Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Details [Table]
Revenues	$ 315,850,000	$ 306,371,000	$ 242,489,000	$ 212,857,000	$ 225,435,000	$ 254,303,000	$ 221,101,000	$ 208,559,000	$ 1,077,567,000	$ 909,398,000	$ 880,831,000	$ 880,831,000
Gross profit (loss)	(1,428,000)	34,744,000	35,475,000	24,850,000	18,541,000	47,442,000	52,710,000	38,359,000	95,044,000	135,392,000		167,380,000
Income (loss) before discontinued operations					(9,120,000)	12,854,000	(2,508,000)	2,100,000	(167,575,000)	3,326,000		18,754,000
Net income (loss)	(147,468,000)	(12,467,000)	(1,550,000)	(6,090,000)	(9,121,000)	12,854,000	(2,508,000)	2,100,000	(167,575,000)	3,325,000		18,757,000
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	(149,750,000)	(10,537,000)	(2,457,000)	(6,934,000)	(10,329,000)	12,110,000	(2,931,000)	1,303,000	(169,678,000)	153,000		15,960,000
Net income (loss) per share before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (1.90)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.13)	$ 0.16	$ (0.04)	$ 0.02	$ (2.16)	$ 0.00		$ 0.21
Net income (loss) per diluted share before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (1.90)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.13)	$ 0.15	$ (0.04)	$ 0.02	$ (2.16)	$ 0.00		$ 0.20
Impairment of long-lived assets									$ 34,800,000