Business Segment, Geographic and Major Customer Information - Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 98,388	$ 78,628	$ 270,217	$ 236,126
Gross margin	37,502	33,843	107,726	100,319
Income (loss) from operations	15,087	14,593	41,166	46,930
Depreciation and amortization	4,025	2,967	10,948	8,468
Total assets	380,979	218,135	380,979	218,135	219,867
Capital expenditures	2,475	5,765	9,985	15,243
Energy Chemical Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	51,670	44,189	144,029	137,827
Gross margin	21,849	20,774	61,548	61,856
Income (loss) from operations	16,247	16,530	45,300	50,005
Depreciation and amortization	932	460	2,201	1,321
Total assets	121,876	53,076	121,876	53,076
Capital expenditures	161	733	3,077	2,896
Consumer and Industrial Chemical Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	15,292	0	27,967	0
Gross margin	3,588	0	7,281	0
Income (loss) from operations	2,301	0	4,648	0
Depreciation and amortization	382	0	634	0
Total assets	97,129	0	97,129	0
Capital expenditures	165	0	165	0
Drilling Products [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	27,569	30,424	86,268	89,214
Gross margin	10,821	11,252	34,622	34,764
Income (loss) from operations	4,309	5,329	15,510	17,320
Depreciation and amortization	2,438	2,277	7,215	6,738
Total assets	136,832	122,533	136,832	122,533
Capital expenditures	1,596	2,384	4,066	7,724
Artificial Lift Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	3,857	4,015	11,953	9,085
Gross margin	1,244	1,817	4,275	3,699
Income (loss) from operations	769	1,384	2,712	2,284
Depreciation and amortization	60	54	181	148
Total assets	16,542	10,563	16,542	10,563
Capital expenditures	225	5	1,669	73
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	0	0	0	0
Gross margin	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from operations	(8,539)	(8,650)	(27,004)	(22,679)
Depreciation and amortization	213	176	717	261
Total assets	8,600	31,963	8,600	31,963
Capital expenditures	$ 328	$ 2,643	$ 1,008	$ 4,550