Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance at beginning of period			$ 30,078,000	$ 23,909,000
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(6,958,000)	(4,273,000)
Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			1,243,000	9,134,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Exterran stockholders	(5,630,000)	7,511,000	(5,715,000)	4,861,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance at end of period	24,363,000	28,770,000	24,363,000	28,770,000
Interest expense	25,737,000	28,882,000	86,767,000	87,006,000
Provision for income taxes	11,215,000	16,709,000	31,494,000	55,316,000
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(18,003,000)	(15,121,000)	(54,499,000)	(47,531,000)
Long-lived asset impairment	12,385,000	4,571,000	26,039,000	24,708,000
Derivatives Cash Flow Hedges
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance at beginning of period			(1,346,000)	(2,984,000)
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(439,000)	(633,000)
Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			1,243,000	1,643,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Exterran stockholders			804,000	1,010,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance at end of period	(542,000)	(1,974,000)	(542,000)	(1,974,000)
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) related to change in fair value of derivative financial instruments before tax	300,000	(900,000)	(700,000)	(800,000)
Tax provision (benefit) of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) related to change in fair value of derivative financial instruments	100,000	(300,000)	(300,000)	(200,000)
Derivatives Cash Flow Hedges | Reclassification adjustments | Interest rate contracts
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
Interest expense	700,000	800,000	1,900,000	2,500,000
Provision for income taxes	(300,000)	(300,000)	(700,000)	(900,000)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance at beginning of period			31,424,000	26,893,000
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(6,300,000)	2,500,000	(6,519,000)	(3,640,000)
Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax				7,491,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Exterran stockholders			(6,519,000)	3,851,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance at end of period	24,905,000	30,744,000	24,905,000	30,744,000
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | Reclassification adjustments
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		5,100,000		5,100,000
Long-lived asset impairment				$ 2,400,000