EXHIBIT 99.1

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of NEWPARK RESOURCES, INC., a
Delaware corporation ("Newpark"), for the period ended December 31, 2002, as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
"Report"), I, James D. Cole, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of Newpark, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

         (1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
                  all material respects, the financial condition and results of
                  operations of Newpark.

                                                   /s/ James D. Cole
                                                   --------------------------
                                                   James D. Cole
                                                   Chairman of the Board and
                                                   Chief Executive Officer

                                                   March 21, 2003