Compressco Partners, L.P. Initial Public Offering (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Jun. 20, 2011
Compressco Partners, L.P. Initial Public Offering (Details)
No. of units issued to noncontrolling holders at IPO				2,670,000
Percentage interest of noncontrolling holders at IPO				17.30%
Gross proceeds from IPO of units				$ 53,400,000
Units subject to underwriters' option				400,500
Percentage interest of parent	83.20%
General partner interest	2.00%			2.00%
No. of common units issued to parent in connection with IPO				6,427,257
Percentage of interest represented by common units issued to parent in connection with IPO				40.60%
No. of subordinated units issued to parent in connection with IPO				6,273,970
Percentage of interest represented by subordinated units issued to parent in connection with IPO				39.60%
No. of restricted units issued under incentive plan in connection with IPO				157,870
Percentage of interest represented by restricted units issued under incentive plan in connection with IPO				1.00%
Per unit offering price				$ 20.00
Amount of proceeds used to repay debt				32,200,000
Amount of proceeds used to pay offering expenses				11,200,000
Amount of proceeds used to reimburse parent				8,000,000
Percentage interest of noncontrolling holders	16.80%
Noncontrolling Interest Activity [Table]
Issuance of Compressco Partners common units, net of offering costs	42,177,000
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,182,000)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,271,000	0	0
Equity-based compensation expense attributable to noncontrolling interest	487,000
Ending balance, Compressco Partners' noncontrolling interest	$ 42,753,000