Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (11,252)	$ (147,731)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $0 and $0 in 2015 and $1,198 and $1,644 in 2014	2,193	518
Comprehensive income	(9,059)	(147,213)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	8,648	59,859
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (411)	$ (87,354)

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 of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount before tax, after 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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