Business Segment, Geographic and Major Customer Information - Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 72,319	$ 87,030	$ 144,608	$ 169,404
Gross profit	23,921	29,252	48,849	55,779
Income (loss) from operations	(2,723)	(18,608)	(48,737)	(19,896)
Depreciation and amortization	3,230	4,610	7,519	9,181
Total assets	365,344	403,393	365,344	403,393	$ 403,090
Capital expenditures	4,743	3,366	8,956	8,963
Operating Segments [Member] | Energy Chemistry Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	43,385	56,472	88,064	103,115
Gross profit	17,660	20,426	36,429	36,526
Income (loss) from operations	7,584	11,892	15,597	18,713
Depreciation and amortization	1,237	1,174	2,480	2,378
Total assets	151,117	149,767	151,117	149,767
Capital expenditures	3,685	2,075	6,699	4,443
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer and Industrial Chemistry Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	20,694	15,477	39,827	28,940
Gross profit	4,058	4,126	9,082	7,833
Income (loss) from operations	2,686	2,683	6,075	5,064
Depreciation and amortization	608	549	1,118	1,102
Total assets	108,935	98,251	108,935	98,251
Capital expenditures	204	6	346	28
Operating Segments [Member] | Drilling Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	6,372	12,334	12,828	31,028
Gross profit	2,217	4,103	3,242	10,094
Income (loss) from operations	(1,618)	(21,300)	(42,569)	(21,937)
Depreciation and amortization	607	2,218	2,428	4,537
Total assets	67,815	114,481	67,815	114,481
Capital expenditures	245	620	483	2,744
Operating Segments [Member] | Production Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	1,868	2,747	3,889	6,321
Gross profit	(14)	597	96	1,326
Income (loss) from operations	(1,261)	(1,596)	(6,691)	(2,135)
Depreciation and amortization	221	198	440	323
Total assets	23,612	25,544	23,612	25,544
Capital expenditures	50	138	235	776
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	(10,114)	(10,287)	(21,149)	(19,601)
Depreciation and amortization	557	471	1,053	841
Total assets	13,865	15,350	13,865	15,350
Capital expenditures	$ 559	$ 527	$ 1,193	$ 972