Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock Value [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 516,323,000	$ 778,000	$ 203,044,000	$ (8,382,000)	$ (2,663,000)	$ 3,770,000	$ 319,776,000	$ 0
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Net income (loss)	5,418,000						4,147,000	1,271,000
Translation adjustment, net of taxes	(6,647,000)					(6,647,000)
Net change in derivative fair value, net of tax	2,663,000				2,663,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,434,000
Issuance of Compressco Partners common units, net of offering costs	42,177,000							42,177,000
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,182,000)							(1,182,000)
Exercise of common stock options	4,181,000	19,000	9,965,000	(5,803,000)
Grants of restricted stock, net	656,000			(656,000)
Equity compensation expense	6,288,000		5,801,000					487,000
Tax benefit related to equity-based compensation, net	1,334,000		1,334,000
Other noncontrolling interests	(811,000)							(811,000)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	569,088,000	797,000	220,144,000	(14,841,000)	0	(2,877,000)	323,923,000	41,942,000
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Net income (loss)	18,757,000						15,960,000	2,797,000
Translation adjustment, net of taxes	1,383,000					1,383,000
Net change in derivative fair value, net of tax	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	20,140,000
Distributions to public unitholders	(4,489,000)							4,489,000
Exercise of common stock options	931,000	7,000	943,000	(19,000)
Grants of restricted stock, net	(167,000)			(167,000)
Equity compensation expense	9,441,000		7,536,000					1,905,000
Tax benefit related to equity-based compensation, net	(1,669,000)		(1,669,000)
Other noncontrolling interests	(33,000)							(33,000)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	593,308,000	804,000	226,954,000	(15,027,000)	0	(1,494,000)	339,883,000	42,188,000
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Net income (loss)	3,325,000						153,000	3,172,000
Translation adjustment, net of taxes	(2,409,000)					(2,409,000)
Net change in derivative fair value, net of tax	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	916,000
Distributions to public unitholders	4,846,000							4,846,000
Exercise of common stock options	1,978,000	9,000	2,245,000	(276,000)
Grants of restricted stock, net	(462,000)			462,000
Equity compensation expense	6,724,000		5,265,000					1,459,000
Tax benefit related to equity-based compensation, net	(104,000)		(104,000)
Other noncontrolling interests	(16,000)							(16,000)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 597,498,000	$ 813,000	$ 234,360,000	$ (15,765,000)	$ 0	$ (3,903,000)	$ 340,036,000	$ 41,957,000