Business Segment, Geographic and Major Customer Information - Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 87,942	$ 116,761	$ 257,346	$ 324,653
Gross profit	31,227	46,078	87,006	132,068
Income (loss) from operations	2,777	20,847	(17,120)	57,320
Depreciation and amortization	4,433	4,462	13,613	13,276
Total assets	400,945	412,418	400,945	412,418	$ 423,276
Capital expenditures	2,115	4,249	11,078	13,494
Operating Segments [Member] | Energy Chemistry Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	60,181	68,181	163,296	193,148
Gross profit	24,257	28,424	60,784	85,074
Income (loss) from operations	14,283	19,903	32,995	60,690
Depreciation and amortization	1,200	1,103	3,578	3,264
Total assets	152,430	144,738	152,430	144,738
Capital expenditures	1,467	2,580	5,910	5,383
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer and Industrial Chemistry Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	13,867	13,713	42,808	39,351
Gross profit	3,082	3,310	10,914	10,237
Income (loss) from operations	1,728	1,758	6,792	5,064
Depreciation and amortization	548	547	1,649	1,529
Total assets	90,948	89,574	90,948	89,574
Capital expenditures	18	7	46	37
Operating Segments [Member] | Drilling Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	10,812	29,920	41,840	82,061
Gross profit	3,302	11,928	13,396	32,477
Income (loss) from operations	(2,614)	5,557	(24,551)	13,073
Depreciation and amortization	2,038	2,433	6,575	7,363
Total assets	110,872	142,774	110,872	142,774
Capital expenditures	0	818	2,744	6,139
Operating Segments [Member] | Production Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	3,082	4,947	9,402	10,093
Gross profit	586	2,416	1,912	4,280
Income (loss) from operations	(823)	1,583	(2,958)	1,925
Depreciation and amortization	212	81	535	244
Total assets	26,564	18,252	26,564	18,252
Capital expenditures	107	141	883	252
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	0	0	0	0
Gross profit	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from operations	(9,797)	(7,954)	(29,398)	(23,432)
Depreciation and amortization	435	298	1,276	876
Total assets	20,131	17,080	20,131	17,080
Capital expenditures	$ 523	$ 703	$ 1,495	$ 1,683