Supplemental Schedules Supplemental Condensed Statements of Operations (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
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cost of revenues									$ 982,523,000	$ 774,006,000		$ 713,451,000
Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion									116,912,000	80,985,000	75,747,000	75,747,000
General and administrative expense									142,689,000	131,466,000		131,649,000
Goodwill impairment									64,295,000	0	0
Interest expense									31,998,000	17,121,000		17,080,000
Other (income) expense, net									13,944,000	(7,291,000)		(4,616,000)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									9,704,000	(3,454,000)	9,429,000	9,429,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes									0	(1,000)		3,000
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)	(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
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales and gross revenues									794,920	788,097	772,249
Cost of revenues									690,945	624,906	580,203
Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion									75,753	66,343	62,520
General and administrative expense									110,589	113,999	114,380
Goodwill impairment									64,295	0	0
Interest expense									19,034	16,652	17,054
Other (income) expense, net									2,261	(13,851)	(10,407)
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations									(167,957)	(19,952)	8,499
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									10,876	(5,712)	6,076
Income (loss) before discontinued operations									(178,833)	(14,240)	2,423
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes									0	(1)	3
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders									(178,833)	(14,241)	2,426
Equity in net income of subsidiaries									9,155	14,394	13,534
Net income (loss)									$ (169,678)	$ 153	$ 15,960