Business Segment, Geographic and Major Customer Information - Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 87,030	$ 105,318	$ 169,404	$ 207,893
Gross margin	29,252	42,310	55,779	85,990
Income (loss) from operations	(18,608)	17,675	(19,896)	36,473
Depreciation and amortization	4,610	4,595	9,181	8,814
Total assets	403,393	408,221	403,393	408,221	$ 423,276
Capital expenditures	3,366	4,257	8,963	9,245
Operating Segments [Member] | Energy Chemistry Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	56,472	62,589	103,115	124,966
Gross margin	20,426	27,432	36,526	56,650
Income (loss) from operations	11,892	19,162	18,713	40,785
Depreciation and amortization	1,174	1,095	2,378	2,162
Total assets	149,767	140,028	149,767	140,028
Capital expenditures	2,075	1,418	4,443	2,804
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer and Industrial Chemistry Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	15,477	12,607	28,940	25,638
Gross margin	4,126	2,893	7,833	6,927
Income (loss) from operations	2,683	972	5,064	3,307
Depreciation and amortization	549	549	1,102	982
Total assets	98,251	97,935	98,251	97,935
Capital expenditures	6	17	28	30
Operating Segments [Member] | Drilling Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	12,334	27,241	31,028	52,142
Gross margin	4,103	10,762	10,094	20,550
Income (loss) from operations	(21,300)	4,200	(21,937)	7,517
Depreciation and amortization	2,218	2,493	4,537	4,930
Total assets	114,481	139,095	114,481	139,095
Capital expenditures	620	2,025	2,744	5,321
Operating Segments [Member] | Production Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	2,747	2,881	6,321	5,147
Gross margin	597	1,223	1,326	1,863
Income (loss) from operations	(1,596)	421	(2,135)	343
Depreciation and amortization	198	92	323	163
Total assets	25,544	15,922	25,544	15,922
Capital expenditures	138	50	776	110
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	(10,287)	(7,080)	(19,601)	(15,479)
Depreciation and amortization	471	366	841	577
Total assets	15,350	15,241	15,350	15,241
Capital expenditures	$ 527	$ 747	$ 972	$ 980