Equity (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	$ 590,671	$ 575,769	$ 593,308	$ 569,088
Net income (loss)	(2,508)	12,181	(408)	13,328
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(2,786)	(6,942)	(8,722)	(3,020)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(5,294)	5,239	(9,130)	10,308
Exercise of common stock options	207	280	989	758
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,202)	(1,066)	(2,393)	(2,275)
Equity-based compensation	1,769	1,898	3,623	4,253
Treasury stock and other	(255)	(16)	(265)	(206)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	(153)	19	(389)	197
Ending balance	585,743	582,123	585,743	582,123
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	548,577	534,478	551,120	527,146
Net income (loss)	(2,931)	11,574	(1,628)	12,255
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(2,786)	(6,942)	(8,722)	(3,020)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(5,717)	4,632	(10,350)	9,235
Exercise of common stock options	207	280	989	758
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation	1,398	1,521	2,930	3,604
Treasury stock and other	(242)	(136)	(230)	(146)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	(153)	19	(389)	197
Ending balance	544,070	540,794	544,070	540,794
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	42,094	41,291	42,188	41,942
Net income (loss)	423	607	1,220	1,073
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	423	607	1,220	1,073
Exercise of common stock options	0	0	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,202)	(1,066)	(2,393)	(2,275)
Equity-based compensation	371	377	693	649
Treasury stock and other	(13)	120	(35)	(60)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	$ 41,673	$ 41,329	$ 41,673	$ 41,329