Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity Table [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000		250,000,000		150,000,000
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	$ 383,727	$ 387,784	$ 400,466	$ 514,180
Net income (loss)	(1,338)	(24,028)	(27,209)	(200,983)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	2,620	(1,654)	7,781	(4,503)
Comprehensive income	1,282	(25,682)	(19,428)	(205,486)
Exercise of common stock options	0	115	0	142
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	0	(153)	(16)	(60,124)
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	0	0	10,020	0
Distributions to public unitholders	(3,871)	(7,224)	(14,815)	(21,642)
Equity-based compensation	1,582	2,548	6,873	11,549
Treasury stock and other	(210)	(154)	(590)	(1,633)
Ending balance	382,510	357,234	382,510	357,234
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	228,673	190,449	233,523	241,217
Net income (loss)	3,145	(15,009)	(10,309)	(129,908)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	2,807	(1,327)	8,152	(3,660)
Comprehensive income	5,952	(16,336)	(2,157)	(133,568)
Exercise of common stock options	0	115	0	142
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	0	(153)	(16)	(60,124)
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	0	0	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation	1,537	1,774	5,089	9,313
Treasury stock and other	(188)	0	(465)	(1,379)
Ending balance	235,974	175,849	235,974	175,849
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	155,054	197,335	166,943	272,963
Net income (loss)	(4,483)	(9,019)	(16,900)	(71,075)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(187)	(327)	(371)	(843)
Comprehensive income	(4,670)	(9,346)	(17,271)	(71,918)
Exercise of common stock options	0	0	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	0	0	0	0
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	0	0	10,020	0
Distributions to public unitholders	(3,871)	(7,224)	(14,815)	(21,642)
Equity-based compensation	45	774	1,784	2,236
Treasury stock and other	(22)	(154)	(125)	(254)
Ending balance	$ 146,536	$ 181,385	$ 146,536	$ 181,385