News Release

Mulgrave, N.S. - Newpark Drilling Fluids of Houston, Texas is establishing a drilling fluids facility at the Superport Marine Terminal in Mulgrave, N.S.

The provision of drilling fluids and related technical engineering is a core service required by offshore exploration and development companies. This project will help position the Strait of Canso area as a supply base for the oil and gas industry.

“Newpark is an internationally recognized oil and gas industry service provider, and its decision to locate in Mulgrave bodes well for the development of a supply base operation in the Strait area,” said Rodger Cuzner, MP for Bras d’Or-Cape Breton. “As other offshore service companies are attracted to the area, further job opportunities and economic spin-offs will occur.”

“The strategic investments made at the Mulgrave Marine Terminal in the last number of months will assist Mulgrave in realizing its potential as the logical supply base location for support of offshore operations. This is now a world-class facility,” said Brendan Brothers, Vice-President of Newpark’s East Coast Operations. “We look forward to serving existing clients, as well as expanding our services and customer base.”

The total cost of this infrastructure project is $1,300,000. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) will provide a repayable contribution of $500,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Business Development Program. ECBC will also provide non-repayable assistance of up to $140,000 for the creation of seven full-time jobs.

Newpark Canada Inc. was established in 1998 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newpark Resources Inc., a publicly traded company. It is a unique provider of services to drilling completion and production segments of the oil and gas industry. Newpark's advanced systems provide operators with leading edge technology to reduce problems and increase economics. Newpark Canada is comprised of Newpark Drilling Fluids, Newpark Environmental and International Mat.

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Stephen Heckbert
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Tel: (613) 948-7293

Office of Roger Cuzner, M.P.
Bras d’Or-Cape Breton
Tel: (902) 842-9763

Brendan Brothers
Vice-President, East Coast Operations
Newpark Canada Inc.
Tel: (902) 867-1940

Rick Beaton
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
Tel: (902) 564-3618