Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
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, 2013. Our fiscal year end is December 31 and our first quarter represents the three month period ended March 31. The results of operations for the first quarter of 2014 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 March 31, 2014, the results of our operations for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013, and our cash flows for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Our balance sheet at December 31, 2013 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, 2013. New Accounting Standards In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated guidance that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations including enhanced disclosure requirements. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization´s operations and financial results. The new guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2015, however we do not expect the adoption to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

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, 2013. Our fiscal year end is December 31 and our first quarter represents the three month period ended March 31. The results of operations for the first quarter of 2014 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 March 31, 2014, the results of our operations for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013, and our cash flows for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Our balance sheet at December 31, 2013 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, 2013.

New Accounting Standards

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated guidance that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations including enhanced disclosure requirements. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization´s operations and financial results. The new guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2015, however we do not expect the adoption to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.