Supplemental Schedules Supplemental Condensed Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cost of revenues									$ 720,554	$ 643,347	$ 940,909
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion									116,159	129,595	155,015
General and administrative expense									121,905	115,964	157,812
Goodwill impairment									0	106,205	177,006
Interest expense									57,246	58,626	54,475
Other (income) expense, net									633	3,559	6,081
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									1,200	2,303	7,704
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (28,739)	$ 3,145	$ (10,991)	$ (2,463)	$ (31,554)	$ (15,009)	$ (26,574)	$ (88,325)		(161,462)	(126,183)
Net income (loss)	$ (34,974)	$ (1,338)	$ (14,619)	$ (11,252)	$ (38,410)	$ (24,028)	$ (29,224)	$ (147,731)	(62,183)	(239,393)	(209,467)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales and gross revenues									247,558	163,232	314,567
Cost of revenues									161,608	119,350	189,362
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion									21,269	25,922	50,708
General and administrative expense									57,840	49,687	69,925
Interest expense									16,917	22,550	19,901
Other (income) expense, net									(17,656)	4,247	1,097
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations									(62,794)	(240,304)	(208,668)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									(611)	(911)	799
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders									(62,183)	(239,393)	(209,467)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries									$ 70,374	$ 181,780	$ 192,242