Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 282,471	$ 256,851	$ 260,072	$ 199,381	$ 200,081	$ 183,677	$ 179,931	$ 159,409		$ 998,775	$ 723,098	$ 617,391
Quarterly Financial Information Details [Table]
Gross profit (loss)	45,184	41,330	47,801	27,983	16,550	42,651	29,535	19,654		162,298	108,390	60,839
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,316	(12,852)	(12,132)	(21,057)	(31,726)	(857)	(7,966)	(4,245)		(42,725)	(44,794)	(225,376)
Net income (loss)	2,732	(12,056)	(12,153)	(62,763)	(34,974)	(1,338)	(14,619)	(11,252)		(84,240)	(62,183)	(239,393)
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ 4,932	$ (6,936)	$ (5,965)	$ (53,648)	$ (28,739)	$ 3,145	$ (10,991)	$ (2,463)		$ (61,617)	$ (39,048)	$ (161,462)
Net income (loss) per share before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ 0.04	$ (0.06)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.22)	$ 0.03	$ (0.04)	$ 0.04		$ (0.16)	$ (0.19)	$ (1.69)
Net income (loss) per diluted share before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	0.04	(0.06)	(0.05)	(0.10)	(0.22)	0.03	(0.04)	0.04		(0.16)	(0.19)	(1.69)
Earnings Per Share, Basic	0.04	(0.06)	(0.05)	(0.46)	(0.25)	0.03	(0.10)	(0.02)		(0.50)	(0.34)	(1.85)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.04	$ (0.06)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.25)	$ 0.03	$ (0.10)	$ (0.02)		$ (0.50)	$ (0.34)	$ (1.85)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use		$ 2,900			$ 14,900					$ 3,621	$ 14,876	$ 17,094
Goodwill, Impairment Loss									$ 106,200	$ 0	$ 0	$ 106,205