Equity (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	$ 585,743	$ 582,123	$ 593,308	$ 569,088
Net income	12,854	8,602	12,446	21,930
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	6,873	5,074	(1,849)	2,054
Comprehensive income	19,727	13,676	10,597	23,984
Exercise of common stock options	597	61	1,586	819
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,210)	(1,094)	(3,603)	(3,369)
Equity-based compensation	1,490	3,140	5,113	7,393
Treasury stock and other	51	75	(214)	(131)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	(249)	(1,493)	(638)	(1,296)
Ending balance	606,149	596,488	606,149	596,488
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	544,070	540,794	551,120	527,146
Net income	12,110	7,713	10,482	19,968
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	6,873	5,074	(1,849)	2,054
Comprehensive income	18,983	12,787	8,633	22,022
Exercise of common stock options	597	61	1,586	819
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation	1,152	2,476	4,082	6,080
Treasury stock and other	(13)	1	(243)	(145)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	(249)	(1,493)	(638)	(1,296)
Ending balance	564,540	554,626	564,540	554,626
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	41,673	41,329	42,188	41,942
Net income	744	889	1,964	1,962
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	744	889	1,964	1,962
Exercise of common stock options	0	0	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,210)	(1,094)	(3,603)	(3,369)
Equity-based compensation	338	664	1,031	1,313
Treasury stock and other	64	74	29	14
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	$ 41,609	$ 41,862	$ 41,609	$ 41,862