Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 28,583	$ 74,048
Restricted cash	5,568	5,571
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,229 in 2013 and $1,085 in 2012	180,355	176,352
Deferred tax asset	23,351	29,789
Inventories	99,732	103,041
Assets held for sale	12,018	12,009
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	31,792	34,299
Total current assets	381,399	435,109
Property, plant, and equipment:
Land and building	41,413	41,153
Machinery and equipment	602,273	589,725
Automobiles and trucks	59,023	57,708
Chemical plants	164,264	161,565
Construction in progress	46,496	40,452
Total property, plant, and equipment	913,469	890,603
Less accumulated depreciation	(353,426)	(337,889)
Net property, plant, and equipment	560,043	552,714
Other assets:
Goodwill	186,982	189,604
Patents, trademarks and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $28,186 in 2013 and $27,044 in 2012	34,332	36,735
Deferred tax assets	626	594
Other assets	36,655	47,062
Total other assets	258,595	273,995
Total assets	1,200,037	1,261,818
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	61,404	67,453
Accrued liabilities	76,990	73,254
Current portion of long-term debt	252	35,441
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, net	61,714	80,667
Total current liabilities	200,360	256,815
Long-term debt, net	332,121	331,268
Deferred income taxes	35,317	41,910
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, net	17,000	14,254
Other liabilities	24,568	24,263
Total long-term liabilities	409,006	411,695
Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 80,591,679 shares issued at March 31, 2013, and 80,446,169 shares issued at December 31, 2012	806	804
Additional paid-in capital	229,065	226,954
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,337,133 shares held at March 31, 2013, and 2,334,137 shares held at December 31, 2012	(15,051)	(15,027)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,430)	(1,494)
Retained earnings	341,187	339,883
Total TETRA stockholders' equity	548,577	551,120
Noncontrolling interests	42,094	42,188
Total equity	590,671	593,308
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,200,037	$ 1,261,818