TETRA (TTI) 10-Q 8 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document Line Items [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'TETRA TECHNOLOGIES INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000844965	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$538,036,074
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	'	78,844,626	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Product sales	$79,027	$61,597	$229,915	$204,608
Services and rentals	175,276	172,389	454,048	445,083
Total revenues	254,303	233,986	683,963	649,691
Cost of revenues:	'	'	'	'
Cost of product sales	74,240	54,996	210,113	168,002
Cost of services and rentals	111,870	108,311	296,501	289,749
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	20,751	20,232	60,498	56,786
Total cost of revenues	206,861	183,539	567,112	514,537
Gross profit	47,442	50,447	116,851	135,154
General and administrative expense	31,776	33,774	99,032	95,335
Interest expense, net	4,207	4,258	12,585	12,493
Other (income) expense, net	-7,243	-661	-12,284	-5,942
Income before taxes and discontinued operations	18,702	13,076	17,518	33,268
Provision for income taxes	5,848	4,475	5,072	11,341
Income before discontinued operations	12,854	8,601	12,446	21,927
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	1	0	3
Net income	12,854	8,602	12,446	21,930
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-744	-889	-1,964	-1,962
Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	$12,110	$7,713	$10,482	$19,968
Basic net income per common share:	'	'	'	'
Income before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$0.16	$0.10	$0.13	$0.26
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$0	$0	$0	$0
Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	$0.16	$0.10	$0.13	$0.26
Average shares outstanding	78,030	77,329	77,867	77,226
Diluted net income per common share:	'	'	'	'
Income before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$0.15	$0.10	$0.13	$0.25
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	$0	$0	$0	$0
Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	$0.15	$0.10	$0.13	$0.25
Average diluted shares outstanding	78,963	78,938	78,719	78,740

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$12,854	$8,602	$12,446	$21,930
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $165 and $711 in 2013 and taxes of $41 and $892 in 2012	6,873	5,074	-1,849	2,054
Comprehensive income	19,727	13,676	10,597	23,984
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-744	-889	-1,964	-1,962
Comprehensive income attributable to TETRA stockholders	$18,983	$12,787	$8,633	$22,022

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	$165	$41	$711	$892

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$28,676	$74,048
Restricted cash	9,068	5,571
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $856 in 2013 and $1,085 in 2012	196,143	176,352
Deferred tax asset	11,461	29,789
Inventories	92,325	103,041
Assets held for sale	14,603	12,009
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	19,770	34,299
Total current assets	372,046	435,109
Property, plant, and equipment:	'	'
Land and building	42,661	41,153
Machinery and equipment	653,053	589,725
Automobiles and trucks	58,917	57,708
Chemical plants	167,793	161,565
Construction in progress	30,232	40,452
Total property, plant, and equipment	952,656	890,603
Less accumulated depreciation	-385,678	-337,889
Net property, plant, and equipment	566,978	552,714
Other assets:	'	'
Goodwill	188,706	189,604
Patents, trademarks and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $30,223 in 2013 and $27,044 in 2012	32,846	36,735
Deferred tax assets	3,842	594
Other assets	37,134	47,062
Total other assets	262,528	273,995
Total assets	1,201,552	1,261,818
Current liabilities:	'	'
Trade accounts payable	75,369	67,453
Accrued liabilities	78,577	73,254
Current portion of long-term debt	0	35,441
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, net	33,964	80,667
Total current liabilities	187,910	256,815
Long-term debt, net	352,898	331,268
Deferred income taxes	23,301	41,910
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, net	11,339	14,254
Other liabilities	19,955	24,263
Total long-term liabilities	407,493	411,695
Equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 81,215,135 shares issued at September 30, 2013, and 80,446,169 shares issued at December 31, 2012	812	804
Additional paid-in capital	232,023	226,954
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,434,482 shares held at September 30, 2013, and 2,334,137 shares held at December 31, 2012	-15,318	-15,027
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,343	-1,494
Retained earnings	350,366	339,883
Total TETRA stockholders' equity	564,540	551,120
Noncontrolling interests	41,609	42,188
Total equity	606,149	593,308
Total liabilities and equity	$1,201,552	$1,261,818

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Trade accounts receivable, allowances for doubtful accounts	$856	$1,085
Other assets:	'	'
Patents, trademarks, and other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$30,223	$27,044
Equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	81,215,135	80,446,169
Treasury stock, shares held	2,434,482	2,334,137

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$12,446	$21,930
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	60,498	56,786
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	-1,923	1,083
Equity-based compensation expense	5,113	7,393
Provision for doubtful accounts	370	-893
Gain on sale of assets	-5,499	-3,135
Excess decommissioning/abandoning costs	54,408	19,120
Other non-cash charges and credits	-7,990	-4,901
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-3,558	-71,758
Inventories	10,873	-3,098
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,358	4,790
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,128	19,022
Decommissioning liabilities, net	-99,366	-66,121
Other	49	2,338
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	43,907	-17,444
Investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	-73,555	-80,608
Acquisition of businesses, net	0	-163,305
Proceeds on sale of property, plant, and equipment	1,391	12,752
Other investing activities	406	3,277
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-71,758	-227,884
Financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	83,475	64,176
Payments of long-term debt	-97,841	-2,073
Compressco Partners' distributions	-3,603	-3,393
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,631	675
Excess tax benefit from equity compensation	0	205
Other financing activities	-754	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-17,092	59,590
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-429	2,234
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-45,372	-183,504
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	74,048	204,412
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	28,676	20,908
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'
Interest paid	10,063	9,083
Income taxes paid	$6,171	$7,066

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	'
	NOTE A – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	We are a geographically diversified oil and gas services company, focused on completion fluids and associated products and services, frac water management, after-frac flow back, production well testing, offshore rig cooling, compression-based production enhancement, and selected offshore services including well plugging and abandonment, decommissioning, and diving. We also have a limited domestic oil and gas production business. We were incorporated in Delaware in 1981 and are composed of five reporting segments organized into three divisions – Fluids, Production Enhancement, and Offshore. Unless the context requires otherwise, when we refer to “we,” “us,” and “our,” we are describing TETRA Technologies, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries. Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in which we participate are accounted for using the equity method. Our interests in oil and gas properties are proportionately consolidated. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and do not include all information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. However, the information furnished reflects all normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Beginning with the three month period ended September 30, 2013, certain ad valorem tax expenses for operating equipment of our Compressco segment have been classified as cost of revenues instead of being included in general and administrative expense as reported in prior periods. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year period's presentation. The amount of such reclassification is $0.7 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2013, and $0.4 million and $1.2 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively. This reclassification had no effect on net income for any of the periods presented.
	Certain other previously reported financial information has been reclassified to conform to the current year period’s presentation. The impact of such reclassifications was not significant to the prior year period’s overall presentation.
	Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid cash investments, with a maturity of three months or less when purchased, to be cash equivalents.
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash is classified as a current asset when it is expected to be repaid or settled in the next twelve month period. Restricted cash reported on our balance sheet as of September 30, 2013, consists primarily of escrowed cash associated with our July 2011 purchase of a heavy lift derrick barge. The escrowed cash will be released to the sellers or us in accordance with the terms of the escrow agreement.
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value and consist primarily of finished goods. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. Significant components of inventories as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, are as follows:
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(In Thousands)
	Finished goods	$	64,756		$	72,312
	Raw materials	4,269			5,396
	Parts and supplies	22,576			24,497
	Work in progress	724			836
	Total inventories	$	92,325		$	103,041
	Finished goods inventories include newly manufactured clear brine fluids as well as recycled brines that are repurchased from certain customers. Recycled brines are recorded at cost using the weighted average method.
	Net Income per Share
	The following is a reconciliation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding with the number of shares used in the computations of net income per common and common equivalent share:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013	2012
		(In Thousands)
	Number of weighted average common shares outstanding	78,030		77,329			77,867	77,226
	Assumed exercise of stock awards	933		1,609			852	1,514
	Average diluted shares outstanding	78,963		78,938			78,719	78,740
	In applying the treasury stock method to determine the dilutive effect of the stock options outstanding during the first nine months of 2013, we used the average market price of our common stock of $10.07. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the average diluted shares outstanding excludes the impact of 1,571,777 and 2,241,490 outstanding stock options, respectively, that have exercise prices in excess of the average market price, as the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the average diluted shares outstanding excludes the impact of 2,144,779 and 2,054,303 outstanding stock options, respectively, that have exercise prices in excess of the average market price, as the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive.
	Environmental Liabilities
	Environmental expenditures that result in additions to property and equipment are capitalized, while other environmental expenditures are expensed. Environmental remediation liabilities are recorded on an undiscounted basis when environmental assessments or cleanups are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of future environmental remediation expenditures often consist of a range of possible expenditure amounts, a portion of which may be in excess of amounts of liabilities recorded. In such an instance, we disclose the full range of amounts reasonably possible of being incurred. Any changes or developments in environmental remediation efforts are accounted for and disclosed each quarter as they occur. Any recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.
	Complexities involving environmental remediation efforts can cause estimates of the associated liability to be imprecise. Factors that cause uncertainties regarding the estimation of future expenditures include, but are not limited to, the effectiveness of the anticipated work plans in achieving targeted results and changes in the desired remediation methods and outcomes as prescribed by regulatory agencies. Uncertainties associated with environmental remediation contingencies are pervasive and often result in wide ranges of reasonably possible outcomes. Estimates developed in the early stages of remediation can vary significantly. Normally, a finite estimate of cost does not become fixed and determinable at a specific point in time. Rather, the costs associated with environmental remediation become estimable as the work is performed and the range of ultimate cost becomes more defined. It is possible that cash flows and results of operations could be materially affected by the impact of the ultimate resolution of these contingencies.
	Repair Costs and Insurance Recoveries
	During December 2010, we initiated legal proceedings against one of Maritech’s insurance underwriters that had disputed that certain hurricane damage related costs incurred or to be incurred qualified as covered costs pursuant to Maritech’s windstorm insurance policies. In February 2013, we entered into a settlement agreement with the underwriter whereby we received $7.6 million, a portion of which was credited to operating expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date” within an entity’s principal market, if any. The principal market is the market in which the reporting entity would sell the asset or transfer the liability with the greatest volume and level of activity, regardless of whether it is the market in which the entity will ultimately transact for a particular asset or liability or if a different market is potentially more advantageous. Accordingly, this exit price concept may result in a fair value that may differ from the transaction price or market price of the asset or liability.
	Under generally accepted accounting principles, the fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Fair value measurements should maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, where possible. Observable inputs are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs may be needed to measure fair value in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which could include the reporting entity’s own judgments about the assumptions market participants would utilize in pricing the asset or liability.
	We utilize fair value measurements to account for certain items and account balances within our consolidated financial statements. Fair value measurements are utilized in the allocation of purchase consideration for acquisition transactions to the assets and liabilities acquired, including intangible assets and goodwill. In addition, we utilize fair value measurements in the initial recording of our decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations. Fair value measurements may also be utilized on a nonrecurring basis, such as for the impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill. The fair value of our financial instruments, which may include cash, temporary investments, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt pursuant to our bank credit agreement, approximate their carrying amounts. The fair values of our long-term Senior Notes at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, were approximately $323.2 million and $327.4 million, respectively, compared to a carrying amount of $305.0 million, as current rates on those dates were more favorable than the stated interest rates on the Senior Notes. We calculate the fair value of our Senior Notes internally, using current market conditions and average cost of debt (a level 2 fair value measurement). The fair values of the liability for the OPTIMA contingent purchase price consideration at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, were approximately $0.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively. We calculate the fair value of the liability for our contingent purchase price consideration obligation in accordance with the OPTIMA share purchase agreement based upon the actual and anticipated earnings of our OPTIMA operations (a level 3 fair value measurement).
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) published Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (ASU 2011-05), with the stated objective of improving the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and increasing the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. As part of ASU 2011-05, the FASB eliminated the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The ASU 2011-05 amendments require that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The ASU 2011-05 amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and the amendments are applied retrospectively. In December 2011, with the issuance of ASU 2011-12, “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05,” the FASB announced that it has deferred certain aspects of ASU 2011-05. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-2, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” with the stated objective of improving the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in ASU 2013-2 are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-05, 2011-12 and 2013-2 regarding comprehensive income have not had a significant impact on the accounting or disclosures in our financial statements.
	In December 2011, the FASB published ASU 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (ASU 2011-11), which requires an entity to disclose the nature of its rights of setoff and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. The objective of ASU 2011-11 is to make financial statements that are prepared under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles more comparable to those prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. The new disclosures will give financial statement users information about both gross and net exposures. In January 2013, the FASB published ASU 2013-01, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210), Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (ASU 2013-01), with the stated objective of clarifying the scope of offsetting disclosures and address any unintended consequences of ASU 2011-11. ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2013, and will be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
	In July 2013, the FASB published ASU No. 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists" (ASU 2013-11). The amendments in this ASU provide guidance on presentation of unrecognized tax benefits and are expected to reduce diversity in practice and better reflect the manner in which an entity would settle at the reporting date any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The amendments in this ASU are effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption and retrospective application permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions	'
	NOTE B – ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
	Acquisition of Joint Venture Interest
	In October 2013, we entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 50% ownership interest of Ahmad Albinali & TETRA Arabia Company Ltd., a Saudi Arabian limited liability company. The closing of the transaction, which is subject to customary approvals by Saudi Arabian governmental agencies as well as other conditions, is expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2013 or early 2014. Following the closing of this transaction, the Saudi Arabian limited liability company will become a wholly owned consolidated subsidiary.
	Acquisition of Optima
	On March 9, 2012, we acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of Optima Solutions Holdings Limited (OPTIMA), a provider of rig cooling services and associated products that suppress heat generated by high- rate flaring of hydrocarbons during offshore well test operations. The acquisition of OPTIMA, which is based in Aberdeen, Scotland, enables our Production Testing segment to provide its customers with a broader range of production testing and associated services and expands the segment’s presence in many significant global markets. Including the impact of additional working capital received and other adjustments to the purchase price, we paid 41.2 million pounds sterling (approximately $65.0 million equivalent) in cash as the purchase price for the OPTIMA stock at closing and may pay up to an additional 4 million pounds sterling in contingent consideration, depending on a defined measure of earnings for OPTIMA over each of the two years subsequent to the closing.
	We allocated the purchase price to the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired, which consisted of approximately $3.0 million of net working capital; $16.8 million of property, plant, and equipment; $20.4 million of certain intangible assets; $7.2 million of deferred and other tax liabilities; $3.5 million of other liabilities associated with the contingent consideration; and $35.6 million of nondeductible goodwill. The fair value of the obligation to pay the contingent consideration was calculated based on the anticipated earnings for OPTIMA over each of the next two twelve month periods subsequent to the closing and could increase (up to 4 million pounds sterling) or decrease (to zero) depending on OPTIMA’s actual and expected earnings going forward. Increases or decreases in the value of the anticipated contingent consideration liability due to changes in the amounts paid or expected to be paid will be charged or credited to earnings in the period in which such changes occur. Subsequent to the acquisition, the liability associated with the contingent consideration was adjusted downward by approximately $1.8 million (approximately $0.7 million of which was adjusted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013), and this amount was credited to earnings. The $35.6 million of goodwill recorded to our Production Testing segment as a result of the OPTIMA acquisition is supported by the expected strategic benefits discussed above to be generated from the acquisition. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, our revenues, depreciation and amortization, and pretax earnings included $15.1 million, $3.1 million, and $3.6 million, respectively, associated with the acquired operations of OPTIMA after the closing in March 2012. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition of approximately $1.3 million were also charged to general and administrative expense during the nine month period ended September 30, 2012.
	Acquisition of ERS
	On April 23, 2012, we acquired the assets and operations of Eastern Reservoir Services (ERS), a division of Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc., for a cash purchase price of $42.5 million. ERS is a provider of production testing and after-frac flow back services to oil and gas operators in the Appalachian and U.S. Rocky Mountain regions, and the acquisition represented a strategic geographic expansion of our Production Testing segment operations, allowing it to serve customers in additional basins in the U.S.
	We allocated the purchase price to the fair value of the assets acquired, which consisted of approximately $18.5 million of property, plant, and equipment, approximately $3.4 million of certain intangible assets, and approximately $20.6 million of nondeductible goodwill. The $20.6 million of goodwill recorded to our Production Testing segment as a result of the ERS acquisition is supported by the strategic benefits discussed above to be generated from the acquisition. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, our revenues, depreciation and amortization, and pretax earnings included $16.0 million, $1.8 million, and $4.7 million, respectively, associated with the acquired operations of ERS after the closing in April 2012. In addition to the above impact on our results of operations, transaction costs associated with the ERS acquisition of approximately $0.5 million were also charged to general and administrative expense during the nine month period ended September 30, 2012.
	Acquisition of Greywolf
	On July 31, 2012, we acquired the assets and operations of Greywolf Production Systems Inc. and GPS Ltd. (together, Greywolf) for a cash purchase price of approximately $55.5 million. Greywolf is a provider of production testing and after-frac flow back services to oil and gas operators in western Canada and the U.S. Williston Basin (including the Bakken formation) and the Niobrara Shale formation of the U.S. Rocky Mountain region. This acquisition represented an additional strategic geographic expansion of our Production Testing segment operations.
	We allocated the purchase price to the fair value of the assets acquired, which consisted of approximately $17.7 million of property, plant, and equipment, approximately $3.5 million of certain intangible assets, and approximately $34.3 million of nondeductible goodwill. The $34.3 million of goodwill recorded to our Production Testing segment as a result of the Greywolf acquisition is supported by the strategic benefits discussed above to be generated from the acquisition. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, our revenues, depreciation and amortization, and pretax earnings included $5.9 million, $0.4 million, and $1.2 million, respectively, associated with the acquired operations of Greywolf after the closing in July 2012. In addition to the above impact on our results of operations, transaction costs associated with the Greywolf acquisition of approximately $0.7 million were also charged to general and administrative expense during the nine month period ended September 30, 2012.
	Pro Forma Financial Information
	The pro forma information presented below has been prepared to give effect to the acquisitions of OPTIMA, ERS, and Greywolf as if they had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented and include the impact from the allocation of the purchase price on depreciation and amortization. The pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is based on estimates and assumptions we deemed appropriate. The following pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved if the acquisition transactions had occurred in the past, and our operating results may have been different from those reflected in the pro forma information below. Therefore, the pro forma information should not be relied upon as an indication of the operating results that we would have achieved if the transactions had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented or the future results that we will achieve after the acquisitions.
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
	Revenues	$	237,781	$	693,655
	Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion	$	20,424	$	59,809
	Gross profit	$	51,096	$	148,218
	Income before discontinued operations	$	8,897	$	28,851
	Net income	$	8,898	$	28,854
	Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	$	8,009	$	26,892
	Per share information:
	Income before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders
	Basic	$	0.1	$	0.35
	Diluted	$	0.1	$	0.34
	Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders
	Basic	$	0.1	$	0.35
	Diluted	$	0.1	$	0.34

LongTerm_Debt_and_Other_Borrow

Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings	'
	NOTE C – LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWINGS
	Long-term debt consists of the following:
			September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
			(In Thousands)
		Scheduled Maturity
	Bank revolving line of credit facility	October 29, 2015	$	23,525	$	51,218
	Compressco Partners' bank credit facility	June 24, 2015	24,373		10,050
	5.90% Senior Notes, Series 2006-A	April 30, 2016	90,000		90,000
	6.30% Senior Notes, Series 2008-A	April 30, 2013	—		35,000
	6.56% Senior Notes, Series 2008-B	April 30, 2015	90,000		90,000
	5.09% Senior Notes, Series 2010-A	December 15, 2017	65,000		65,000
	5.67% Senior Notes, Series 2010-B	December 15, 2020	25,000		25,000
	4.00% Senior Notes, Series 2013	29-Apr-20	35,000		—
	European bank credit facility		—		—
	Other		—		441
	Total debt		352,898		366,709
	Less current portion		—		(35,441		)
	Total long-term debt		$	352,898	$	331,268
	Senior Notes
	On April 29, 2013, we issued $35.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Series 2013 Senior Notes pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement. The Series 2013 Senior Notes bear interest at the fixed rate of 4.0% and mature on April 29, 2020. On April 30, 2013, we utilized the proceeds from the issuance to repay the 2008-A Senior Notes. The Series 2013 Senior Notes were sold in the United States to accredited investors pursuant to an exemption from the Securities Act of 1933. Interest on the Series 2013 Senior Notes is due semiannually on April 29 and October 29 of each year. Similar to each other series of our outstanding senior notes, the Series 2013 Senior Notes contain customary covenants and restrictions and require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a minimum level of net worth and a ratio between our long-term debt balance and a defined measure of operating cash flow over a twelve month period.
	Compressco Partners' Bank Credit Facility
	On May 14, 2013, Compressco Partners, L.P. (Compressco Partners) entered into an amendment of its bank credit facility whereby, among other modifications, the maximum credit commitment under the credit facility was increased from $20.0 million to $40.0 million.
	On October 15, 2013, Compressco Partners entered into a new asset-based revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders including JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent (the Partnership Credit Agreement), which replaced Compressco Partners' previous credit agreement. Under the Partnership Credit Agreement, Compressco Partners, along with certain of its subsidiaries, are named as borrowers, and all obligations under the credit agreement are guaranteed by all of its existing and future, direct and indirect, domestic subsidiaries. We are not a borrower or a guarantor under the Partnership Credit Agreement. The Partnership Credit Agreement includes a maximum credit commitment of $100.0 million that is available for letters of credit (with a sublimit of $20.0 million), and includes an uncommitted $30.0 million expansion feature. The actual maximum credit availability under the Partnership Credit Agreement varies from time to time and is determined by calculating the applicable borrowing base, which is based upon applicable percentages of the values of eligible accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment, minus reserves as determined necessary by the Administrative Agent.
	The Partnership Credit Agreement may be used to fund Compressco Partners' working capital needs, letters of credit, and for general partnership purposes, including the refinancing of Compressco Partners' previous credit facility, capital expenditures, and potential future expansions or acquisitions. So long as Compressco Partners is not in default, the Partnership Credit Agreement may also be used to fund Compressco Partners’ quarterly distributions at the option of the board of directors of the Partnership's general partner (provided, that after giving effect to such distributions, the borrowers will be in compliance with the financial covenants). The initial borrowings under the Partnership Credit Agreement of $24.5 million were used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the previous credit facility dated June 24, 2011. Borrowings under the Partnership Credit Facility are subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including the absence of a default. The maturity date of the Partnership Credit Agreement is October 15, 2017.
	Borrowings under the Partnership Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at Compressco Partners' option, either (a) LIBOR (adjusted to reflect any required bank reserves) for an interest period equal to one, two, three or six months (as selected by Compressco Partners), plus a margin of 2.25% per annum or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the prime rate of interest per annum announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or (2) LIBOR (adjusted to reflect any required bank reserves) for a one-month interest period on such day plus 2.50% per annum. In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Partnership Credit Agreement, Compressco Partners is required to pay a commitment fee, in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder, of 0.375% per annum, paid quarterly in arrears. Compressco Partners is also required to pay a customary letter of credit fee equal to the applicable margin on revolving credit LIBOR loans and fronting fees.
	The Partnership Credit Agreement requires Compressco Partners to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio (ratio of earnings before interest and taxes to interest) of 4.0 to 1.0 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, calculated on a trailing four quarters basis. In addition, the Partnership Credit Agreement includes customary negative covenants, which, among other things, limit Compressco Partners' ability to incur additional debt, incur, or permit certain liens to exist, or make certain loans, investments, acquisitions, or other restricted payments. The Partnership Credit Agreement provides that Compressco Partners can make distributions to holders of its common and subordinated units, but only if there is no default or event of default under the facility.
	All obligations under the Partnership Credit Agreement and the guarantees of those obligations are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by a first lien security interest in substantially all of the assets (excluding real property) of Compressco Partners and its existing and future, direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, and all of the capital stock of its existing and future, direct and indirect subsidiaries (limited, in the case of foreign subsidiaries, to 65% of the capital stock of first tier foreign subsidiaries).

Decommissioning_and_Other_Asse

Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	NOTE D – DECOMMISSIONING AND OTHER ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
	The large majority of our asset retirement obligations consists of the future well abandonment and decommissioning costs for offshore oil and gas properties and platforms owned by our Maritech subsidiary, including the decommissioning and debris removal costs associated with one remaining offshore platform previously destroyed by a hurricane. The amount of decommissioning liabilities recorded by Maritech is reduced by amounts allocable to joint interest owners. We also operate facilities in various U.S. and foreign locations that are used in the manufacture, storage, and sale of our products, inventories, and equipment. These facilities are a combination of owned and leased assets. We are required to take certain actions in connection with the retirement of these assets. The value of our asset retirement obligations for non-Maritech properties was approximately $8.0 million and $7.5 million as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively. The changes in consolidated asset retirement obligations during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2013			September 30, 2013
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance for the period, as reported	$	57,330		$	94,921
	Activity in the period:
	Accretion of liability	173			504
	Revisions in estimated cash flows	21,538			54,404
	Settlement of retirement obligations	(33,738		)	(104,526		)
	Ending balance as of September 30	$	45,303		$	45,303
	Revisions in estimated cash flows during the first nine months of 2013 resulted primarily from additional work incurred and anticipated to be required on Maritech’s offshore oil and gas properties. Settlements of asset retirement obligations during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, include approximately $5.3 million of obligations associated with oil and gas properties that were sold by Maritech during the period.

Hedge_Contracts

Hedge Contracts	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Hedge Contracts	'
	NOTE E – MARKET RISKS AND DERIVATIVE AND HEDGE CONTRACTS
	We are exposed to financial and market risks that affect our businesses. We have currency exchange rate risk exposure related to transactions denominated in a foreign currency as well as to investments in certain of our international operations. As a result of our variable rate bank credit facilities, we face market risk exposure related to changes in applicable interest rates. We have concentrations of credit risk as a result of trade receivables owed to us by companies in the energy industry. Our financial risk management activities may at times involve, among other measures, the use of derivative financial instruments, such as swap and collar agreements, to hedge the impact of market price risk exposures. For hedge contracts qualifying for hedge accounting treatment, we formally document the relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives, our strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions, and our methods for assessing and testing correlation and hedge ineffectiveness. All hedging instruments are linked to the hedged asset, liability, firm commitment, or forecasted transaction. We also assess, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in these hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items.
	In July 2012, we borrowed 10.0 million euros (approximately $13.5 million equivalent as of September 30, 2013) and designated the borrowing as a hedge of our net investment in our European operations. Changes in the foreign currency exchange rate have resulted in a cumulative change to the cumulative translation adjustment account of $0.9 million, net of taxes, at September 30, 2013, including a change of $0.3 million, net of taxes, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, with no ineffectiveness recorded.
	In October 2013, we and Compressco Partners each entered into foreign currency forward sale derivative contracts as part of a program designed to mitigate the currency exchange rate risk exposure on selected transactions for our Mexico subsidiaries. We entered into an approximately $10.5 million equivalent nominal value sale of U.S. dollars in November 2013, and Compressco Partners entered into an approximately $6.1 million equivalent nominal value sale of Mexican pesos in November 2013, at fixed exchange rates. Under this program, we and Compressco Partners may enter into similar derivative contracts from time to time. Although contracts pursuant to this program will serve as an economic hedge of the cash flow of our currency exchange risk exposure, they will not be formally designated as hedge contracts or qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Accordingly, any change in the fair value of these derivative instruments during a period will be included in the determination of earnings for that period.

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Equity	'
	NOTE F – EQUITY
	Changes in equity for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013									2012
		TETRA			Non-			Total			TETRA			Non-			Total
					controlling									controlling
					Interest									Interest
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance for the period	$	544,070		$	41,673		$	585,743		$	540,794		$	41,329		$	582,123
	Net income	12,110			744			12,854			7,713			889			8,602
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $165 in 2013 and taxes of $41 in 2012	6,873			—			6,873			5,074			—			5,074
	Comprehensive income (loss)	18,983			744			19,727			12,787			889			13,676
	Exercise of common stock options	597			—			597			61			—			61
	Distributions to public unitholders	—			(1,210		)	(1,210		)	—			(1,094		)	(1,094		)
	Equity-based compensation	1,152			338			1,490			2,476			664			3,140
	Treasury stock and other	(13		)	64			51			1			74			75
	Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	(249		)	—			(249		)	(1,493		)	—			(1,493		)
	Ending balance as of Sept. 30	$	564,540		$	41,609		$	606,149		$	554,626		$	41,862		$	596,488
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013									2012
		TETRA			Non-			Total			TETRA			Non-			Total
					controlling									controlling
					Interest									Interest
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance for the period	$	551,120		$	42,188		$	593,308		$	527,146		$	41,942		$	569,088
	Net income	10,482			1,964			12,446			19,968			1,962			21,930
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $711 in 2013 and taxes of $892 in 2012	(1,849		)	—			(1,849		)	2,054			—			2,054
	Comprehensive income (loss)	8,633			1,964			10,597			22,022			1,962			23,984
	Exercise of common stock options	1,586			—			1,586			819			—			819
	Distributions to public unitholders	—			(3,603		)	(3,603		)	—			(3,369		)	(3,369		)
	Equity-based compensation	4,082			1,031			5,113			6,080			1,313			7,393
	Treasury stock and other	(243		)	29			(214		)	(145		)	14			(131		)
	Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	(638		)	—			(638		)	(1,296		)	—			(1,296		)
	Ending balance as of Sept. 30	$	564,540		$	41,609		$	606,149		$	554,626		$	41,862		$	596,488
	Activity within the foreign currency translation adjustment account during the periods includes no reclassifications to net income.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	NOTE G – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Litigation
	We are named defendants in several lawsuits and respondents in certain governmental proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of lawsuits or other proceedings against us cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not consider it reasonably possible that a loss resulting from such lawsuits or other proceedings in excess of any amounts accrued has been incurred that is expected to have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
	Environmental
	One of our subsidiaries, TETRA Micronutrients, Inc. (TMI), previously owned and operated a production facility located in Fairbury, Nebraska. TMI is subject to an Administrative Order on Consent issued to American Microtrace, Inc. (n/k/a/ TETRA Micronutrients, Inc.) in the proceeding styled In the Matter of American Microtrace Corporation, EPA I.D. No. NED00610550, Respondent, Docket No. VII-98-H-0016, dated September 25, 1998 (the Consent Order), with regard to the Fairbury facility. TMI is liable for future remediation costs and ongoing environmental monitoring at the Fairbury facility under the Consent Order; however, the current owner of the Fairbury facility is responsible for costs associated with the closure of that facility. While the outcome cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not consider it reasonably possible that a loss in excess of any amounts accrued has been incurred or is expected to have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

Industry_Segments

Industry Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Industry Segments	'
	NOTE H – INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
	We manage our operations through five operating segments: Fluids, Production Testing, Compressco, Offshore Services, and Maritech.
	Our Fluids Division manufactures and markets clear brine fluids, additives, and associated products and services to the oil and gas industry for use in well drilling, completion, and workover operations in the United States and in certain countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The Division also markets liquid and dry calcium chloride products manufactured at its production facilities or purchased from third-party suppliers to a variety of markets outside the energy industry. The Fluids Division also provides domestic onshore oil and gas operators with comprehensive frac water management services.
	Our Production Enhancement Division consists of two operating segments: Production Testing and Compressco. The Production Testing segment provides after-frac flow back, production well testing, offshore rig cooling, and other associated services in many of the major oil and gas basins in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as well as in certain basins in certain regions in South America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.
	The Compressco segment provides compression-based production enhancement services, which are used in both conventional wellhead compression applications and unconventional compression applications, and in certain circumstances, well monitoring and sand separation services. Compressco provides these services throughout many of the onshore oil and gas producing regions of the United States, as well as certain basins in Mexico, Canada, and certain countries in South America, Eastern Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Beginning June 20, 2011, following the initial public offering of Compressco Partners, we allocate and charge certain corporate and divisional direct and indirect administrative costs to Compressco Partners.
	Our Offshore Division consists of two operating segments: Offshore Services and Maritech. The Offshore Services segment provides (1) downhole and subsea oil and gas well plugging and abandonment services, (2) decommissioning and certain construction services utilizing heavy lift barges and various cutting technologies with regard to offshore oil and gas production platforms and pipelines, and (3) conventional and saturated air diving services.
	The Maritech segment is an oil and gas production operation. During 2011 and the first quarter of 2012, Maritech sold substantially all of its oil and gas producing property interests. Maritech’s operations consist primarily of the ongoing abandonment and decommissioning associated with its remaining offshore wells, facilities, and production platforms. Maritech intends to acquire a significant portion of the services necessary to abandon and decommission these properties from the Offshore Division’s Offshore Services segment.
	We generally evaluate the performance of and allocate resources to our segments based on profit or loss from their operations before income taxes and nonrecurring charges, return on investment, and other criteria. Transfers between segments and geographic areas are priced at the estimated fair value of the products or services as negotiated between the operating units. “Corporate overhead” includes corporate general and administrative expenses, corporate depreciation and amortization, interest income and expense, and other income and expense.
	Summarized financial information concerning the business segments from continuing operations is as follows:
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
		(In Thousands)
	Revenues from external customers
	Product sales
	Fluids Division	$	73,957			$	56,485			$	217,859			$	190,756
	Production Enhancement Division
	Production Testing	—				—				—				—
	Compressco	1,484				1,518				3,913				3,737
	Total Production Enhancement Division	1,484				1,518				3,913				3,737
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	2,237				2,289				3,950				5,166
	Maritech	1,349				1,305				4,193				4,949
	Total Offshore Division	3,586				3,594				8,143				10,115
	Consolidated	$	79,027			$	61,597			$	229,915			$	204,608
	Services and rentals
	Fluids Division	$	25,658			$	18,735			$	75,982			$	53,517
	Production Enhancement Division
	Production Testing	47,380				56,033				149,420				144,645
	Compressco	28,283				27,413				84,660				73,134
	Intersegment eliminations	(292		)		(624		)		(865		)		(624		)
	Total Production Enhancement Division	75,371				82,822				233,215				217,155
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	84,198				76,513				184,589				199,407
	Maritech	—				—				—				150
	Intersegment eliminations	(9,951		)		(5,764		)		(39,738		)		(25,479		)
	Total Offshore Division	74,247				70,749				144,851				174,078
	Corporate overhead	—				83				—				333
	Consolidated	$	175,276			$	172,389			$	454,048			$	445,083
	Intersegment revenues
	Fluids Division	$	—			$	1			$	40			$	128
	Production Enhancement Division
	Production Testing	—				—				—				—
	Compressco	—				—				—				—
	Total Production Enhancement Division	—				—				—				—
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	—				—				—				—
	Maritech	—				—				—				—
	Intersegment eliminations	—				—				—				—
	Total Offshore Division	—				—				—				—
	Intersegment eliminations	—				(1		)		(40		)		(128		)
	Consolidated	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
		(In Thousands)
	Total revenues
	Fluids Division	$	99,615			$	75,221			$	293,881			$	244,401
	Production Enhancement Division
	Production Testing	47,380				56,033				149,420				144,645
	Compressco	29,767				28,931				88,573				76,871
	Intersegment eliminations	(292		)		(624		)		(865		)		(624		)
	Total Production Enhancement Division	76,855				84,340				237,128				220,892
Offshore Division
Offshore Services	86,435				78,802				188,539				204,573
Maritech	1,349				1,305				4,193				5,099
Intersegment eliminations	(9,951		)		(5,764		)		(39,738		)		(25,479		)
Total Offshore Division	77,833				74,343				152,994				184,193
Corporate overhead	—				83				—				333
Intersegment eliminations	—				(1		)		(40		)		(128		)
Consolidated	$	254,303			$	233,986			$	683,963			$	649,691
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2013				2012				2013				2012
	(In Thousands)
Income (loss) before taxes and
discontinued operations
Fluids Division	$	20,851			$	8,460			$	55,703			$	33,884
Production Enhancement Division
Production Testing	2,807				11,114				13,422				27,961
Compressco	5,447				6,356				13,833				14,511
Total Production Enhancement Division	8,254				17,470				27,255				42,472
Offshore Division
Offshore Services	20,579				12,108				25,064				22,839
Maritech	(15,428		)		(9,231		)		(44,079		)		(19,938		)
Intersegment eliminations	—				—				—				—
Total Offshore Division	5,151				2,877				(19,015		)		2,901
Corporate overhead	(15,554		)	-1	(15,731		)	-1	(46,425		)	-1	(45,989		)	-1
Consolidated	$	18,702			$	13,076			$	17,518			$	33,268
	September 30,
	2013				2012
	(In Thousands)
Total assets
Fluids Division	$	383,999			$	367,925
Production Enhancement Division
Production Testing	328,461				343,916
Compressco	234,194				217,915
Total Production Enhancement Division	562,655				561,831
Offshore Division
Offshore Services	205,343				243,724
Maritech	22,087				50,486
Intersegment eliminations	—				—
Total Offshore Division	227,430				294,210
Corporate overhead	27,468				54,428
Consolidated	$	1,201,552			$	1,278,394
_____________________________________________________________
-1	Amounts reflected include the following general corporate expenses:
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2013				2012				2013				2012
	(In Thousands)
General and administrative expense	$	10,195			$	10,442			$	30,470			$	29,600
Depreciation and amortization	582				855				1,742				2,588
Interest expense	4,112				4,155				12,354				12,391
Other general corporate (income) expense, net	665				279				1,859				1,410
Total	$	15,554			$	15,731			$	46,425			$	45,989

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Policy Text Block [Abstract]	'
Principles of consolidation policy	'
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries. Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in which we participate are accounted for using the equity method. Our interests in oil and gas properties are proportionately consolidated. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and do not include all information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. However, the information furnished reflects all normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Reclassifications policy	'
	Beginning with the three month period ended September 30, 2013, certain ad valorem tax expenses for operating equipment of our Compressco segment have been classified as cost of revenues instead of being included in general and administrative expense as reported in prior periods. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year period's presentation. The amount of such reclassification is $0.7 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2013, and $0.4 million and $1.2 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively. This reclassification had no effect on net income for any of the periods presented.
	Certain other previously reported financial information has been reclassified to conform to the current year period’s presentation. The impact of such reclassifications was not significant to the prior year period’s overall presentation.
Cash and cash equivalents policy	'
	Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid cash investments, with a maturity of three months or less when purchased, to be cash equivalents.
Restricted cash policy	'
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash is classified as a current asset when it is expected to be repaid or settled in the next twelve month period. Restricted cash reported on our balance sheet as of September 30, 2013, consists primarily of escrowed cash associated with our July 2011 purchase of a heavy lift derrick barge. The escrowed cash will be released to the sellers or us in accordance with the terms of the escrow agreement.
Inventories policy	'
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value and consist primarily of finished goods. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. Significant components of inventories as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, are as follows:
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(In Thousands)
	Finished goods	$	64,756		$	72,312
	Raw materials	4,269			5,396
	Parts and supplies	22,576			24,497
	Work in progress	724			836
	Total inventories	$	92,325		$	103,041
	Finished goods inventories include newly manufactured clear brine fluids as well as recycled brines that are repurchased from certain customers. Recycled brines are recorded at cost using the weighted average method.
Net income per share policy	'
	Net Income per Share
	The following is a reconciliation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding with the number of shares used in the computations of net income per common and common equivalent share:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013	2012
		(In Thousands)
	Number of weighted average common shares outstanding	78,030		77,329			77,867	77,226
	Assumed exercise of stock awards	933		1,609			852	1,514
	Average diluted shares outstanding	78,963		78,938			78,719	78,740
	In applying the treasury stock method to determine the dilutive effect of the stock options outstanding during the first nine months of 2013, we used the average market price of our common stock of $10.07. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the average diluted shares outstanding excludes the impact of 1,571,777 and 2,241,490 outstanding stock options, respectively, that have exercise prices in excess of the average market price, as the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the average diluted shares outstanding excludes the impact of 2,144,779 and 2,054,303 outstanding stock options, respectively, that have exercise prices in excess of the average market price, as the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive.
Environmental liabilities policy	'
	Environmental Liabilities
	Environmental expenditures that result in additions to property and equipment are capitalized, while other environmental expenditures are expensed. Environmental remediation liabilities are recorded on an undiscounted basis when environmental assessments or cleanups are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of future environmental remediation expenditures often consist of a range of possible expenditure amounts, a portion of which may be in excess of amounts of liabilities recorded. In such an instance, we disclose the full range of amounts reasonably possible of being incurred. Any changes or developments in environmental remediation efforts are accounted for and disclosed each quarter as they occur. Any recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.
	Complexities involving environmental remediation efforts can cause estimates of the associated liability to be imprecise. Factors that cause uncertainties regarding the estimation of future expenditures include, but are not limited to, the effectiveness of the anticipated work plans in achieving targeted results and changes in the desired remediation methods and outcomes as prescribed by regulatory agencies. Uncertainties associated with environmental remediation contingencies are pervasive and often result in wide ranges of reasonably possible outcomes. Estimates developed in the early stages of remediation can vary significantly. Normally, a finite estimate of cost does not become fixed and determinable at a specific point in time. Rather, the costs associated with environmental remediation become estimable as the work is performed and the range of ultimate cost becomes more defined. It is possible that cash flows and results of operations could be materially affected by the impact of the ultimate resolution of these contingencies.
Repair costs and insurance recoveries policy	'
	Repair Costs and Insurance Recoveries
	During December 2010, we initiated legal proceedings against one of Maritech’s insurance underwriters that had disputed that certain hurricane damage related costs incurred or to be incurred qualified as covered costs pursuant to Maritech’s windstorm insurance policies. In February 2013, we entered into a settlement agreement with the underwriter whereby we received $7.6 million, a portion of which was credited to operating expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Fair value measurements policy	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date” within an entity’s principal market, if any. The principal market is the market in which the reporting entity would sell the asset or transfer the liability with the greatest volume and level of activity, regardless of whether it is the market in which the entity will ultimately transact for a particular asset or liability or if a different market is potentially more advantageous. Accordingly, this exit price concept may result in a fair value that may differ from the transaction price or market price of the asset or liability.
	Under generally accepted accounting principles, the fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Fair value measurements should maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, where possible. Observable inputs are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs may be needed to measure fair value in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which could include the reporting entity’s own judgments about the assumptions market participants would utilize in pricing the asset or liability.
	We utilize fair value measurements to account for certain items and account balances within our consolidated financial statements. Fair value measurements are utilized in the allocation of purchase consideration for acquisition transactions to the assets and liabilities acquired, including intangible assets and goodwill. In addition, we utilize fair value measurements in the initial recording of our decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations. Fair value measurements may also be utilized on a nonrecurring basis, such as for the impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill. The fair value of our financial instruments, which may include cash, temporary investments, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt pursuant to our bank credit agreement, approximate their carrying amounts. The fair values of our long-term Senior Notes at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, were approximately $323.2 million and $327.4 million, respectively, compared to a carrying amount of $305.0 million, as current rates on those dates were more favorable than the stated interest rates on the Senior Notes. We calculate the fair value of our Senior Notes internally, using current market conditions and average cost of debt (a level 2 fair value measurement). The fair values of the liability for the OPTIMA contingent purchase price consideration at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, were approximately $0.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively. We calculate the fair value of the liability for our contingent purchase price consideration obligation in accordance with the OPTIMA share purchase agreement based upon the actual and anticipated earnings of our OPTIMA operations (a level 3 fair value measurement).
New Accounting Pronouncements policy	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) published Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (ASU 2011-05), with the stated objective of improving the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and increasing the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. As part of ASU 2011-05, the FASB eliminated the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The ASU 2011-05 amendments require that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The ASU 2011-05 amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and the amendments are applied retrospectively. In December 2011, with the issuance of ASU 2011-12, “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05,” the FASB announced that it has deferred certain aspects of ASU 2011-05. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-2, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” with the stated objective of improving the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in ASU 2013-2 are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-05, 2011-12 and 2013-2 regarding comprehensive income have not had a significant impact on the accounting or disclosures in our financial statements.
	In December 2011, the FASB published ASU 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (ASU 2011-11), which requires an entity to disclose the nature of its rights of setoff and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. The objective of ASU 2011-11 is to make financial statements that are prepared under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles more comparable to those prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. The new disclosures will give financial statement users information about both gross and net exposures. In January 2013, the FASB published ASU 2013-01, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210), Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (ASU 2013-01), with the stated objective of clarifying the scope of offsetting disclosures and address any unintended consequences of ASU 2011-11. ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2013, and will be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
	In July 2013, the FASB published ASU No. 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists" (ASU 2013-11). The amendments in this ASU provide guidance on presentation of unrecognized tax benefits and are expected to reduce diversity in practice and better reflect the manner in which an entity would settle at the reporting date any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The amendments in this ASU are effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption and retrospective application permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign2

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	'
Inventories Table	'
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(In Thousands)
	Finished goods	$	64,756		$	72,312
	Raw materials	4,269			5,396
	Parts and supplies	22,576			24,497
	Work in progress	724			836
	Total inventories	$	92,325		$	103,041
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Table	'
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013	2012
		(In Thousands)
	Number of weighted average common shares outstanding	78,030		77,329			77,867	77,226
	Assumed exercise of stock awards	933		1,609			852	1,514
	Average diluted shares outstanding	78,963		78,938			78,719	78,740

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	'
Pro Forma Financial Information Table	'
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
	Revenues	$	237,781	$	693,655
	Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion	$	20,424	$	59,809
	Gross profit	$	51,096	$	148,218
	Income before discontinued operations	$	8,897	$	28,851
	Net income	$	8,898	$	28,854
	Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	$	8,009	$	26,892
	Per share information:
	Income before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders
	Basic	$	0.1	$	0.35
	Diluted	$	0.1	$	0.34
	Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders
	Basic	$	0.1	$	0.35
	Diluted	$	0.1	$	0.34

LongTerm_Debt_and_Other_Borrow1

Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-Term Debt (Tables)	'
Long-Term Debt Table	'
			September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
			(In Thousands)
		Scheduled Maturity
	Bank revolving line of credit facility	October 29, 2015	$	23,525	$	51,218
	Compressco Partners' bank credit facility	June 24, 2015	24,373		10,050
	5.90% Senior Notes, Series 2006-A	April 30, 2016	90,000		90,000
	6.30% Senior Notes, Series 2008-A	April 30, 2013	—		35,000
	6.56% Senior Notes, Series 2008-B	April 30, 2015	90,000		90,000
	5.09% Senior Notes, Series 2010-A	December 15, 2017	65,000		65,000
	5.67% Senior Notes, Series 2010-B	December 15, 2020	25,000		25,000
	4.00% Senior Notes, Series 2013	29-Apr-20	35,000		—
	European bank credit facility		—		—
	Other		—		441
	Total debt		352,898		366,709
	Less current portion		—		(35,441		)
	Total long-term debt		$	352,898	$	331,268

Decommissioning_and_Other_Asse1

Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	'
Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations Table	'
		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2013			September 30, 2013
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance for the period, as reported	$	57,330		$	94,921
	Activity in the period:
	Accretion of liability	173			504
	Revisions in estimated cash flows	21,538			54,404
	Settlement of retirement obligations	(33,738		)	(104,526		)
	Ending balance as of September 30	$	45,303		$	45,303

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Changes in Equity Table	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013									2012
		TETRA			Non-			Total			TETRA			Non-			Total
					controlling									controlling
					Interest									Interest
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance for the period	$	544,070		$	41,673		$	585,743		$	540,794		$	41,329		$	582,123
	Net income	12,110			744			12,854			7,713			889			8,602
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $165 in 2013 and taxes of $41 in 2012	6,873			—			6,873			5,074			—			5,074
	Comprehensive income (loss)	18,983			744			19,727			12,787			889			13,676
	Exercise of common stock options	597			—			597			61			—			61
	Distributions to public unitholders	—			(1,210		)	(1,210		)	—			(1,094		)	(1,094		)
	Equity-based compensation	1,152			338			1,490			2,476			664			3,140
	Treasury stock and other	(13		)	64			51			1			74			75
	Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	(249		)	—			(249		)	(1,493		)	—			(1,493		)
	Ending balance as of Sept. 30	$	564,540		$	41,609		$	606,149		$	554,626		$	41,862		$	596,488
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013									2012
		TETRA			Non-			Total			TETRA			Non-			Total
					controlling									controlling
					Interest									Interest
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance for the period	$	551,120		$	42,188		$	593,308		$	527,146		$	41,942		$	569,088
	Net income	10,482			1,964			12,446			19,968			1,962			21,930
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $711 in 2013 and taxes of $892 in 2012	(1,849		)	—			(1,849		)	2,054			—			2,054
	Comprehensive income (loss)	8,633			1,964			10,597			22,022			1,962			23,984
	Exercise of common stock options	1,586			—			1,586			819			—			819
	Distributions to public unitholders	—			(3,603		)	(3,603		)	—			(3,369		)	(3,369		)
	Equity-based compensation	4,082			1,031			5,113			6,080			1,313			7,393
	Treasury stock and other	(243		)	29			(214		)	(145		)	14			(131		)
	Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	(638		)	—			(638		)	(1,296		)	—			(1,296		)
	Ending balance as of Sept. 30	$	564,540		$	41,609		$	606,149		$	554,626		$	41,862		$	596,488

Industry_Segments_Tables

Industry Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Industry Segments (Tables)	'
Segment Reporting Table	'
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
		(In Thousands)
	Revenues from external customers
	Product sales
	Fluids Division	$	73,957			$	56,485			$	217,859			$	190,756
	Production Enhancement Division
	Production Testing	—				—				—				—
	Compressco	1,484				1,518				3,913				3,737
	Total Production Enhancement Division	1,484				1,518				3,913				3,737
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	2,237				2,289				3,950				5,166
	Maritech	1,349				1,305				4,193				4,949
	Total Offshore Division	3,586				3,594				8,143				10,115
	Consolidated	$	79,027			$	61,597			$	229,915			$	204,608
	Services and rentals
	Fluids Division	$	25,658			$	18,735			$	75,982			$	53,517
	Production Enhancement Division
	Production Testing	47,380				56,033				149,420				144,645
	Compressco	28,283				27,413				84,660				73,134
	Intersegment eliminations	(292		)		(624		)		(865		)		(624		)
	Total Production Enhancement Division	75,371				82,822				233,215				217,155
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	84,198				76,513				184,589				199,407
	Maritech	—				—				—				150
	Intersegment eliminations	(9,951		)		(5,764		)		(39,738		)		(25,479		)
	Total Offshore Division	74,247				70,749				144,851				174,078
	Corporate overhead	—				83				—				333
	Consolidated	$	175,276			$	172,389			$	454,048			$	445,083
	Intersegment revenues
	Fluids Division	$	—			$	1			$	40			$	128
	Production Enhancement Division
	Production Testing	—				—				—				—
	Compressco	—				—				—				—
	Total Production Enhancement Division	—				—				—				—
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	—				—				—				—
	Maritech	—				—				—				—
	Intersegment eliminations	—				—				—				—
	Total Offshore Division	—				—				—				—
	Intersegment eliminations	—				(1		)		(40		)		(128		)
	Consolidated	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
		(In Thousands)
	Total revenues
	Fluids Division	$	99,615			$	75,221			$	293,881			$	244,401
	Production Enhancement Division
	Production Testing	47,380				56,033				149,420				144,645
	Compressco	29,767				28,931				88,573				76,871
	Intersegment eliminations	(292		)		(624		)		(865		)		(624		)
	Total Production Enhancement Division	76,855				84,340				237,128				220,892
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	86,435				78,802				188,539				204,573
	Maritech	1,349				1,305				4,193				5,099
	Intersegment eliminations	(9,951		)		(5,764		)		(39,738		)		(25,479		)
	Total Offshore Division	77,833				74,343				152,994				184,193
	Corporate overhead	—				83				—				333
	Intersegment eliminations	—				(1		)		(40		)		(128		)
	Consolidated	$	254,303			$	233,986			$	683,963			$	649,691
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
September 30,							September 30,
	2013				2012				2013				2012
	(In Thousands)
Income (loss) before taxes and
discontinued operations
Fluids Division	$	20,851			$	8,460			$	55,703			$	33,884
Production Enhancement Division
Production Testing	2,807				11,114				13,422				27,961
Compressco	5,447				6,356				13,833				14,511
Total Production Enhancement Division	8,254				17,470				27,255				42,472
Offshore Division
Offshore Services	20,579				12,108				25,064				22,839
Maritech	(15,428		)		(9,231		)		(44,079		)		(19,938		)
Intersegment eliminations	—				—				—				—
Total Offshore Division	5,151				2,877				(19,015		)		2,901
Corporate overhead	(15,554		)	-1	(15,731		)	-1	(46,425		)	-1	(45,989		)	-1
Consolidated	$	18,702			$	13,076			$	17,518			$	33,268
	September 30,
	2013				2012
	(In Thousands)
Total assets
Fluids Division	$	383,999			$	367,925
Production Enhancement Division
Production Testing	328,461				343,916
Compressco	234,194				217,915
Total Production Enhancement Division	562,655				561,831
Offshore Division
Offshore Services	205,343				243,724
Maritech	22,087				50,486
Intersegment eliminations	—				—
Total Offshore Division	227,430				294,210
Corporate overhead	27,468				54,428
Consolidated	$	1,201,552			$	1,278,394
_____________________________________________________________
-1	Amounts reflected include the following general corporate expenses:
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
	2013				2012				2013				2012
	(In Thousands)
General and administrative expense	$	10,195			$	10,442			$	30,470			$	29,600
Depreciation and amortization	582				855				1,742				2,588
Interest expense	4,112				4,155				12,354				12,391
Other general corporate (income) expense, net	665				279				1,859				1,410
Total	$	15,554			$	15,731			$	46,425			$	45,989

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign3

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventories Detail [Table]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finished goods	$64,756,000	'	'	$64,756,000	'	$72,312,000
Raw materials	4,269,000	'	'	4,269,000	'	5,396,000
Parts and supplies	22,576,000	'	'	22,576,000	'	24,497,000
Work in progress	724,000	'	'	724,000	'	836,000
Inventories	92,325,000	'	'	92,325,000	'	103,041,000
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding [Table]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of weighted average common shares outstanding	78,030,000	77,329,000	'	77,867,000	77,226,000	'
Assumed exercise of stock options	933,000	1,609,000	'	852,000	1,514,000	'
Average diluted shares outstanding	78,963,000	78,938,000	'	78,719,000	78,740,000	'
Average market price of common stock for the period	'	'	'	$10.07	'	'
Outstanding stock options excluded from average diluted shares outstanding	1,571,777	2,144,779	'	2,241,490	2,054,303	'
Proceeds from insurance settlements	'	'	'	7,600,000	'	'
Fair value of Senior Notes	323,200,000	'	'	323,200,000	'	327,400,000
Carrying value of Senior Notes	305,000,000	'	'	305,000,000	'	305,000,000
Fair value of contingent purchase price consideration	600,000	'	'	600,000	'	2,700,000
Prior period reclassification adjustment	'	$400,000	$700,000	'	$1,200,000	'

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_1

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details 1)	Oct. 15, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 09, 2012	Mar. 09, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Apr. 23, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Joint Venture [Member]	Optima Solutions [Member]	Optima Solutions [Member]	Optima Solutions [Member]	Optima Solutions [Member]	Eastern Reservoir Services [Member]	Eastern Reservoir Services [Member]	Greywolf Production Systems [Member]	Greywolf Production Systems [Member]
		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	GBP (£)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Business Acquisitions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership interest acquired	50.00%	'	'	100.00%	100.00%	'	'	'	'
Purchase price	'	'	'	$65	£ 41.2	'	$42.50	'	$55.50
Contingent consideration, maximum possible payment	'	'	'	'	4	'	'	'	'
Purchase price allocation, net working capital	'	'	'	3	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase price allocation, property, plant, and equipment	'	'	'	16.8	'	'	18.5	'	17.7
Purchase price allocation, intangible assets	'	'	'	20.4	'	'	3.4	'	3.5
Purchase price allocation, deferred and other tax liabilities	'	'	'	7.2	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase price allocation, liabilities associated with contingent purchase price consideration	'	'	'	3.5	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase price allocation, nondeductible goodwill	'	'	'	35.6	'	'	20.6	'	34.3
Cumulative adjustment in liability associated with contingent purchase price consideration	'	1.8	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Adjustment of liability associated with contingent purchase price consideration during the period	'	0.7	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from acquired entitiy	'	'	15.1	'	'	16	'	5.9	'
Depreciation and amortization from acquired entity	'	'	3.1	'	'	1.8	'	0.4	'
Pretax earnings from acquired entity	'	'	3.6	'	'	4.7	'	1.2	'
Transaction costs associated with acquisition	'	'	$1.30	'	'	$0.50	'	$0.70	'

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_2

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Pro Forma Financial Information [Table]	'	'
Revenues	$237,781	$693,655
Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion	20,424	59,809
Gross profit	51,096	148,218
Income before discontinued operations	8,897	28,851
Net income	8,898	28,854
Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	$8,009	$26,892
Income before discontinued operations attributable to TETRA stockholders	'	'
Basic	$0.10	$0.35
Diluted	$0.10	$0.34
Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	'	'
Basic	$0.10	$0.35
Diluted	$0.10	$0.34

LongTerm_Debt_and_Other_Borrow2

Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	$352,898	$366,709
Less current portion	0	-35,441
Long-term debt, net	352,898	331,268
Bank revolving line of credit facility [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	29-Oct-15	'
Total debt	23,525	51,218
Senior Notes Series 2006-A [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Note interest rate	5.90%	5.90%
Maturity date	30-Apr-16	'
Total debt	90,000	90,000
Senior Notes Series 2008-A [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Note interest rate	'	6.30%
Maturity date	30-Apr-13	'
Total debt	0	35,000
Senior Notes Series 2008-B [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Note interest rate	6.56%	6.56%
Maturity date	30-Apr-15	'
Total debt	90,000	90,000
Senior Notes Series 2010-A [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Note interest rate	5.09%	5.09%
Maturity date	15-Dec-17	'
Total debt	65,000	65,000
Senior Notes Series 2010-B [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Note interest rate	5.67%	5.67%
Maturity date	15-Dec-20	'
Total debt	25,000	25,000
Senior Notes Series 2013 [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Note interest rate	4.00%	'
Maturity date	29-Apr-20	'
Total debt	35,000	0
European bank credit facility [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	0	0
Compressco Partners' bank credit facility [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	24-Jun-15	'
Total debt	24,373	10,050
Other long-term debt [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	$0	$441

LongTerm_Debt_and_Other_Borrow3

Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 15, 2013	14-May-13
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amendment date of Compressco line of credit	'	14-May-13	'	'
Prior maximum credit commitment under Compressco credit facility	'	'	'	$20
Amended maximum credit commitment under Compressco credit facility	'	'	'	40
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes	'	35	'	'
Senior Note issuance date	'	29-Apr-13	'	'
Interest rate of Senior Notes issued in April 2013	'	4.00%	'	'
Scheduled maturity date of Senior Notes issued in April 2013	'	29-Apr-20	'	'
Line of credit facility, initiation date	15-Oct-13	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	100	100	'	'
Line of credit facility, sublimit applicable to letters of credit	20	20	'	'
Line of credit facility, amount of uncommitted expansion feature	30	30	'	'
Line of credit facility, expiration date	15-Oct-17	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	'	'	$24.50	'
Line of credit facility, stated percentage rate range, minimum	2.00%	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, stated percentage rate range, maximum	3.00%	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, interest rate description	'Borrowings under the Partnership Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at Compressco Partners' option, either (a)B LIBOR (adjusted to reflect any required bank reserves) for an interest period equal to one, two, three or six months (as selected by Compressco Partners), plus a margin of 2.25% per annum or (b)B a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1)B the prime rate of interest per annum announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or (2)B LIBOR (adjusted to reflect any required bank reserves) for a one-month interest period on such day plus 2.50% per annum. In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Partnership Credit Agreement, Compressco Partners is required to pay a commitment fee, in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder, of 0.375% per annum, paid quarterly in arrears. Compressco Partners is also required to pay a customary letter of credit fee equal to the applicable margin on revolving credit LIBOR loans and fronting fees.	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, covenant terms	'The Partnership Credit Agreement requires Compressco Partners to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio (ratio of earnings before interest and taxes to interest) of 4.0 to 1.0 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, calculated on a trailing four quarters basis. In addition, the Partnership Credit Agreement includes customary negative covenants, which, among other things, limit Compressco Partners' ability to incur additional debt, incur, or permit certain liens to exist, or make certain loans, investments, acquisitions, or other restricted payments. The Partnership Credit Agreement provides that Compressco Partners can make distributions to holders of its common and subordinated units, but only if there is no default or event of default under the facility.	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, collateral	'All obligations under the Partnership Credit Agreement and the guarantees of those obligations are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by a first lien security interest in substantially all of the assets (excluding real property) of Compressco Partners and its existing and future, direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, and all of the capital stock of its existing and future, direct and indirect subsidiaries (limited, in the case of foreign subsidiaries, to 65% of the capital stock of first tier foreign subsidiaries).	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, minimum interest coverage ratio	'4.0 to 1.0	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, limitation on percentage of first tier foreign subsidiaries	100.00%	'	'	'

Decommissioning_and_Other_Asse2

Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations Detail [Table]	'	'	'
Beginning balance for the period, as reported	$57,330,000	$94,921,000	'
Activity in the period:	'	'	'
Accretion of liability	173,000	504,000	'
Revisions in estimated cash flows	21,538,000	54,404,000	'
Settlement of retirement obligations	-33,738,000	-104,526,000	'
Ending balance as of June 30	45,303,000	45,303,000	'
Fair value of asset retirement obligations associated with non-operated properties	8,000,000	8,000,000	7,500,000
Asset retirement obligations associated with properties sold during the period	'	$5,300,000	'

Hedge_Contracts_Details

Hedge Contracts (Details)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013	Oct. 15, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Borrowings designated as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign subsidiary	$13.50	'	'	€ 10
Cumulative change to cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax	0.9	'	'	'
Current period change to cumulative translation adjustment, net of taxes	0.3	'	'	'
Foreign currency forward purchase derivative contract at nominal value	'	$6.10	$10.50	'

Equity_Details_1

Equity (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stockholders' equity rollforward	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance for the period	$585,743	$582,123	$593,308	$569,088
Net income	12,854	8,602	12,446	21,930
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	6,873	5,074	-1,849	2,054
Comprehensive income	19,727	13,676	10,597	23,984
Exercise of common stock options	597	61	1,586	819
Distributions to public unitholders	-1,210	-1,094	-3,603	-3,369
Equity-based compensation	1,490	3,140	5,113	7,393
Treasury stock and other	51	75	-214	-131
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	-249	-1,493	-638	-1,296
Ending balance	606,149	596,488	606,149	596,488
TETRA [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity rollforward	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance for the period	544,070	540,794	551,120	527,146
Net income	12,110	7,713	10,482	19,968
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	6,873	5,074	-1,849	2,054
Comprehensive income	18,983	12,787	8,633	22,022
Exercise of common stock options	597	61	1,586	819
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation	1,152	2,476	4,082	6,080
Treasury stock and other	-13	1	-243	-145
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	-249	-1,493	-638	-1,296
Ending balance	564,540	554,626	564,540	554,626
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity rollforward	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance for the period	41,673	41,329	42,188	41,942
Net income	744	889	1,964	1,962
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	744	889	1,964	1,962
Exercise of common stock options	0	0	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	-1,210	-1,094	-3,603	-3,369
Equity-based compensation	338	664	1,031	1,313
Treasury stock and other	64	74	29	14
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	0	0	0	0
Ending balance	$41,609	$41,862	$41,609	$41,862

Equity_Details_2

Equity (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	$165	$41	$711	$892

Industry_Segments_Details_1

Industry Segments (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Product sales	$79,027	$61,597	$229,915	$204,608	'
Services and rentals	175,276	172,389	454,048	445,083	'
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Total revenues	254,303	233,986	683,963	649,691	'
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	18,702	13,076	17,518	33,268	'
Assets	1,201,552	1,278,394	1,201,552	1,278,394	1,261,818
Fluids Division [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Product sales	73,957	56,485	217,859	190,756	'
Services and rentals	25,658	18,735	75,982	53,517	'
Intersegment revenues	0	1	40	128	'
Total revenues	99,615	75,221	293,881	244,401	'
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	20,851	8,460	55,703	33,884	'
Assets	383,999	367,925	383,999	367,925	'
Production Testing [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Product sales	0	0	0	0	'
Services and rentals	47,380	56,033	149,420	144,645	'
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Total revenues	47,380	56,033	149,420	144,645	'
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	2,807	11,114	13,422	27,961	'
Assets	328,461	343,916	328,461	343,916	'
Compressco [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Product sales	1,484	1,518	3,913	3,737	'
Services and rentals	28,283	27,413	84,660	73,134	'
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Total revenues	29,767	28,931	88,573	76,871	'
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	5,447	6,356	13,833	14,511	'
Assets	234,194	217,915	234,194	217,915	'
Production Enhancement Division Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Services and rentals	-292	-624	-865	-624	'
Total revenues	-292	-624	-865	-624	'
Total Production Enhancement Division [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Product sales	1,484	1,518	3,913	3,737	'
Services and rentals	75,371	82,822	233,215	217,155	'
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Total revenues	76,855	84,340	237,128	220,892	'
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	8,254	17,470	'	'	'
Assets	562,655	561,831	562,655	561,831	'
Offshore Services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Product sales	2,237	2,289	3,950	5,166	'
Services and rentals	84,198	76,513	184,589	199,407	'
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Total revenues	86,435	78,802	188,539	204,573	'
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	20,579	12,108	25,064	22,839	'
Assets	205,343	243,724	205,343	243,724	'
Maritech [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Product sales	1,349	1,305	4,193	4,949	'
Services and rentals	0	0	0	150	'
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Total revenues	1,349	1,305	4,193	5,099	'
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	-15,428	-9,231	-44,079	-19,938	'
Assets	22,087	50,486	22,087	50,486	'
Offshore Division Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Services and rentals	-9,951	-5,764	-39,738	-25,479	'
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Total revenues	-9,951	-5,764	-39,738	-25,479	'
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	0	0	0	0	'
Assets	0	0	0	0	'
Total Offshore Division [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Product sales	3,586	3,594	8,143	10,115	'
Services and rentals	74,247	70,749	144,851	174,078	'
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0	'
Total revenues	77,833	74,343	152,994	184,193	'
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	5,151	2,877	'	'	'
Assets	227,430	294,210	227,430	294,210	'
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Intersegment revenues	0	-1	-40	-128	'
Total revenues	0	-1	-40	-128	'
Corporate Overhead [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Services and rentals	0	83	0	333	'
Total revenues	0	83	0	333	'
Income (loss) before taxes and discontinued operations	-15,554	-15,731	-46,425	-45,989	'
Assets	$27,468	$54,428	$27,468	$54,428	'

Industry_Segments_Details_2

Industry Segments (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Corporate Overhead Footnote	'	'	'	'
General and administrative expense	$10,195	$10,442	$30,470	$29,600
Depreciation and amortization	582	855	1,742	2,588
Interest expense	4,112	4,155	12,354	12,391
Other general corporate (income) expense, net	665	279	1,859	1,410
Total	$15,554	$15,731	$46,425	$45,989