Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 121,399	$ 204,412
Restricted cash	5,566	8,780
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,941 in 2012 and $1,849 in 2011	164,169	141,537
Inventories	104,230	99,985
Deferred tax asset	39,727	39,330
Oil and gas properties held for sale	48	3,743
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	29,429	30,714
Total current assets	464,568	528,501
Property, plant, and equipment:
Land and building	77,552	76,937
Machinery and equipment	550,404	530,408
Automobiles and trucks	48,187	46,950
Chemical plants	159,276	158,065
Construction in progress	35,148	25,316
Total property, plant, and equipment	870,567	837,676
Less accumulated depreciation	(315,678)	(308,375)
Net property, plant, and equipment	554,889	529,301
Other assets:
Goodwill	130,464	99,132
Patents, trademarks and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $23,552 in 2012 and $22,572 in 2011	34,144	11,872
Deferred tax assets	76	258
Other assets	35,105	34,246
Total other assets	199,789	145,508
Total assets	1,219,246	1,203,310
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	47,924	46,382
Accrued liabilities	90,669	80,975
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, net	94,204	105,008
Total current liabilities	232,797	232,365
Long-term debt, net	305,000	305,000
Deferred income taxes	55,329	48,537
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, net	32,640	34,827
Other liabilities	17,711	13,493
Total long-term liabilities	410,680	401,857
Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 79,808,033, shares issued at March 31, 2012, and 79,673,374 shares issued at December 31, 2011	798	797
Additional paid-in capital	222,881	220,144
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,269,911 shares held at March 31, 2012, and 2,249,959 shares held at December 31, 2011	(14,850)	(14,841)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,045	(2,877)
Retained earnings	324,604	323,923
Total TETRA stockholders' equity	534,478	527,146
Noncontrolling interests	41,291	41,942
Total equity	575,769	569,088
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,219,246	$ 1,203,310