Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 08, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	TETRA TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000844965
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		125,583,460
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019