Business Segment, Geographic and Major Customer Information - Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 93,586	$ 78,303	$ 171,829	$ 157,498
Gross margin	37,594	33,025	70,224	66,476
Income (loss) from operations	13,531	15,589	26,079	32,337
Depreciation and amortization	3,890	2,853	6,923	5,501
Total assets	383,110	201,678	383,110	201,678	219,867
Capital expenditures	4,736	5,359	9,119	9,478
Chemical Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	47,709	45,992	92,359	93,639
Gross margin	20,586	20,217	39,699	41,132
Income (loss) from operations	14,729	16,350	29,053	33,472
Depreciation and amortization	809	458	1,269	862
Total assets	119,137	54,769	119,137	54,769
Capital expenditures	1,933	913	2,958	2,163
Non-Energy Chemical Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	12,675	0	12,675	0
Gross margin	3,693	0	3,693	0
Income (loss) from operations	2,347	0	2,347	0
Depreciation and amortization	252	0	252	0
Total assets	104,201	0	104,201	0
Capital expenditures	35	0	35	0
Drilling Products [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	29,785	29,801	58,699	58,790
Gross margin	12,455	12,005	23,801	23,515
Income (loss) from operations	5,782	6,444	11,201	11,994
Depreciation and amortization	2,415	2,302	4,777	4,461
Total assets	118,722	119,050	118,722	119,050
Capital expenditures	2,141	2,946	3,002	5,340
Artificial Lift Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	3,417	2,510	8,096	5,069
Gross margin	860	837	3,031	1,884
Income (loss) from operations	330	385	1,943	901
Depreciation and amortization	60	51	121	95
Total assets	13,296	9,298	13,296	9,298
Capital expenditures	70	55	1,067	68
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	0	0	0	0
Gross margin	0	(34)	0	(55)
Income (loss) from operations	(9,657)	(7,590)	(18,465)	(14,030)
Depreciation and amortization	354	42	504	83
Total assets	27,754	18,561	27,754	18,561
Capital expenditures	$ 557	$ 1,445	$ 2,057	$ 1,907