Equity (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	$ 362,097	$ 744,595	$ 514,180	$ 765,601	$ 765,601
Net income (loss)	(29,224)	15,367	(176,955)	11,743
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(3,367)	2,358	(2,849)	(7,429)
Comprehensive income	(32,591)	17,725	(179,804)	4,314
Exercise of common stock options	2	(183)	27	101
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	60,277	0			60,277	$ 0
Distributions to public unitholders	(7,209)	(9,450)	(14,418)	(18,723)
Equity-based compensation	6,645	2,601	9,001	4,197
Treasury stock and other	(1,437)	(244)	(1,479)	(244)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options			0	(202)
Ending balance	387,784	755,044	387,784	755,044
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	155,621	357,723	241,217	369,713	369,713
Net income (loss)	(26,574)	14,925	(114,899)	10,477
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(3,305)	2,541	(2,333)	(6,202)
Comprehensive income	(29,879)	17,466	(117,232)	4,275
Exercise of common stock options	2	(183)	27	101
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	60,277	0			60,277	0
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation	5,801	1,874	7,539	2,993
Treasury stock and other	(1,373)	(244)	(1,379)	(244)
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options			0	(202)
Ending balance	190,449	376,636	190,449	376,636
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	206,476	386,872	272,963	395,888	395,888
Net income (loss)	(2,650)	442	(62,056)	1,266
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(62)	(183)	(516)	(1,227)
Comprehensive income	(2,712)	259	(62,572)	39
Exercise of common stock options	0	0		0
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	0	0				$ 0
Distributions to public unitholders	(7,209)	(9,450)	(14,418)	(18,723)
Equity-based compensation	844	727	1,462	1,204
Treasury stock and other	(64)	0	(100)	0
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options			0	0
Ending balance	$ 197,335	$ 378,408	$ 197,335	$ 378,408