Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 30,302	$ 38,754
Restricted cash	9,070	9,067
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,237 in 2014 and $1,349 in 2013	169,555	180,659
Deferred tax asset	13,002	14,740
Inventories	98,325	100,792
Assets held for sale	2,536	5,541
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,660	24,386
Total current assets	350,450	373,939
Property, plant, and equipment:
Land and building	42,982	42,954
Machinery and equipment	699,878	682,836
Automobiles and trucks	55,772	57,588
Chemical plants	175,693	175,494
Construction in progress	24,193	14,170
Total property, plant, and equipment	998,518	973,042
Less accumulated depreciation	(415,702)	(400,426)
Net property, plant, and equipment	582,816	572,616
Other assets:
Goodwill	202,882	188,159
Patents, trademarks and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $33,212 in 2014 and $31,956 in 2013	54,853	31,980
Deferred tax assets	2,888	2,170
Other assets	24,397	37,669
Total other assets	285,020	259,978
Total assets	1,218,286	1,206,533
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	89,387	69,220
Accrued liabilities	71,169	65,017
Current portion of long-term debt	0	89
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, current	31,326	38,700
Total current liabilities	191,882	173,026
Long-term debt, net	389,974	387,727
Deferred income taxes	11,071	17,651
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, net	15,841	12,204
Other liabilities	19,871	18,427
Total long-term liabilities	436,757	436,009
Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 81,393,372 shares issued at March 31, 2014, and 81,333,631 shares issued at December 31, 2013	814	813
Additional paid-in capital	236,307	234,360
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,491,187 shares held at March 31, 2014, and 2,478,084 shares held at December 31, 2013	(15,788)	(15,765)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(6,370)	(3,903)
Retained earnings	333,102	340,036
Total TETRA stockholders' equity	548,065	555,541
Noncontrolling interests	41,582	41,957
Total equity	589,647	597,498
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,218,286	$ 1,206,533