Quarterlytics / Basic Materials / Oil & Gas Equipment & Services / CARBO Ceramics Inc.

CARBO Ceramics Inc.

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FY2009 Annual Report · CARBO Ceramics Inc.
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I N N O VAT I V E T E C H N O L O G Y.

PROVEN

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2 0 0 9 A N N U A L R E P O R T

In 2009, CARBO continued to do what we do best — provide advanced products,

services and technologies that maximize oil and gas production and recovery

for exploration and production (E&P) companies. From our high-conductivity ceramic

proppant

to our industry-leading well stimulation software to our global consulting

knowledge base, CARBO worked to improve productivity, optimize economic results and

provide additional value to customers.

CARBO increased its product offerings through the acquisition of Falcon Technologies and

now provides solutions that are designed to reduce environmental impact and, at

the same time, save customers money.

During one of the harshest economic climates in memory, CARBO excelled by using

innovative technology to deliver proven results.

CARBO is the world's largest supplier of

ceramic proppant for fracturing oil and

gas wells; provider of the industry’s

most

popular

fracture

simulation

software; and a provider of fracture

design and consulting services. The

company also provides a broad range

of

technologies for spill prevention,

containment and countermeasures,

along with geotechnical monitoring.

C A R B O 2 0 0 9 A N N U A L R E P O R T

1

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Years Ended December 31,

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

SUMMARY STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Revenue

Gross profit

$ 341,872

$387,828

$ 299,996

$ 283,829

$230,711

120,503

127,434

101,926

103,932

90,867

Operating profit

79,450

87,083

71,459

77,632

68,681

Income before income taxes

79,794

88,349

74,579

80,576

70,217

Income from continuing operations

52,810

60,405

49,641

52,245

45,463

Diluted earnings per share

$

2.27

$

2.46

$

2.02

$

2.14

$

1.88

Average shares outstanding – diluted

23,112

24,418

24,451

24,381

24,171

SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET DATA

Current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Shareholder’s equity

OTHER DATA

$ 218,870

$293,310

$ 190,924

$ 132,466

$139,369

513,412

546,877

451,523

403,753

354,928

32,458

83,848

33,264

33,164

35,846

457,316

442,534

389,439

342,859

293,366

Depreciation and amortization

$ 24,905

$ 24,638

$ 19,895

$ 15,630

$ 10,679

Capital expenditures

46,127

23,343

53,944

61,013

61,244

REVENUE
($ in millions)

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
($ in millions)

SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
($ in millions)

$400

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$ 50

$70

$60

$50

$40

$30

$20

$10

$450

$400

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$ 50

2005 2006 2007 2008

2009

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

2005 2006 2007 2008

2009

2

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS, CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES

I am pleased to report that in 2009 CARBO achieved
solid financial and operating results despite harsh market
conditions. As the overall economy slumped, so did the oil
and natural gas industry. During 2009, the North American
rig count was down 42 percent and the international rig count
was down 8 percent year-over-year. In contrast, CARBO’s
global proppant sales volume decreased only 10 percent.

CARBO Ceramics continued to see tremendous success of
its lightweight ceramic proppant, CARBOHYDROPROP®,
a product conceived and developed specifically for the
“slickwater” fracturing technique frequently used in tight
gas shale formations. Many of these emerging, large resource
plays continued to see drilling activity much stronger than the
rest of the industry.

Financial Overview
CARBO’s revenues for fiscal 2009 only decreased 12 percent,
and income from continuing operations decreased just
13 percent, compared to the record year of 2008. We
continued to maintain a very strong balance sheet. As of
December 31, 2009, the company’s balance sheet showed
$70 million in cash and no debt.

We took advantage of this opportunity and expanded
distribution of CARBOHYDROPROP into the strongest plays
throughout the U.S. and Canada, including the Eagle Ford and
Marcellus. It is a tribute to our manufacturing and distribution
operations that we were able to quickly and efficiently ramp
up production of CARBOHYDROPROP, allowing CARBO
to benefit from this activity.

Reflecting continued confidence in the long-term outlook
for our business and in the company's ability to sustain its
financial strength, our Board of Directors voted in July to
increase the quarterly dividend for the ninth consecutive
year. As previously disclosed, on August 28, 2008, the Board
authorized the repurchase of up to two million shares of the
company's common stock. As of December 31, 2009, the
company had repurchased and retired more than 1.7 million
shares of common stock, which represented approximately
7 percent of our outstanding shares.

CARBO’s Businesses
Our businesses generate value through two complementary
approaches: maximizing oil and gas productivity and
economic performance (CARBO Ceramics, FracproPT™
software and StrataGen Engineering); and reducing
costs and business risk (Falcon Technologies and
Applied Geomechanics).

As 2009 began with deteriorating economic conditions,
CARBO’s management team made disciplined decisions
to reduce costs, but not negatively impact our long-term
investment for growth. Our strong balance sheet allowed
us to stay focused on our clients’ needs. We relocated
our corporate headquarters to Houston, resulting in
improvements in communication, focus and teamwork.

Our research and development group continued to develop
innovative, market-driven products. We introduced
CARBOBOND™, a resin-coated proppant line that is
designed to minimize flowback in a well.

Our commitment to investing in proppant manufacturing
capacity remains unchanged, and we expect completion of the
third production line at our Toomsboro, Georgia, plant near
the end of 2010. This will increase our total manufacturing
capacity by nearly 20 percent, enabling us to better meet
customer demand for our high-conductivity ceramic proppant.

FracproPT, the industry’s most popular fracture simulation
software, was enhanced with richer functionality, improved
accessibility to customer service and support, and more
foreign language offerings, further securing its status as the
industry standard.

StrataGen Engineering broadened its core stimulation
consulting business to include benchmarking studies,
gathering comprehensive data from producers throughout
a given reservoir to help operators optimize their entire
completion process and rate their success from year to year.

Falcon Technologies became part of CARBO in October
2009 when its wholly owned subsidiary purchased the assets
of BBL Falcon Industries, Ltd. Falcon is a leading supplier of
spill prevention, containment and countermeasures (SPCC)

C A R B O 2 0 0 9 A N N U A L R E P O R T

3

Gary Kolstad
President and
Chief Executive Officer

Ernesto Bautista
Chief Financial Officer

Mark Edmunds
Vice President,
Operations

David Gallagher
Vice President,
Marketing & Sales

Ellen Smith
Vice President,
Human Resources

Sean Elliott
General Counsel

systems for oil and gas operators. We believe that Falcon’s
proprietary technology and value-added solutions will be
increasingly important as the oil and gas industry sharpens
its focus on environmental issues and compliance with
SPCC regulations.

Applied Geomechanics (AGI) continued its transition
from being primarily a product supplier to being a technology
solutions partner to its customers. The company was awarded
several high-profile jobs in 2009. AGI provided a system to
monitor the world’s largest active landslide, covering
260 acres at the Trapper coal mine in Colorado. The system
can detect movement as slight as one millimeter. AGI is
conducting infrastructure monitoring at several airports
for the Federal Aviation Administration, and also provides
equipment for NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey
and other scientific institutions.

Sigmund L. Cornelius Joins CARBO Board
Mr. Cornelius was elected to CARBO’s Board of Directors in
November. He is the Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer of ConocoPhillips and has more than 25 years
of experience in the oil and natural gas industry. He brings
a wealth of expertise in global operations and a deep
understanding of finance and accounting. We are pleased
to gain the value of his experience in the energy industry.

Excellent Safety Results
One of the most gratifying accomplishments for CARBO in
2009 doesn’t show up in a financial document: the company
completed the year without a single lost-time accident in our
global operations. Our people are our most important asset,
and I am thrilled that this record reflects the value we place
on safety throughout our organization.

Outlook
We continue to see increasing demand for our products and
services and an expanding customer base that has recognized
the benefits of Economic Conductivity™. We remain dedicated
to new product development across all our businesses. We

are opening up new Falcon Technologies locations in certain
resource plays due to customer demand and acceptance for
our containment and spill prevention products and services.
The oil and gas industry experienced a positive trend in
drilling activity during the fourth quarter of 2009, which
makes us more optimistic about our business in 2010 than
we were last year; however we, like others, remain prudently
cautious about the economy and natural gas fundamentals.
The increased trend of horizontal drilling and the success
our customers are achieving by using our high-conductivity
ceramic proppant bring confidence to our 2010 outlook.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to:

• Continuing to invest in and grow the ceramic

proppant business.

• Developing new products and services through

increased R&D.

• Growing our consulting services and software business.

• Acquiring technology that can expand around fracturing

processes, well performance and reservoir performance.

• Investing in technology and processes through Falcon and
AGI that can reduce our clients’ business risks and
lower their operating costs.

In 2009, our people demonstrated that they have the
dedication, expertise and innovative capacity to meet the
challenges of changing market conditions. I am confident we
will continue to focus on providing value to our customers
and achieving results for our stakeholders.

Sincerely,

Gary Kolstad
President and Chief Executive Officer

MAXIMIZE

P E R F O R M A N C E .

C A R B O 2 0 0 9 A N N U A L R E P O R T

5

Proppant unlocks underground reservoirs

Oil and natural gas are typically contained in the pores of sedimentary rock

formations thousands of feet underground. To enable hydrocarbons to flow

through the rock and to the surface, fluids are pumped down the well bore at

pressures sufficient to create fractures in the rock formation — a process called

hydraulic fracturing. A granular material, called proppant, is transported in

the fluid to fill the fractures, thus “propping” them open once the high–pressure

pumping stops. The proppant–filled fracture creates a permeable channel

through which hydrocarbons can flow more freely, thereby increasing both

production rates and the total amount of oil or gas recovered from the well.

CARBO Ceramics: Maximizing well performance

Economic Conductivity™

CARBO Ceramics is the world’s largest supplier of

For several years, CARBO has conducted a technical

ceramic proppant and is recognized as the industry’s

marketing campaign citing numerous field trials and

technology leader, with the highest quality and broadest

studies that prove the benefits of using ceramic

range of products to perform in any reservoir.

proppant. The compelling, real-world results are

CARBO’s ceramic proppant has been proven to yield

measurably superior results versus inferior sand-based

summarized by a logical and practical measure that

CARBO developed called Economic Conductivity.

products. We have consistently demonstrated:

Economic Conductivity is a sophisticated financial

• 20% + increase in initial production rates.

• 20% + increase in estimated ultimate recovery.

• Improved rates of return.

• Rapid payout on initial investment (often in just

weeks or months).

• Lower development costs for exploration and

production companies.

analysis of an oil or natural gas reservoir's ability to

provide maximum financial payout through optimized

productive capacity. To predict a well’s production

capacity the petroleum industry has traditionally relied on

formulas and models that don’t take into account realistic

conditions. Economic Conductivity analysis factors in

complex variables and downhole conditions to determine

the realistic conductivity of the reservoir. The costs of

hydraulic fracturing and other stimulation activities can

• Accelerated recovery times.

then be assessed according to the corresponding

increases in production, allowing producers to achieve

the most cost-efficient production of oil and gas.

Ceramic Proppant Benefits

Alternative Proppant

Uniform size and shape
ceramic grains provide
maximum porosity and allow
more oil and gas to flow
through the proppant pack.

Broadly sieved and irregularly
shaped proppants such as sand
pack more tightly, resulting in loss
of fracture width and reduced
conductivity.

6

The powerful message of Economic Conductivity™

CARBO introduced Economic Conductivity with an innovative,

integrated marketing campaign that included a series of

magazine ads, an interactive Internet microsite, focused

presentations at the 2008 SPE Annual Technical Conference

and Exhibition and executive addresses at key industry events.

The effective campaign won eight industry awards in 2009

including two prestigious American Marketing Association

“Crystal” Awards.

The benefits of increased conductivity have been

conditions caused a precipitous drop in drilling activity.

documented in more than 140 technical papers published

The number of gas wells drilled in the U.S. dropped from

by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, representing

35,000 in 2008 to less than 19,000 in 2009 — the lowest

work from more than 70 companies and 35 regions of

level in seven years.

Despite a 42 percent drop in the overall North American

drilling rig count, CARBO’s proppant sales volume only

decreased by 10 percent. CARBO accomplished this by

fulfilling the exact needs of our clients — delivering

Economic Conductivity.

the world. CARBO’s experts author technical papers,

participate in technical forums, speak at industry

conferences, lecture at petroleum schools and conduct

frac schools. By demonstrating thought leadership,

CARBO is positioned as more than a proppant company,

but a provider of practical, effective solutions.

The tough economy cuts drilling

Historically, CARBO’s proppant business was largely

driven by natural gas drilling. More recently, the

development of unconventional resource plays such

as the Bakken has resulted in greater use of ceramic

proppant in oil-bearing reservoirs. In 2009, the

widespread economic downturn and tight credit

U.S. Gas Wells Drilled vs Gas Supply & Demand

Gas Wells Drilled

US Gas Production (TCF)

US Gas Consumption (TCF)

35,000

29,000

23,000

17,000

11,000

5,000

26

24

22

20

18

16

Shale play activity stays strong

In 2008, CARBO achieved record proppant sales

largely on the strength of CARBOHYDROPROP®, a

new lightweight ceramic proppant that was developed

specifically for “slickwater” fracturing of tight gas

shales. These reservoirs require a low-viscosity fluid

(slickwater) and a lightweight proppant that can be

transported the required distances out into the fractures.

CARBOHYDROPROP has been proven to provide more

6
9
9
1

7
9
9
1

8
9
9
1

9
9
9
1

0
0
0
2

1
0
0
2

2
0
0
2

3
0
0
2

4
0
0
2

5
0
0
2

6
0
0
2

7
0
0
2

8
0
0
2

9
0
0
2

Source: Energy Information Administration

C A R B O 2 0 0 9 A N N U A L R E P O R T

7

8

Professional tools in an academic setting

CARBO donates FracproPT™ software to universities

and petroleum engineering schools around the world.

In 2009, schools in the U.S., Russia, Brazil and

Switzerland began educating with the industry–

standard software.

than 20 percent higher conductivity, and has better

New products

transport characteristics than sand-based proppants.

CARBO’s research and development group continues

In 2009, the major shale plays in the U.S. and Canada

did not show a significant drop in drilling activity; in fact,

drilling in some formations, such as the Haynesville in

to innovate and create products that answer customer

requests, address specific market needs and enhance the

competitiveness or effectiveness of our existing products.

East Texas and Louisiana, actually increased.

In 2009, we introduced CARBOBOND™, a line of

We quickly stepped up production of CARBOHYDROPROP

to take advantage of the ongoing strength of these plays.

In the Haynesville, CARBO provided a variety of proppant

to more than twenty different operators while also

supplying products in the Marcellus, Bakken, Montney,

premium resin-coated proppant that is designed to

control flow back into the well bore. CARBOBOND

will provide a new revenue stream in an established

market, while also assuring that our customers receive

CARBO’s unmatched quality.

Eagle Ford, Granite Wash and Woodford resource plays.

During 2009, CARBO was issued one U.S. patent

and three foreign patents, with three additional ones

applied for.

Expanding manufacturing and distribution

With manufacturing plants in the U.S., Russia and

China, and stocking locations around the globe,

CARBO has extensive and efficient manufacturing

and distribution capabilities.

In 2009, we increased the size of our rail car fleet,

opened a distribution facility in Pennsylvania to

serve the increasing Marcellus activity, and

continued improvements to our network of

remote stocking facilities.

Work continued on the third production line of our state-

of-the-art plant in Toomsboro, Georgia, which will

provide the capacity to manufacture an additional 250

million pounds of proppant annually, bringing our total

capacity to 1.5 billion pounds.

C A R B O 2 0 0 9 A N N U A L R E P O R T

9

FracproPT™: Maximizing economics

StrataGen Engineering: Maximizing well and

FracproPT is the world’s most popular fracture

reservoir efficiency

simulation software, used by E&P and service companies

With global coverage and expertise in fracture

to create virtual models of fractures under varying

optimization and effective reservoir drainage, StrataGen

conditions, enabling engineers to determine the optimum

is assisting E&P organizations in maximizing the

treatment design. Approximately 95 percent of FracproPT

productive capacities of their reservoirs.

customers maintained their subscriptions during 2009,

attesting to the value users placed on our software.

As CARBO’s independent consulting group, StrataGen

provides specialized knowledge and sophisticated

During the year, we completed the conversion of

techniques to analyze complex data from the field and

FracproPT and StimPT™ (a companion software program

from computer models. In a process called StrataStimSM

designed for use in acidizing treatments) into the Russian

workflow, StrataGen assists clients with services ranging

language and began converting StimPT into Mandarin,

from field development, acreage recommendation and

which should increase our software’s acceptance in these

well placement to fracture placement, spacing and

increasingly important oil and gas markets.

methods, all based on economic optimization.

We continued to improve customer service, training and

In 2009, StrataGen broadened its core stimulation

support during 2009. Our new offices in Houston include

engineering business to include completions with

a dedicated facility used for software training and for

benchmarking studies to help operators optimize their

courses sponsored by StrataGen. In addition, our Web

entire completion process in a particular reservoir or

site was enhanced with more tools easily accessible

resource play.

for customer service, support and diagnostics.

1 0

Accounting for all the variables

In the Granite Wash play of western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle,

StrataGen helped an operator determine fracture spacing in a horizontal

well. The process involved using stimulation and production data to

repeatedly fine–tune the reservoir and fracture models, ultimately creating a

continuum of unique scenarios that balanced possible natural gas prices and

production rates against the cost of stimulation. StrataStimSM workflow helped

determine the optimum fracture treatment based on specific economic

conditions, thus optimizing the E&P company’s Economic Conductivity.

Early in the year, StrataGen completed a major project

in 2030. As the industry increasingly turns to low-

to optimize tight gas production in the Neuquén Basin

permeability reservoirs, Economic Conductivity

in northern Patagonia, helping Argentina produce gas

becomes more important than ever. We believe this will

at a more economical cost. In the eastern hemisphere,

continue to drive demand for CARBO’s high-conductivity

we continued to do stimulation design, analysis and

ceramic proppant and our ability to help our customers

optimization in Algeria, Tunisia, Germany, Poland,

create effective fractures in any type of well or reservoir.

Pakistan, Romania and the North Sea, while also

adding major clients in Russia.

The outlook for oil & gas

The oil and natural gas E&P industry goes through

periodic cycles; the positive growth in drilling activity

during the fourth quarter of 2009, the sequentially

increasing demand for our products and services, an

expanding customer base, and the increased need for

our ceramic proppant in the shale resource reservoirs

give us a more optimistic outlook about our business

in 2010.

In addition, the Energy Information Administration

projects that unconventional natural gas sources, where

CARBO’s products and services are strongly in demand,

will become proportionally more important, increasing

from 47 percent of the U.S. total in 2006 to 56 percent

For maximizing oil and gas production and

recovery, CARBO has the people, the technology

and the products that deliver proven results.

World Energy Consumption By Fuel Type
1980–2030

HISTORY
Quadrillion Btu

PROJECTIONS

Oil

Coal

Natural Gas

Renewables

Nuclear

250

200

150

100

50

0

0
8
9
1

0
9
9
1

0
0
0
2

0
1
0
2

0
2
0
2

0
3
0
2

Source: Energy Information Administration

World demand for natural gas is projected to increase

steadily through at least 2030, largely because of its

price advantage and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

C A R B O 2 0 0 9 A N N U A L R E P O R T

1 1

MINIMIZE

R I S K .

C A R B O 2 0 0 9 A N N U A L R E P O R T

1 3

Saving tanks, saving money

One of North America’s leading independent natural gas companies took

advantage of Falcon Technologies’ innovative tank exchange program that

refurbishes old tanks. Falcon gave new life to the old tanks with a liner that is

resistant to hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and most chemicals commonly

encountered in oil and gas production, is free of volatile organic compounds,

and provides the flexibility to allow tanks to be moved without damage to the

liner. Falcon also saved the customer thousands of dollars in project costs while

eliminating any lead times necessary for purchasing new tanks.

Falcon Technologies: Minimizing environmental

Falcon’s business is driven by global environmental

risk, reducing operating costs

awareness, E&P operators’ environmental stewardship

Falcon Technologies and Services, Inc., is a

and by regulations such as the Clean Water Act and

leading supplier of spill prevention, containment

Clean Air Act. Falcon offers a cost-effective and

and countermeasure (SPCC) systems for oil and gas

durable long-term solution to meet the industry’s

operators. Falcon uses proprietary technology to

SPCC requirements. We are opening up new Falcon

provide value-added solutions that enable clients to

Technologies locations in certain resource plays

extend the life of their storage assets, reduce the

due to customer demand for our containment

potential for hydrocarbon spills, and provide

and spill prevention products and services.

containment of stored materials.

Falcon’s products and services provide a risk-mitigation

solution through a patented secondary containment

system, tank liners for steel or fiberglass tanks,

concrete revetments, tank bases, pipe stands, portable

containments, and tank maintenance and exchange

programs. Falcon uses a polyurea coating that forms a

seamless, impervious and impenetrable barrier that has

been independently age-tested for a useful life of more

than 20 years. The coating protects all metal surfaces,

including nozzles and flanges.

Falcon products lower total cost of ownership through

lower construction costs, lower maintenance costs,

and the fact that liners can be added to existing tanks,

extending the useful life.

1 4

Monitoring a moving mountain
After northwest Colorado experienced several unseasonably heavy rainstorms,
a 260–acre piece of land at the Trapper coal mine became a landslide. Visible
movement stopped when the earth had slid as much as 400 ft, but the slope is
still unstable — making it the world’s largest active landslide. OSHA declared that
mining could continue, but only with continuous, detailed monitoring. Applied
Geomechanics installed a comprehensive system, using 3D GPS to monitor surface
displacement, subsurface inclinometers to measure the slightest movement in zones
prone to sliding, and vibrating wire piezometers to measure subsurface pore
pressure. Data is monitored continuously using Web monitoring software.
The system is capable of detecting deformation as slight as one millimeter.

Applied Geomechanics: Minimizing physical

However, the main focus of the year was the shift to our

and financial risks

expanded business model, moving beyond the sale of

Applied Geomechanics, Inc. (AGI) helps its customers

single products into integrated data acquisition systems,

reduce the risk of loss by providing integrated

real-time monitoring services, and Web-based reporting

monitoring solutions to complex geotechnical problems.

that can provide ongoing revenue.

AGI’s products are primarily used to monitor buildings

and infrastructure such as bridges, tunnels and dams,

as well as topographical features like slopes,

embankments, open pit mines and volcanoes.

AGI’s business is driven by the world’s growing need for

infrastructure development and risk mitigation. In 2009,

AGI worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to

install a system of concrete strain gauges at the National

For more than two decades, AGI has been a leader in

Airport Pavement Test Facility in Atlantic City, New

scientific sensing technology. NASA, the Jet Propulsion

Jersey. These sensors are used to evaluate performance

Laboratory and the European Space Agency use our

of new concrete mix designs under simulated, full-scale

precision tiltmeters to align components of rockets and

accelerated aircraft loading. We also contracted to

to aim satellite receivers. The U.S. Geological Survey

install and monitor a similar system at Denver

uses our devices for volcanology. During 2009, sales

International Airport.

to the scientific community increased slightly.

C A R B O 2 0 0 9 A N N U A L R E P O R T

1 5

1 6

Making the most of a turbulent year

While 2009 was a challenging economic year, CARBO performed well relative

to the broader market.

Each of our businesses continued to take a leadership role in developing market-

driven products and services.

We broadened our customer base and expanded into new geographic regions.

We continued our commitment to provide the highest quality products and services.

We carefully managed costs, yet moved strategically when we saw advantageous

opportunities.

We leveraged the strengths of our individual businesses to strengthen the offerings

of the others.

Most of all, we moved ahead by bringing innovation to our proven technologies,

all designed to create superior value for our clients and shareholders. For CARBO,

that’s the secret of success.

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K

¥ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

or

n 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
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

72-1100013
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

575 North Dairy Ashford
Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77079
(Address of principal executive offices)
(281) 921-6400
(Registrant’s telephone number)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant

is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities

Act. Yes ¥

No n

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the

Act. Yes n

No ¥

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 ¥

No n

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
No n
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes n
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will
not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in
Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¥

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 ¥

Smaller reporting company n

Accelerated filer n

Non-accelerated filer n
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes n
No ¥
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the
Common Stock on June 30, 2009, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, was approximately $547,242,237. Shares of
Common Stock held by each executive officer and director and by each person who owns 10% or more of the outstanding Common
Stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a
conclusive determination for other purposes.

As of February 23, 2010, the Registrant had 23,123,943 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Portions of the Proxy Statement for Registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 18, 2010, are incorporated by

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

reference in Part III.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Item 1.
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1A. Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 2.
Legal Proceedings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 3.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 4.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases

of Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. . .
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 8.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . .
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9B. Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 11. Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Item 12.
Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Principal Accounting Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 14.

1
8
12
12
13
13
13

14
16
17
24
25
25
25
26

26
26

26
26
26

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule II — Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27
28
F-1
F-2
F-4
S-1

Item 1. Business

General

PART I

CARBO Ceramics Inc. (the “Company”) is the world’s largest supplier of ceramic proppant, the provider of
the world’s most popular fracture simulation software, and provides fracture design and consulting services. The
Company also provides a broad range of technologies for spill prevention, containment and geotechnical mon-
itoring. On October 10, 2008, the Company completed the sale of its fracture and reservoir diagnostics business.
Because of the transaction, the results of this business have been accounted for as discontinued operations.
Continuing operations include the Company’s ceramic proppant, software, consulting services, spill prevention and
containment and geotechnical monitoring businesses. The Company sells the majority of its products and services
to operators of oil and natural gas wells and to oilfield service companies to help increase the production rates and
the amount of oil and natural gas ultimately recoverable from these wells. The Company’s products and services are
primarily used in the hydraulic fracturing of natural gas and oil wells. The Company was incorporated in 1987 in
Delaware.

Hydraulic fracturing is the most widely used method of increasing production from oil and natural gas wells.
The hydraulic fracturing process consists of pumping fluids down a natural gas or oil well at pressures sufficient to
create fractures in the hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation. A granular material, called proppant, is suspended and
transported in the fluid and fills the fracture, “propping” it open once high-pressure pumping stops. The proppant-
filled fracture creates a permeable channel through which the hydrocarbons can flow more freely from the
formation to the well and then to the surface.

There are three primary types of proppant that can be utilized in the hydraulic fracturing process: sand, resin-
coated sand and ceramic. Sand is the least expensive proppant, resin-coated sand is more expensive and ceramic
proppant is typically the most expensive. The higher initial cost of ceramic proppant is justified by the fact that the
use of these proppants in certain well conditions results in an increase in the production rate of oil and natural gas, an
increase in the total oil or natural gas that can be recovered from the well and, consequently, an increase in cash flow
for the operators of the well. The increased production rates are primarily attributable to the higher strength and
more uniform size and shape of ceramic proppant versus alternative materials.

The Company primarily manufactures five distinct ceramic proppants. The Company has historically pursued
a strategy of introducing new products that expand the market for ceramic proppants relative to sand-based
proppants. CARBOHSP» and CARBOPROP» are high strength proppants designed primarily for use in deep gas
wells. CARBOHSP» has the highest strength of any of the ceramic proppants manufactured by the Company and is
used primarily in the fracturing of deep gas wells. CARBOPROP» is slightly lower in weight and strength than
CARBOHSP» and was developed for use in deep gas wells that do not require the strength of CARBOHSP».

CARBOLITE», CARBOECONOPROP» and CARBHYDROPROP» are lightweight ceramic proppants.
CARBOLITE» is used in medium depth oil and gas wells, where the additional strength of ceramic proppant
may not be essential, but where higher production rates can be achieved due to the product’s uniform size and
spherical shape. CARBOECONOPROP» was introduced in 1992 to compete directly with sand-based proppant,
and CARBOHYDROPROP» was introduced in late 2007 to improve performance in “slickwater” fracture
treatments.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company generated approximately 76% of its revenues in the

United States and 24% in international markets.

The Company also sells fracture simulation software and provides fracture design, engineering and consulting
services to oil and natural gas companies worldwide through its wholly-owned subsidiary, StrataGen, Inc. The
Company provides a suite of stimulation software solutions to the industry that have marked capabilities for on-site
real-time analysis. This has enabled recognition and remediation of potential stimulation problems. This stim-
ulation software is tightly integrated with reservoir simulators, thus allowing for stimulation treatment and
production optimization. The Company’s specialized engineering team consults and works with operators around
the world to help optimize well placement, fracture treatment design and production stimulation. The broad range of

1

expertise of the Company’s consultants includes: fracture treatment design; completion engineering support;
on-site treatment supervision, engineering and quality control; post-treatment evaluation and optimization; res-
ervoir and fracture engineering studies; rock mechanics and software application and training.

Demand for most of the Company’s products and services depends primarily upon the demand for natural gas
and oil and on the number of natural gas and oil wells drilled, completed or re-completed worldwide. More
specifically, the demand for the Company’s products and services is dependent on the number of oil and natural gas
wells that are hydraulically fractured to stimulate production.

The Company also provides a broad range of technologies for spill prevention and containment and
geotechnical monitoring through its wholly owned subsidiaries Falcon Technologies and Services, Inc. (“Falcon
Technologies”) and Applied Geomechanics, Inc. (“AGI”). AGI provides monitoring systems and services for
bridges, buildings, tunnels, dams, slopes, embankments, volcanoes, landslides, mines and construction projects
around the world. It serves a wide spectrum of customers in markets ranging from auto racing teams to surveyors,
experimental physicists, radio astronomers and naval architects.

On October 2, 2009, Falcon Technologies purchased substantially all of the assets of BBL Falcon Industries,
Ltd., a supplier of spill prevention and containment systems for the oil and gas industry. The acquisition broadened
the Company’s product and service offerings to its existing client base. Falcon Technologies uses proprietary
technology to provide solutions that are designed to enable its clients to extend the life of their storage assets, reduce
the potential for hydrocarbon spills and provide containment of stored materials.

Competition

One of the Company’s largest worldwide proppant competitors is Saint-Gobain Proppants (“Saint-Gobain”).
Saint-Gobain Proppants is a division of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, a large French glass and materials company.
Saint-Gobain manufactures a variety of ceramic proppants that it markets in competition with each of the
Company’s products. Saint-Gobain’s primary manufacturing facility is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Saint-
Gobain also manufactures ceramic proppant in China and Venezuela. Mineracao Curimbaba (“Curimbaba”), based
in Brazil, is also a large competitor and manufactures ceramic proppants that it markets in competition with some of
the Company’s products.

There are two major manufacturers of ceramic proppant in Russia. Borovichi Refractory Plant (“Borovichi”)
located in Borovichi, Russia, and FORES Refractory Plant (“FORES”) located in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Although
the Company has limited information about Borovichi and FORES, the Company believes that Borovichi primarily
manufactures intermediate strength ceramic proppants and markets its products principally within Russia, and that
FORES manufactures intermediate strength and lightweight ceramic proppant lines. The Company further believes
that these companies have added manufacturing capacity in recent years and now provide a majority of the ceramic
proppant used in Russia. FORES also exports a small percentage of its proppant for sales in North America. The
Company is also aware of an increasing number of manufacturers in China. Most of these companies produce
intermediate strength ceramic proppants that are marketed primarily in China.

and

Curimbaba.

Competition for CARBOHSP» and CARBOPROP» principally includes ceramic proppant manufactured by
Saint-Gobain
and
CARBOHYDROPROP» products compete primarily with ceramic proppant produced by Saint-Gobain and
Curimbaba and with sand-based proppant for use in the hydraulic fracturing of medium depth natural gas and
oil wells. The leading suppliers of mined sand are Unimin Corp., Badger Mining Corp., Fairmount Minerals
Limited, Inc., and Ogelbay-Norton Company. The leading suppliers of resin-coated sand are Hexion Specialty
Chemicals, Inc. and Santrol, a subsidiary of Fairmount Minerals.

CARBOECONOPROP»

CARBOLITE»,

Company’s

The

The Company believes that the most significant factors that influence a customer’s decision to purchase the
Company’s ceramic proppant are (i) price/performance ratio, (ii) on-time delivery performance, (iii) technical
support and (iv) proppant availability. The Company believes that its products are competitively priced and that its
delivery performance is excellent. The Company also believes that its superior technical support has enabled it to
persuade customers to use ceramic proppant in an increasingly broad range of applications and thus increased the
overall market for the Company’s products. Since 1993, the Company has consistently expanded its manufacturing

2

capacity and plans to continue its strategy of adding capacity, as needed, to meet anticipated future increases in sales
demand.

The Company continually conducts testing and development activities with respect to alternative raw materials
to be used in the Company’s existing and alternative production methods. The Company is actively involved in the
development of alternative products for use as proppant in the hydraulic fracturing process and is aware of others
engaged in similar development activities. The Company believes that while there are potential specialty appli-
cations for these products, they will not significantly impact the use of ceramic proppants. The Company believes
that the “know-how” and trade secrets necessary to efficiently manufacture a product of consistently high quality
are difficult barriers to entry to overcome.

Customers and Marketing

The Company’s largest customers are, in alphabetical order, BJ Services Company, Halliburton Energy
Services, Inc. and Schlumberger Limited, three of the largest participants in the worldwide petroleum pressure
pumping industry. These companies collectively accounted for approximately 73% and 72% of the Company’s
2009 and 2008 revenues, respectively. However, the end users of the Company’s products are the operators of
natural gas and oil wells that hire the pressure pumping service companies to hydraulically fracture wells. The
Company works both with the pressure pumping service companies and directly with the operators of natural gas
and oil wells to present the technical and economic advantages of using ceramic proppant. The Company generally
supplies its customers with products on a just-in-time basis, as specified in individual purchase orders. Continuing
sales of product depend on the Company’s direct customers and the well operators being satisfied with product
quality, availability and delivery performance. The Company provides its software simulation products and
consulting services directly to owners and/or operators of oil and gas wells.

The Company recognizes the importance of a technical marketing program in demonstrating long-term
economic advantages when selling products and services that offer financial benefits over time. The Company has a
broad technical sales force to advise end users on the benefits of using ceramic proppant and performing fracture
simulation and consultation services.

Although the Company’s products have historically been used in deep wells that require high-strength
proppant, the Company believes that there is economic benefit to well operators of using ceramic proppant in
shallower wells that do not necessarily require a high-strength proppant. The Company believes that its new product
introductions and education-based technical marketing efforts have allowed it to capture a greater portion of the
market for sand-based proppant in recent years and will continue to do so in the future.

The Company provides a variety of technical support services and has developed computer software that
models the return on investment achievable by using the Company’s ceramic proppant versus alternatives in the
hydraulic fracturing of a natural gas or oil well. In addition to the increased technical marketing effort, the Company
from time to time engages in large-scale field trials to demonstrate the economic benefits of its products and validate
the findings of its computer simulations. Periodically, the Company provides proppant to production companies for
field trials, on a discounted basis, in exchange for a production company’s agreement to provide production data for
direct comparison of the results of fracturing with ceramic proppant as compared to alternative proppants.

The Company’s international marketing efforts are conducted primarily through its sales offices in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates; Aberdeen, Scotland; Beijing, China; and Moscow, Russia, and through commissioned sales
agents located in South America and China. The Company’s products and services are used worldwide by
U.S. customers operating domestically and abroad, and by foreign customers. Sales outside the United States
accounted for 24%, 29% and 36% of the Company’s sales for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease in the
proportion of international sales is primarily attributable to increased imports of products to the U.S. as well as

3

expanded production capacities in the U.S. The distribution of the Company’s international and domestic revenues
is shown below, based upon the region in which the customer used the products and services:

Location

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
International. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$258.5
83.4

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$341.9

$273.8
114.0

$387.8

$191.6
108.4

$300.0

For the Years Ended December 31,
2008
2009
2007
($ in millions)

Production Capacity

The Company believes that constructing adequate capacity ahead of demand while incorporating new
technology to reduce manufacturing costs are important competitive strategies to increase its overall share of
the market for proppant.

In early 2006, the Company completed construction of a manufacturing facility in Toomsboro, Georgia. A
second production line at this facility was completed in the fourth quarter of 2007 and commenced operations in
January 2008. The plant is designed to accommodate future expansion to a capacity of up to one billion pounds per
year through the construction of two additional production lines. The addition of subsequent lines will be dependent
on the expected future demand for the Company’s products. The Company is currently working on the construction
of a third production line, with a production capacity of 250 million pounds per year, in Toomsboro and anticipates
that it will be completed near the end of 2010.

In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company announced its plan to idle ceramic proppant production at its New
Iberia facility originally constructed in 1978. The Company’s decision to idle production at this facility was based
on the rising cost of imported raw material and the small scale of the New Iberia facility. During the fourth quarter of
2008, the Company re-started ceramic proppant production at New Iberia due to increased demand for certain
specialty products that could be produced at this location with minimal engineering modifications to the facility. In
July 2009, the Company once again idled ceramic proppant manufacturing operations at its New Iberia facility. The
facility continues to function as a distribution center and the Company has built a resin coating plant within the
existing manufacturing infrastructure of the facility. The resin coating plant, which began production in 2010, is
utilized to coat proppant manufactured at other locations.

The following table sets forth the current capacity of each of the Company’s existing manufacturing facilities:

Location

Annual
Capacity
(Millions of pounds)

New Iberia, Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eufaula, Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
McIntyre, Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Toomsboro, Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Luoyang, China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kopeysk, Russia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50*
265
275
500
100
100

Total current capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,290*

* Production activities at the New Iberia facility have been idled. Excluding capacity at the New Iberia facility,

total annual capacity is approximately 1.24 billion pounds.

The Company generally supplies its domestic pumping service customers with products on a just-in-time basis

and operates without any material backlog.

4

Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Area

Long-lived assets, consisting of net property, plant and equipment, goodwill, intangibles, and other long-term

assets as of December 31 in the United States and other countries are as follows:

Long-lived assets:

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $244.1
50.4
International (primarily China and Russia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$198.5
55.1

$195.2
65.4

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $294.5

$253.6

$260.6

2009

2008
($ in millions)

2007

Distribution

The Company maintains finished goods inventories at each of its manufacturing facilities and at remote
stocking facilities. The North American remote stocking facilities consist of bulk storage silos with truck trailer
loading facilities, as well as rail yards for direct transloading from rail car to tank trucks. International remote
stocking sites are duty-free warehouses operated by independent owners. North American sites are typically
supplied by rail, and international sites are typically supplied by container ship. In total, the Company leases 874 rail
cars for use in the distribution of its products. The price of the Company’s products sold for delivery in the lower 48
United States and Canada includes just-in-time delivery of proppant to the operator’s well site, which eliminates the
need for customers to maintain an inventory of ceramic proppant.

Raw Materials

Ceramic proppant is made from alumina-bearing ores (commonly referred to as clay, bauxite, bauxitic clay or
kaolin, depending on the alumina content) that are readily available on the world market. Bauxite is largely used in
the production of aluminum metal, refractory material and abrasives. The main known deposits of alumina-bearing
ores in the United States are in Arkansas, Alabama and Georgia; other economically mineable known deposits are
located in Australia, Brazil, China, Gabon, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Russia and Surinam.

For the production of CARBOHSP» and CARBOPROP» in the United States the Company uses bauxite, and
has historically purchased its annual requirements at the seller’s current prices. In 2008, the Company signed multi-
year agreements with both a domestic and international supplier for a portion of its annual bauxite requirement and
the Company believes that these agreements will sufficiently provide for its bauxite needs in 2010. The Company is
actively evaluating alternative suppliers for future bauxite requirements.

The Company’s Eufaula facility uses primarily locally mined kaolin for the production of CARBOLITE»,
CARBOECONOPROP» and CARBOHYDROPROP». The Company has entered into a bi-lateral contract that
requires a supplier to sell to the Company, and the Company to purchase from the supplier, a majority of the Eufaula
facility’s annual kaolin requirements through 2010.

for

kaolin

uncalcined

The Company’s Toomsboro and McIntyre production facilities in Wilkinson County, Georgia, use locally
mined
and
CARBOHYDROPROP». The Company has obtained ownership rights in acreage in Wilkinson County, Georgia,
which contains in excess of a fifteen year supply of kaolin for these facilities at current production rates. The
Company has entered into a long-term agreement with a third party to mine and transport this material at a fixed
price subject to annual adjustment. The agreement requires the Company to utilize the third party to mine and
transport a majority of the McIntyre facility’s annual kaolin requirement.

of CARBOLITE», CARBOECONOPROP»

production

the

The Company’s production facility in Luoyang, China, uses both kaolin and bauxite for the production of
CARBOPROP» and CARBOLITE». Each of these materials is purchased under long-term contracts that stipulate
fixed prices subject to periodic adjustment and provides for minimum purchase requirements.

The Company’s production facility in Kopeysk, Russia currently uses uncalcined bauxite for the production of
CARBOPROP». Bauxite is purchased under annual agreements that stipulate fixed prices for up to a specified
quantity of material.

5

Production Process

Ceramic proppants are made by grinding or dispersing ore to a fine powder, combining the powder into small
pellets and firing the pellets in a rotary kiln. The Company uses two different methods to produce ceramic proppant.
The Company’s plants in New Iberia, Louisiana; McIntyre, Georgia; Kopeysk, Russia and Luoyang, China use a dry
process, which utilizes clay, bauxite, bauxitic clay or kaolin. The raw material is ground, pelletized and screened.
The manufacturing process is completed by firing the product in a rotary kiln.

The Company’s plants in Eufaula, Alabama and Toomsboro, Georgia, use a wet process, which starts with
kaolin from local mines that is formed into slurry. The slurry is then pelletized in a dryer and the pellets are then
fired in a rotary kiln.

The Company’s rotary kilns are primarily heated by the use of natural gas.

Patent Protection and Intellectual Property

The Company makes ceramic proppant and ceramic media used in foundry and scouring processes (the later
two items comprising a minimal volume of overall sales) by processes and techniques that involve a high degree of
proprietary technology, some of which are protected by patents.

The Company owns six U.S. patents, three Russian patents, three Eurasian patents, one Saudi Arabian patent
and one Singapore patent. One of the Company’s U.S. patents relates to a low-apparent specific gravity ceramic
proppant, and will expire in 2022. Two of the Company’s U.S. patents and the Company’s Singapore and Saudi
Arabian patents relate to TiO2 scouring media, a titanium-based media used in scouring processes, and will expire in
2023 through 2025. One of the Company’s U.S. patents and one of the Eurasian patents relate to the spray drying of
proppant and will expire in 2025. One of the Company’s U.S. patents, two of the Eurasian patents and the three
Russian patents relate to lightweight and intermediate strength proppants and will expire in 2025 through 2027. The
three Russian patents relate to proppant that is produced in the Company’s Russian manufacturing facility.

The Company owns ten U.S. patent applications (together with a number of counterpart applications pending
in foreign jurisdictions). Eight of the U.S. patent applications (together with a number of counterpart applications
pending in foreign jurisdictions) cover ceramic proppant and processes for making ceramic proppant. Two of the
U.S. patent applications (along with a number of counterpart applications pending in foreign jurisdictions) relate to
detection of subterranean fractures. The applications are in various stages of the patent prosecution process, and
patents may not issue on such applications in any jurisdiction for some time, if they issue at all.

The Company believes that its patents have been important in enabling the Company to compete in the market
to supply proppant to the natural gas and oil industry, although important patents expired in 2006 and 2009. The
Company intends to enforce, and has in the past vigorously enforced, its patents. The Company may from time to
time in the future be involved in litigation to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of its patent rights. In
addition to patent rights, and perhaps more notably, the Company uses a significant amount of trade secrets, or
“know-how,” and other proprietary information and technology in the conduct of its business. None of this “know-
how” and technology is licensed from third parties.

Falcon Technologies, through its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of BBL Falcon Industries, Ltd. in
2009, owns one U.S. patent, which expires in 2027 and relates to construction of secondary containment areas, and
two U.S. patent applications (together with a number of counterpart applications pending in foreign jurisdictions)
that relate to construction of tank bases and load bearing products.

Environmental and Other Governmental Regulations

The Company believes that its operations are in substantial compliance with applicable domestic and foreign
federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations. However, on January 26, 2007, following
self-disclosure of certain air pollution emissions, the Company received a Notice of Violation (“NOV”) from the
State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division (“EPD”) regarding appropriate permitting for emissions of two
specific substances from its Toomsboro facility. The Company received an additional NOV with respect to
emissions from its McIntyre facility in May 2007. New emissions operating permits for the McIntyre and

6

Toomsboro facilities were received in May and November 2008, respectively, and the Company is now conducting
operations pursuant to these new permits. In May 2009, the Company entered into a consent order with the EPD to
resolve the Toomsboro and McIntyre NOVs. Pursuant to the Consent Order, the Company has paid the EPD a fine of
$258,000. In addition, the Company must pay the EPD a further fine of $112,000 within approximately one year
from the date of the Consent Order, less certain amounts that the Company can demonstrate have been spent in order
to implement emission reductions at these facilities. Finally, the Consent Order requires the Company to pay any
unpaid permit fees from certain prior years that would have been payable on account of the Company’s actual
emissions at the time. The Company presently estimates the amount of such fees to be less than approximately
$100,000.

In response to the NOVs, and its desire to expand its production capacities at both facilities, the Company also
submitted Prevention of Significant Deterioration (“PSD”) permit applications for both facilities in June 2008.
Permits for both facilities were obtained in December 2009.

Employees

At December 31, 2009, the Company had 741 employees worldwide. In addition to the services of its
employees, the Company employs the services of consultants as required. The Company’s employees are not
represented by labor unions. There have been no work stoppages or strikes during the last three years that have
resulted in the loss of production or production delays. The Company believes its relations with its employees are
satisfactory.

Forward-Looking Information

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements.
This Form 10-K, the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders, any Form 10-Q or any Form 8-K of the Company
or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may include forward-looking
statements which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. The
words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “project”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “plan” or “intend” and similar expres-
sions identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-
looking statements, each of which speaks only as of the date the statement was made. The Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we believe to
be reasonable but that may not prove to be accurate. All of the Company’s forward-looking information is subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expected. Although it is
not possible to identify all factors, these risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed below.

The Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected if its business assumptions do not prove to be

accurate or if adverse changes occur in the Company’s business environment, including but not limited to:

(cid:129) a potential decline in the demand for oil and natural gas;

(cid:129) potential declines or increased volatility in oil and natural gas prices that would adversely affect our

customers, the energy industry or our production costs;

(cid:129) potential reductions in spending on exploration and development drilling in the oil and natural gas industry

that would reduce demand for our products and services;

(cid:129) an increase in competition in the proppant market;

(cid:129) the development of alternative stimulation techniques, such as extraction of oil or gas without fracturing;

(cid:129) increased governmental regulation of hydraulic fracturing;

(cid:129) the development of alternative proppants for use in hydraulic fracturing;

(cid:129) general global economic and business conditions;

(cid:129) an increase in raw materials costs;

7

(cid:129) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and

(cid:129) the potential expropriation of assets by foreign governments.

The Company’s results of operations could also be adversely affected as a result of worldwide economic,
political and military events, including war, terrorist activity or initiatives by the Organization of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries (“OPEC”). For further information, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

Available Information

The Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, proxy statements, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current
reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) are made available free of charge on the Company’s internet
website at http://www.carboceramics.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with, or
furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The public may read and copy any materials that the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public
Reference Room at 100 F Street, Room 1580, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on
the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet
site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file
electronically with the SEC, at http://www.sec.gov.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should consider carefully the trends, risks and uncertainties described below and other information in this
Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the SEC before making any investment decision with respect to our
securities. If any of the following trends, risks or uncertainties actually occurs or continues, our business, financial
condition or operating results could be materially adversely affected, the trading prices of our securities could
decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Our business and financial performance depend on the level of activity in the natural gas and oil
industries.

Our operations are materially dependent upon the levels of activity in natural gas and oil exploration,
development and production. More specifically, the demand for our products is closely related to the number of
natural gas and oil wells completed in geologic formations where ceramic proppants are used in fracture treatments.
These activity levels are affected by both short-term and long-term trends in natural gas and oil prices. In recent
years, natural gas and oil prices and, therefore, the level of exploration, development and production activity, have
experienced significant fluctuations. Worldwide economic, political and military events, including war, terrorist
activity, events in the Middle East and initiatives by OPEC, have contributed, and are likely to continue to
contribute, to price volatility. Additionally, warmer than normal winters in North America and other weather
patterns may adversely impact the short-term demand for natural gas and, therefore, demand for our products and
services. Natural gas and oil prices experienced a decline in the second half of 2008 and during portions of 2009. A
prolonged reduction in natural gas and oil prices would generally depress the level of natural gas and oil exploration,
development, production and well completions activity and result in a corresponding decline in the demand for our
products. Such a decline could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our business and financial performance could suffer if new processes are developed to replace hydraulic
fracturing or as a result of increased regulation of hydraulic fracturing.

Substantially all of our products are proppants used in the completion and re-completion of natural gas and oil
wells through the process of hydraulic fracturing. The development of new processes for the completion of natural
gas and oil wells leading to a reduction in, or discontinuation of the use of, hydraulic fracturing could cause a
decline in demand for our products. Additionally, increased regulation of hydraulic fracturing could negatively
affect our business by increasing the costs of compliance, which could cause operators to abandon the process

8

altogether due to commercial impracticability. Either of these events could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations and financial condition.

We may be adversely affected by decreased demand for ceramic proppant or the development by our com-
petitors of effective alternative proppants.

Ceramic proppant is a premium product capable of withstanding higher pressure and providing more highly
conductive fractures than mined sand, which is the most commonly used proppant type. Although we believe that
the use of ceramic proppant generates higher production rates and more favorable production economics than mined
sand, a significant shift in demand from ceramic proppant to mined sand could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations and financial condition. The development and use of effective alternative proppant could also
cause a decline in demand for our products, and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and
financial condition.

We rely upon, and receive a significant percentage of our revenues from, a limited number of key
customers.

During 2009, our largest customers included three of the largest participants in the worldwide petroleum
pressure pumping industry. Although the end users of our products are numerous operators of natural gas and oil
wells that hire pressure pumping service companies to hydraulically fracture wells, these three customers accounted
collectively for approximately 73% of our 2009 revenues. We generally supply our domestic pumping service
customers with products on a just-in-time basis, with transactions governed by individual purchase orders.
Continuing sales of product depend on our direct customers and the end user well operators being satisfied with
product quality, availability and delivery performance. Although we believe our relations with our customers and
the major well operators are satisfactory, a material decline in the level of sales to any one of our major customers
due to unsatisfactory product performance, delivery delays or any other reason could have a material adverse effect
on our results of operations and financial condition.

We rely on certain patents.

The Company owns six United States patents, three Russian patents, three Eurasian patents, one Saudi Arabian
patent and one Singapore patent relating to ceramic proppant. These patents generally cover the manufacture and
use of some of our products. The U.S. patents expire at various times in the years 2010 through 2027. We believe
that patents have historically been important in enabling us to compete in the market to supply proppant to the
natural gas and oil industry. There can be no assurance that our patents will not be challenged or circumvented by
competitors in the future or will provide us with any competitive advantage, or that other companies will not be able
to market functionally similar products without violating our patent rights. In addition, if our patents are challenged,
there can be no assurance that they will be upheld.

We provide environmental warranties on certain of our containment and spill prevention products.

Falcon Technologies’ tank liners, secondary containments and related products and services are designed to
contain or avoid spills of hydrocarbons and other materials. If a release of these materials occurs, it could be harmful
to the environment. Although we attempt to negotiate appropriate limitations of liability in the applicable terms of
sale, some customers have required expanded warranties, indemnifications or other terms that could hold Falcon
Technologies responsible in the event of a spill or release under particular circumstances. If Falcon Technologies is
held responsible for a spill or release of materials from one of its customer’s facilities, it could have a material
adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Third parties may claim that we are infringing their intellectual property rights.

The Company uses a significant amount of trade secrets, or “know-how,” and other proprietary information
and technology in the conduct of its business. Although the Company does not believe that it is infringing upon the
intellectual property rights of others by using such proprietary information and technology, it is possible that such a
claim will be asserted against the Company in the future. In the event any third party makes a claim against us for

9

infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights of a third party, such claims, with or without merit, could
be time-consuming and result in costly litigation. In addition, the Company could experience loss or cancellation of
customer orders, experience product shipment delays, or be subject to significant liabilities to third parties. If our
products or services were found to infringe on a third party’s proprietary rights, the Company could be required to
enter into royalty or licensing agreements to continue selling its products or services. Royalty or licensing
agreements, if required, may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all, which could seriously harm our business.
Involvement in any patent dispute or other intellectual property dispute or action to protect trade secrets and
expertise could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

We operate in an increasingly competitive market.

We compete with other principal suppliers of ceramic proppant, as well as with suppliers of sand and resin-
coated sand for use as proppant, in the hydraulic fracturing of natural gas and oil wells. The proppant market is
highly competitive and no one supplier is dominant. The recent expiration of key patents owned by the Company
has resulted in additional competition in the market for ceramic proppant. This entry of additional competitors into
the market to supply ceramic proppant could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial
condition.

Significant increases in fuel prices for any extended periods of time will increase our operating expenses.

The price and supply of natural gas are unpredictable, and can fluctuate significantly based on international,
political and economic circumstances, as well as other events outside our control, such as changes in supply and
demand due to weather conditions, actions by OPEC and other oil and gas producers, regional production patterns
and environmental concerns. Natural gas is a significant component of our direct manufacturing costs and price
escalations will likely increase our operating expenses and can have a negative impact on income from operations
and cash flows. We operate in a competitive marketplace and may not be able to pass through all of the increased
costs that could result from an increase in the cost of natural gas.

Environmental compliance costs and liabilities could reduce our earnings and cash available for
operations.

We are subject to increasingly stringent laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including
laws and regulations governing air emissions, water discharges and waste management. We incur, and expect to
continue to incur, capital and operating costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations. The technical
requirements of environmental laws and regulations are becoming increasingly expensive, complex and stringent.
These laws may provide for “strict liability” for damages to natural resources or threats to public health and safety.
Strict liability can render a party liable for environmental damage without regard to negligence or fault on the part of
the party. Some environmental laws provide for joint and several strict liability for remediation of spills and releases
of hazardous substances.

We use some hazardous substances and generate certain industrial wastes in our operations. In addition, many
of our current and former properties are or have been used for industrial purposes. Accordingly, we could become
subject to potentially material liabilities relating to the investigation and cleanup of contaminated properties, and to
claims alleging personal injury or property damage as the result of exposures to, or releases of, hazardous
substances. In addition, stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, new laws and regulations, the
discovery of previously unknown contamination or the imposition of new or increased requirements could require
us to incur costs or become the basis of new or increased liabilities that could reduce our earnings and our cash
available for operations.

Our international operations subject us to risks inherent in doing business on an international level that
could adversely impact our results of operations.

International revenues accounted for approximately 24%, 29% and 36% of our total revenues in 2009, 2008
and 2007, respectively. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in overcoming the risks that relate to or arise

10

from operating in international markets. Risks inherent in doing business on an international level include, among
others, the following:

(cid:129) economic and political instability (including as a result of the threat or occurrence of armed international

conflict or terrorist attacks);

(cid:129) changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs, customs, duties and other trade barriers;

(cid:129) transportation delays;

(cid:129) power supply shortages and shutdowns;

(cid:129) difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations and other labor problems;

(cid:129) currency rate fluctuations, convertibility and repatriation;

(cid:129) taxation of our earnings and the earnings of our personnel;

(cid:129) potential expropriation of assets by foreign governments; and

(cid:129) other risks relating to the administration of or changes in, or new interpretations of, the laws, regulations and

policies of the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business.

In particular, we are subject to risks associated with our production facilities in Luoyang, China, and Kopeysk,
Russia. The legal systems in both China and Russia are still developing and are subject to change. Accordingly, our
operations and orders for products in both countries could be adversely impacted by changes to or interpretation of
each country’s law. Further, if manufacturing in either region is disrupted, our overall capacity could be signif-
icantly reduced and sales and/or profitability could be negatively impacted.

Undetected defects in our fracture simulation software could adversely affect our business.

Despite extensive testing, our software could contain defects, bugs or performance problems. If any of these
problems are not detected, the Company could be required to incur extensive development costs or costs related to
product recalls or replacements. The existence of any defects, errors or failures in our software products may subject
us to liability for damages, delay the development or release of new products and adversely affect market
acceptance or perception of our software products or related services, any one of which could materially and
adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The market price of our common stock will fluctuate, and could fluctuate significantly.

The market price of the Company’s common stock will fluctuate, and could fluctuate significantly, in response

to various factors and events, including the following:

(cid:129) the liquidity of the market for our common stock;

(cid:129) differences between our actual financial or operating results and those expected by investors and analysts;

(cid:129) changes in analysts’ recommendations or projections;

(cid:129) new statutes or regulations or changes in interpretations of existing statutes and regulations affecting our

business;

(cid:129) changes in general economic or market conditions; and

(cid:129) broad market fluctuations.

Our actual results could differ materially from results anticipated in forward-looking statements we
make.

Some of the statements included or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K are forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to trends in the natural gas and oil
industries, the demand for ceramic proppant and our performance in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

11

Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business” sections of this Form 10-K. In addition, we have
made and may continue to make forward-looking statements in other filings with the SEC, and in written material,
press releases and oral statements issued by us or on our behalf. Forward-looking statements include statements
regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company or its officers. Our actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. (See “Business — Forward-Looking
Information.”)

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 2. Properties

The Company maintains its corporate headquarters (approximately 27,000 square feet of leased office space)
in Houston. The Company owns its manufacturing facilities, land and substantially all of the related production
equipment in New Iberia, Louisiana and Eufaula, Alabama, and leases its McIntyre and Toomsboro, Georgia,
facilities. The Company owns the buildings and production equipment at its facility in Luoyang, China, and has
been granted use of the land on which the facility is located through 2051 under the terms of a land use agreement
with the People’s Republic of China. The Company owns the buildings and production equipment at its facility in
Kopeysk, Russia, and substantially all of the land on which the facility is located. The Company leases space for
sales offices in Aberdeen, Scotland and Moscow, Russia.

The New Iberia, Louisiana facility is located on 26.7 acres of land owned by the Company and consists of two
ceramic proppant production units (idle), a resin coating unit, a laboratory, two office buildings and a warehouse,
collectively totaling approximately 197,000 square feet. The Eufaula, Alabama facility is located on 14 acres of
land owned by the Company and consists of one production unit, a laboratory and an office, collectively totaling
approximately 113,700 square feet.

The facilities in McIntyre and Toomsboro, Georgia, include real property, plant and equipment that are leased
by the Company from the Development Authority of Wilkinson County. The original lease was executed in 1997
and was last amended in 2008. The term of the current lease, which covers both locations, commenced on
November 1, 2008, and terminates on November 1, 2013, subject to the Company’s ability to renew the lease
through November 2021. Under the terms of the lease, the Company is responsible for all costs incurred in
connection with the premises, including costs of construction of the plant and equipment. As an inducement to
locate the facility in Wilkinson County, Georgia, the Company received certain ad-valorem property tax incentives.
At the termination of the lease, title to all of the real property, plant and equipment is to be conveyed to the Company
in exchange for nominal consideration. The Company has the right to purchase the property, plant and equipment at
any time during the term of the lease for a nominal price.

The facility in McIntyre, Georgia is located on approximately 36 acres of land and consists of various
production and support buildings, a laboratory building, a warehouse building and an administrative building,
collectively totaling approximately 196,100 square feet. The facility in Toomsboro, Georgia is located on
approximately 13 acres of an approximately 1,100-acre tract of property leased by the Company. The facility
consists of various production and support buildings, two laboratory buildings, and an administrative building,
collectively totaling approximately 113,900 square feet.

The facility in Luoyang, China is located on approximately 11 acres and consists of various production and
support buildings, a laboratory, and two administrative buildings, collectively totaling approximately
118,000 square feet. The facility in Kopeysk, Russia is located on approximately 60 acres of land and consists
of various production and support buildings and an administrative building, collectively totaling approximately
103,000 square feet.

The Company owns or otherwise utilizes distribution facilities in multiple locations around the world. See

“Item 1. Business — Distribution.”

Applied Geomechanics, Inc. leases office space in San Francisco, California (approximately 7,000 square

feet).

12

The Company owns approximately 2,630 acres of land and leasehold interests in Wilkinson County, Georgia,
near its plants in McIntyre and Toomsboro, Georgia and approximately 80 acres of leasehold interests in Barbour
County, Alabama, near its plant in Eufaula, Alabama. The land contains raw material for use in the production of the
Company’s lightweight ceramic proppants. The Company has contracted with a third party to mine and haul the
reserves and bear the responsibility for subsequent reclamation of the mined areas.

Falcon Technologies owns its service facility located in Decatur, Texas, which is located on approximately
25 acres of land. The facility includes production and administrative buildings totaling approximately 12,000 square
feet. Falcon Technologies also leases a service facility in Midland, Texas consisting of 18 acres of land and
approximately 2,000 square feet of buildings.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

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.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant

Gary A. Kolstad (age 51) was elected on June 1, 2006, by the Company’s Board of Directors to serve as
President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company. Mr. Kolstad previously served in a variety of
positions over 21 years with Schlumberger, Ltd. Mr. Kolstad became a Vice President of Schlumberger, Ltd. in
2001, where he last held the positions of Vice President, Oilfield Services — U.S. Onshore and Vice President,
Global Accounts.

Ernesto Bautista III (age 38) joined the Company as a Vice President on January 1, 2009, and was appointed
Chief Financial Officer effective January 20, 2009. From July 2006 until joining the Company, Mr. Bautista served
as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of W-H Energy Services, Inc., a Houston, Texas based diversified
oilfield services company (“W-H Energy”). From July 2000 to July 2006, he served as Vice President and Corporate
Controller of W-H Energy. From September 1994 to May 2000, Mr. Bautista served in various positions at Arthur
Andersen LLP, most recently as a manager in the assurance practice, specializing in emerging, high growth
companies. Mr. Bautista is a certified public accountant in the State of Texas.

Mark L. Edmunds (age 54) has been the Vice President, Operations since April 2002. From 2000 until joining
the Company, Mr. Edmunds served as Business Unit Manager and Plant Manager for FMC Corporation. Prior to
2000, Mr. Edmunds served Union Carbide Corporation and The Dow Chemical Company in a variety of
management positions, including Director of Operations, Director of Internal Consulting and Manufacturing
Operations Manager.

David G. Gallagher (age 51) was appointed as Vice President, Marketing and Sales on April 16, 2007.
Mr. Gallagher previously held a variety of positions over a 26 year period with Schlumberger, Ltd., where from
2002 until 2007, he served as Director of Marketing for Venezuela, Trinidad and the Caribbean.

R. Sean Elliott (age 35) joined the Company in November 2007 as General Counsel, and was appointed as
Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer in January 2008. Previously, Mr. Elliott served as legal counsel
to Aviall, Inc. (an international aviation company) from 2004 to 2007, where he last held the positions of Assistant
General Counsel and Assistant Secretary. From 1999 until 2004, Mr. Elliott practiced law with Haynes and Boone,
LLP, a Dallas, Texas-based law firm.

All officers are elected for one-year terms or until their successors are duly elected. There are no arrangements
between any officer and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as an officer. There is no family
relationship between any of the named executive officers or between any of them and the Company’s directors.

13

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of

Equity Securities

Common Stock Market Prices, Dividends and Stock Repurchases

The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol CRR). The number
of record and beneficial holders of the Company’s common stock as of February 9, 2010 was approximately 15,212.

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the Company’s common stock on the New York

Stock Exchange and dividends for the last two fiscal years:

Quarter Ended

2009

2008

Sales Price

High

Low

Cash
Dividends
Declared(1)

Sales Price

High

Low

March 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $39.49
40.09
June 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52.02
September 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70.77
December 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$27.43
28.54
32.50
48.94

$0.34
—
0.36
—

$40.10
58.90
61.83
50.47

$33.20
41.24
47.90
31.50

Cash
Dividends
Declared

$0.14
0.14
0.17
0.17

(1) Represents quarters during which dividends were declared. The payment months for cash dividends were

February 2009 ($0.17), May 2009 ($0.17), August 2009 ($0.18) and November 2009 ($0.18).

The Company currently expects to continue its policy of paying quarterly cash dividends, although there can
be no assurance as to future dividends because they depend on future earnings, capital requirements and financial
condition.

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. The Company did not
repurchase any shares under this plan during the fourth quarter of 2009. As of December 31, 2009, the Company has
repurchased and retired 1,743,076 shares at an aggregate price of $64.7 million.

The following table provides information about the Company’s repurchases of common stock during the

quarter ended December 31, 2009:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Period

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

Average
Price Paid
Per Share

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plan

10/01/09 to 10/31/09 . . . . . . . . . . . .
11/01/09 to 11/30/09 . . . . . . . . . . . .
12/01/09 to 12/31/09 . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

483(2)
—
—

483(2)

$52.14
$ —
$ —

—
—
—

—

Maximum
Number of
Shares that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the
Plan(1)

256,924
256,924
256,924

256,924

(1) On August 28, 2008, the Company announced the authorization by its Board of Directors for the repurchase of
up to two million shares of its Common Stock. Represents the maximum number of shares that are available to
be repurchased under the previously announced authorization as of period end. As of February 25, 2010, a
maximum of 256,924 shares are available to be repurchased under the previously announced authorization.

(2) Includes 483 shares of restricted stock withheld for the payment of withholding taxes upon the vesting of

restricted stock.

14

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative shareholder return on the Company’s common stock versus the
total cumulative return on the S&P 500 Stock Index and the S&P Small Cap 600, Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Sub-Industry Group. The comparison assumes $100 was invested as of December 31, 1999 and all dividends were
reinvested.

COMPARISON OF 10 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among CARBO Ceramics, Inc., The S&P 500 Index
And S&P SmallCap 600 — Oil & Gas Equipment & Services Index

$700

$600

$500

s $400

r
a
l
l

o
D

$300

$200

$100

$0

12/99

12/00

12/01

12/02

12/03

12/04

12/05

12/06

12/07

12/08

12/09

CARBO Ceramics Inc.

S&P 500

S&P SmallCap 600 - Oil & Gas Equipment & Services

*$100 invested on 12/31/99 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.

Copyright· 2010 S&P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.

15

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company. The data should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere
in this Form 10-K. The Company has determined that its outstanding non-vested restricted stock awards are
participating securities. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2009, earnings per common share are computed using the
two-class method prescribed by ASC Topic 260 “Earnings Per Share.” All previously reported earnings per
common share data were retrospectively adjusted to conform to the new computation method.

Statement of Income Data:

Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$341,872 $387,828
260,394
221,369

$299,996
198,070

$283,829
179,897

$230,711
139,844

2009

Years Ended December 31,
2007
($ in thousands, except per share data)

2008

2006

2005

Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling, general and administrative expenses(1) . . .

120,503
41,053

127,434
40,351

101,926
30,467

103,932
26,300

Operating profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other, net

Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinued operations(2):
Income from discontinued operations, net of

taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net

79,450
344

79,794
26,984

52,810

87,083
1,266

88,349
27,944

60,405

71,459
3,120

74,579
24,938

49,641

77,632
2,944

80,576
28,331

52,245

90,867
22,186

68,681
1,536

70,217
24,754

45,463

—

5,784

4,229

2,008

1,157

of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— 44,127

—

—

—

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 52,810 $110,316

$ 53,870 $ 54,253 $ 46,620

Earnings per basic share:

Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . .
Income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations . . .

$

2.27 $
—
—

2.47 $
0.24
1.81

2.03 $
0.17
—

2.14 $
0.08
—

Basic earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

2.27 $

4.52 $

2.20 $

2.22 $

Earnings per diluted share:

Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . .
Income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations . . .

$

2.27 $
—
—

2.46 $
0.24
1.81

2.02 $
0.17
—

2.14 $
0.08
—

Diluted earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

2.27 $

4.51 $

2.19 $

2.22 $

1.89
0.05
—

1.94

1.88
0.05
—

1.93

16

Balance Sheet Data:

Current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, plant and equipment, net . . . . .
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends per share . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinued operations (included

2009

December 31,
2007
($ in thousands, except per share data)

2008

2006

2005

$218,870
32,458
270,722
513,412
457,316
$

$293,310
83,848
244,902
546,877
442,534
0.62

0.70 $

$190,924 $132,466
33,164
214,773
403,753
342,859

33,264
253,261
451,523
389,439
$

0.52 $

$139,369
35,846
167,199
354,928
293,366
0.36

0.44 $

above)(2):
Assets held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liabilities held for sale . . . . . . . . . . .

$

— $
—

— $ 66,191 $ 51,305 $ 43,170
463
—

4,024

1,082

(1) Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 include costs of
start-up activities of none, $1,108, $1,215, $474, and $1,092, respectively. Start-up costs for 2008 relate to the
start-up of the second production line at the Company’s Toomsboro, Georgia facility and the reopening of the
New Iberia, Louisiana manufacturing facility previously idled earlier during 2008. Start-up costs for 2007 are
related primarily to the new production facility in Kopeysk, Russia. Start-up costs for 2006 and 2005 are related
primarily to the new production facility in Toomsboro, Georgia. SG&A expenses in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and
2005 also include losses of $156, $1,599, $268, none, and $95, respectively, associated with the write-off of a
prepayment for the purchase of ceramic proppant from a China proppant manufacturer in 2008 and disposal of
certain equipment and impairment of certain software in other years.

(2) On October 10, 2008, the Company completed the sale of its fracture and reservoir diagnostics business, the
Pinnacle name and related trademarks. Consequently, these operations are presented as discontinued operations
and the related assets and liabilities are presented as held for sale. At December 31, 2007, assets and liabilities
held for sale are presented as current assets and current liabilities, respectively. Assets and liabilities held for
sale as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are presented as previously reported in the Company’s financial
statements for those periods.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Level Overview

CARBO Ceramics Inc. generates revenue primarily through the sale of products and services to the oil and gas
industry. The Company’s principal business consists of manufacturing and selling ceramic proppant for use
primarily in the hydraulic fracturing of oil and natural gas wells. On August 28, 2008, the Company entered into a
definitive agreement to sell a substantial portion of the assets of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pinnacle Technol-
ogies, Inc. (“Pinnacle”). The sale, which includes all of the fracture and reservoir diagnostic business, the Pinnacle
name and related trademarks, was completed on October 10, 2008. The Company has no continuing involvement in
these operations. The operations associated with this sale have been classified as income from discontinued
operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and the cash flows associated with discontinued
operations have been segregated in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company
retained the hydraulic fracturing simulation software FracProPT, the hydraulic fracturing design, engineering and
consulting business and Applied Geomechanics, Inc., a provider of geotechnical monitoring applications.

On October 2, 2009, Falcon Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, purchased substan-
tially all of the assets of BBL Falcon Industries, Ltd., a supplier of spill prevention and containment systems for the
oil and gas industry. The acquisition was made for the purpose of expanding the Company’s product and service
offerings to its existing client base. Falcon Technologies uses proprietary technology to provide solutions that are
designed to enable its clients to extend the life of their storage assets, reduce the potential for hydrocarbon spills and
provide containment of stored materials.

17

The Company’s products and services help oil and gas producers increase production and recovery rates from
their wells, thereby lowering overall reservoir development costs. As a result, the Company’s business is dependent
to a large extent on the level of drilling activity in the oil and gas industry worldwide. However, the Company has
increased its revenues and income over a multiple-year period and across various industry business cycles by
increasing its share of the worldwide market for all types of proppant. Although the Company’s ceramic proppants
are more expensive than alternative non-ceramic proppants, the Company has been able to demonstrate the cost-
effectiveness of its products to numerous operators of oil and gas wells through increased technical marketing
activity. The Company believes its future prospects benefit from both an increase in drilling activity worldwide and
the desire of industry participants to improve production results and lower their overall development costs.

The Company believes international operations will continue to represent an important role in its future
growth. In 2002, the Company constructed its first manufacturing facility located outside the United States in the
city of Luoyang, China and completed a second production line in 2004 that doubled the capacity of that facility. In
2004, the Company also opened a sales office in Moscow, Russia and established distribution operations in the
country. In 2005, the Company broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in the city of Kopeysk, Russia and
completed construction of this new facility during the first half of 2007. International revenues represented 24%,
29% and 36% of total revenues in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Management believes the addition of new manufacturing capacity is critical to the Company’s ability to
continue its long-term growth in sales volume and revenue for ceramic proppant. In regards to future expansion, the
Company is currently constructing a third production line at its Toomsboro facility that is expected to be completed
near the end of 2010 with an annual capacity of 250 million pounds. Although the Company has operated near or at
full capacity at times during the previous ten years, the addition of significant new capacity could adversely impact
operating profit margins if the timing of this new capacity does not match increases in demand for the Company’s
products.

Operating profit margin for the Company’s proppant business is principally impacted by manufacturing costs
and the Company’s production levels as a percentage of its capacity. Although most direct production expenses have
been relatively stable or predictable over time, the Company has experienced recent volatility in the cost of natural
gas, which is used in production by the Company’s domestic manufacturing facilities, and bauxite, which is the
primary raw material for production of the Company’s high strength ceramic proppant. The cost of natural gas has
been a significant component of total monthly domestic direct production expense over the last three years. In an
effort to mitigate volatility in the cost of natural gas purchases and reduce exposure to short term spikes in the price
of this commodity, the Company contracts in advance for portions of its future natural gas requirements. During
2007, the Company’s long-standing supplier of high strength raw materials exited the business. These materials are
used to manufacture high-strength products, CARBOPROP» and CARBOHSP», at the McIntyre, Georgia facility.
The delivered cost of bauxite, which represents approximately half of the cost of high strength products, has
increased since the Company’s long-standing supplier exited the business. Management anticipates its current
supplies of bauxite will be sufficient for 2010, but continues to pursue a long-term source of these materials to
complement its strong position in lightweight raw material supplies. Despite the efforts to reduce exposure to
changes in natural gas prices and the cost of high strength raw materials, it is possible that, given the significant
portion of manufacturing costs represented by these items, gross margins as a percentage of sales may decline and
changes in net income may not directly correlate to changes in revenue.

As the Company has expanded its operations in both domestic and international markets, there has been an
increase in activities and expenses related to marketing, distribution, research and development, and finance and
administration. As a result, selling, general and administrative expenses have increased in recent years. In the
future, the Company expects to continue to actively pursue new business opportunities by:

(cid:129) increasing marketing activities globally;

(cid:129) improving and expanding its distribution capabilities; and

(cid:129) focusing on new product development.

18

The Company expects that these activities will generate increased revenue; however selling, general and
administrative expenses may continue to increase in 2010 from 2009 levels as the Company continues to expand its
operations.

General Business Conditions

The Company’s proppant business is impacted by the number of natural gas wells drilled in North America,
where the majority of wells are hydraulically fractured. In markets outside North America, sales of the Company’s
products are less dependent on natural gas markets but are influenced by the overall level of drilling and hydraulic
fracturing activity. Furthermore, because the decision to use ceramic proppant is based on comparing the higher
initial costs to the future value derived from increased production and recovery rates, the Company’s business is
influenced by the current and expected prices of natural gas and oil.

Worldwide oil and natural gas prices and related drilling activity levels remained very strong from 2004 until
the second half of 2008. During the second half of 2008, oil and natural gas prices as well as active drilling rigs in
North America declined significantly in connection with declines in many of the world’s economies. Although the
North American drilling rig count improved during the second half of 2009, it is not apparent as to whether this is
the beginning of a recovery or a short-term correction. Although difficult to predict, the Company does not expect a
long-term impact for the Company’s products and services.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the U.S., which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions (see Note 1 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company believes that, of its significant accounting policies, the
following may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.

Revenue is recognized when title passes to the customer (generally upon delivery of products) or at the time
services are performed. The Company generates a significant portion of its revenues and corresponding accounts
receivable from sales to the petroleum pressure pumping industry. In addition, the Company generates a significant
portion of its revenues and corresponding accounts receivable from sales to three major customers, all of which are
in the petroleum pressure pumping industry. As of December 31, 2009, approximately 62% of the balance in trade
accounts receivable was attributable to those three customers. The Company records an allowance for doubtful
accounts based on its assessment of collectability risk and periodically evaluates the allowance based on a review of
trade accounts receivable. Trade accounts receivable are periodically reviewed for collectability based on
customers’ past credit history and current financial condition, and the allowance is adjusted, if necessary. If a
prolonged economic downturn in the petroleum pressure pumping industry were to occur or, for some other reason,
any of the Company’s primary customers were to experience significant adverse conditions, the Company’s
estimates of the recoverability of accounts receivable could be reduced by a material amount and the allowance for
doubtful accounts could be increased by a material amount. At December 31, 2009, the allowance for doubtful
accounts totaled $2.2 million.

The Company values inventory using the weighted average cost method. Assessing the ultimate realization of
inventories requires judgments about future demand and market conditions. The Company regularly reviews
inventories to determine if the carrying value of the inventory exceeds market value and the Company records an
adjustment to reduce the carrying value to market value, as necessary. Future changes in demand and market
conditions could cause the Company to be exposed to additional obsolescence or slow moving inventory. If actual
market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional lower of cost or market
adjustments may be required.

Income taxes are provided for in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (formerly Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109). This standard takes into account the differences between
financial statement treatment and tax treatment of certain transactions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying
amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary

19

differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or
expense in the period that includes the enactment date. This calculation requires the Company to make certain
estimates about its future operations. Changes in state, federal and foreign tax laws, as well as changes in the
Company’s financial condition, could affect these estimates.

Long-lived assets, which include net property, plant and equipment, goodwill, intangibles and other long-term
assets, comprise a significant amount of the Company’s total assets. The Company makes judgments and estimates
in conjunction with the carrying values of these assets, including amounts to be capitalized, depreciation and
amortization methods and useful lives. Additionally, the carrying values of these assets are periodically reviewed
for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be
recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded in the period in which it is determined that the carrying amount is not
recoverable. This requires the Company to make long-term forecasts of its future revenues and costs related to the
assets subject to review. These forecasts require assumptions about demand for the Company’s products and
services, future market conditions and technological developments. Significant and unanticipated changes to these
assumptions could require a provision for impairment in a future period.

Results of Operations

Net Income

2009

Percent
Change

2008
($ in thousands)

Percent
Change

2007

Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $52,810

(52)% $110,316

105% $53,870

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company reported net income of $52.8 million, a decrease of 52%
compared to the previous year. Net income in 2008 reflected $5.8 million in income from discontinued operations
and $44.1 million in gain from the disposal of discontinued operations. Discontinued operations relate to the sale of
the Company’s fracture and reservoir diagnostics business in 2008.

In 2009, income from continuing operations decreased to $52.8 million from $60.4 million in 2008, or 13%.
During 2009, the Company experienced a 12% decrease in revenues primarily resulting from lower sales volumes.
The decrease in revenue was partially offset by an increase in gross profit margin as a percentage of sales compared
to the previous year. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to the addition of Falcon
Technologies and the relocation of certain administrative offices. Other operating expenses decreased in 2009
primarily resulting from an impairment charge in 2008 and costs relating to the 2008 start-up of certain
manufacturing facilities. Other income in 2009 decreased mainly from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations
and income tax expense in 2009 decreased due to lower taxable income partially offset by a higher effective tax rate.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company reported net income of $110.3 million, an increase of
105% compared to the previous year. Net income in 2008 benefitted from a $44.1 million gain from the disposal of
discontinued operations. Income from discontinued operations was $5.8 million in 2008 and $4.2 million in 2007.

In 2008, income from continuing operations increased to $60.4 million from $49.6 million in 2007, or 22%.
The Company experienced a 29% increase in revenues in 2008, which represented the sixth consecutive year the
Company achieved a new revenue record. The increase in revenues was partially offset by a decline in gross profit
margin as a percentage of sales compared to the previous year. Selling, general and administrative expenses
increased to support revenue growth, and other operating expenses in 2008 include an impairment charge relating to
the write-off of a prepayment for the purchase of ceramic proppant from a Chinese proppant manufacturer. Other
income in 2008 decreased mainly from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and income tax expense in 2008
increased due primarily to higher taxable income.

Individual components of financial results are discussed below.

Revenues

Consolidated revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$341,872

(12)% $387,828

29% $299,996

2009

Percent
Change

2008
($ in thousands)

Percent
Change

2007

20

Revenues of $341.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased 12% compared to $387.8 million
in 2008. Revenues decreased primarily due to a 10% decrease in sales volume and a 2% decrease in average
proppant selling price. The Company’s worldwide proppant sales volume totaled 1.043 billion pounds for the year
ended December 31, 2009 compared to 1.162 billion pounds for the same period in 2008. Despite a 42% decrease in
the drilling rig count in the U.S. and Canada, sales volume in that region decreased by only 8%. Sales volume
decreases for most of the Company’s products in the U.S. and Canada were partially offset by greater demand for
the Company’s lightweight products, such as CARBOHYDROPROP» in shale formations. International (excluding
Canada) sales volume decreased 20% primarily attributed to decreases in Russia and North Africa partially offset by
an increase in Mexico. The average selling price per pound of ceramic proppant was $0.315 per pound in 2009
compared to $0.322 per pound in 2008. The lower average selling price was primarily attributed to a change in the
mix of products sold toward lower priced lightweight products.

Revenues of $387.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 exceeded revenues of $300.0 million in
2007 by 29%. Revenues increased primarily due to a 28% increase in proppant sales volume. The Company’s
worldwide proppant sales volume increased for the sixth consecutive year to 1.162 billion pounds and exceeded the
2007 sales record of 908 million pounds by 28%. North American sales volume increased 33% over 2007, driven by
the continued strength in the U.S. market and the introduction of CARBOHYDROPROP» in early 2008. Increases
in sales volume in Canada of 14% were partially offset by a decrease in Mexico. Overseas sales volume increased
5% led by a 61% increase in Russia, which is due to the start-up of a manufacturing plant in that market during the
second quarter of 2007. This increase was offset by the impact of other overseas sales which declined 13% in 2008
compared to 2007. The average selling price per pound of ceramic proppant was $0.322 per pound in 2008
compared to $0.321 per pound in 2007.

Gross Profit

2009

Percent
Change

2008
($ in thousands)

Percent
Change

2007

Consolidated gross profit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated gross profit% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$120,503

(5)% $127,434

25% $101,926

35%

33%

34%

The Company’s cost of sales related to proppant manufacturing consists of manufacturing costs, packaging
and transportation expenses associated with the delivery of the Company’s products to its customers and handling
costs related to maintaining finished goods inventory and operating the Company’s remote stocking facilities.
Variable manufacturing costs include raw materials, labor, utilities and repair and maintenance supplies. Fixed
manufacturing costs include depreciation, property taxes on production facilities, insurance and factory overhead.

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $120.5 million, or 35% of revenues, compared to
$127.4 million, or 33% of revenues, for 2008. The decrease in gross profit was the result of decreased revenues
driven primarily by lower sales volumes. Despite the revenue and gross profit decline, gross profit as a percentage of
revenues increased primarily as a result of a change in the mix of products sold, lower freight costs and lower natural
gas costs in the Company’s U.S. manufacturing facilities.

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $127.4 million, or 33% of revenues, compared to
$101.9 million, or 34% of revenues, for 2007. The increase in gross profit was the result of increased revenues
driven primarily by higher sales volumes. Despite the revenue and gross profit growth, gross profit as a percentage
of
lower-margin
CARBOHYDROPROP» during the period of initial introduction into the marketplace, higher manufacturing costs
in the Company’s U.S. plants primarily resulting from increases in the cost of natural gas and raw materials, and
increased freight to transport products to customer locations.

revenues declined primarily as a result of

lower-margin sales in Russia, sales of

21

Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) and Other Operating Expenses

Consolidated SG&A and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $41,053
As a% of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12%

2%

2009

Percent
Change

2008
($ in thousands)
$40,351

10%

Percent
Change

2007

32% $30,467

10%

Operating expenses consisted of $40.9 million of SG&A expenses and $0.1 million of other operating
expenses for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $37.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for 2008.
As a percentage of revenues, SG&A and other operating expenses increased to 12% compared to 10% for the same
period in 2008. The increases in SG&A expenses primarily resulted from the inclusion of Falcon Technologies
SG&A in 2009, costs associated with the relocation of certain administrative offices and Falcon Technologies
acquisition costs. Other operating expenses in 2008 consisted primarily of a $1.4 million write-off of a prepayment
for the purchase of ceramic proppant from a third-party proppant manufacturer and $1.1 million relating to start-up
costs for the second production line at the Company’s Toomsboro, Georgia facility and the reopening of the New
Iberia, Louisiana manufacturing facility idled earlier in 2008.

Operating expenses consisted of $37.6 million of SG&A expenses and $2.7 million of other operating
expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to $29.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for 2007.
As a percentage of revenues, SG&A and other operating expenses remained unchanged at 10% in 2008 and 2007.
SG&A expenses increased primarily because of global marketing activity and administrative expenses supporting
revenue growth. Other operating expenses of $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 consisted
primarily of a $1.4 million write-off of a prepayment for the purchase of ceramic proppant from a third-party
proppant manufacturer and $1.1 million relating to start-up costs for the second production line at the Company’s
Toomsboro, Georgia facility and the reopening of the New Iberia, Louisiana manufacturing facility idled earlier in
2008. Other operating expenses of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 consisted of $1.2 million
relating to start-up costs associated with the Company’s new manufacturing facility in Russia and a $0.3 million loss
related to equipment disposals.

Other Income (Expense)

2009

Percent
Change

Percent
Change

2008
($ in thousands)

2007

Consolidated Other Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $344

(73)% $1,266

(59)% $3,120

Other income for the year ended December 31, 2009 declined $0.9 million compared to the same period in
2008. This decline is mainly attributed to a $0.8 million decrease in foreign currency exchange gains resulting from
exchange rate fluctuations between the local reporting currency and the currency in which certain liabilities of the
Company’s subsidiary in Russia are denominated. The Company recognizes gains and losses resulting from
fluctuations in these currencies as a result of the capital structure of its investment in that country. By the end of
2008, the Company had restructured its investment in Russia thereby limiting income statement exposure to future
changes in currency exchange rates.

Other income for the year ended December 31, 2008 declined $1.8 million compared to 2007 primarily due to a
$2.6 million decrease in foreign currency exchange gains resulting from the reduction during 2008 in intercompany
liabilities that were subject to exchange rate fluctuations. This reduction in foreign currency gains was partially
offset by a $0.5 million increase in gains resulting from changes in exchange rates between the functional currency
and the foreign currency in which the effective transactions were denominated.

Income Tax Expense

Income Tax Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26,984
Effective Income Tax Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33.8%

(3)% $27,944

12% $24,938

31.6%

33.4%

2009

Percent
Change

2008
($ in thousands)

Percent
Change

2007

22

Consolidated income tax expense was $27.0 million, or 33.8% of pretax income, for the year ended
December 31, 2009 compared to $27.9 million, or 31.6% of pretax income for 2008. The $0.9 million decrease
is due to lower pretax income partially offset by an increase in the effective tax rate primarily due to benefits relating
to mining depletion deductions that the Company recorded during the third quarter of 2008.

Consolidated income tax expense was $27.9 million, or 31.6% of pretax income, for the year ended
December 31, 2008 compared to $24.9 million, or 33.4% of pretax income for 2007. The decrease in the effective
tax rate is primarily due to the additional tax benefits associated with the depletion of kaolin minerals owned by the
Company discussed above. In addition, the effective tax rate declined in part due to the final preparation and filing
of the Company’s prior year tax returns.

Discontinued Operations

2009

Percent
Change

2008

Change

($ in thousands)

Percent
2007

Income from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes . . . . . . . . . —
Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations, net of taxes . . . —

—
—

$ 5,784
$44,127

37% $4,229
—
—

On August 28, 2008, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its fracture and reservoir
diagnostics business, including the Pinnacle name and related trademarks. The resulting gain on sale and operations
of this business are presented as discontinued operations. The sale was completed on October 10, 2008 for
$142.3 million in cash, net of working capital adjustments. The Company recorded a gain of $44.1 million, which is
net of income taxes of $24.4 million. The Company did not record any income from discontinued operations in
2009.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $69.6 million compared to cash and
cash equivalents of $154.8 million at December 31, 2008. During 2009, the Company generated $22.1 million of
cash from operating activities of continuing operations, which is net of $70.5 million used for income tax payments
associated with the sale of discontinued operations on October 10, 2008, third and fourth quarter 2008 estimated tax
payments that were deferred to 2009 as a result of hurricane Gustav tax relief, and 2009 taxable income. The
Company also generated $0.9 million from employee exercises of stock options and retained $0.2 million cash from
excess tax benefits relating to stock based compensation to employees. Uses of cash included $46.1 million of
capital spending, $23.0 million for the acquisition of the assets of BBL Falcon Industries, Ltd., $16.3 million of cash
dividends, $22.7 million for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock and $0.3 million from the effect of
exchange rate changes on cash. Major capital spending in 2009 included engineering and procurement on a third
production line at the Toomsboro facility, equipment relating to the resin-coating process at the New Iberia facility,
and replacement of various equipment associated with the McIntyre facility.

The Company believes its operating results for 2010 will continue to be influenced by the level of natural gas
drilling in North America but expects its ability to demonstrate the value of ceramic proppant relative to alternatives
will allow it to continue to generate new sales opportunities. Although the North American drilling rig count
improved during the third and fourth quarters of 2009, it is not apparent whether this is the beginning of a recovery
or a short-term correction. The Company believes the steep natural gas decline curves in North America will
eventually help in bringing supply and demand more into balance; however, the timing of a sustainable recovery in
the oil and gas industry is difficult to pinpoint.

Subject to its 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 January 19, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend
of $0.18 per share to shareholders of the Company’s common stock on February 1, 2010. The dividend is payable on
February 16, 2010. The Company estimates its total capital expenditures in 2010 will be between $70.0 million and
$78.0 million, which include costs associated with completion of the previously announced construction of the

23

Company’s third production line at its Toomsboro, Georgia facility. The Company currently anticipates that the
project will be completed near the end of 2010.

The Company has historically maintained an unsecured line of credit of $10.0 million. That line of credit
expired as of December 31, 2009; however, in January 2010 the Company secured another $10.0 million line of
credit with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. 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. The Company also believes that it
could acquire additional debt financing, if needed. 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 December 31, 2009.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009:

Long-term debt obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating lease obligations:

Total

Less than
1 Year

Payments Due in Period
1 - 3
Years
($ in thousands)
$ — $ — $ — $ — $ —
—

More than
5 Years

3 - 5
Years

—

—

—

—

— Primarily railroad equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23,745

5,700

9,248

4,949

3,848

Purchase obligations:

— Natural gas contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
— Raw materials contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

43,010
26,744
—

24,793
1,505
—

18,217
4,963
—

—
6,942
—

—
13,334
—

Total contractual obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$93,499

$31,998

$32,428

$11,891

$17,182

See Note 6 and Note 15 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Operating lease obligations relate primarily to railroad equipment leases and include leases of other property,

plant and equipment.

The Company uses natural gas to power its domestic manufacturing plants. From time to time, the Company
enters into contracts to purchase a portion of the anticipated natural gas requirements at specified prices. As of
December 31, 2009, the last such contract was due to expire in December 2012.

The Company has entered into contracts to supply raw materials, primarily kaolin and bauxite, to each of its
manufacturing plants. Each of the contracts is described in Note 15 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements. Four of the contracts do not require the Company to purchase minimum annual quantities, but do
require the purchase of minimum annual percentages, ranging from 70% to 100% of the respective plants’
requirements for the specified raw materials. One outstanding contract requires the Company to purchase a
minimum annual quantity of material.

Item 7A. 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 December 31, 2009, the Company’s net investment that is subject to
foreign currency fluctuations totaled $77.6 million, and the Company has recorded a cumulative foreign currency
translation loss of $5.2 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

24

exchange contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. There were no such foreign exchange
contracts outstanding at December 31, 2009.

The Company has a $10.0 million line of credit with a commercial bank. Under the terms of the revolving
credit agreement, the Company may elect to pay interest at either a fluctuating base rate established by the bank
from time to time or at a rate based on the rate established in the London inter-bank market. There were no
borrowings outstanding under the previous agreement at December 31, 2009. The Company does not believe that it
has any material exposure to market risk associated with interest rates.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The information required by this Item is contained in pages F-3 through F-23 of this Report.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A. 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 December 31, 2009, 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 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) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

For Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, see page F-1 of this Report.

(c) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

For the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the Company’s internal control over

financial reporting, see page F-2 of this Report.

(d) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended
December 31, 2009, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting.

25

Item 9B. Other Information

Not applicable.

PART III

Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Report. The Company will file a definitive proxy
statement pursuant to Regulation 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year
covered by this Report and certain information included therein is incorporated herein by reference. Only those
sections of the Proxy Statement that specifically address the items set forth herein are incorporated by reference.
Such incorporation does not include the Compensation Committee Report included in the Proxy Statement.

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information concerning executive officers under Item 401 of Regulation S-K is set forth in Part I of this
Form 10-K. The other information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the portions of the
Company’s Proxy Statement entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,”
“Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors, Committees of the Board of Directors and Meeting Attendance,”
“Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Compliance” and “Report of the
Audit Committee.”

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the portions of the Company’s Proxy
Statement entitled “Compensation of Executive Officers,” “Director Compensation” and “Potential Termination
and Change in Control Payments.”

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder

Matters

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement under
the captions “Securities Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation
Plan Information.”

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the portion of the Company’s Proxy

Statement entitled “Election of Directors.”

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the portion of the Company’s Proxy
Statement entitled “Ratification of Appointment of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm.”

26

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Exhibits, Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules:

1. Consolidated Financial Statements

The Consolidated Financial Statements of CARBO Ceramics Inc. listed below are contained in pages F-3

through F-23 of this Report:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009 and 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-4
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and

2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-5

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2009,

2008 and 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and

2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-7

2. Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules

Schedule II — Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts is contained on page S-1 of this Report. All

other schedules have been omitted since they are either not required or not applicable.

3. Exhibits

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into,

this Report.

27

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

SIGNATURES

CARBO Ceramics Inc.

By: /s/ Gary A Kolstad

Gary A. Kolstad
President and Chief Executive Officer

By: /s/ Ernesto Bautista III
Ernesto Bautista III
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Dated: February 26, 2010

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOWALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Gary A. Kolstad and Ernesto Bautista III, jointly and severally, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to
file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes,
may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the

following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ William C. Morris
William C. Morris

/s/ Gary A. Kolstad
Gary A. Kolstad

/s/ Ernesto Bautista III
Ernesto Bautista III

Chairman of the Board

February 26, 2010

President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive Officer)

February 26, 2010

Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)

February 26, 2010

28

Signature

/s/ Sigmund L. Cornelius
Sigmund L. Cornelius

/s/

James B. Jennings
James B. Jennings

/s/ H.E. Lentz, Jr.
H.E. Lentz, Jr.

/s/ Randy L. Limbacher
Randy L. Limbacher

/s/ Robert S. Rubin
Robert S. Rubin

Title

Director

Date

February 26, 2010

Director

February 26, 2010

Director

February 26, 2010

Director

February 26, 2010

Director

February 26, 2010

29

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting,
as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal
control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effective-
ness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment,
it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in
Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on its assessment and those criteria, management has concluded
that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an attestation

report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. That report is included herein.

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
CARBO Ceramics Inc.

We have audited CARBO Ceramics Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009,
based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). CARBO Ceramics Inc.’s management is
responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report
on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal
control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit
included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material
weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the
assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe
that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting
includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail,
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, CARBO Ceramics Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over

financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), the consolidated balance sheets of CARBO Ceramics Inc. as of December 31, 2009, and 2008, and
the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2009 and our report dated February 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana
February 26, 2010

F-2

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
CARBO Ceramics Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CARBO Ceramics Inc. as of December 31,
2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule
listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
consolidated financial position of CARBO Ceramics Inc. at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all
material respects the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2008 the Company changed its method of

accounting for inventories.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), CARBO Ceramics Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based
on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified
opinion thereon.

New Orleans, Louisiana
February 26, 2010

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

F-3

34,886
29,958

64,844
2,243
5,682

293,310

10,208
6,257
42,416
281,894
24,881

365,656
120,754

244,902
4,859
3,806

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade accounts and other receivables, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories:

Finished goods, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Raw materials and supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

December 31,

2009

2008

($ in thousands, except per share data)

$ 69,557
59,567

$154,817
65,724

48,414
31,735

80,149
2,799
6,798

Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

218,870

Property, plant and equipment:

Land and land improvements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Land-use and mineral rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machinery and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction in progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intangible and other assets, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11,326
8,043
44,170
295,188
56,598

415,325
144,603

270,722
13,716
10,104

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$513,412

$546,877

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued payroll and benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued freight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shareholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 5,000 shares authorized, none

$ 8,732
7,513
4,988
2,727
3,609
4,889

32,458
23,638

$ 15,615
9,373
3,668
4,089
47,929
3,174

83,848
20,495

outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 40,000,000 shares authorized;

23,077,183 and 23,637,678 shares issued and outstanding at December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

231
54,361
407,933
(5,209)

457,316

236
73,460
371,602
(2,764)

442,534

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$513,412

$546,877

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

Years Ended December 31,
2008
($ in thousands, except per share data)
$299,996
$387,828
$341,872
198,070
260,394
221,369

2007

Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Start-up costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss on disposal or impairment of assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

120,503
40,897
—
156

127,434
37,644
1,108
1,599

101,926
28,984
1,215
268

79,450

87,083

71,459

Operating profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other income (expense):

Interest income, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinued operations:

451
(192)
85

344

79,794
26,984

52,810

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes . . . . .

—
—

491
257
518

1,266

88,349
27,944

60,405

5,784
44,127

419
2,882
(181)

3,120

74,579
24,938

49,641

4,229
—

Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 52,810

$110,316

$ 53,870

Basic earnings per share:

Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes . . . . .

$

Basic earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

Diluted earnings per share:

Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes . . . . .

$

Diluted earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

2.27
—
—

2.27

2.27
—
—

2.27

$

$

$

$

2.47
0.24
1.81

4.52

2.46
0.24
1.81

4.51

$

$

$

$

2.03
0.17
—

2.20

2.02
0.17
—

2.19

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Balances at January 1, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency translation adjustment,

net of tax of $1,954 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from stock based

compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends ($0.52 per share) . . . . . . . .

Balances at December 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency translation adjustment,

$244
—

—

1

—
—
—

245
—

($ in thousands, except per share data)
$ 2,099
—

$235,732
53,870

$104,784
—

—

1,398

328
2,176
—

—

—

—
—
(12,723)

1,530

—

—
—
—

108,686

276,879
— 110,316

3,629
—

Total

$342,859
53,870

1,530

55,400
1,399

328
2,176
(12,723)

389,439
110,316

net of tax benefit of ($3,442) . . . . . . . . .

—

—

Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from stock based

compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shares repurchased and retired . . . . . . . . . .
Shares surrendered by employees to pay

taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends ($0.62 per share) . . . . . . . .

Balances at December 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency translation adjustment,

net of tax of $1,454 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from stock based

compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stock granted under restricted stock plan,

net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shares repurchased and retired . . . . . . . . . .
Shares surrendered by employees to pay

taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividends ($0.70 per share) . . . . . . . .

—
—
(10)

—
—

236
—

—

1

—

1
—
(7)

—
—

1

2,556

—

—

—
—
(90)

(269)
(15,234)

371,602
52,810

—

—

—

—
—
—

1,186
3,172
(42,140)

—
—

73,460
—

—

895

261

(1)
2,302
(22,556)

—
—

(192)
(16,287)

(6,393)

(6,393)

—

—
—
—

—
—

(2,764)
—

(2,445)

—

—

—
—
—

—
—

103,923
2,557

1,186
3,172
(42,240)

(269)
(15,234)

442,534
52,810

(2,445)

50,365
896

261

—
2,302
(22,563)

(192)
(16,287)

Balances at December 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . .

$231

$ 54,361

$407,933

$(5,209)

$457,316

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Operating activities
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 52,810
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of

$110,316

$ 53,870

2009

Years Ended December 31,
2008
($ in thousands)

2007

continuing operations:
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss on disposal or impairment of assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain), net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock compensation expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Trade accounts and other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other current assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investing activities
Capital expenditures, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition of Applied Geomechanics, Inc., net of cash acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition of BBL Falcon Industries, Ltd.
Investment in cost-method investee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases of short-term investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities of continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financing activities
Proceeds from bank borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repayments on bank borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net proceeds from stock based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
24,905
—
516
573
(225)
156
192
2,571

8,119
(14,639)
(606)
236
(7,971)
(529)
(44,058)

(5,784)
24,638
(44,127)
72
(5,714)
(375)
1,599
(257)
2,052

(15,515)
(13,162)
(596)
(1,464)
234
1,905
22,247

(4,229)
19,895
—
82
(776)
(170)
237
(2,882)
1,709

2,773
(12,143)
204
173
1,325
871
(369)

22,050

76,069

60,570

(46,127)
—
(23,000)
—
—
—
—

(23,343)
—
—
(1,000)
142,278
—
—

(53,944)
(2,545)
—
—
—
(4,000)
11,500

(69,127)

117,935

(48,989)

—
—
896
(16,287)
(22,755)
225

(37,921)
(262)
—

6,500
(6,500)
2,557
(15,234)
(42,509)
375

(54,811)
(371)
3,699

12,000
(12,000)
1,398
(12,723)
—
170

(11,155)
243
(13,346)

(12,677)
24,973

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(85,260)
154,817

142,521
12,296

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 69,557

$154,817

$ 12,296

Supplemental cash flow information
Interest paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1

$

44

$

43

Income taxes paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 70,463

$ 15,305

$ 28,675

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands, except per share data)

1. Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

CARBO Ceramics Inc. (the “Company”) was formed in 1987 and is a manufacturer of ceramic proppants. The
Company has six production plants in: New Iberia, Louisiana; Eufaula, Alabama; McIntyre, Georgia; Toomsboro,
Georgia; Luoyang, China; and Kopeysk, Russia. The Company predominantly markets its proppant products
through pumping service companies that perform hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas companies. Finished goods
inventories are stored at the plant sites and various domestic and international remote distribution facilities. The
Company also provides consulting and software services to oil and gas companies worldwide, as well as a broad
range of technologies for spill prevention, containment, and geotechnical monitoring.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CARBO Ceramics Inc. and its operating
subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements also include a 6% interest in a Texas-based electronic equipment
manufacturing company that was acquired in March 2008 and is reported under the cost method of accounting. All
significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to
conform to current year classifications.

Concentration of Credit Risk, Accounts Receivable and Other Receivables

The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not
require collateral. Receivables are generally due within 30 days. The majority of the Company’s receivables are
from customers in the petroleum pressure pumping industry. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful
accounts based on its assessment of collectability risk and periodically evaluates the balance in the allowance based
on a review of trade accounts receivable. Trade accounts receivable are periodically reviewed for collectability
based on customers’ past credit history and current financial condition, and the allowance is adjusted if necessary.
Credit losses historically have been insignificant. The allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2009 and
2008 was $2,169 and $1,739, respectively. Other receivables were $2,061 and $2,206 as of December 31, 2009 and
2008, respectively, which related mainly to miscellaneous receivables in China and value added tax receivables in
Russia for 2009 and miscellaneous receivables in China for 2008.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased
to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash equivalents approximate fair
value.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (weighted average) or market. Finished goods inventories include
costs of materials, plant labor and overhead incurred in the production of the Company’s products and costs to
transfer finished goods to distribution centers.

During the second quarter of 2008, the Company changed its method of accounting for inventories from the
first-in, first-out (FIFO) method to the weighted average cost method. The Company believes that the weighted
average cost method more appropriately reflects costs in relation to the physical movement of bulk-processed
finished goods. A change in accounting method requires retroactive application and thus restatement of all prior
periods presented. However, this change in inventory costing method did not result in a material cumulative
difference or a material difference in any one reporting period, and consequently the prior periods have not been

F-8

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

restated. The cumulative effect of the accounting change, which was immaterial, was reflected in the results of
operations in the second quarter of 2008.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes using the following estimated
useful lives:

Buildings and improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machinery and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Land-use rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15 to 30 years
3 to 30 years
30 years

The Company holds approximately 2,630 acres of land and leasehold interests in Wilkinson County, Georgia,
near its plants in McIntyre and Toomsboro, Georgia and 80 acres of land and leasehold interests in Barbour County,
Alabama near its plant in Eufaula, Alabama. The Company estimates the land in Wilkinson County, Georgia and
Barbour County, Alabama has an aggregate total of 12.2 million tons of kaolin reserves for use as raw material in
production of its proppant products. The capitalized costs of land and mineral rights as well as costs incurred to
develop such property are amortized using the units-of-production method based on estimated total tons of kaolin
reserves.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets

Long-lived assets to be held and used and intangible assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for
impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate their carrying amounts might not be recoverable. Recov-
erability is assessed by comparing the undiscounted expected future cash flows from the assets with their carrying
amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows an impairment loss is
recorded. The impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the assets with their carrying amounts.
Intangible assets that are not subject to amortization are tested for impairment at least annually by comparing their
fair value with the carrying amount and recording an impairment loss for any excess of carrying amount over fair
value. Fair values are generally determined based on discounted expected future cash flows or appraised values, as
appropriate. Long-lived assets that are held for disposal are reported at the lower of the assets’ carrying amount or
fair value less costs related to the assets’ disposition. During 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company recognized losses
of $156, $1,599 and $268, respectively, on disposal or impairment of various assets from continuing operations.
Disposals in 2009 mainly related to equipment disposals in its China and Russia operations while 2008 disposals
related to the write-off of a prepayment for the purchase of ceramic proppant from a Chinese proppant manu-
facturer. Disposals in 2007 mainly related to equipment disposals in its U.S. manufacturing facilities.

Capitalized Software

The Company capitalizes certain software costs, after technological feasibility has been established, which are
amortized utilizing the straight-line method over the economic lives of the related products, not to exceed five years.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of companies acquired over the fair value of their net assets at the
date of acquisition. Realization of goodwill is assessed at least annually by management based on the fair value of
the respective reporting unit. The latest impairment review indicated goodwill was not impaired.

F-9

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from proppant sales is recognized when title passes to the customer, generally upon delivery. Revenue
from consulting and geotechnical services is recognized at the time service is performed. Revenue from the sale of
fracture simulation software is recognized when title passes to the customer at time of shipment. Revenue from the
sale of spill prevention services is recognized at the time service is performed. Revenue from the sale of
containment goods is recognized at the time goods are delivered.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are classified as cost of sales. Shipping costs consist of transportation costs to
deliver products to customers. Handling costs include labor and overhead to maintain finished goods inventory and
operate distribution facilities.

Cost of Start-Up Activities

Start-up activities, including organization costs, are expensed as incurred. Start-up costs for 2008 related to the
start-up of the second production line at the Company’s Toomsboro, Georgia facility and the reopening of the New
Iberia, Louisiana manufacturing facility idled earlier during 2008. Start-up costs for 2007 are related primarily to
the new proppant manufacturing facility in Kopeysk, Russia, which began proppant production in the first half of
2007. Start-up costs include organizational and administrative costs associated with the facilities as well as labor,
materials, and utilities to bring installed equipment to operating condition.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the
financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are charged to operations when incurred and are included in selling, general
and administrative expenses. The amounts incurred in 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $2,902, $3,130 and $3,361,
respectively.

Foreign Subsidiaries

Financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated using current exchange rates for
assets and liabilities; average exchange rates for the period for revenues, expenses, gains and losses; and historical
exchange rates for equity accounts. Resulting translation adjustments are included in, and the only component of,
accumulated other comprehensive loss as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (the “ASC”), a replacement of SFAS No. 162. The ASC, which was
launched on July 1, 2009, became the single source of authoritative non-governmental U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (“GAAP”), superseding various existing authoritative accounting pronouncements. The ASC
eliminates the GAAP hierarchy contained in SFAS No. 162 and establishes one level of authoritative GAAP. All
other literature is considered non-authoritative. The ASC is effective for financial statements issued for interim and
annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company adopted the ASC as of July 1, 2009. Adoption did

F-10

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements other than changes in reference to various
authoritative accounting pronouncements.

Effective April 1, 2009,

the Company adopted ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events” (formerly
SFAS No. 165) which establishes (i) the period after the balance sheet date during which management shall
evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements;
(ii) the circumstances under which an entity shall recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet
date in its financial statements; and (iii) the disclosures that an entity shall make about events or transactions that
occurred after the balance sheet date. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.

Effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments” (formerly FASB Staff
Position (FSP) FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1). This standard extends certain disclosure requirements related to the fair
value of financial statements to interim financial statements. The adoption of this standard only required additional
disclosure in the Company’s interim financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations” (formerly
SFAS No. 141(R)). The statement retains the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, but requires a number
of changes, including changes in the way assets and liabilities are recognized in purchase accounting. It also
changes the recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies, requires the
capitalization of in-process research and development at fair value, and requires the expensing of acquisition-
related costs as incurred. The guidance in ASC Topic 805 is applied prospectively to business combinations
completed on or after January 1, 2009, including the Company’s acquisition of substantially all of the assets of BBL
Falcon Industries, Ltd. (see Note 3).

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share” (formerly Staff
Position (“FSP”) No. EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Trans-
actions Are Participating Securities”). This standard provides that unvested share-based payment awards that
contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating
securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The
Company has determined that its outstanding non-vested restricted stock awards are participating securities.
Accordingly, effective January 1, 2009, earnings per common share is computed using the two-class method
prescribed by ASC Topic 260 “Earnings Per Share.” All previously reported earnings per common share data were
retrospectively adjusted to conform to the new computation method. The impact of adoption of this standard was
not material to earnings per share for any period presented.

In April 2008, the FASB issued an amendment to the standard pertaining to intangible assets. This guidance
discusses determination of the useful life of intangible assets and amends the factors that should be considered in
developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. This
guidance is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of an intangible asset determined under the
guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair
value of the asset. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2010. Early adoption is
prohibited. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have an impact on its consolidated
financial statements.

2. Sale of Assets (Discontinued Operations)

On August 28, 2008, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell a substantial portion of the assets
of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pinnacle Technologies, Inc. (“Pinnacle”). The sale, which included all of the
fracture and reservoir diagnostic business, the Pinnacle name and related trademarks, was completed on October 10,
2008 for $142,278 in cash, net of working capital adjustments. The Company recorded a gain of $44,127, net of

F-11

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

goodwill of $18,340 allocated to the business sold and income taxes of $24,394. The group of assets sold meets the
definition of a component of an entity as defined in ASC Topic 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements”
(formerly SFAS No. 144). The Company has no continuing involvement in these operations. In accordance with
ASC Topic 205, operations associated with these assets have been classified as income from discontinued
operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and the cash flows associated with discontinued
operations have been segregated in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company
retained the hydraulic fracturing simulation software FracProPT, the hydraulic fracturing design, engineering and
consulting business and Applied Geomechanics, Inc., a provider of tiltmeter technology for geotechnical appli-
cations. Previously, the Pinnacle assets and operations were presented in the Fracture and Reservoir Diagnostics
segment, one of the Company’s two reportable segments. Segment information is no longer presented because the
remaining operations do not meet the quantitative thresholds for a reportable segment. Subsequent to the sale, the
subsidiary name Pinnacle Technologies, Inc. was changed to StrataGen, Inc.

Revenues and income before income taxes, excluding the gain on disposed assets, from discontinued

operations are as follows:

Years Ended
December 31,

2008

2007

Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$44,087

$40,355

Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 9,330

$ 6,821

Cash flows from discontinued operations are as follows:

Years Ended
December 31,

2008

2007

Operating activities:

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 49,911
(44,127)
Gain on disposal, net of income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,932
Depreciation, amortization and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
235
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investing activities: Capital expenditures and other, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financing activities: Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation . . . .

9,951
(6,664)
412

$ 4,229
—
5,059
(10,121)

(833)
(12,590)
77

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,699

$(13,346)

3. Acquisition of Business

On April 12, 2007, the Company purchased 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Applied Geomechanics,
Inc. (“AGI”), a supplier of tiltmeters. Results of operations for AGI, included in the consolidated financial
statements since that date, are not material. AGI develops and markets precision measurement instruments for
geotechnical and scientific applications. The Company’s acquisition and the resulting goodwill were attributable to
the Company’s strategy to expand its ability to produce tiltmeters and related equipment and improve the
Company’s revenue generating potential in the geotechnical (non-oilfield) monitoring business. The acquisition
was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting provided for under ASC Topic 805, “Business
Combinations” (formerly SFAS No. 141). The aggregate cost of the acquisition was $2,553 in cash and direct costs
of the transaction. Goodwill of $1,373 arising in the transaction is not deductible for income tax purposes.

F-12

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

On October 2, 2009 a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of
BBL Falcon Industries, Ltd. (“Falcon”), a supplier of spill prevention and containment systems for the oil and gas
industry. The acquisition was made for the purpose of expanding the Company’s product and service offerings to its
existing client base. Falcon uses proprietary technology to provide solutions that are designed to enable its clients to
extend the life of their storage assets, reduce the potential for hydrocarbon spills and provide containment of stored
materials. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting under ASC Topic 805,
“Business Combinations” (formerly SFAS No. 141(R)). The aggregate purchase price of the acquisition was
$23,000 in cash and direct costs of the transaction. Acquisition costs incurred during 2009 of $608 are reported in
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. The operating results of the acquired company have been included
in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Goodwill of $8,857 arising in the transaction is
deductible for income tax purposes.

Unaudited pro forma revenue, earnings and earnings per share were not materially different from reported

results and as such are not presented herein.

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of

acquisition:

Current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, plant and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill arising in the transaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net assets acquired. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 3,704
5,892
6,453
8,857

24,906
(1,906)
$23,000

4.

Intangible and Other Assets

Following is a summary of intangible and other assets as of December 31:

Weighted
Average Life

Gross
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Gross
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

2009

2008

Intangibles:

Patents and licenses, software and

hardware designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Developed technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer relationships and non-compete . .
Trademark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5 years
10 years
9 years
Indefinite

$ 2,836
2,782
2,838
833
2,263

$11,552

$1,294
70
84
—
—

$1,448

$2,463
—
—
—
2,500

$4,963

$1,157
—
—
—
—

$1,157

Amortization expense for 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $560, $462 and $402, respectively. Estimated amortization
expense for each of the ensuing years through December 31, 2014 is $1,115, $1,045, $871, $785 and $773,
respectively.

Other assets totaling $2,263 and $2,500 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, mainly consisted of a
6% interest in a Texas-based electronic equipment manufacturing company that was acquired in March 2008 and is
reported under the cost method of accounting and a prepayment for ore reserves and mineral rights to land in Saline
County, Arkansas.

F-13

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

5. Bank Borrowings

Under the terms of an unsecured revolving credit agreement with a bank, dated December 31, 2000 and later
amended, the Company could borrow up to $10,000. This agreement expired on December 31, 2009. The Company
had the option of choosing either the bank’s fluctuating Base Rate or LIBOR Fixed Rate (as defined in the credit
agreement). The terms of the credit agreement provided for certain affirmative and negative covenants and required
the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. Commitment fees were payable quarterly at the annual rate of
0.375% of the unused line of credit. Commitment fees were $38, $37, and $35 in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

6. Leases

The Company leases certain property, plant and equipment under operating leases, primarily consisting of
railroad equipment leases. Minimum future rental payments due under non-cancelable operating leases with
remaining terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2009 are as follows:

2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 5,700
5,223
4,025
2,890
2,059
3,848

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$23,745

Leases of railroad equipment generally provide for renewal options for periods from one to five years at their
fair rental value at the time of renewal. In the normal course of business, operating leases for railroad equipment are
generally renewed or replaced by other leases. Rent expense for all operating leases was $7,693 in 2009, $7,493 in
2008, and $6,205 in 2007.

7.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant
components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows:

2009

2008

Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 1,265
2,949
3,295
2,618

$

975
2,769
3,777
3,426

Total deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10,127

10,947

Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26,630
337

Total deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26,967

25,553
207

25,760

Net deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$16,840

$14,813

F-14

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

Foreign earnings in the table above are presented net of foreign tax credits of $2,942 and $2,402 as of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, that are expected to be utilized upon repatriation of the foreign earnings.

Significant components of the provision for income taxes from continuing operations for the years ended

December 31 are as follows:

Current:

Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total current

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2009

2008

2007

$23,712
2,080
619

26,411
573

$30,626
2,072
960

$23,641
774
1,299

33,658
(5,714)

25,714
(776)

$26,984

$27,944

$24,938

In China, the Company benefited from a full income tax holiday from the inception of that business through
2004 and a partial tax holiday from 2005 through 2008. However, provision has been made for deferred U.S. income
taxes on all foreign earnings based on the Company’s intent to repatriate foreign earnings. The reconciliation of
income taxes computed at the U.S. statutory tax rate to the Company’s income tax expense for the years ended
December 31 is as follows:

2009

2008

2007

Amount

Percent

Amount

Percent

Amount

Percent

U.S. statutory rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27,928
1,351
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit . .
Mining depletion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(898)
Section 199 Manufacturing Benefit, ETI

35.0% $30,922
1,100
(1,865)

1.7
(1.1)

35.0% $26,102
405
—

1.2
(2.1)

35.0%
0.5
—

Exclusion and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1,397)

(1.8)

(2,213)

(2.5)

(1,569)

(2.1)

$26,984

33.8% $27,944

31.6% $24,938

33.4%

During 2008, the Company determined that depletion deductions should be claimed for the Company’s kaolin
mining activities, which supply its lightweight ceramic proppant operations. Mining depletion recorded during
2008 relates to deductions available to the Company for mining activities conducted during 2008, amounts claimed
on the 2007 tax return, as well as additional amounts claimed through the filing of an amended tax return for 2006.
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit, in 2007 are net of adjustments totaling $913 resulting from the
preparation and filing of prior years’ tax returns and a reduction in deferred income tax liabilities associated with
changes in certain state tax regulations.

The Company had a recorded reserve of approximately $312 associated with uncertain tax positions as of
December 31, 2009 and there were no significant changes to the recorded reserve during the year ended
December 31, 2009. If these uncertain tax positions are recognized, substantially all of this amount would impact
the effective tax rate. Related accrued interest and penalties are recorded in income tax expense and are not material.

The Company files its tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates, the
most significant of which are U.S. federal and certain state jurisdictions. The Company does not currently have
material income tax exposure in foreign jurisdictions due to tax holidays, recent commencement of operations or
immaterial operations. In June 2007 the Company concluded an audit by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for its
2003 tax year. The outcome did not have a material effect on the financial statements. The 2005 through 2008 tax

F-15

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

years are still subject to examination. Various U.S. state jurisdiction tax years remain open to examination as well
though the Company believes assessments, if any, would be immaterial to its consolidated financial statements.

Income tax expense included in discontinued operations for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

Income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 3,546
24,394

$2,592
—

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$27,940

$2,592

2008

2007

8. Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock

Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders and
do not have cumulative voting rights. Subject to preferences of any Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock
are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors
out of funds legally available for that purpose. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to
prior distribution rights of any Preferred Stock then outstanding. The Common Stock has no preemptive or
conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the
Common Stock. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

On January 19, 2010, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per share. The dividend is

payable on February 16, 2010 to shareholders of record on February 1, 2010.

Preferred Stock

The Company’s charter authorizes 5,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors has the authority to
issue Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof,
including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation
preferences and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, without further vote
or action by the Company’s shareholders. In connection with adoption of a shareholder rights plan on February 13,
2002, the Company created the Series A Preferred Stock and authorized 2,000 shares of the Series A Preferred
Stock.

Shareholder Rights Plan

On February 13, 2002, the Company adopted a shareholder rights plan and declared a dividend of one right for
each outstanding share of Common Stock to shareholders of record on February 25, 2002. With certain exceptions,
the rights become exercisable if a tender offer for the Company is announced or any person or group acquires
beneficial ownership of at least 15 percent of the Company’s Common Stock. If exercisable, each right entitles the
holder to purchase one fifteen-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $133 and, if
any person or group acquires beneficial ownership of at least 15 percent of the Company’s Common Stock, to
acquire a number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two times the $133 exercise price. The
Company may redeem the rights for $0.01 per right at any time before any person or group acquires beneficial
ownership of at least 15 percent of the Common Stock. The rights expire on February 13, 2012.

F-16

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

9. Stock Based Compensation

On May 19, 2009, the shareholders approved the CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the
“Omnibus Incentive Plan”). The Omnibus Incentive Plan replaces the previous restricted stock and stock option
plans, which had expired. Under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Company may grant 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-denom-
inated performance units) to employees and non-employee directors. The amount paid under the Omnibus Incentive
Plan to any single participant in any calendar year with respect to any cash-based award shall not exceed $2,000.
Awards may be granted with respect to a number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that in the aggregate
does not exceed 750,000 shares prior to the fifth anniversary of its effective date, plus (i) the number of shares that
are forfeited, cancelled or returned, and (ii) the number of shares that are withheld from the participants to satisfy an
option exercise price or minimum statutory tax withholding obligations. No more than 50,000 shares may be
granted to any single participant in any calendar year. Equity-based awards may be subject to performance-based
and/or service-based conditions. With respect to stock options and stock appreciation rights granted, the exercise
price shall not be less than the market value of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant. The maximum
term of an option is ten years. Restricted stock awards granted generally vest (i.e., transfer and forfeiture restrictions
on these shares are lifted) proportionately on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, but subject to
certain limitations, awards may specify other vesting periods. Unvested shares granted to an individual vest upon
retirement at or after the age of 62. As of December 31, 2009, 728,681 shares were available for issuance under the
Omnibus Incentive Plan. Although the Company’s previous restricted stock and stock option plans have expired,
outstanding options and unvested shares granted under these plans remain outstanding in accordance with their
terms.

The Company also has a Director Deferred Fee Plan (the “Plan”) that permits non-employee directors of the
Company to elect once in December of each year to defer in the following calendar year the receipt of cash
compensation for service as a director, which would otherwise be payable in that year, and to receive those fees in
the form of the Company’s Common Stock on a specified later date that is on or after the director’s retirement from
the Board of Directors. The number of shares reserved for an electing director is based on the fair market value of
the Company’s Common Stock on the date immediately preceding the date those fees would have been paid absent
the deferral. As of December 31, 2009, a total of 4,017 shares were reserved for future issuance in payment of $167
of deferred fees under the Plan by electing directors. The Plan was terminated as of January 19, 2010, and all fees
deferred under the Plan will be paid out no later than 2011.

A summary of stock option activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2009 is presented

below:

Outstanding at January 1, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Options

53,675
—
(40,250)
—

Outstanding at December 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13,425

Exercisable at December 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13,425

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

$23.85
—
$22.27
—

$28.59

$28.59

$531

$531

As of December 31, 2009, all compensation cost related to stock options granted under the expired stock
option plans has been recognized. The weighted-average remaining contractual term of options outstanding at

F-17

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

December 31, 2009 was 3.1 years. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended Decem-
ber 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $944, $3,622, and $1,401, respectively.

A summary of restricted stock activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2009 is

presented below:

Nonvested at January 1, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shares

103,850
98,474
(46,015)
(16,918)

Nonvested at December 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

139,391

Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

$40.29
$38.91
$42.98
$36.57

$38.88

As of December 31, 2009, there was $3,230 of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated
forfeitures, related to restricted shares granted under the restricted stock plans. That cost is expected to be
recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted
stock granted during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $37.33 and $38.75, respectively. The total
fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $1,978, $3,012 and
$1,997, respectively.

During October 2008, in connection with the sale of Pinnacle assets, restricted stock vesting was accelerated
for certain Pinnacle employees transferring employment to Halliburton. Vesting of 26,000 restricted shares
accelerated on October 10, 2008, resulting in accelerated compensation cost of $588, which is included in the
gain on sale of discontinued operations.

The Company also had an International Long-Term Incentive Plan that provides for granting units of stock
appreciation rights (“SARs”) or phantom shares to key international employees. This plan was replaced by the
Omnibus Incentive Plan. One-third of the units subject to an award vests and ceases to be forfeitable on each of the
first three anniversaries of the grant date. Participants awarded units of SARs have the right to receive an amount, in
cash, equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as of the vesting date, or in some cases
on a later exercise date chosen by the participant, over the exercise price. 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 under the International Long-Term
Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2009, there were 14,215 units of phantom shares granted under the plan, of
which 3,547 have vested and 325 have been forfeited, with a total value of $705, the vested portion of which is
recorded as a liability within Other Accrued Expenses.

10. Earnings Per Share

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share” (formerly Staff
Position (“FSP”) No. EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Trans-
actions Are Participating Securities”). This standard provides that unvested share-based payment awards that
contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating
securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The
Company has determined that its outstanding non-vested restricted stock awards are participating securities.
Accordingly, effective January 1, 2009, earnings per common share is computed using the two-class method
prescribed by ASC Topic 260 “Earnings Per Share.” All previously reported earnings per common share data were

F-18

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

retrospectively adjusted to conform to the new computation method. The impact of adoption of this standard was
not material to earnings per share for any period presented.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:

Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of

participating securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax . . .
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of

tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net income available under the two-class

2009

2008

2007

$

52,810

$

60,405

$

49,641

(304)
—

(289)
5,784

—

44,127

(210)
4,229

—

method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

52,506

$

110,027

$

53,660

Denominator:

Denominator for basic earnings per share —

weighted-average shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23,097,105

24,373,007

24,367,479

Effect of dilutive securities:

Employee stock options (See Note 9). . . . . . . . . .
Deferred stock awards (See Note 9) . . . . . . . . . . .

Dilutive potential common shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8,723
5,864

14,587

39,995
4,585

44,580

80,203
3,125

83,328

Denominator for diluted earnings per share —

adjusted weighted-average shares . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23,111,692

24,417,587

24,450,807

Basic earnings per share:

Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax . . .
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of

income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

Basic earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

Diluted earnings per share:

Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax . . .
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of

income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

$

$

$

2.27
—

—

2.27

2.27
—

—

Diluted earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

2.27

$

2.47
0.24

1.81

4.52

2.46
0.24

1.81

4.51

$

$

$

$

2.03
0.17

—

2.20

2.02
0.17

—

2.19

F-19

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

11. Quarterly Operating Results — (Unaudited)

Quarterly results for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

March 31

June 30

September 30

December 31

Three Months Ended

2009
Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from continuing operations. . . . .
Earnings per basic share:

$90,642
35,984
16,428

Income from continuing operations . . .

$ 0.70

Earnings per diluted share:

Income from continuing operations . . .

$ 0.70

2008
Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from continuing operations. . . . .
Discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Earnings per basic share:

$90,375
27,044
12,855
1,376
14,231

Income from continuing operations . . .
Discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 0.52
$ 0.06

Earnings per diluted share:

Income from continuing operations . . .
Discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 0.52
$ 0.06

$69,322
23,192
9,387

$

$

0.41

0.41

$89,285
26,420
11,749
1,781
13,530

$
$

$
$

0.48
0.07

0.48
0.07

$ 91,783
32,271
14,402

$

$

0.62

0.62

$102,587
32,138
15,312
3,108
18,420

$
$

$
$

0.62
0.13

0.62
0.13

$ 90,125
29,056
12,593

$

$

0.55

0.55

$105,581
41,832
20,489
43,646
64,135

$
$

$
$

0.85
1.81

0.85
1.81

Quarterly data may not sum to full year data reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements due to
rounding. Discontinued operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 include the affects of the gain on sale
of discontinued operations. All quarterly earnings per share data was retrospectively adjusted to conform to the new
computation method discussed in Note 1.

12. Sales to Customers

The following schedule presents the percentages of total revenues related to the Company’s three major

customers for the three-year period ended December 31, 2009:

Major Customers
B

C

A

Others

Total

2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.5% 34.3% 11.1% 27.1% 100%
2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30.9% 25.3% 15.3% 28.5% 100%
2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.8% 21.5% 22.6% 30.1% 100%

F-20

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

13. Geographic Information

Long-lived assets, consisting of net property, plant and equipment and other long-term assets, as of December

31 in the United States and other countries are as follows:

2009

2008

2007

Long-lived assets:

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $222,572
50,413
International (primarily China and Russia). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$192,305
55,097

$188,848
65,358

Total

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $272,985

$247,402

$254,206

Revenues outside the United States accounted for 24%, 29% and 36% of the Company’s revenues for 2009,
2008 and 2007, respectively. Revenues for the years ended December 31 in the United States, Canada and other
countries are as follows:

2009

2008

2007

Revenues:

United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $258,453
22,062
Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
61,357
Other international . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$273,805
42,233
71,790

$191,632
36,133
72,231

Total

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $341,872

$387,828

$299,996

14. Benefit Plans

The Company has defined contribution savings and profit sharing plans pursuant to Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Benefit costs recognized as expense under these plans consisted of the following for the
years ended December 31:

2009

2008

2007

Contributions:

Profit sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,031
732
Savings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,289
1,020

$1,385
879

$1,763

$2,309

$2,264

All contributions to the plans are 100% participant directed. Participants are allowed to invest up to 20% of

contributions in the Company’s Common Stock.

15. Commitments

In 2003, the Company entered into a new agreement with an existing supplier to purchase kaolin for its
Eufaula, Alabama, plant at a specified contract price. The term of the agreement is seven years commencing
January 1, 2004 and requires the Company to purchase from the supplier at least 70 percent of its annual kaolin
requirements for its Eufaula, Alabama, plant at specified contract prices. For the years ended December 31, 2009,
2008, and 2007, the Company purchased from the supplier $3,646, $3,891 and $3,092, respectively, of kaolin under
the agreement.

In January 2003, the Company entered into a mining agreement with a contractor to provide kaolin for the
Company’s McIntyre plant at specified contract prices, from lands owned or leased by either the Company or the
contractor. The term of the agreement is twenty years commencing on January 1, 2003, and requires the Company to

F-21

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

accept delivery from the contractor of at least 80 percent of the McIntyre plant’s annual kaolin requirements. For the
years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company purchased $182, $810 and $556, respectively, of
kaolin under the agreement.

In October 2008, the Company entered into a ten-year agreement to purchase a minimum of 40,000 tons of
uncalcined bauxite each year during the first three years of the agreement. Thereafter, the minimum required
purchase increases to 70,000 tons annually. The bauxite is purchased at specified contract prices. For the years
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company purchased $842 and $663, respectively, of bauxite under the
agreement.

In 2002, the Company entered into a five-year agreement and a ten-year agreement with two different suppliers
to purchase bauxite and hard clays for its China plant at specified contract prices. The five-year agreement was
automatically renewed for an additional three years and requires the Company to purchase a minimum of 10,000
metric tons of material annually, or 100 percent of its annual requirements for bauxite if less than 10,000 metric
tons. The ten-year agreement requires the Company to accept delivery from the supplier for at least 80 percent of the
plant’s annual requirements. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company purchased
$2,527, $1,007 and $1,580, respectively, of material under these agreements.

The Company has entered into a lease agreement dated November 1, 2008 with the Development Authority of
Wilkinson County (the “Development Authority”) in the State of Georgia. This 2008 agreement supersedes and
replaces the prior lease agreement dated November 1, 2003. Pursuant to the 2008 agreement, the Development
Authority holds the title to the real and personal property of the Company’s McIntyre and Toomsboro manufac-
turing facilities and leases the facilities to the Company for an annual rental fee of $50 per year through the year
2022. At any time prior to the scheduled termination of the lease, the Company has the option to terminate the lease
and purchase the property for a nominal fee plus the payment of any rent payable through the balance of the lease
term. Furthermore, the Company has a security interest in the title held by the Development Authority. The
Company has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) with the Development Authority
and other local agencies, under which the Company receives tax incentives in exchange for its commitment to invest
in the county and increase employment. The Company is required to achieve certain employment levels in order to
retain its tax incentive. In the event the Company does not meet the agreed-upon employment targets or the MOU is
otherwise terminated, the Company would be subjected to additional property taxes annually. The property subject
to the lease agreement is included in Property, Plant and Equipment (net book value of $175,334 at December 31,
2009) in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company uses natural gas to power its domestic manufacturing plants. From time to time the Company
enters into contracts to purchase a portion of the anticipated natural gas requirements at specified prices. As of
December 31, 2009, the Company had natural gas contracts totaling $24,793, $14,669 and $3,548 for years ended
2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

16. Employment Agreements

The Company has an employment agreement through December 31, 2010 with its President and Chief
Executive Officer. The agreement, as amended on October 31, 2008, provides for an annual base salary and
incentive bonus. If the President and Chief Executive Officer is terminated early without cause, the Company will
be obligated to pay two years base salary and a prorated incentive bonus. Under the amended agreement, the timing
of the payment of severance obligations to the President in the event of the termination of his employment under
certain circumstances has been conformed so that a portion of such obligations will be payable in a lump sum, with
the remainder of the obligations to be paid over an 18 month period. The agreement also contains a two-year non-
competition covenant that would become effective upon termination for any reason. The employment agreement
extends automatically for successive one-year periods without prior written notice.

F-22

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands, except per share data)

17. Foreign Currencies

As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s net investment that is subject to foreign currency fluctuations totaled
$77,599 and the Company has recorded a cumulative foreign currency translation loss of $5,209, net of deferred
income tax benefit. This cumulative translation loss is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.

18. Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters

The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.
Although 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.

19. Subsequent Events

On January 18, 2010, the Company awarded 55,635 shares of restricted stock to certain employees. The fair
value of the stock award on the date of grant totaled $3,828, which will be recognized as expense, net of estimated
forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period.

On January 18, 2010, the Company awarded 4,680 units of phantom shares to certain key international

employees. The fair value of the stock award on the date of grant totaled $322.

On January 29, 2010, the Company entered into a new $10,000 line of credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank,

N.A. This agreement replaces a previous credit facility that expired December 31, 2009.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through February 26, 2010, the date the consolidated financial
statements were issued, and has determined there were no other subsequent events to recognize or disclose in these
consolidated financial statements.

F-23

CARBO CERAMICS INC.

Schedule II — Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
For the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

Year Ended

Allowance for doubtful accounts:
December 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 31, 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance at
Beginning of
Year

Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

Write-offs
($ in thousands)

Discontinued
Operations

Balance at
End of
Year

$1,739
$1,636
$1,605

$516
$ 72
$ 82

$ 86
$175
$ (7)

$ —
$(206)
$ 58

$2,169
$1,739
$1,636

S-1

Exhibit Index

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

10.1

*10.2

*10.3

*10.4

10.5

*10.6

*10.7

*10.8

*10.9

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference
to exhibit 3.1 of the registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 333-1884 filed July 19,1996)
Second Amended and Restated By-Laws of CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to
exhibit 3.1 of the registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed March 20, 2009)
Form of Common Stock Certificate of CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 of
the registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 333-1884 filed July 19, 1996)
Rights Agreement dated as of February 13, 2002 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 1 of the registrant’s
Form 8-A12B filed on February 25, 2002)
Certificate of Designations of Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2 of the
registrant’s Form 8-A Registration Statement No. 001-15903 filed February 25, 2002)
Raw Material Requirements Agreement dated as of June 1, 2003, between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and C-E
Minerals Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 of the registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for
the year ended December 31, 2003)
CARBO Ceramics Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan for Key Employees (incorporated by reference to
exhibit 10.9 of the registrant’s Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 333-1884 filed July 19, 1996)
Amendment No. 1 to the CARBO Ceramics Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan for Key Employees
(incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.5 of the registrant’s Form S-8 Registration Statement
No. 333-88100 filed May 13, 2002)
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 of the registrant’s
Form S-1 Registration Statement No. 333-1884 filed July 19, 1996)
Mining Agreement dated as of January 1, 2003 between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and Arcilla Mining and
Land Co. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.8 of the registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the
year ended December 31, 2002)
CARBO Ceramics Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 99.1 of the
registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed January 24, 2005)
2004 CARBO Ceramics Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 99.2 of the
registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed January 24, 2005)
Amendment No. 1 to the 2004 CARBO Ceramics Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by
reference to exhibit 10.1 of the registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed April 24, 2006)
CARBO Ceramics Inc. Director Deferred Fee Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 99.1 of the
registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed December 19, 2005)

*10.10 Amendment No. 1 to CARBO Ceramics Inc. Director Deferred Fee Plan (incorporated by reference to
exhibit 10.1 of the registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the period ended September 30, 2008)

*10.11 Amendment No. 2 to CARBO Ceramics Inc. Director Deferred Fee Plan
*10.12 Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2004 CARBO Ceramics
Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the registrant’s Form 8-K
Current Report filed April 24, 2006)

*10.13 Form of Officer Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2004 CARBO Ceramics Inc. Long-Term
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report
filed for the period ending June 30, 2009)

*10.14 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of October 31, 2008 between CARBO Ceramics
Inc. and Gary Kolstad (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly
Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2008)

10.16

*10.15 Corporate and Proppant Incentive Compensation Plan for Key Employees (effective January 1, 2009)
(incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed January 26,
2009)
Acquisition Agreement dated as of August 28, 2008 between Pinnacle Technologies, Inc., CARBO
Ceramics Inc. and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the
registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed on September 4, 2008)
Proppant Supply Agreement dated as of August 28, 2008 between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and Halliburton
Energy Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of the registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly
Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2008)

10.17

10.18

10.19

Lease Agreement dated as of November 1, 2008 between the Development Authority of Wilkinson
County and CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the registrant’s Form 8-K
Current Report filed December 30, 2008)
Option Agreement dated as of November 1, 2008 between the Development Authority of Wilkinson
County and CARBO Ceramics Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the registrant’s Form 8-K
Current Report filed December 30, 2008)

*10.20 CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the

registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed May 21, 2009)

*10.21 Form of Officer Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Omnibus Inventive Plan (incorporated by

reference to exhibit 10.2 of the registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed May 21, 2009)

*10.22 Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Omnibus Inventive Plan
(incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of the registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed May 21, 2009)
*10.23 Form of Performance-Based Cash Award Agreement for Omnibus Inventive Plan (incorporated by

reference to exhibit 10.4 of the registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed May 21, 2009)

*10.24 Form of Relocation Policy (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the registrant’s Form 10-Q

Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2009)

10.29

10.28

10.26
10.27

*10.25 CARBO Ceramics Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan Annual Incentive Arrangement (incorporated by
reference to exhibit 10.1 of the registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed January 21, 2010)
Consultant Agreement dated as of February 27, 2009 between CARBO Ceramics Inc. and Paul Vitek
Office Lease dated as of January 20, 2009 between I-10 EC Corridor #2 Limited Partnership and CARBO
Ceramics Inc. (Does not include the Exhibits to this document. These exhibits will be provided to the
Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.)
Amendment Number #1 to Office Lease dated as of January 15, 2010 between I-10 EC Corridor #2
Limited Partnership and CARBO Ceramics Inc. (Does not include the Exhibits to this document. These
exhibits will be provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.)
Credit Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2010, among CARBO Ceramics Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, issuing lender and swing line lender, and the lenders
named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the registrant’s Form 8-K Current Report filed
February 4, 2010).
Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to exhibit 14 of the registrant’s Form 10-K Annual Report for
the year ended December 31, 2003)
Subsidiaries
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Gary A. Kolstad
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by Ernesto Bautista III
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002

21
23
31.1
31.2
32

14

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(b) of the

requirements for an Annual Report on Form 10-K.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CORPORATE OFFICERS

William C. Morris
Chairman of the Board
Former Chairman of the Board,
J. & W. Seligman & Co. Incorporated

Sigmund L. Cornelius
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer,
ConocoPhillips

James B. Jennings
Senior Advisor,
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Chairman Emeritus, Hunt Oil Company

Gary A. Kolstad
President and Chief Executive Officer,
CARBO Ceramics Inc.

H. E. Lentz, Jr.
Managing Director,
Lazard Frères & Co.
Non-Executive Chairman,
Rowan Companies, Inc.

Randy L. Limbacher
Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Rosetta Resources, Inc.

Robert S. Rubin
Senior Vice President,
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Gary A. Kolstad
President and Chief Executive Officer

Ernesto Bautista, III
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Mark L. Edmunds
Vice President, Operations

David G. Gallagher
Vice President, Marketing & Sales

Ellen M. Smith
Vice President, Human Resources

R. Sean Elliott
General Counsel, Corporate Secretary
and Chief Compliance Officer

CORPORATE OFFICES
Energy Center II
575 N. Dairy Ashford
Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77079
281-921-6400

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
The New York Stock Exchange
Symbol: CRR

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
480 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey 07310-1900
800-635-9270

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP
New Orleans, Louisiana

FORM 10-K
A copy of the company’s Annual Report
to the Securities and Exchange
Commission (Form 10-K) is available
free of charge by contacting:

Ernesto Bautista, III
Chief Financial Officer
CARBO Ceramics Inc.
575 N. Dairy Ashford
Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77079

CERTIFICATIONS
The certifications required by Section
302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
were filed as exhibits to the Form 10-K.
In addition, we have submitted to the
New York Stock Exchange the annual
certification of our Chief Executive
Officer regarding the Company’s
compliance with the NYSE corporate
governance listing standards.

ANNUAL MEETING
The company’s Annual Meeting of
Shareholders will be held at 9:00 a.m. on
May 18, 2010, at:
The St. Regis Hotel
1919 Briar Oaks Lane
Houston, Texas 77027

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Additional corporate information is
available from our Web site at
www.carboceramics.com or by e-mailing
the company at IR@carboceramics.com.

Mission Statement: Our mission is to improve production and
recovery rates in oil and natural gas reservoirs.

Core Values: At CARBO, we achieve our mission within the
framework established by our core values.

We achieve our mission by being the global market leader in
providing oil and gas companies and oilfield service companies
with the highest quality proppant, the industry-leading fracture
simulation software, and industry-respected fracture design,
engineering, and consulting services. The company also provides
a broad range of technologies for spill prevention, containment
and countermeasures, along with geotechnical monitoring.

• We enhance our customers’ profitability by consistently

providing products and services that are leading technology,
high quality, and cost effective.

• We focus on improving the hydraulic fracturing process and

reservoir optimization.

• We provide a safe working environment that encourages,

supports and recognizes the contribution of each
individual employee.

• We strive to generate a superior return to our shareholders

through growth and continuous improvement.

• We conduct our business with the highest ethical standards.

• We are truthful and honor our commitments

and responsibilities.

• We foster a supportive environment by treating each other

with mutual respect and understanding.

• We set aggressive goals and strive to exceed them.

• We value and celebrate a high level of individual achievement

and team performance.

• We encourage innovation and continuous improvement to

ensure future growth.

Energy Center II
575 N. Dairy Ashford
Suite 300
Houston, TX 77079
Corporate Office: 281-921-6400

www.carboceramics.com