Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Aug. 05, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Entity Registrant Name	TETRA TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000844965
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 668,609,042
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		77,179,949
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2