Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 30,512	$ 74,048
Restricted cash	9,066	5,571
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,065 in 2013 and $1,085 in 2012	171,448	176,352
Deferred tax asset	13,981	29,789
Inventories	93,157	103,041
Assets held for sale	14,546	12,009
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,412	34,299
Total current assets	355,122	435,109
Property, plant, and equipment:
Land and building	41,703	41,153
Machinery and equipment	633,417	589,725
Automobiles and trucks	58,856	57,708
Chemical plants	166,514	161,565
Construction in progress	30,462	40,452
Total property, plant, and equipment	930,952	890,603
Less accumulated depreciation	(368,594)	(337,889)
Net property, plant, and equipment	562,358	552,714
Other assets:
Goodwill	186,159	189,604
Patents, trademarks and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $29,323 in 2013 and $27,044 in 2012	32,867	36,735
Deferred tax assets	1,347	594
Other assets	33,699	47,062
Total other assets	254,072	273,995
Total assets	1,171,552	1,261,818
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	66,572	67,453
Accrued liabilities	74,122	73,254
Current portion of long-term debt	63	35,441
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, net	40,814	80,667
Total current liabilities	181,571	256,815
Long-term debt, net	345,957	331,268
Deferred income taxes	21,961	41,910
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, net	16,516	14,254
Other liabilities	19,804	24,263
Total long-term liabilities	404,238	411,695
Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 81,110,805 shares issued at June 30, 2013, and 80,446,169 shares issued at December 31, 2012	811	804
Additional paid-in capital	230,512	226,954
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,401,984 shares held at June 30, 2013, and 2,334,137 shares held at December 31, 2012	(15,293)	(15,027)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(10,216)	(1,494)
Retained earnings	338,256	339,883
Total TETRA stockholders' equity	544,070	551,120
Noncontrolling interests	41,673	42,188
Total equity	585,743	593,308
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,171,552	$ 1,261,818