Equity-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	May. 03, 2013
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Activity Detail [Table]
Maximum number of performance-based units that may be issued	161,254	161,254
Stock Option Award Activity Detail [Table]
Outstanding at beginning of period		4,196,000
Outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average option price per share		$ 11.96
Options granted		742,000
Options granted, weighted average option price per share		$ 7.14
Options cancelled		(438,000)
Options cancelled, weighted average option price per share		$ 13.42
Options exercised		(68,000)
Options exercised, weighted average option price per share		$ 4.27
Options expired		(265,000)
Options expired, weighted average option price per share		$ 9.42
Outstanding at end of period	4,167,000	4,167,000	4,196,000
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average option price per share	$ 11.23	$ 11.23	$ 11.96
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average remaining contractual life		5 years 9 months
Outstanding at end of period, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 2,813,000	$ 2,813,000
Options vested and expected to vest	3,937,000	3,937,000
Options expected to vest, weighted average option price per share	$ 11.29	$ 11.29
Options vested and expected to vest, weighted average remaining contractual life		5 years 8 months
Options vested and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 2,734,000	$ 2,734,000
Options exercisable at period end	3,050,000	3,050,000
Options exercisable at period end, weighted average option price per share	$ 12.39	$ 12.39
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life		4 years 7 months
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value		$ 2,422,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Weighted average fair value of options granted		$ 3.17	$ 4.07	$ 6.00
Total estimated unrecognized compensation cost			$ 2,700,000
Total intrinsic value of options exercised		$ 200,000	$ 1,400,000	$ 2,200,000
Cumulative adjustment to equity based compensation expense	$ 6,700,000
Stock Option Valuation Assumptions Detail [Table]
Expected stock price volatility (minimum)		49.00%	44.00%	54.00%
Expected stock price volatility (maximum)		51.00%	45.00%	74.00%
Expected life of options		4 years 7 months	4 years 11 months	4 years 11 months
Risk free interest rate (minimum)		1.41%		0.76%
Risk free interest rate (maximum)		1.51%	0.01%	1.48%
Expected dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average fair value of options granted		$ 3.17	$ 4.07	$ 6.00
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized		1 year 11 months	1 year 9 months 25 days
Shares surrendered in payment of option exercise		36,818	189,469	119,477
Shares surrendered related to restricted stock vesting		57,336	56,071	40,163
Maximum number of shares issuable under stock options outstanding and stock options authorized for future grants	6,587,047	6,587,047
Equity-based compensation expense		$ 13,900,000.0	$ 4,700,000	$ 4,800,000
Grants of restricted shares during the period, aggregate market value		5,400,000	4,100,000	3,800,000
Restricted shares vested during the period, aggregate fair value		$ 4,800,000	$ 4,300,000	$ 4,200,000
TETRA 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Activity Detail [Table]
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance	1,300,000	1,300,000
TETRA 2007 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Activity Detail [Table]
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance	5,590,000	5,590,000
TETRA 2011 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Activity Detail [Table]
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance	5,600,000	5,600,000			2,200,000
CSI Compressco Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Activity Detail [Table]
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance	1,537,122	1,537,122