Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Details [Table]
Revenues	$ 173,222	$ 176,553	$ 175,660	$ 169,329	$ 257,590	$ 305,144	$ 316,319	$ 251,092	$ 694,764	$ 1,130,145	$ 1,077,567
Gross profit (loss)	1,781	28,753	16,272	4,611	2,755	70,534	69,861	46,087	51,417	189,236	95,044
Net income (loss)	(38,410)	(24,028)	(29,224)	(147,731)	(231,946)	10,736	15,367	(3,622)	(239,393)	(209,467)	(167,575)
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (31,554)	$ (15,009)	$ (26,574)	$ (88,325)	$ (146,415)	$ 9,755	$ 14,925	$ (4,447)		(126,183)	(169,678)
Net income (loss) per share before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (0.33)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.32)	$ (1.11)	$ (1.84)	$ 0.12	$ 0.19	$ (0.06)
Net income (loss) per diluted share before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (0.33)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.32)	$ (1.11)	$ (1.84)	$ 0.12	$ 0.19	$ (0.06)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	$ 7,500			$ 10,700					18,172	44,158	34,842
Accumulated impairment losses	$ 124,400				$ 221,100				124,400	221,100
Goodwill impairment									$ 106,205	$ 177,006	$ 64,295	$ 64,295