Supplemental Schedules Supplemental Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 195,951,000	$ 108,645,000	$ 49,656,000
Investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(854,031,000)	0
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(120,597,000)	(131,609,000)	(101,379,000)
Other investing activities	(1,525,000)	374,000	(440,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(114,987,000)	(967,739,000)	(100,025,000)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	535,896,000	837,519,000	140,971,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(598,070,000)	(289,900,000)	(120,664,000)
CCLP distributions	(37,816,000)	(12,569,000)	(4,846,000)
Other	(3,750,000)	(27,587,000)	(1,978,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(103,437,000)	871,644,000	15,734,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,854,000)	(2,920,000)	(659,000)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(25,327,000)	9,630,000	(35,294,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	48,384,000	38,754,000	74,048,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	23,057,000	48,384,000	38,754,000
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	100,370	87,451	(8,074)
Investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	14,799	0
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(678)	26,067	40,858
Purchase of CSI Compressco's common units and additional general partner contribution	(1,626)	(616)	(118)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	4,450	(34,040)	(38,859)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	472,896	143,188	121,062
Principal payments on long-term debt	575,070	195,956	$ 120,664
CCLP distributions	(3,742)	0
Other	303	1,032	$ 273
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(105,613)	(51,736)	671
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(793)	1,675	(46,262)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	231	(1,444)	44,818
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ (562)	$ 231	$ (1,444)