Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 306,354	$ 5	$ (495)	$ 254,233	$ (502)	$ 52,762	$ 351
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		54,634	449
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(12,087)					(12,087)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(531)				(531)
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	779			779
Stock issued in payment of stock purchase plan, shares			(55)
Stock options exercised	1,149	$ 1		1,148
Stock options exercised, shares		736
Stock surrendered for exercise of stock options	(1,126)		$ (1,126)
Stock surrendered for exercise of stock options, shares			88
Restricted stock granted, shares		696
Restricted stock forfeited, shares			24
Treasury stock purchased	(5,376)		$ (5,376)
Treasury stock purchased, shares			396
Stock compensation expense	10,479			10,479
Excess tax benefit related to share-based awards	2,154			2,154
Investment in Flotek Gulf, LLC and Flotek Gulf Research, LLC	7						7
Stock issued in IAL acquisition	1,014			1,014
Stock issued in IAL acquisition, shares		60
Repurchase of common stock	(7,299)		$ (7,299)
Repurchase of common stock, shares			550
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 295,517	$ 6	$ (14,296)	$ 269,807	$ (1,033)	$ 40,675	$ 358
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2015		56,126	1,452