Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity Table [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000		250,000,000		150,000,000	150,000,000
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	$ 388,927	$ 362,097	$ 400,466	$ 514,180
Net income (loss)	(14,619)	(29,224)	(25,871)	(176,955)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	2,968	(3,367)	5,161	(2,849)
Comprehensive income	(11,651)	(32,591)	(20,710)	(179,804)
Exercise of common stock options	0	2	0	27
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	(5)	(60,277)	(16)	(60,277)
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	7,632	0	10,020	0
Distributions to public unitholders	(3,696)	(7,209)	(10,944)	(14,418)
Equity-based compensation	2,822	6,645	5,291	9,001
Treasury stock and other	(302)	(1,437)	(380)	(1,479)
Ending balance	383,727	387,784	383,727	387,784
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	234,578	155,621	233,523	241,217
Net income (loss)	(10,991)	(26,574)	(13,454)	(114,899)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	3,293	(3,305)	5,345	(2,333)
Comprehensive income	(7,698)	(29,879)	(8,109)	(117,232)
Exercise of common stock options	0	2	0	27
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	(5)	(60,277)	(16)	(60,277)
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	0	0	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation	2,039	5,801	3,552	7,539
Treasury stock and other	(241)	(1,373)	(277)	(1,379)
Ending balance	228,673	190,449	228,673	190,449
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	154,349	206,476	166,943	272,963
Net income (loss)	(3,628)	(2,650)	(12,417)	(62,056)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	(325)	(62)	(184)	(516)
Comprehensive income	(3,953)	(2,712)	(12,601)	(62,572)
Exercise of common stock options	0	0	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of stock	0	0	0	0
Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted	7,632	0	10,020	0
Distributions to public unitholders	(3,696)	(7,209)	(10,944)	(14,418)
Equity-based compensation	783	844	1,739	1,462
Treasury stock and other	(61)	(64)	(103)	(100)
Ending balance	$ 155,054	$ 197,335	$ 155,054	$ 197,335