CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (4,233)	$ 42,158	$ 44,641	$ 97,915
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Derivative gain (loss), net of reclassifications to earnings	(4,076)	1,201	(7,304)	(1,019)
Adjustments from changes in ownership of Partnership	0	0	(223)	65
Amortization of terminated interest rate swaps	543	726	1,768	2,255
Foreign currency translation adjustment	4,949	(6,250)	(1,754)	(6,519)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,416	(4,323)	(7,513)	(5,218)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(2,817)	37,835	37,128	92,697
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	424	(9,415)	(16,384)	(19,389)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Exterran stockholders	$ (2,393)	$ 28,420	$ 20,744	$ 73,308