Supplemental Schedules Supplemental Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS
Accounts receivable, net	$ 184,172,000	$ 226,966,000
Inventories	117,009,000	189,357,000
Total current assets	355,404,000	500,459,000
Property, plant, and equipment	1,656,486,000	1,620,560,000
Less accumulated depreciation	(608,482,000)	(496,368,000)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,048,004,000	1,124,192,000
Total assets	1,656,376,000	2,082,388,000	$ 1,206,533,000
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Long-term debt, net	873,402,000	844,961,000
Noncurrent liabilities	31,202,000	31,677,000
Current liabilities	185,246,000	378,460,000
Long-term debt	125,000,000
Other liabilities	31,202,000	31,677,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(43,135,000)	(26,215,000)
Noncontrolling interest	272,963,000	395,888,000
Total TETRA stockholders' equity	241,217,000	369,713,000
Total liabilities and equity	1,656,376,000	2,082,388,000
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Accounts receivable, net	54,187,000	54,131,000
Inventories	39,766,000	43,073,000
Prepaid expenses	4,903,000	4,963,000
Other current assets	6,055,000	8,365,000
Total current assets	104,911,000	110,532,000
Property, plant, and equipment	346,622,000	358,806,000
Less accumulated depreciation	171,931,000	145,529,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	174,691,000	213,277,000
Other assets, including investment in CCLP	942,043,000	1,063,095,000
Total assets	1,221,645,000	1,386,904,000
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Noncurrent liabilities	630,345,000	566,724,000
Total liabilities	980,428,000	1,017,191,000
Current liabilities	57,162,000	145,467,000
Long-term debt	292,921,000	305,000,000
Other liabilities	630,345,000	566,724,000
Total liabilities	980,428,000	1,017,191,000
Common stock	830,000	823,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(43,135,000)	(26,215,000)
Noncontrolling interest	283,522,000	395,105,000
Total TETRA stockholders' equity	241,217,000	369,713,000
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,221,645,000	$ 1,386,904,000