Industry Segments (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	Dec. 31, 2011
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	$ 75,782	$ 105,290	$ 143,011	$ 211,813
Services and rentals	159,127	129,824	272,694	245,846
Total revenues	234,909	235,114	415,705	457,659
Income before taxes and discontinued operations	18,440	47,554	20,192	43,513
Assets	1,198,770	1,250,952	1,198,770	1,250,952	1,203,310
Fluids Division [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	72,739	68,430	134,271	127,934
Services and rentals	17,006	20,365	34,782	38,191
Intersegment revenues	102	34	127	48
Total revenues	89,847	88,829	169,180	166,173
Income before taxes and discontinued operations	13,959	11,545	25,424	18,794
Assets	354,680	384,744	354,680	384,744
Offshore Services [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	882	1,192	2,877	2,127
Services and rentals	79,794	86,060	122,894	136,840
Intersegment revenues		3		3
Total revenues	80,676	87,255	125,771	138,970
Income before taxes and discontinued operations	11,764	13,577	10,731	9,201
Assets	225,722	167,749	225,722	167,749
Maritech [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	1,104	33,155	3,644	76,749
Services and rentals	75	227	150	655
Total revenues	1,179	33,382	3,794	77,404
Income before taxes and discontinued operations	(8,626)	38,523	(10,707)	34,003
Assets	48,939	30,775	48,939	30,775
Offshore Division Eliminations [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Services and rentals	(12,403)	(28,421)	(19,715)	(34,037)
Total revenues	(12,403)	(28,421)	(19,715)	(34,037)
Income before taxes and discontinued operations		1,588		1,747
Assets		(55)		(55)
Total Offshore Division [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	1,986	34,347	6,521	78,876
Services and rentals	67,466	57,866	103,329	103,458
Intersegment revenues		3		3
Total revenues	69,452	92,216	109,850	182,337
Income before taxes and discontinued operations	3,138	53,688	24	44,951
Assets	274,661	198,469	274,661	198,469
Production Testing [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	0	0	0	0
Services and rentals	50,329	31,738	88,612	64,948
Intersegment revenues		1		1
Total revenues	50,329	31,739	88,612	64,949
Income before taxes and discontinued operations	11,170	5,988	16,847	15,071
Assets	266,991	97,675	266,991	97,675
Compressco [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	1,057	2,513	2,219	5,003
Services and rentals	24,201	19,813	45,721	39,207
Total revenues	25,258	22,326	47,940	44,210
Income before taxes and discontinued operations	4,645	3,809	8,155	7,814
Assets	211,276	218,020	211,276	218,020
Total Production Enhancement Division [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	1,057	2,513	2,219	5,003
Services and rentals	74,530	51,551	134,333	104,155
Intersegment revenues		1		1
Total revenues	75,587	54,065	136,552	109,159
Income before taxes and discontinued operations	15,815	9,797	25,002	22,885
Assets	478,267	315,695	478,267	315,695
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Intersegment revenues	(102)	(38)	(127)	(52)
Total revenues	(102)	(38)	(127)	(52)
Corporate Overhead [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Services and rentals	125	42	250	42
Total revenues	125	42	250	42
Income before taxes and discontinued operations	(14,472)	(27,476)	(30,258)	(43,117)
Assets	$ 91,162	$ 352,044	$ 91,162	$ 352,044