Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Newpark Resources, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, which we refer to as “we,” “our” or “us,” have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and do not include all information and footnotes required by the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Our fiscal year end is December 31, our third quarter represents the three month period ended September 30 and our first nine months represents the nine month period ended September 30. The results of operations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. Unless otherwise stated, all currency amounts are stated in U.S. dollars. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2013, the results of our operations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 and 2012, and our cash flows for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Our balance sheet at December 31, 2012 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. For further information, see Note 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. *New Accounting Standards* In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued additional guidance on disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income which was effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2013. This new guidance requires entities to present (either on the face of the income statement or in the notes) the effects on the line items of the income statement for amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, we had no reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income, the only changes relate to foreign currency translation adjustments.

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Newpark Resources, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, which we refer to as “we,” “our” or “us,” have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and do not include all information and footnotes required by the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Our fiscal year end is December 31, our third quarter represents the three month period ended September 30 and our first nine months represents the nine month period ended September 30. The results of operations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. Unless otherwise stated, all currency amounts are stated in U.S. dollars.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2013, the results of our operations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 and 2012, and our cash flows for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Our balance sheet at December 31, 2012 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. For further information, see Note 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

New Accounting Standards

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued additional guidance on disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income which was effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2013. This new guidance requires entities to present (either on the face of the income statement or in the notes) the effects on the line items of the income statement for amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, we had no reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income, the only changes relate to foreign currency translation adjustments.