Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 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	$ 311,062	$ 383,727	$ 352,561	$ 400,466
Net income (loss)	(12,056)	(1,338)	(86,972)	(27,209)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(581)	2,620	(8,547)	7,781
Comprehensive income	(12,637)	1,282	(95,519)	(19,428)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	251	0	251	0
Proceeds from the issuance of stock			28,117	16
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	10,294	0	29,669	10,020
Distributions to public unitholders	(4,946)	(3,871)	(13,928)	(14,815)
Equity-based compensation	2,165	1,582	5,207	6,873
Treasury stock and other	0	(210)	(169)	(590)
Ending balance	306,189	382,510	306,189	382,510
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	173,958	228,673	208,080	233,523
Net income (loss)	(6,936)	3,145	(66,549)	(10,309)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(676)	2,807	(6,503)	8,152
Comprehensive income	(7,612)	5,952	(73,052)	(2,157)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	251	0	251	0
Proceeds from the issuance of stock			28,117	16
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	0	0	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation	1,798	1,537	5,137	5,089
Treasury stock and other	(78)	(188)	(216)	(465)
Ending balance	168,317	235,974	168,317	235,974
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	137,104	155,054	144,481	166,943
Net income (loss)	(5,120)	(4,483)	(20,423)	(16,900)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	95	(187)	(2,044)	(371)
Comprehensive income	(5,025)	(4,670)	(22,467)	(17,271)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	0	0	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of stock			0	0
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	10,294	0	29,669	10,020
Distributions to public unitholders	(4,946)	(3,871)	(13,928)	(14,815)
Equity-based compensation	367	45	70	1,784
Treasury stock and other	(78)	(22)	(47)	(125)
Ending balance	$ 137,872	$ 146,536	$ 137,872	$ 146,536