Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock Value [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivative Instruments [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Currency Translation [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 576,494	$ 770	$ 193,718	$ (8,310)	$ 23,472	$ 3,350	$ 363,494	$ 0
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Net income (loss)	(43,718)						(43,718)
Translation adjustment, net of taxes	420					420
Net change in derivative fair value, net of taxes	(26,135)				(26,135)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(69,433)
Exercise of common stock options	1,597	8	1,598	(9)
Grants of restricted stock, net	(63)			(63)
Equity compensation expense	7,211		7,211
Tax benefit related to equity-based compensation, net	517		517
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2010	516,323	778	203,044	(8,382)	(2,663)	3,770	319,776	0
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Net income (loss)	5,418						4,147	1,271
Translation adjustment, net of taxes	(6,647)					(6,647)
Net change in derivative fair value, net of taxes	2,663				2,663
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,434
Issuance of Compressco Partners common units, net of offering costs	42,177							42,177
Distributions to public unitholders	(1,182)							(1,182)
Exercise of common stock options	4,181	19	9,965	(5,803)
Grants of restricted stock, net	(656)			(656)
Equity compensation expense	6,288		5,801					487
Tax benefit related to equity-based compensation, net	1,334		1,334
Other noncontrolling interests	(811)							(811)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	569,088	797	220,144	(14,841)	0	(2,877)	323,923	41,942
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Net income (loss)	18,757						15,960	2,798
Translation adjustment, net of taxes	1,383					1,383
Net change in derivative fair value, net of taxes	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	20,140
Distributions to public unitholders	(4,489)							(4,489)
Exercise of common stock options	931	7	943	(19)
Grants of restricted stock, net	(167)			(167)
Equity compensation expense	9,441		7,536					1,905
Tax benefit related to equity-based compensation, net	(1,669)		(1,669)
Other noncontrolling interests	32							32
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 593,308	$ 804	$ 226,954	$ (15,027)	$ 0	$ (1,494)	$ 339,883	$ 42,188