Equity (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	$ 0	$ (750)	$ 0	$ 446
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	744,595	589,647	765,601	597,498
Net income (loss)	15,367	(1,550)	11,743	(7,640)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	2,358	3,244	(7,429)	777
Comprehensive income	17,725	1,694	4,314	(6,863)
Exercise of common stock options	(183)	105	101	391
Distributions to public unitholders	(9,450)	(1,265)	(18,723)	(2,508)
Equity-based compensation	2,601	1,419	4,197	3,273
Treasury stock and other	(244)	(386)	(244)	(577)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	0	(132)	(202)	(132)
Ending balance	755,044	591,082	755,044	591,082
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	356,679	548,062	369,713	555,541
Net income (loss)	14,925	(2,457)	10,477	(9,391)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	2,358	3,244	(7,429)	777
Comprehensive income	17,283	787	3,048	(8,614)
Exercise of common stock options	(183)	105	101	391
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation	1,874	1,184	2,993	2,836
Treasury stock and other	(244)	(352)	(244)	(368)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	0	(132)	(202)	(132)
Ending balance	375,409	549,654	375,409	549,654
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	387,916	41,585	395,888	41,957
Net income (loss)	442	907	1,266	1,751
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	442	907	1,266	1,751
Exercise of common stock options	0	0	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	(9,450)	(1,265)	(18,723)	(2,508)
Equity-based compensation	727	235	$ 1,204	437
Treasury stock and other	0	(34)		(209)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	0	0	$ 0	0
Ending balance	$ 379,635	$ 41,428	$ 379,635	$ 41,428