Equity (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	$ 569,088	$ 516,323
Net income (loss)	1,147	(2,515)
Net change in derivative fair value, net of taxes of $(2,587)	0	(4,367)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $(334) and $(188), respectively	3,922	3,484
Comprehensive income (loss)	5,069	(3,398)
Exercise of common stock options	478	2,309
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,209)	0
Equity-based compensation, net	2,137	1,836
Treasury stock and other	28	(578)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	178	861
Ending balance	575,769	517,353
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	527,146	516,323
Net income (loss)	681	(2,515)
Net change in derivative fair value, net of taxes of $(2,587)	0	(4,367)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $(334) and $(188), respectively	3,922	3,484
Comprehensive income (loss)	4,603	(3,398)
Exercise of common stock options	478	2,309
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0
Equity-based compensation, net	2,083	1,836
Treasury stock and other	(10)	(578)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	178	861
Ending balance	534,478	517,353
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	41,942	0
Net income (loss)	466	0
Net change in derivative fair value, net of taxes of $(2,587)	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $(334) and $(188), respectively	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	466	0
Exercise of common stock options	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,209)	0
Equity-based compensation, net	54	0
Treasury stock and other	38	0
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	0	0
Ending balance	$ 41,291	$ 0