Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Details [Table]
Revenues	$ 257,590	$ 305,144	$ 316,319	$ 251,092	$ 315,850	$ 306,371	$ 242,489	$ 212,857	$ 1,130,145	$ 1,077,567	$ 909,398
Gross profit (loss)	2,755	70,534	69,861	46,087	(1,428)	34,744	35,475	24,850	189,236	95,044	135,392
Income (loss) before discontinued operations					(147,468)	(12,467)	(1,550)	(6,090)	(209,467)	(167,575)	3,326
Net income (loss)	(231,946)	10,736	15,367	(3,622)	(149,750)	(10,537)	(2,457)	(6,934)	(209,467)	(167,575)	3,325
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (146,415)	$ 9,755	$ 14,925	$ (4,447)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	(126,183)	(169,678)	153
Net income (loss) per share before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (1.84)	$ 0.12	$ 0.19	$ (0.06)	$ (1.90)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.09)
Net income (loss) per diluted share before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (1.84)	$ 0.12	$ 0.19	$ (0.06)
Impairment of long-lived assets					$ 34,800
Goodwill impairment					$ 60,400				$ 177,006	$ 64,295	$ 0	$ 0