Equity (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	$ 575,769	$ 517,353	$ 569,088	$ 516,323
Net income	12,181	30,469	13,328	27,954
Net change in derivative fair value, net of taxes of $4,165 and $1,578, respectively, in 2011	0	7,030	0	2,663
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $1,185 and $851, respectively, in 2012 and $(582) and $(770), respectively, in 2011	(6,942)	2,229	(3,020)	5,713
Exercise of common stock options	280	491	758	2,805
Issuance of Compressco Partners common units, net of offering costs	0	42,885	0	42,885
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,066)	0	(2,275)	0
Equity-based compensation	1,898	1,303	4,253	(1,269)
Treasury stock and other	(16)	(684)	(206)	3,140
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	(19)	532	197	1,394
Ending balance	582,123	601,608	582,123	601,608
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	534,478	517,353	527,146	516,323
Net income	11,574	30,374	12,255	27,859
Net change in derivative fair value, net of taxes of $4,165 and $1,578, respectively, in 2011	0	7,030	0	2,663
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $1,185 and $851, respectively, in 2012 and $(582) and $(770), respectively, in 2011	(6,942)	2,229	(3,020)	5,713
Exercise of common stock options	280	491	758	2,805
Issuance of Compressco Partners common units, net of offering costs	0	0	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation	1,521	1,303	3,604	(1,269)
Treasury stock and other	(136)	(684)	(146)	3,140
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	(19)	532	197	1,394
Ending balance	540,794	558,628	540,794	558,628
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	41,291	0	41,942	0
Net income	607	95	1,073	95
Net change in derivative fair value, net of taxes of $4,165 and $1,578, respectively, in 2011	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $1,185 and $851, respectively, in 2012 and $(582) and $(770), respectively, in 2011	0	0	0	0
Exercise of common stock options	0	0	0	0
Issuance of Compressco Partners common units, net of offering costs	0	42,885	0	42,885
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,066)	0	(2,275)	0
Equity-based compensation	377	0	649	0
Treasury stock and other	120	0	(60)	0
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	$ 41,329	$ 42,980	$ 41,329	$ 42,980