EXHIBIT 23.1


            Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration
Statements of our reports dated March 15, 2005, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Newpark Resources, Inc., Newpark Resources,
Inc. management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting of Newpark Resources, Inc., included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2004.

       Form S-8 No. 33-22291 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1988 Incentive Stock
       Option Plan);

       Form S-8 No. 33-54060 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. Amended and Restated
       1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan);

       Form S-8 No. 33-62643 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. Amended and Restated
       1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended);

       Form S-8 No. 33-83680 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1993 Non-Employee
       Directors' Stock Option Plan and the Newpark Resources, Inc. Amended and
       Restated 1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended);

       Form S-8 No. 333-07225 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1995 Incentive Stock
       Option Plan and the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1993 Non-Employee Directors'
       Stock Option Plan, as amended);

       Form S-8 No. 333-33624 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock
       Purchase Plan);

       Form S-8 No. 333-39948 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1995 Incentive Stock
       Option Plan, as amended);

       Form S-3 No. 333-39978 (shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
       of and as dividends on Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and upon
       exercise of a warrant);

       Form S-3 No. 333-53824 (shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
       of and as dividends on Series C Convertible Preferred Stock); and

       Form S-8 No. 333-228240 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 2004 Non-Employee
       Directors' Stock Option Plan).

                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana
March 15, 2005