Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity Table [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000		250,000,000		250,000,000
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	$ 325,461	$ 388,927	$ 352,561	$ 400,466
Net income (loss)	(12,153)	(14,619)	(74,916)	(25,871)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(9,249)	2,968	(7,966)	5,161
Comprehensive income	(21,402)	(11,651)	(82,882)	(20,710)
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	2	5	28,117	16
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	9,272	7,632	19,375	10,020
Distributions to public unitholders	(4,624)	(3,696)	(8,982)	(10,944)
Equity-based compensation	2,263	2,822	3,042	5,291
Treasury stock and other	90	302	169	380
Ending balance	311,062	383,727	311,062	383,727
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	185,425	234,578	208,080	233,523
Net income (loss)	(5,965)	(10,991)	(59,613)	(13,454)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(7,495)	3,293	(5,827)	5,345
Comprehensive income	(13,460)	(7,698)	(65,440)	(8,109)
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	2	5	28,117	16
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	0	0	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation	1,905	2,039	3,339	3,552
Treasury stock and other	86	241	138	277
Ending balance	173,958	228,673	173,958	228,673
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	140,036	154,349	144,481	166,943
Net income (loss)	(6,188)	(3,628)	(15,303)	(12,417)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(1,754)	(325)	(2,139)	(184)
Comprehensive income	(7,942)	(3,953)	(17,442)	(12,601)
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	0	0	0	0
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	9,272	7,632	19,375	10,020
Distributions to public unitholders	(4,624)	(3,696)	(8,982)	(10,944)
Equity-based compensation	358	783	(297)	1,739
Treasury stock and other	4	61	31	103
Ending balance	$ 137,104	$ 155,054	$ 137,104	$ 155,054