Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Long-Term Debt Detail [Table]
Bank revolving line of credit facility, due 2015	$ 0	$ 0
Compressco Partners' bank credit facility	0	0
5.90% Senior Notes, Series 2006-A, due 2016	90,000	90,000
6.30% Senior Notes, Series 2008-A, due 2013	35,000	35,000
6.56% Senior Notes, Series 2008-B, due 2015	90,000	90,000
5.09% Senior Notes, Series 2010-A, due 2017	65,000	65,000
5.67% Senior Notes, Series 2010-B, due 2020	25,000	25,000
European bank credit facility	1,952	0
Other long-term debt	35	35
Total debt	306,987	305,035
Current portion of long-term debt	(1,987)	(35)
Long-term debt, net	$ 305,000	$ 305,000