Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (167,575)us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 3,325us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 18,757us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $3,368 in 2014, $(1,076) in 2013, and $(951) in 2012	(22,312)	(2,409)	1,383
Comprehensive income (loss)	(189,887)	916	20,140
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(2,103)	(3,172)	(2,797)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (191,990)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ (2,256)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 17,343us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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