10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     .

Commission File No. 001-15903

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	72-1100013
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

575 North Dairy Ashford

Suite 300

Houston, TX 77079

(Address of principal executive offices)

(281) 921-6400

(Registrant’s telephone number)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of October 25, 2013, 23,077,848 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

			PAGE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	Item 1.	Financial Statements		3
		Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2013 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2012		3
		Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012		4
		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012		5
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012		6
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)		7-9
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		10-13
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		13
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		13-14
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		14
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors		15
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		15
	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		15
	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosure		15
	Item 5.	Other Information		15
	Item 6.	Exhibits		15
Signatures				16
Exhibit Index				17

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in thousands, except per share data)

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(Unaudited)			(Note 1)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	73,757		$	90,635
Trade accounts and other receivables, net		156,138			103,258
Inventories:
Finished goods		83,159			102,625
Raw materials and supplies		46,386			38,061
Total inventories		129,545			140,686
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		8,077			4,293
Deferred income taxes		10,745			11,045
Total current assets		378,262			349,917
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and land improvements		24,561			19,700
Land-use and mineral rights		11,156			9,559
Buildings		70,256			67,866
Machinery and equipment		532,533			530,129
Construction in progress		85,709			39,564
Total		724,215			666,818
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		272,163			240,586
Net property, plant and equipment		452,052			426,232
Goodwill		12,164			12,164
Intangible and other assets, net		18,076			20,565
Total assets	$	860,554		$	808,878
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	22,674		$	20,078
Accrued income taxes		2,185			727
Accrued freight		7,865			4,925
Dividends payable		6,924			—
Other accrued expenses		26,162			25,100
Total current liabilities		65,810			50,830
Deferred income taxes		47,918			44,970
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 5,000 shares authorized, none outstanding		—			—
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized; 23,080,505 and 23,092,906 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively		231			231
Additional paid-in capital		55,533			57,364
Retained earnings		694,115			657,423
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(3,053	)		(1,940	)
Total shareholders’ equity		746,826			713,078
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	860,554		$	808,878

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

3

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

($ in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Revenues	$	201,477		$	151,134		$	502,879		$	491,914
Cost of sales		138,718			100,984			358,402			314,047
Gross profit		62,759			50,150			144,477			177,867
Selling, general, and administrative, and other operating expenses		18,562			15,135			51,013			48,857
Operating profit		44,197			35,015			93,464			129,010
Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense), net		189			17			616			(18	)
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net		29			(175	)		(2	)		(31	)
Other, net		(16	)		(2	)		(87	)		(214	)
		202			(160	)		527			(263	)
Income before income taxes		44,399			34,855			93,991			128,747
Income taxes		14,251			10,957			29,960			42,641
Net income	$	30,148		$	23,898		$	64,031		$	86,106
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.31		$	1.04		$	2.77		$	3.73
Diluted	$	1.31		$	1.04		$	2.77		$	3.73
Other information:
Dividends declared per common share (See Note 4)	$	0.60		$	0.54		$	1.14		$	1.02

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

4

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

($ in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Net income	$	30,148		$	23,898		$	64,031		$	86,106
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment		1,016			2,832			(1,712	)		1,661
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit		(356	)		(992	)		599			(582	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		660			1,840			(1,113	)		1,079
Comprehensive income	$	30,808		$	25,738		$	62,918		$	87,185

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

($ in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Operating activities
Net income	$	64,031		$	86,106
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		35,146			33,333
Provision for doubtful accounts		28			12
Deferred income taxes		3,865			7,469
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation		(67	)		(1,292	)
Gain on disposal or impairment of assets		(56	)		(12	)
Foreign currency transaction loss, net		2			31
Stock compensation expense		4,519			4,051
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts and other receivables		(52,708	)		(5,499	)
Inventories		10,901			2,016
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(3,772	)		(2,679	)
Long-term prepaid expenses		1,973			1,306
Accounts payable		2,460			(25,819	)
Accrued expenses		3,730			(9,811	)
Accrued income taxes, net		1,185			9,302
Net cash provided by operating activities		71,237			98,514
Investing activities
Capital expenditures		(61,186	)		(64,124	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(61,186	)		(64,124	)
Financing activities
Proceeds from bank borrowings		—			10,000
Repayments on bank borrowings		—			(10,000	)
Net proceeds from stock based compensation		—			54
Dividends paid		(19,427	)		(17,328	)
Purchase of common stock		(6,821	)		(7,655	)
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation		67			1,292
Net cash used in financing activities		(26,181	)		(23,637	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(748	)		(2	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(16,878	)		10,751
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		90,635			41,270
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	73,757		$	52,021
Supplemental cash flow information
Interest paid	$	3		$	76
Income taxes paid	$	24,909		$	25,870

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

6

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

($ in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of CARBO Ceramics Inc. have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of the interim periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or the full year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in the annual report on Form 10-K of CARBO Ceramics Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CARBO Ceramics Inc. and its operating subsidiaries (the “Company”). All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

2. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$	30,148		$	23,898		$	64,031		$	86,106
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of participating securities		(183	)		(122	)		(410	)		(458	)
Net income available under the two-class method	$	29,965		$	23,776		$	63,621		$	85,648
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted-average shares		22,940,794			22,963,318			22,961,251			22,966,134
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options		—			—			—			833
Dilutive potential common shares		—			—			—			833
Denominator for diluted earnings per share—adjusted weighted-average shares		22,940,794			22,963,318			22,961,251			22,966,967
Basic earnings per share	$	1.31		$	1.04		$	2.77		$	3.73
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.31		$	1.04		$	2.77		$	3.73

3. Common Stock Repurchase Program

On August 28, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to two million shares of the Company’s common stock. Shares are effectively retired at the time of purchase. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repurchased and retired 75,000 shares at an aggregate purchase price of $5,833. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had repurchased and retired 1,952,576 shares at an aggregate purchase price of $84,134.

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4. Dividends Paid

On July 16, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share payable to shareholders of record on August 1, 2013. The dividend was paid on August 15, 2013. On September 17, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share payable to shareholders of record on November 1, 2013. This dividend is payable on November 15, 2013 and is presented in Current Liabilities at September 30, 2013.

5. Stock Based Compensation

The CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Incentive Plan”) provides for granting of cash-based awards, stock options (both non-qualified and incentive) and other equity-based awards (including stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, deferred share units or share-denominated performance units) to employees and non-employee directors. As of September 30, 2013, 496,582 shares were available for issuance under the Omnibus Incentive Plan.

The Company has made restricted stock awards pursuant to the Omnibus Incentive Plan. A summary of restricted stock activity and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is presented below:

	Shares			Weighted- Average Grant - Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2013		115,722		$	99.50
Granted		86,143		$	80.59
Vested		(47,607	)	$	98.20
Forfeited		(14,547	)	$	93.85
Nonvested at September 30, 2013		139,711		$	88.87

As of September 30, 2013, there was $7,400 of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to restricted shares granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $4,675.

The Company has made phantom stock awards to key international employees pursuant to the Omnibus Incentive Plan. The units subject to an award vest and cease to be forfeitable in equal annual installments over a three-year period. Participants awarded units of phantom shares are entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the vesting date. In no event will Common Stock of the Company be issued with regard to outstanding phantom shares. As of September 30, 2013, there were 14,960 units of phantom shares granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, of which 6,156 have vested and 1,304 have been forfeited, with a total value of $743, a portion of which was accrued as a liability within Other Accrued Expenses.

6. Bank Borrowings

The Company has an unsecured revolving credit agreement with a bank. The credit agreement provides the Company with a revolving credit facility of $50,000 and expires on July 25, 2018. The Company has the option of choosing either the bank’s fluctuating Base Rate or LIBOR Fixed Rate, plus an Applicable Margin, all as defined in the credit agreement. The terms of the credit agreement provide for certain affirmative and negative covenants and require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. Commitment fees are payable quarterly at an annual rate between 0.375% and 0.50% of the unused line of credit.

7. Foreign Currencies

As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s net investment that is subject to foreign currency fluctuations totaled $89,350 and the Company has recorded a cumulative foreign currency translation loss of $3,053, net of deferred income tax benefit. This cumulative translation loss is included in and is the only component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. There were no amounts reclassified to net income during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013.

8

8. New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance on reporting of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income. The new guidance requires a company to present significant amounts reclassified from each component of other comprehensive income and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2013. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

9. Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

On February 9, 2012, the Company and two of its officers, Gary A. Kolstad and Ernesto Bautista III, were named as defendants in a purported class-action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “February SDNY Lawsuit”), brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased the Company’s Common Stock between October 27, 2011 and January 26, 2012 (the “Relevant Time Period”). On April 10, 2012, a second purported class-action lawsuit was filed against the same defendants in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased or sold CARBO Ceramics Inc. option contracts during the Relevant Time Period (the “April SDNY Lawsuit”, and collectively with the February SDNY Lawsuit, the “Federal Securities Lawsuit”). In June 2012, the February SNDY Lawsuit and the April SDNY Lawsuit were consolidated, and will proceed as one lawsuit. The Federal Securities Lawsuit alleges violations of the federal securities laws arising from statements concerning the Company’s business operations and business prospects that were made during the Relevant Time Period and requests unspecified damages and costs. In September 2012, the Company and Messrs. Kolstad and Bautista filed a motion to dismiss this lawsuit. The motion to dismiss was granted, and the Federal Securities Lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice in June 2013. In September 2013, the plaintiffs filed a motion requesting leave to file a second amended complaint and sustain the lawsuit. Briefing on this motion will take place during the fourth quarter of 2013.

On June 13, 2012, the Directors of the Company and Mr. Bautista were named as defendants in a purported derivative action lawsuit brought on behalf of the Company by a stockholder in District Court in Harris County, Texas (the “June Harris County Lawsuit”). This lawsuit alleges various breaches of fiduciary duty and other duties by the defendants that generally are related to the Federal Securities Lawsuit, as well as a breach of duty by certain defendants in connection with stock sales. The lawsuit requests unspecified damages and costs, and has been further stayed while the motion for leave to file a second amended complaint in the Federal Securities Lawsuit is considered.

While each of the Federal Securities Lawsuit and the June Harris County Lawsuit remain in their early stages, the Company does not believe they have merit, and plans to vigorously contest and defend against them.

In October 2013, the Company made a voluntary disclosure to the State of Georgia Environmental Protection Department (“EPD”) concerning the air emissions of its Toomsboro, Georgia manufacturing facility. Specifically, the disclosure concerns the emission of a specific substance that exceeds permitted levels under applicable regulations. The Company is continuing its dialogue with EPD, and has proposed a solution for this emission variance to EPD for consideration. The Company has not received a Notice of Violation from EPD. Accordingly, the Company does not at this time have an estimate of any fines, penalties or other costs of compliance that may be incurred.

The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome or duration of these legal matters.

9

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business

The Company generates revenue primarily through the sale of production enhancement products and services to the oil and natural gas industry. The Company’s principal business consists of manufacturing and selling proppant products for use primarily in the hydraulic fracturing of oil and natural gas wells. These proppant products include ceramic, resin-coated ceramic, and resin-coated sand. The Company also provides the industry’s most widely used hydraulic fracture simulation software, FracPro^®, as well as hydraulic fracture design and consulting services. In addition, the Company provides a broad range of technologies for spill prevention, containment and countermeasures.

Critical Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions (see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012). The Company believes that some of its accounting policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity than others. As of December 31, 2012, critical accounting policies for the Company included revenue recognition, estimating the recoverability of accounts receivable, inventory valuation, accounting for income taxes and accounting for long-lived assets. These critical accounting policies are discussed more fully in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. There have been no changes in the Company’s evaluation of its critical accounting policies since December 31, 2012.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

Revenues. Revenues of $201.5 million for the third quarter of 2013 increased 33% compared to $151.1 million for the same period in 2012. The increase is mainly attributed to a 48% increase in proppant sales volumes offset by a 6% decrease in the average proppant selling price for all proppants. The decrease in average selling price is primarily the result of higher volumes of sand-based products sold, which have a lower average selling price compared to ceramic proppants. The average selling price per pound of all proppant was $0.306 during the third quarter of 2013 compared to $0.327 for the same period in 2012.

Worldwide proppant sales volume totaled 609 million pounds for the third quarter of 2013 compared to 412 million pounds for the same period in 2012. Ceramic proppant sales volumes increased to 534 million pounds in the third quarter of 2013 from 401 million pounds in the same period last year. Resin-coated sand sales volumes increased to 59 million pounds in the third quarter of 2013 from 11 million pounds in the same period last year. Other Proppants (defined as raw sand sold in the course of producing substrate for resin-coating) was 16 million pounds in the third quarter of 2013 compared to none in the same period in last year. North American (defined as Canada and the U.S.) proppant sales volume increased 63%, driven largely by market share gains. International (excluding Canada) sales volume decreased 17% primarily due to decreased sales volumes in China, Mexico, and Russia, offset by increased sales volumes in Europe and Latin America.

Gross Profit. Gross profit for the third quarter of 2013 was $62.8 million, or 31% of revenues, compared to $50.2 million, or 33% of revenues, for the third quarter of 2012. The increase in gross profit was primarily the result of higher proppant sales volumes. As a percent of revenues, gross profit declined primarily as a result of a change in product sales mix towards more lower-margin sand-based products.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) and Other Operating Expenses. SG&A and other operating expenses totaled $18.6 million for the third quarter of 2013 compared to $15.1 million for the same period in 2012. The increase in SG&A expenses primarily resulted from an increase in administrative, marketing, and research and development spending. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A and other operating expenses decreased to 9.2% compared to 10.0% for the third quarter of 2012.

Other Income (Expense). Other income (expense) for the third quarter of 2013 increased $0.4 million compared to the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily due to changes in exchange rates between the functional currency and the foreign currency in which the effective transactions were denominated, and an increase in interest income.

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Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $14.3 million, or 32.1% of pretax income, for the third quarter of 2013 compared to $11.0 million, or 31.4% of pretax income, for the same period last year. The $3.3 million increase is primarily due to higher pre-tax income.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

Revenues. Revenues of $502.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased 2% compared to $491.9 million for the same period in 2012. The increase is mainly attributed to a 19% increase in proppant sales volumes, partially offset by a 14% decrease in the average proppant selling price. The decrease in average selling price is the result of price decreases in response to market conditions during mid-2012 and higher volumes of sand-based products, which have a lower average selling price than ceramic proppants. The average selling price per pound of all proppant was $0.304 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $0.352 for the same period in 2012.

Worldwide proppant sales volume totaled 1.510 billion pounds for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to 1.270 billion pounds for the same period in 2012. Ceramic proppant sales volumes increased to 1.309 billion pounds in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 1.234 billion pounds in the same period last year. Resin-coated sand increased to 153 million pounds in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 36 million pounds in the same period last year. Other Proppants was 48 million pounds in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to none in the same period last year. North American (defined as Canada and the U.S.) proppant sales volume increased 26% due largely to market share gains. International (excluding Canada) sales volume decreased 11% primarily due to decreased sales volumes in China, Africa, and Mexico, offset by increased sales volumes in Europe and Latin America.

Gross Profit. Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $144.5 million, or 29% of revenues, compared to $177.9 million, or 36% of revenues, for the same period in 2012. The decrease in gross profit was primarily the result of a decrease in average selling price, a change in the product sales mix resulting from volume gains of the Company’s lower-margin sand-based products, and spending to bring the Company’s new proppant technology to a commercial state, partially offset by higher proppant sales volumes.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) and Other Operating Expenses. SG&A expenses totaled $51.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $48.9 million for the same period in 2012. The increase in SG&A expenses primarily resulted from an increase in research and development and marketing spending. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A expenses increased to 10.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to 9.9% for the same period in 2012.

Other Income (Expense). Other income (expense) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased $0.8 million compared to the same period in 2012 primarily due to an increase in interest income.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $30.0 million, or 31.9% of pretax income, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $42.6 million, or 33.1% of pretax income for the same period last year. The $12.6 million decrease is primarily due to lower pre-tax income. In addition, the Company realized $0.4 million in R&D tax credits as a result of legislation enacted in the first quarter of 2013, as well as additional tax benefits from mining depletion deductions.

Outlook

Given the cyclical nature of the industry, the Company believes that market conditions will continue to fluctuate, driven by several factors, including oil and natural gas commodity prices and quarterly seasonality trends. The Company expects activity over the short-term will be variable and driven by a focus on reduction of well costs and a continued over-supply in the proppant market. However, the Company believes the inventories of Chinese ceramic proppant appear to be shrinking in North America. The Company has seen some recent improvement in the operating environment, as well as recovery from seasonality that negatively affected ceramic sales volumes for the second quarter of 2013 due to the Canadian spring break-up. During the third quarter of 2013, proppant sales volumes increased 33% compared to the second quarter of 2013. To meet this increased demand, which was primarily in the major U.S. shale plays as well as in Canada, the Company drew down finished goods inventory levels.

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Industry activity during the fourth quarter of 2013 will likely remain at steady levels, with the exception of the typical reduction in activity due to the holidays and seasonality. In addition, the Company expects to see a sequential decline in sales volume due to the large drawdown of its ceramic proppant inventory, caused by high demand in the third quarter. While the general pricing environment appears to have stabilized, the Company believes the continued oversupply of pressure pumping equipment in the industry will likely keep price increases from being realized in the near-term.

Resin-coated sand products are unlikely to realize large, near-term price increases, given the current low natural gas activity and industry oversupply. While the Company continues to focus on improving these margins, they are expected to remain challenging until the oversupply situation improves.

The Company is moving forward with construction of the first 250 million pound line at its Millen, Georgia facility, which it anticipates could commence operation near the end of the second quarter of 2014. Additionally, the Company is also accelerating the planning stages of a second 250 million pound production line at this facility, and accordingly a number of items with long-lead delivery times have already been purchased for the second line.

The increased amount of activity in infrastructure-limited, liquids-rich basins introduced supply chain challenges to the industry and resulted in higher distribution costs during 2012 and the first six months of 2013. The Company is addressing distribution costs with a number of ongoing initiatives. One initiative is rationalizing the Company’s rail fleet to reduce reliance on the fleet as a form of storage. Other initiatives include reducing transportation costs. The Company anticipates completing a majority of these initiatives during the remainder of 2013 and first half of 2014, with the resulting benefits seen in the second half of 2014.

Commercialization of KRYPTOSPHERE, the Company’s new ultra-high conductivity, ultra-high strength proppant technology, is progressing well. The Company continues to complete the formal qualification milestones with its clients and anticipates initial sales of KRYPTOSPHERE during the first half of 2014. The next phase for KRYPTOSPHERE will be to apply this technology to the Company’s existing manufacturing footprint. Currently, the Company is engaged in an engineering study to determine the capital cost of retrofitting an existing plant with KRYPTOSPHERE technology.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $73.8 million compared to cash and cash equivalents of $90.6 million at December 31, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company generated $71.2 million of cash from operating activities. Uses of cash included $61.2 million for capital expenditures, $19.4 million for the payment of cash dividends and $6.8 million for repurchases of the Company’s common stock.

Subject to the Company’s financial condition, the amount of funds generated from operations and the level of capital expenditures, the Company’s current intention is to continue to pay quarterly dividends to holders of its common stock. On September 17, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share payable to shareholders of record on November 1, 2013. This dividend is payable on November 15, 2013. The Company estimates its total capital expenditures for the remainder of 2013 will be between $35.0 million and $45.0 million. Capital expenditures for the remainder of 2013 are expected to include costs associated with the construction of the new manufacturing facility in Millen, Georgia and expansion of the Company’s distribution infrastructure.

The Company maintains an unsecured line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. On July 25, 2013, this line of credit was increased from $25.0 million to $50.0 million, and the expiration date of the facility was extended to 2018. As of September 30, 2013, there was no outstanding debt under the credit agreement. The Company anticipates that cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities and funds available under its line of credit will be sufficient to meet planned operating expenses, tax obligations, capital expenditures and other cash needs for the next 12 months. Based on these assumptions, the Company believes that its fixed costs could be met even with a moderate decrease in demand for the Company’s products.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2013.

12

Forward-Looking Information

The statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical statements, including statements regarding our future financial and operating performance and liquidity and capital resources, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and estimates, which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Among these factors are:

• changes in overall economic conditions,

• changes in the cost of raw materials and natural gas used in manufacturing our products,

• ability to manage distribution costs effectively,

• changes in demand and prices charged for our products,

• changes in the demand for, or price of, oil and natural gas,

• risks of increased competition,

• technological, manufacturing and product development risks,

• loss of key customers,

• changes in foreign and domestic government regulations, including environmental restrictions on operations and regulation of hydraulic fracturing,

• changes in foreign and domestic political and legislative risks,

• the risks of war and international and domestic terrorism,

• risks associated with foreign operations and foreign currency exchange rates and controls, and

• weather-related risks and other risks and uncertainties.

Additional factors that could affect our future results or events are described from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). See in particular our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 under the caption “Risk Factors” and similar disclosures in subsequently filed reports with the SEC. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s major market risk exposure is to foreign currency fluctuations that could impact its investments in China and Russia. As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s net investment that is subject to foreign currency fluctuations totaled $89.4 million and the Company has recorded a cumulative foreign currency translation loss of $3.1 million, net of deferred income tax benefit. This cumulative translation loss is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. From time to time, the Company may enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. There were no such foreign exchange contracts outstanding at September 30, 2013.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of September 30, 2013, management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurances of achieving their control objectives. Based upon and as of the date of that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to

13

ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, those controls.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On February 9, 2012, the Company and two of its officers, Gary A. Kolstad and Ernesto Bautista III, were named as defendants in a purported class-action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “February SDNY Lawsuit”), brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased the Company’s Common Stock between October 27, 2011 and January 26, 2012 (the “Relevant Time Period”). On April 10, 2012, a second purported class-action lawsuit was filed against the same defendants in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased or sold CARBO Ceramics Inc. option contracts during the Relevant Time Period (the “April SDNY Lawsuit”, and collectively with the February SDNY Lawsuit, the “Federal Securities Lawsuit”). In June 2012, the February SNDY Lawsuit and the April SDNY Lawsuit were consolidated, and will proceed as one lawsuit. The Federal Securities Lawsuit alleges violations of the federal securities laws arising from statements concerning the Company’s business operations and business prospects that were made during the Relevant Time Period and requests unspecified damages and costs. In September 2012, the Company and Messrs. Kolstad and Bautista filed a motion to dismiss this lawsuit. The motion to dismiss was granted, and the Federal Securities Lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice in June 2013. In September 2013, the plaintiffs filed a motion requesting leave to file a second amended complaint and sustain the lawsuit. Briefing on this motion will take place during the fourth quarter of 2013.

On June 13, 2012, the Directors of the Company and Mr. Bautista were named as defendants in a purported derivative action lawsuit brought on behalf of the Company by a stockholder in District Court in Harris County, Texas (the “June Harris County Lawsuit”). This lawsuit alleges various breaches of fiduciary duty and other duties by the defendants that generally are related to the Federal Securities Lawsuit, as well as a breach of duty by certain defendants in connection with stock sales. The lawsuit requests unspecified damages and costs, and has been further stayed while the motion for leave to file a second amended complaint in the Federal Securities Lawsuit is considered.

While each of the Federal Securities Lawsuit and the June Harris County Lawsuit remain in their early stages, the Company does not believe they have merit, and plans to vigorously contest and defend against them.

In October 2013, the Company made a voluntary disclosure to the State of Georgia Environmental Protection Department (“EPD”) concerning the air emissions of its Toomsboro, Georgia manufacturing facility. Specifically, the disclosure concerns the emission of a specific substance that exceeds permitted levels under applicable regulations. The Company is continuing its dialogue with EPD, and has proposed a solution for this emission variance to EPD for consideration. The Company has not received a Notice of Violation from EPD. Accordingly, the Company does not at this time have an estimate of any fines, penalties or other costs of compliance that may be incurred.

Additionally, from time to time, the Company is the subject of legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that any of these proceedings will have a material effect on its business or its results of operations.

The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome or duration of the legal matters described in this report.

14

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Our U.S. manufacturing facilities process mined minerals, and therefore are viewed as mine operations subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the recently proposed Item 106 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.106) is included in Exhibit 95 to this quarterly report.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Gary A. Kolstad.
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Ernesto Bautista III.
32	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
95	Mine Safety Disclosure
101	The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

15

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 thereunto duly authorized.

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

/s/ Gary A. Kolstad

Gary A. Kolstad

President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Ernesto Bautista III

Ernesto Bautista III

Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 1, 2013

16

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT	DESCRIPTION
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Gary A. Kolstad.
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Ernesto Bautista III.
32	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
95	Mine Safety Disclosure
101	The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

17

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Quarterly Certification

As required by Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, Gary A. Kolstad, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CARBO Ceramics Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 1, 2013
/s/ Gary A. Kolstad
Gary A. Kolstad
President & CEO

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Quarterly Certification

As required by Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, Ernesto Bautista III, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CARBO Ceramics Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 1, 2013
/s/ Ernesto Bautista III
Ernesto Bautista III
Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

Certification Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of CARBO Ceramics Inc. (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 (the “Form 10-Q”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in the Form 10-Q.

Dated:	November 1, 2013
/s/ Gary A. Kolstad
Name:	Gary A. Kolstad
Title:	Chief Executive Officer

Dated:	November 1, 2013
/s/ Ernesto Bautista III
Name:	Ernesto Bautista III
Title:	Chief Financial Officer

EX-95

Exhibit 95

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

For the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company has the following mine safety information to report in accordance with Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, in connection with the Eufaula, Alabama processing facility, the McIntyre, Georgia processing facility, the Toomsboro, Georgia processing facility, and the Marshfield, Wisconsin processing facility.

Mine or Operating Name/MSHA Identification Number	Section 104 S&S Citations (#)		Section 104(b) Orders (#)		Section 104(d) Citations and Orders (#)		Section 110(b)(2) Violations (#)		Section 107(a) Orders (#)		Total Dollar Value of MSHA Assessments Proposed ($) (1)		Total Number of Mining Related Fatalities (#)		Received Notice of Pattern  of Violations Under Section 104(e) (yes/no)		Received Notice of Potential to  Have Pattern Under Section 104(e) (yes/no)		Legal Actions Pending as of Last Day of Period (#)		Aggregate Legal Actions Initiated During Period (#)		Aggregate Legal Actions Resolved During Period (#)
Eufaula Facility MSHA ID 0102687 Eufaula, Alabama		0		0		0		0		0	$	200		0		No		No		0		0		0
McIntyre Facility MSHA ID 0901108 McIntyre, Georgia		0		0		0		0		0	$	617		0		No		No		0		1		1
Toomsboro Facility MSHA ID 0901164 Toomsboro, Georgia		0		0		0		0		0	$	400		0		No		No		0		0		0
Marshfield Facility MSHA ID 4073636 Marshfield, Wisconsin		0		0		0		0		0	$	200		0		No		No		0		0		0
Totals		0		0		0		0		0	$	1,417		0						0		1		1

(1) Amounts represent the total dollar value of proposed assessments received and/or outstanding as of September 30, 2013.

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Stock Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Summary of Restricted Stock Activity and Related Information

A summary of restricted stock activity and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is presented below:

	Shares			Weighted- Average Grant - Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2013		115,722		$	99.50
Granted		86,143		$	80.59
Vested		(47,607	)	$	98.20
Forfeited		(14,547	)	$	93.85
Nonvested at September 30, 2013		139,711		$	88.87

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Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	$ 201,477	$ 151,134	$ 502,879	$ 491,914
Cost of sales	138,718	100,984	358,402	314,047
Gross profit	62,759	50,150	144,477	177,867
Selling, general, and administrative, and other operating expenses	18,562	15,135	51,013	48,857
Operating profit	44,197	35,015	93,464	129,010
Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense), net	189	17	616	(18)
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net	29	(175)	(2)	(31)
Other, net	(16)	(2)	(87)	(214)
Nonoperating expense, total	202	(160)	527	(263)
Income before income taxes	44,399	34,855	93,991	128,747
Income taxes	14,251	10,957	29,960	42,641
Net income	$ 30,148	$ 23,898	$ 64,031	$ 86,106
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 1.31	$ 1.04	$ 2.77	$ 3.73
Diluted	$ 1.31	$ 1.04	$ 2.77	$ 3.73
Other information:
Dividends declared per common share (See Note 4)	$ 0.60	$ 0.54	$ 1.14	$ 1.02

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Dividends Paid

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Dividends Paid

4. Dividends Paid

On July 16, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share payable to shareholders of record on August 1, 2013. The dividend was paid on August 15, 2013. On September 17, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share payable to shareholders of record on November 1, 2013. This dividend is payable on November 15, 2013 and is presented in Current Liabilities at September 30, 2013.

XML

Foreign Currencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Foreign Currency Balance [Line Items]
Investment subject to foreign currency fluctuations	$ 89,350	$ 89,350
Cumulative foreign currency translation loss, net of deferred income tax benefit	(3,053)	(3,053)	(1,940)
Amount reclassified to net income

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Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share under Two-Class Method (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$ 30,148	$ 23,898	$ 64,031	$ 86,106
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of participating securities	(183)	(122)	(410)	(458)
Net income available under the two-class method	$ 29,965	$ 23,776	$ 63,621	$ 85,648
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted-average shares	22,940,794	22,963,318	22,961,251	22,966,134
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options				833
Dilutive potential common shares				833
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted-average shares	22,940,794	22,963,318	22,961,251	22,966,967
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.31	$ 1.04	$ 2.77	$ 3.73
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.31	$ 1.04	$ 2.77	$ 3.73

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Legal Proceedings - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012 LegalMatter	Jun. 13, 2012	Apr. 10, 2012	Feb. 09, 2012 Defendant
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Law suit filing date					On June 13, 2012, the Directors of the Company and Mr. Bautista were named as defendants in a purported derivative action lawsuit brought on behalf of the Company by a stockholder in District Court in Harris County, Texas (the "June Harris County Lawsuit").	On April 10, 2012, a second purported class-action lawsuit was filed against the same defendants in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased or sold CARBO Ceramics Inc. option contracts during the Relevant Time Period (the “April SDNY Lawsuit, and collectively with the February SDNY Lawsuit, the “Federal Securities Lawsuit”)	On February 9, 2012, the Company and two of its officers, Gary A. Kolstad and Ernesto Bautista III, were named as defendants in a purported class-action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the "February SDNY Lawsuit"), brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased the Company's Common Stock between October 27, 2011 and January 26, 2012 (the "Relevant Time Period").
Name of defendant			The Company and Messrs. Kolstad and Bautista		The Directors of the Company and Mr. Bautista	The Company and two of its officers, Gary A. Kolstad and Ernesto Bautista III	The Company and two of its officers, Gary A. Kolstad and Ernesto Bautista III
Name of plaintiff					Stockholder in District Court in Harris County, Texas	Shareholders who purchased or sold CARBO Ceramics Inc. option contracts during the Relevant Time Period	Shareholders who purchased the Company's Common Stock between October 27, 2011 and January 26, 2012
Number of officers named as defendants							2
Number of lawsuits				1
Suit Consolidation						In June 2012, the February SNDY Lawsuit and the April SDNY Lawsuit were consolidated, and will proceed as one lawsuit.	In June 2012, the February SNDY Lawsuit and the April SDNY Lawsuit were consolidated, and will proceed as one lawsuit.
Actions Taken by Defendant						In September 2012, the Company and Messrs. Kolstad and Bautista filed a motion to dismiss this lawsuit. The motion to dismiss was granted, and the Federal Securities Lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice in June 2013.	In September 2012, the Company and Messrs. Kolstad and Bautista filed a motion to dismiss this lawsuit. The motion to dismiss was granted, and the Federal Securities Lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice in June 2013.
Laws affected				The Federal Securities Lawsuit alleges violations of the federal securities laws arising from statements concerning the Company’s business operations and business prospects that were made during the Relevant Time Period and requests unspecified damages and costs.	This lawsuit alleges various breaches of fiduciary duty and other duties by the defendants that generally are related to the Federal Securities Lawsuit, as well as a breach of duty by certain defendants in connection with stock sales.	The Federal Securities Lawsuit alleges violations of the federal securities laws arising from statements concerning the Company’s business operations and business prospects that were made during the Relevant Time Period and requests unspecified damages and costs.	The Federal Securities Lawsuit alleges violations of the federal securities laws arising from statements concerning the Company’s business operations and business prospects that were made during the Relevant Time Period and requests unspecified damages and costs.
Actions Taken by Defendant		In September 2013, the plaintiffs filed a motion requesting leave to file a second amended complaint and sustain the lawsuit. Briefing on this motion will take place during the fourth quarter of 2013.
Settlement agreement					The lawsuit requests unspecified damages and costs, and has been further stayed while the motion for leave to file a second amended complaint in the Federal Securities Lawsuit is considered.
Company assessment and process	In October 2013, the Company made a voluntary disclosure to the State of Georgia Environmental Protection Department ("EPD") concerning the air emissions of its Toomsboro, Georgia manufacturing facility. Specifically, the disclosure concerns the emission of a specific substance that exceeds permitted levels under applicable regulations. The Company is continuing its dialogue with EPD, and has proposed a solution for this emission variance to EPD for consideration.
Inestimable loss	The Company has not received a Notice of Violation from EPD. Accordingly, the Company does not at this time have an estimate of any fines, penalties or other costs of compliance that may be incurred.

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating activities
Net income	$ 64,031	$ 86,106
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	35,146	33,333
Provision for doubtful accounts	28	12
Deferred income taxes	3,865	7,469
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	(67)	(1,292)
Gain on disposal or impairment of assets	(56)	(12)
Foreign currency transaction loss, net	2	31
Stock compensation expense	4,519	4,051
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts and other receivables	(52,708)	(5,499)
Inventories	10,901	2,016
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(3,772)	(2,679)
Long-term prepaid expenses	1,973	1,306
Accounts payable	2,460	(25,819)
Accrued expenses	3,730	(9,811)
Accrued income taxes, net	1,185	9,302
Net cash provided by operating activities	71,237	98,514
Investing activities
Capital expenditures	(61,186)	(64,124)
Net cash used in investing activities	(61,186)	(64,124)
Financing activities
Proceeds from bank borrowings		10,000
Repayments on bank borrowings		(10,000)
Net proceeds from stock based compensation		54
Dividends paid	(19,427)	(17,328)
Purchase of common stock	(6,821)	(7,655)
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	67	1,292
Net cash used in financing activities	(26,181)	(23,637)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(748)	(2)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(16,878)	10,751
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	90,635	41,270
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	73,757	52,021
Supplemental cash flow information
Interest paid	3	76
Income taxes paid	$ 24,909	$ 25,870

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Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share

2. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$	30,148		$	23,898		$	64,031		$	86,106
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of participating securities		(183	)		(122	)		(410	)		(458	)
Net income available under the two-class method	$	29,965		$	23,776		$	63,621		$	85,648
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted-average shares		22,940,794			22,963,318			22,961,251			22,966,134
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options		—			—			—			833
Dilutive potential common shares		—			—			—			833
Denominator for diluted earnings per share—adjusted weighted-average shares		22,940,794			22,963,318			22,961,251			22,966,967
Basic earnings per share	$	1.31		$	1.04		$	2.77		$	3.73
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.31		$	1.04		$	2.77		$	3.73

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Stock Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Stock Based Compensation

5. Stock Based Compensation

The CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Incentive Plan”) provides for granting of cash-based awards, stock options (both non-qualified and incentive) and other equity-based awards (including stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, deferred share units or share-denominated performance units) to employees and non-employee directors. As of September 30, 2013, 496,582 shares were available for issuance under the Omnibus Incentive Plan.

The Company has made restricted stock awards pursuant to the Omnibus Incentive Plan. A summary of restricted stock activity and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is presented below:

	Shares			Weighted- Average Grant - Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2013		115,722		$	99.50
Granted		86,143		$	80.59
Vested		(47,607	)	$	98.20
Forfeited		(14,547	)	$	93.85
Nonvested at September 30, 2013		139,711		$	88.87

As of September 30, 2013, there was $7,400 of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to restricted shares granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $4,675.

The Company has made phantom stock awards to key international employees pursuant to the Omnibus Incentive Plan. The units subject to an award vest and cease to be forfeitable in equal annual installments over a three-year period. Participants awarded units of phantom shares are entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the vesting date. In no event will Common Stock of the Company be issued with regard to outstanding phantom shares. As of September 30, 2013, there were 14,960 units of phantom shares granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, of which 6,156 have vested and 1,304 have been forfeited, with a total value of $743, a portion of which was accrued as a liability within Other Accrued Expenses.

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Common Stock Repurchase Program

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Common Stock Repurchase Program

3. Common Stock Repurchase Program

On August 28, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to two million shares of the Company’s common stock. Shares are effectively retired at the time of purchase. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repurchased and retired 75,000 shares at an aggregate purchase price of $5,833. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had repurchased and retired 1,952,576 shares at an aggregate purchase price of $84,134.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, share authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, share outstanding
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, share authorized	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock, share issued	23,080,505	23,092,906
Common stock, share outstanding	23,080,505	23,092,906

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New Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

New Accounting Pronouncements

8. New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance on reporting of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income. The new guidance requires a company to present significant amounts reclassified from each component of other comprehensive income and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2013. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income	$ 30,148	$ 23,898	$ 64,031	$ 86,106
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,016	2,832	(1,712)	1,661
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit	(356)	(992)	599	(582)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	660	1,840	(1,113)	1,079
Comprehensive income	$ 30,808	$ 25,738	$ 62,918	$ 87,185

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 73,757	$ 90,635
Trade accounts and other receivables, net	156,138	103,258
Inventories:
Finished goods	83,159	102,625
Raw materials and supplies	46,386	38,061
Total inventories	129,545	140,686
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,077	4,293
Deferred income taxes	10,745	11,045
Total current assets	378,262	349,917
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and land improvements	24,561	19,700
Land-use and mineral rights	11,156	9,559
Buildings	70,256	67,866
Machinery and equipment	532,533	530,129
Construction in progress	85,709	39,564
Total	724,215	666,818
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	272,163	240,586
Net property, plant and equipment	452,052	426,232
Goodwill	12,164	12,164
Intangible and other assets, net	18,076	20,565
Total assets	860,554	808,878
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	22,674	20,078
Accrued income taxes	2,185	727
Accrued freight	7,865	4,925
Dividends payable	6,924
Other accrued expenses	26,162	25,100
Total current liabilities	65,810	50,830
Deferred income taxes	47,918	44,970
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 5,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized; 23,080,505 and 23,092,906 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	231	231
Additional paid-in capital	55,533	57,364
Retained earnings	694,115	657,423
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,053)	(1,940)
Total shareholders' equity	746,826	713,078
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 860,554	$ 808,878

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Bank Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 50,000
Line of credit maturity date	Jul. 25, 2018
Frequency of payments for commitment fees	Quarterly
Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fees on unused line of credit, percentage	0.375%
Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fees on unused line of credit, percentage	0.50%

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Foreign Currencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Foreign Currencies

7. Foreign Currencies

As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s net investment that is subject to foreign currency fluctuations totaled $89,350 and the Company has recorded a cumulative foreign currency translation loss of $3,053, net of deferred income tax benefit. This cumulative translation loss is included in and is the only component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. There were no amounts reclassified to net income during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013.

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share under Two-Class Method

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method:

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$	30,148		$	23,898		$	64,031		$	86,106
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of participating securities		(183	)		(122	)		(410	)		(458	)
Net income available under the two-class method	$	29,965		$	23,776		$	63,621		$	85,648
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted-average shares		22,940,794			22,963,318			22,961,251			22,966,134
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options		—			—			—			833
Dilutive potential common shares		—			—			—			833
Denominator for diluted earnings per share—adjusted weighted-average shares		22,940,794			22,963,318			22,961,251			22,966,967
Basic earnings per share	$	1.31		$	1.04		$	2.77		$	3.73
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.31		$	1.04		$	2.77		$	3.73

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Bank Borrowings

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Bank Borrowings

6. Bank Borrowings

The Company has an unsecured revolving credit agreement with a bank. The credit agreement provides the Company with a revolving credit facility of $50,000 and expires on July 25, 2018. The Company has the option of choosing either the bank’s fluctuating Base Rate or LIBOR Fixed Rate, plus an Applicable Margin, all as defined in the credit agreement. The terms of the credit agreement provide for certain affirmative and negative covenants and require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. Commitment fees are payable quarterly at an annual rate between 0.375% and 0.50% of the unused line of credit.

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Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Basis of Presentation

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of CARBO Ceramics Inc. have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of the interim periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or the full year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in the annual report on Form 10-K of CARBO Ceramics Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CARBO Ceramics Inc. and its operating subsidiaries (the “Company”). All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

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Common Stock Repurchase Program - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	61 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 28, 2008 Maximum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of common stock			2,000,000
Repurchased and retired, shares	75,000	1,952,576
Repurchased and retired, aggregate purchase price	$ 5,833	$ 84,134

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Legal Proceedings

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Legal Proceedings

9. Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

On February 9, 2012, the Company and two of its officers, Gary A. Kolstad and Ernesto Bautista III, were named as defendants in a purported class-action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “February SDNY Lawsuit”), brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased the Company’s Common Stock between October 27, 2011 and January 26, 2012 (the “Relevant Time Period”). On April 10, 2012, a second purported class-action lawsuit was filed against the same defendants in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased or sold CARBO Ceramics Inc. option contracts during the Relevant Time Period (the “April SDNY Lawsuit”, and collectively with the February SDNY Lawsuit, the “Federal Securities Lawsuit”). In June 2012, the February SNDY Lawsuit and the April SDNY Lawsuit were consolidated, and will proceed as one lawsuit. The Federal Securities Lawsuit alleges violations of the federal securities laws arising from statements concerning the Company’s business operations and business prospects that were made during the Relevant Time Period and requests unspecified damages and costs. In September 2012, the Company and Messrs. Kolstad and Bautista filed a motion to dismiss this lawsuit. The motion to dismiss was granted, and the Federal Securities Lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice in June 2013. In September 2013, the plaintiffs filed a motion requesting leave to file a second amended complaint and sustain the lawsuit. Briefing on this motion will take place during the fourth quarter of 2013.

On June 13, 2012, the Directors of the Company and Mr. Bautista were named as defendants in a purported derivative action lawsuit brought on behalf of the Company by a stockholder in District Court in Harris County, Texas (the “June Harris County Lawsuit”). This lawsuit alleges various breaches of fiduciary duty and other duties by the defendants that generally are related to the Federal Securities Lawsuit, as well as a breach of duty by certain defendants in connection with stock sales. The lawsuit requests unspecified damages and costs, and has been further stayed while the motion for leave to file a second amended complaint in the Federal Securities Lawsuit is considered.

While each of the Federal Securities Lawsuit and the June Harris County Lawsuit remain in their early stages, the Company does not believe they have merit, and plans to vigorously contest and defend against them.

In October 2013, the Company made a voluntary disclosure to the State of Georgia Environmental Protection Department (“EPD”) concerning the air emissions of its Toomsboro, Georgia manufacturing facility. Specifically, the disclosure concerns the emission of a specific substance that exceeds permitted levels under applicable regulations. The Company is continuing its dialogue with EPD, and has proposed a solution for this emission variance to EPD for consideration. The Company has not received a Notice of Violation from EPD. Accordingly, the Company does not at this time have an estimate of any fines, penalties or other costs of compliance that may be incurred.

The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome or duration of these legal matters.

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Summary of Restricted Stock Activity and Related Information (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Shares
Beginning Balance	115,722
Granted	86,143
Vested	(47,607)
Forfeited	(14,547)
Ending Balance	139,711
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Beginning Balance	$ 99.50
Granted	$ 80.59
Vested	$ 98.20
Forfeited	$ 93.85
Ending Balance	$ 88.87

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Dividends Paid - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 17, 2013	Jul. 16, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.30	$ 0.30	$ 0.60	$ 0.54	$ 1.14	$ 1.02
Cash dividend, payment date	Nov. 15, 2013	Aug. 15, 2013
Cash dividend, record date	Nov. 01, 2013	Aug. 01, 2013
Cash dividend, declaration date	Sep. 17, 2013	Jul. 16, 2013

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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	CRR
Entity Registrant Name	CARBO CERAMICS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001009672
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,077,848

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Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Omnibus Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for issuance under the plan	496,582
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense, net	$ 7,400
Unrecognized compensation expense, net, weighted average period	2 years
Total fair value of restricted stock vested	4,675
Phantom Share Units (PSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	3 years
Units granted	14,960
Units vested	6,156
Units forfeited	1,304
Total fair value of units outstanding	$ 743