Equity-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May 03, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Weighted average fair value of options granted		$ 3.16	$ 3.17	$ 4.07
Total estimated unrecognized compensation cost	$ 2,800		$ 2,800
Stock Option Award Activity Detail [Table]
Outstanding at beginning of period		4,167,000
Outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average option price per share		$ 11.23
Options granted		851,000
Options granted, weighted average option price per share		$ 7.14
Options cancelled		(383,000)
Options cancelled, weighted average option price per share		$ 9.25
Options exercised		(28,000)
Options exercised, weighted average option price per share		$ 4.07
Options expired		(220,000)
Options expired, weighted average option price per share		$ 28.00
Outstanding at end of period	4,167,000	4,387,000	4,167,000
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average option price per share	$ 11.23	$ 9.81	$ 11.23
Outstanding at end of period, weighted average remaining contractual life		5 years 10 months
Outstanding at end of period, aggregate intrinsic value		$ 629
Options vested and expected to vest		4,293,000
Options expected to vest, weighted average option price per share		$ 9.87
Options vested and expected to vest, weighted average remaining contractual life		5 years 8 months
Options vested and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value		$ 629
Options exercisable at period end		3,214,000
Options exercisable at period end, weighted average option price per share		$ 10.71
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life		4 years 8 months
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value		$ 629
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance		11,000,000
Total intrinsic value of options exercised		$ 100	$ 200	$ 1,400
Cumulative adjustment to equity based compensation expense	$ 6,700
Stock Option Valuation Assumptions Detail [Table]
Expected stock price volatility (minimum)			49.00%	44.00%
Expected stock price volatility (maximum)		52.00%	51.00%	45.00%
Expected life of options		4 years 7 months	4 years 7 months	4 years 11 months
Risk free interest rate (minimum)			1.41%
Risk free interest rate (maximum)		1.20%	1.51%	0.01%
Expected dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average fair value of options granted		$ 3.16	$ 3.17	$ 4.07
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized		1 year 10 months	1 year 299 days
Shares surrendered in payment of option exercise		13,854	36,818	189,469
Shares surrendered related to restricted stock vesting		254,858	57,336	56,071
Maximum number of shares issuable under stock options outstanding and stock options authorized for future grants		10,267,381
Equity-Based Compensation, Before Tax		$ 13,700	$ 16,900	$ 6,800
Equity-based compensation expense		9,500	13,900	4,700
Grants of restricted shares during the period, aggregate market value		8,400	5,400	4,100
Restricted shares vested during the period, aggregate fair value		8,400	$ 4,800	$ 4,300
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Total estimated unrecognized compensation cost		$ 4,200
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Activity Detail [Table]
Nonvested restricted shares/units outstanding at beginning of period		878,000
Nonvested restricted shares/units at beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value per share		$ 8.54
Shares/units granted		1,226,000
Shares/units granted, weighted average grant date fair value per share		$ 6.31
Shares/units cancelled		(1,205,000)
Shares/units cancelled, weighted average grant date fair value per share		$ 6.97
Shares/units vested		(94,000)
Shares/units vested, weighted average grant date fair value per share		$ 7.08
Nonvested restricted shares/units outstanding at end of period	878,000	805,000	878,000
Nonvested restricted shares/units at end of period, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 8.54	$ 7.65	$ 8.54
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Maximum number of performance-based units that may be issued	91,832	289,830	91,832
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Activity Detail [Table]
Nonvested restricted shares/units outstanding at beginning of period		309,000
Nonvested restricted shares/units at beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value per share		$ 21.77
Shares/units granted		397,000
Shares/units granted, weighted average grant date fair value per share		$ 8.34
Shares/units cancelled		(74,000)
Shares/units cancelled, weighted average grant date fair value per share		$ 20.07
Shares/units vested		(23,000)
Shares/units vested, weighted average grant date fair value per share		$ 17.07
Nonvested restricted shares/units outstanding at end of period	309,000	609,000	309,000
Nonvested restricted shares/units at end of period, weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 21.77	$ 13.41	$ 21.77
Stock Option Award Activity Detail [Table]
Maximum number of units actually issued		433,698
TETRA 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Stock Option Award Activity Detail [Table]
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance		1,300,000
TETRA 2007 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Stock Option Award Activity Detail [Table]
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance		5,590,000
TETRA 2011 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Stock Option Award Activity Detail [Table]
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance		5,600,000			2,200,000
CSI Compressco Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Stock Option Award Activity Detail [Table]
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance		1,537,122