Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ (150,287)	$ (42,725)	$ (44,794)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	(10,213)	(41,515)	(17,389)
Cost of revenues:
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	124,226	114,925	104,053
Impairments of long-lived assets	95,196	3,621	14,876
Insurance Recoveries	(1,771)	0	(2,352)
Total cost of revenues	946,134	836,477	614,708
Gross profit	91,799	162,298	108,390
General and administrative expense	139,747	132,446	115,414
Impairment of goodwill	(25,784)	0	0
Interest expense, net	73,230	70,946	57,246
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property	2,333	729	0
Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants	(1,624)	(11,129)	(5,301)
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	1,037,933	998,775	723,098
Liabilities, Fair Value Adjustment	1,309	(733)	(2,975)
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	0	0	(12,816)
Other (income) expense, net	(191)	7,923	865
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	(144,123)	(36,426)	(44,043)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	6,164	6,299	751
Net income (loss)	(160,500)	(84,240)	(62,183)
Less: income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	13,087	22,623	23,135
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (147,413)	$ (61,617)	$ (39,048)
Basic net income (loss) per common share:
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (1.17)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.34)
Number of weighted average common shares outstanding	125,600	124,101	114,499
Diluted net income (loss) per common share:
Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$ (1.17)	$ (0.50)	$ (0.34)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	125,600	124,101	114,499
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ (1.09)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.19)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	(0.08)	(0.34)	(0.15)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	(1.09)	(0.16)	(0.19)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	$ (0.08)	$ (0.34)	$ (0.15)
Service [Member]
Cost of revenues:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	$ 393,158	$ 390,378	$ 274,627
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	602,165	589,548	417,694
Product [Member]
Cost of revenues:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	335,325	327,553	223,504
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 435,768	409,227	305,404
Retained Earnings [Member]
Cost of revenues:
Net income (loss)		$ (61,617)	$ (39,048)