Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 10, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Line Items [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TETRA TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000844965
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 784,876,118
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		79,599,779
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014