn in major projects in the drilling fluids business
produced a sharp upturn in December revenues and marked a new single-month
high for that business unit.  The customer activity that produced the December
improvement has been sustained thus far in 2004, and from the advance planning
that customers are conducting with our operating staff, we believe that the
increased activity will continue."

    Major items occurring in the Company's fourth quarter that contributed
approximately $2.9 million to the anticipated loss for the quarter, quoted
above, included additional bad debt reserves, principally due to adverse
developments in the bankruptcy of a Canadian customer; higher litigation and
related settlement costs; increased health insurance costs, costs associated
with the move of the Company's Houston barite grinding plant to a new facility
and a substantially higher than usual tax rate for the period due to the level
of nondeductible expenses for the year.

    Newpark plans to release fourth quarter and year-end results on February
25th after the close of the markets with a conference call at 10:30 AM EST the
following day.  That call will be webcast and can be accessed from the
Investor Relations page of the Company's web site at "www.newpark.com ."

    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 included in Newpark's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on May 8, 2002 (File No. 333-87840),
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 in the discharge regulations recently implemented, 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 .



SOURCE  Newpark Resources, Inc.
    -0-                             02/05/2004
    /CONTACT:  Matthew W. Hardey, Vice President of Finance of Newpark
Resources, Inc., +1-504-838-8222/
    /Web site:  http://www.sec.gov /
    /Web site:  http://www.newpark.com /
    (NR)

CO:  Newpark Resources, Inc.
ST:  Louisiana
IN:  OIL
SU:  ERP CCA MAV