Equity-Based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Equity-based compensation expense	$ 4,400,000.0	$ 6,100,000	$ 4,100,000
Grants of restricted shares during the period, average per share market value	$ 10.37	$ 6.83	$ 12.43
Grants of restricted shares during the period, aggregate market value	5,100,000	3,600,000	4,900,000
Restricted shares vested during the period, aggregate fair value	$ 3,600,000	$ 4,800,000	$ 5,200,000
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Activity Detail [Table]
Shares/units granted	490,684	523,096	397,907
TETRA Restricted Stock [Member]
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Activity Detail [Table]
Nonvested restricted shares/units outstanding at December 31, 2012	621,000
Nonvested restricted shares/units at December 31, 2012, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 8.49
Shares/units granted	490,000
Shares/units granted, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 10.37
Shares/units cancelled	(76,000)
Shares/units cancelled, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 9.10
Shares/units vested	(391,000)
Shares/units vested, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 9.11
Nonvested restricted shares/units outstanding at December 31, 2013	644,000
Nonvested restricted shares/units at December 31, 2013, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 9.47
Compressco Restricted Units [Member]
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Activity Detail [Table]
Nonvested restricted shares/units outstanding at December 31, 2012	153,000
Nonvested restricted shares/units at December 31, 2012, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 16.07
Shares/units granted	74,000
Shares/units granted, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 20.28
Shares/units cancelled	(18,000)
Shares/units cancelled, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 15.65
Shares/units vested	(76,000)
Shares/units vested, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 16.43
Nonvested restricted shares/units outstanding at December 31, 2013	133,000
Nonvested restricted shares/units at December 31, 2013, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 18.25

The aggregate market value for awards of restricted shares issued during the period.

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The average per share market value at grant date for awards of restricted shares issued during the period.

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The aggregate fair value of awards of restricted stock that vested during the period.

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The amount of expense, net of income tax, recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

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No definition available.

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Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

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-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

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The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(2)

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Number of shares related to Restricted Stock Award forfeited during the period.

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

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Total number of shares issued during the period, including shares forfeited, as a result of Restricted Stock Awards.

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