Supplemental Schedules Supplemental Condensed Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($)	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
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cost of revenues									$ 643,347,000	$ 940,909,000	$ 982,523,000
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion									129,595,000	155,015,000	116,912,000
General and administrative expense									115,964,000	157,812,000	142,689,000
Goodwill impairment									106,205,000	177,006,000	64,295,000	$ 64,295,000
Interest expense									58,626,000	54,475,000	34,965,000
Other (income) expense, net									3,559,000	6,081,000	10,977,000
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									2,303,000	7,704,000	9,704,000
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (31,554,000)	$ (15,009,000)	$ (26,574,000)	$ (88,325,000)	$ (146,415,000)	$ 9,755,000	$ 14,925,000	$ (4,447,000)		(126,183,000)	(169,678,000)
Net income (loss)	$ (38,410,000)	$ (24,028,000)	$ (29,224,000)	$ (147,731,000)	$ (231,946,000)	$ 10,736,000	$ 15,367,000	$ (3,622,000)	(239,393,000)	(209,467,000)	(167,575,000)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales and gross revenues									163,232	314,567	303,349
Cost of revenues									119,350	189,362	210,787
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion									49,687	50,708	32,267
General and administrative expense									25,922	69,925	58,978
Interest expense									22,550	19,901	19,983
Other (income) expense, net									4,247	1,097	2,934
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations									(240,304)	(208,668)	(162,803)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									(911)	799	4,772
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders									(239,393)	(209,467)	(167,575)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries									$ 181,780	$ 192,242	$ 141,203