Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	May. 10, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	TETRA TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000844965
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 469,749,193
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		80,441,557
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016