Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity Table [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000		250,000,000
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	$ 352,561	$ 400,466
Net income (loss)	(62,763)	(11,252)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	1,283	2,193
Comprehensive income	(61,480)	(9,059)
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	28,115	11
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	10,103	2,388
Distributions to public unitholders	(4,358)	(7,248)
Equity-based compensation	779	2,469
Treasury stock and other	(259)	(78)
Ending balance	325,461	388,927
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	208,080	233,523
Net income (loss)	(53,648)	(2,463)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	1,668	2,052
Comprehensive income	(51,980)	(411)
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	28,115	11
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0
Equity-based compensation	1,434	1,513
Treasury stock and other	(224)	(36)
Ending balance	185,425	234,578
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	144,481	166,943
Net income (loss)	(9,115)	(8,789)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(385)	141
Comprehensive income	(9,500)	(8,648)
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	0	0
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	10,103	2,388
Distributions to public unitholders	(4,358)	(7,248)
Equity-based compensation	(655)	956
Treasury stock and other	(35)	(42)
Ending balance	$ 140,036	$ 154,349