Supplemental Schedules Supplemental Condensed Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($)	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
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cost of revenues									$ 940,909,000	$ 982,523,000	$ 774,006,000
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion									155,015,000	116,912,000	80,985,000
General and administrative expense									157,812,000	142,689,000	131,466,000
Goodwill impairment					$ 60,400,000				177,006,000	64,295,000	0	$ 0
Interest expense									50,514,000	31,998,000	17,121,000
Other (income) expense, net									10,042,000	13,944,000	(7,291,000)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									7,704,000	9,704,000	(3,454,000)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes									0	0	(1,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (146,415,000)	$ 9,755,000	$ 14,925,000	$ (4,447,000)	0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	(126,183,000)	(169,678,000)	153,000
Net income (loss)	$ (231,946,000)	$ 10,736,000	$ 15,367,000	$ (3,622,000)	$ (149,750,000)	$ (10,537,000)	$ (2,457,000)	$ (6,934,000)	(209,467,000)	(167,575,000)	3,325,000
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales and gross revenues									314,567	303,349	280,390
Cost of revenues									189,362	210,787	186,616
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion									50,708	32,267	21,650
General and administrative expense									69,925	58,978	56,816
Interest expense									18,726	19,217	16,724
Other (income) expense, net									(2,272)	(3,700)	(313)
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations									(208,668)	(162,803)	(4,696)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									799	4,772	(8,022)
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders									$ (209,467)	$ (167,575)	$ 3,326