Supplemental Schedules Supplemental Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 108,645,000	$ 49,656,000	$ 17,669,000
Investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(854,031,000)	0	(163,305,000)
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(131,609,000)	(101,379,000)	(107,524,000)
Other investing activities	374,000	(440,000)	4,817,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(967,739,000)	(100,025,000)	(206,687,000)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	837,519,000	140,971,000	88,426,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(289,900,000)	(120,664,000)	(28,597,000)
CSI Compressco's distributions	(12,569,000)	(4,846,000)	(4,513,000)
Other	(27,587,000)	(1,978,000)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	871,644,000	15,734,000	56,298,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,920,000)	(659,000)	2,356,000
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	9,630,000	(35,294,000)	(130,364,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	38,754,000	74,048,000	204,412,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	48,384,000	38,754,000
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	63,826	20,521		(13,440)
Investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(29,031)	0		(163,305)
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(83,472)	(76,805)		(86,577)
Purchase of CSI Compressco's common units and additional general partner contribution	(40,950)	0		0
Other investing activities	18,706	1,354		64,181
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(134,747)	(75,451)		(185,701)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	234,661	121,062		78,376
Principal payments on long-term debt	(196,316)	(120,664)		(28,597)
CSI Compressco's distributions	24,187	22,123		20,219
Other	(4,238)	1,189		982
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	58,294	23,710		70,980
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,332)	(585)		2,307
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(14,959)	(31,805)		(125,854)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	29,277	61,082		186,936
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 14,318	$ 29,277		$ 61,082