TETRA (TTI) 10-Q 11 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	8-May-15	Jun. 30, 2014
Document Line Items [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TETRA TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	844965
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$911,481,175
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		79,637,789
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Product sales	$84,886	$76,752
Services and rentals	166,206	136,105
Total revenues	251,092	212,857
Cost of revenues:
Cost of product sales	63,579	65,029
Cost of services and rentals	103,084	99,938
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	38,342	23,040
Total cost of revenues	205,005	188,007
Gross profit	46,087	24,850
General and administrative expense	35,269	33,420
Interest expense, net	12,886	4,711
Other (income) expense, net	-14	-2,598
Income (loss) before taxes	-2,054	-10,683
Provision for income taxes	1,568	-4,593
Net income (loss)	-3,622	-6,090
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	825	844
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-825	-844
Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	($4,447)	($6,934)
Basic net income per common share:
Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	($0.06)	($0.09)
Average shares outstanding	78,907	78,306
Diluted net income per common share:
Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	($0.06)	($0.09)
Average diluted shares outstanding	78,907	78,306

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	($3,622)	($6,090)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $0 in 2015 and $1,196 in 2014	-9,787	-2,467
Comprehensive income	-13,409	-8,557
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	825	844
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-825	-844
Comprehensive income attributable to TETRA stockholders	($14,234)	($9,401)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	$0	$1,196

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$34,516	$48,384
Restricted cash	8,805	8,721
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $2,374 in 2015 and $2,485 in 2014	191,378	227,053
Deferred tax asset	440	392
Inventories	199,835	189,144
Assets held for sale	0	2,568
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	24,215	24,286
Total current assets	459,189	500,548
Property, plant, and equipment:
Land and building	76,058	75,200
Machinery and equipment	1,336,256	1,293,165
Automobiles and trucks	55,564	57,035
Chemical plants	173,658	174,108
Construction in progress	17,147	21,483
Total property, plant, and equipment	1,658,683	1,620,991
Less accumulated depreciation	-526,597	-496,368
Net property, plant, and equipment	1,132,086	1,124,623
Other assets:
Goodwill	290,960	293,941
Patents, trademarks and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $42,344 in 2015 and $39,754 in 2014	103,170	105,967
Deferred tax assets	2,618	1,791
Other assets	40,852	40,966
Total other assets	437,600	442,665
Total assets	2,028,875	2,067,836
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	78,948	119,240
Unearned income	88,020	70,688
Accrued liabilities	76,338	85,884
Current portion of long-term debt	90,000	90,074
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, current	9,243	12,758
Total current liabilities	342,549	378,644
Long-term debt, net	859,785	844,961
Deferred income taxes	10,650	10,525
Decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations, net	53,397	49,983
Other liabilities	17,899	18,122
Total long-term liabilities	941,731	923,591
Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 82,322,876 shares issued at March 31, 2015, and 82,322,876 shares issued at December 31, 2014	823	823
Additional paid-in capital	242,366	241,166
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,689,533 shares held at March 31, 2015, and 2,672,930 shares held at December 31, 2014	-16,419	-16,419
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-36,002	-26,215
Retained earnings	165,911	170,358
Total TETRA stockholders' equity	356,679	369,713
Noncontrolling interests	387,916	395,888
Total equity	744,595	765,601
Total liabilities and equity	$2,028,875	$2,067,836

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Trade accounts receivable, allowances for doubtful accounts	$2,374	$2,485
Other assets:
Patents, trademarks, and other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$42,344	$39,754
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	82,322,876	82,322,876
Treasury stock, shares held	2,689,533	2,672,930

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	($3,622)	($6,090)
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	38,342	23,040
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	122	-8,168
Equity-based compensation expense	1,596	1,855
Provision for doubtful accounts	242	-141
Excess decommissioning and abandoning costs	152	7,882
Other non-cash charges and credits	-483	-3,331
Gain on sale of assets	-1,650	-102
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired:
Accounts receivable	32,698	20,261
Inventories	-12,637	3,304
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	773	-2,161
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses	-26,310	13,763
Decommissioning liabilities, net	-566	-13,307
Other	-842	-735
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	27,815	36,070
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	-49,024	-28,835
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	-18,337
Proceeds on sale of property, plant, and equipment	2,886	3,999
Other investing activities	-211	-1,574
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-46,349	-44,747
Financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	51,954	11,350
Principal payments on long-term debt	-37,329	-9,423
CSI Compressco LP distributions	-9,274	-1,245
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	285	273
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,636	955
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-970	-730
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-13,868	-8,452
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	48,384	38,754
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	34,516	30,302
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	16,358	429
Income taxes paid	$2,923	$3,327

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, water management, frac flowback, production well testing, offshore rig cooling, compression services and equipment, 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 four divisions – Fluids, Production Testing, Compression, 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. We consolidate the financial statements of CSI Compressco LP and its subsidiaries ("CCLP") as part of our Compression segment. We control CCLP through our ownership of its general partner. The public ownership share of CCLP's net assets and earnings is presented as a component of noncontrolling interest in our consolidated financial statements. 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.
	As a result of CCLP's acquisition of Compressor Systems, Inc. ("CSI") on August 4, 2014, our Compression Division's operations have significantly expanded. See Note B - Acquisitions for further discussion.
	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, 2014.
	Certain 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.
	In 2014, and continuing into early 2015, significant decreases in oil and natural gas commodity prices lowered the capital expenditure and operating plans of many of our customers, creating additional uncertainty regarding the expected demand for our products and services and the resulting cash flows from operating activities for the foreseeable future. In addition, the availability of new borrowings in the current capital markets is becoming more limited and costly. Accordingly, we have implemented strategic cost reduction measures designed to lower our cost structure in the current environment. As further discussed in Note C - Long-Term Debt and Other Obligations, as a result of the issuance and sale of our new Senior Secured Notes and additional borrowings under our bank revolving credit facility (the "Credit Agreement"), we repaid the $90 million 2008-B Senior Notes upon their maturity in April 2015. In addition, we are considering certain asset sales and financing transactions with a view of generating additional cash to reduce the amount of our outstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement. We believe the steps taken will enhance our operating cash flows and that, with the current industry environment and activity level, we will have adequate liquidity to fund our operations and debt obligations and maintain compliance with debt covenants through March 31, 2016; however, we cannot predict how an extended period of low commodity prices will affect our operations and liquidity levels.
	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 March 31, 2015, 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. The cost of finished goods, raw materials, and parts and supplies are determined using the weighted average method. The cost of work in progress is determined using the specific identification method.
	Significant components of inventories as of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(In Thousands)
	Finished goods	$	63,563			$	62,188
	Raw materials	3,656				5,005
	Parts and supplies	53,400				51,229
	Work in progress	79,216				70,722
	Total inventories	$	199,835			$	189,144
	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. Work in progress inventory consists primarily of new compressor packages located in the CCLP fabrication facility in Midland, Texas. We provide a reserve for estimated unrealizable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and its estimated realizable value.
	Net Income (Loss) 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 (loss) per common and common equivalent share:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In Thousands)
	Number of weighted average common shares outstanding	78,907			78,306
	Assumed exercise of stock awards	—			—
	Average diluted shares outstanding	78,907			78,306
	For the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the average diluted shares outstanding excludes the impact of all outstanding stock awards, as the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive due to the net losses recorded during the periods.
	Environmental Liabilities
	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.
	Services and Rentals Revenues and Costs
	A portion of our services and rentals revenues consist of lease rental income pursuant to operating lease arrangements for compressors and other equipment assets. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the following operating lease revenues and associated costs were included in services and rentals revenues and cost of services and rentals, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		(In Thousands)
	Rental revenue	$	45,446			$	2,832
	Cost of rental revenue	$	21,447			$	1,782
	Foreign Currency Translation
	We have designated the euro, the British pound, the Norwegian krone, the Canadian dollar, the Brazilian real, the Argentine peso, and the Mexican peso as the functional currency for our operations in Finland and Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and certain of our operations in Mexico, respectively. The U.S. dollar is the designated functional currency for all of our other foreign operations. The cumulative translation effects of translating the accounts from the functional currencies into the U.S. dollar at current exchange rates are included as a separate component of equity. Foreign currency exchange gains and (losses) are included in Other Expense and totaled $(0.7) million and $(0.7) million during the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Income Taxes
	We recorded a consolidated provision for income taxes during the first quarter of 2015, despite sustaining a consolidated pretax loss during the period, compared to a benefit for income taxes during the corresponding prior year period. The first quarter 2015 pretax loss primarily relates to pretax losses generated by our domestic operations. We recorded a valuation allowance primarily on our U.S. deferred tax assets during 2014 after considering all available positive and negative evidence related to the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Included in our deferred tax assets are net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits that are available to offset future income tax liabilities in the U.S. as well as in certain foreign jurisdictions. Our assessment of the realizability of our deferred tax assets has not changed and as such, we have not recorded a benefit for our first quarter 2015 domestic pretax losses or pretax losses sustained in other foreign jurisdictions in which we have recorded a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset. As a result, our consolidated provision for income taxes during the first quarter of 2015 is primarily attributable to taxes in certain foreign jurisdictions generating pretax earnings.
	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 include cash, temporary investments, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt pursuant to our bank credit agreements, approximate their carrying amounts. The fair values of our long-term Senior Notes at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, were approximately $285.2 million and $310.7 million, respectively, compared to a carrying amount of $305.0 million, as current rates on those dates were different than the stated interest rates on the Senior Notes. The fair values of the CCLP Senior Notes at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, were approximately $308.0 million and $354.9 million compared to a face amount of approximately $350.0 million (See Note C - Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings, for further discussion). We calculate the fair value of these Senior Notes internally, using current market conditions and average cost of debt (a level 2 fair value measurement).
	The fair value of the liability for the WIT Water Transfer, LLC (acquired in January 2014 and doing business as TD Water Transfer) contingent purchase price consideration at March 31, 2015, was $0. We calculate the fair value of the liability for our contingent purchase price consideration obligation in accordance with the TD Water Transfer share purchase agreement based upon a probability weighted calculation using the actual and anticipated earnings of the acquired operations (a level 3 fair value measurement). We also utilize fair value measurements on a recurring basis in the accounting for our foreign currency forward sale derivative contracts. For these fair value measurements, we utilize the quoted value as determined by our counterparty financial institution (a level 2 fair value measurement). A summary of these fair value measurements as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, is as follows:
						Fair Value Measurements Using
		Total as of				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs			Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Description	31-Mar-15				(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		(In Thousands)
	Asset for foreign currency derivative contracts	$	104			—		104			—
	Liability for foreign currency derivative contracts	(213		)		—		(213	)		—
	Acquisition contingent consideration liability	—				—		—			—
	Net liability	$	(109	)
						Fair Value Measurements Using
		Total as of				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities			Significant Other Observable Inputs			Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Description	31-Dec-14				(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		(In Thousands)
	Asset for foreign currency derivative contracts	$	—			$	—		—			—
Liability for foreign currency derivative contracts	(174		)		—			(174	)		—
Acquisition contingent consideration liability	—				—			—			—
Net liability	$	(174	)
New Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606). ASU No. 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for our first quarter in fiscal 2017, pending a one year deferral currently under consideration by the FASB, under either full or modified retrospective adoption. Early application is not permitted. We are currently assessing the potential effects of these changes to our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern” (Topic 250). The ASU provides guidance on management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and in certain circumstances to provide related footnote disclosures. The ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, “Income Statements - Extraordinary and Unusual Items” (Sub-Topic 225-20), which eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The guidance eliminates the separate presentation of extraordinary items on the income statement, net of tax and the related earnings per share, but does not affect the requirement to disclose material items that are unusual in nature or occurring infrequently. The ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied prospectively or retrospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”.  The ASU requires entities that have historically presented debt issuance costs as an asset to present those costs as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability.   This presentation will result in the debt issuance costs being presented the same way debt discounts have historically been handled. The ASU does not change the recognition, measurement, or subsequent measurement guidance for debt issuance costs. The ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods and is to be applied retrospectively.  Early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt this change retrospectively, and do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Dispositions	NOTE B – ACQUISITIONS
	Acquisition of Compressor Systems, Inc.
	On August 4, 2014, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated July 20, 2014, a subsidiary of CCLP acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of CSI, for $825.0 million cash (the "CSI Acquisition"). CSI owns one of the largest fleets of natural gas compressor packages in the United States.  Headquartered in Midland, Texas, CSI fabricates, sells, and maintains natural gas compressors and provides a full range of compression products and services that covers compression needs throughout the entire natural gas production and transportation cycle to natural gas and oil producing clients. CSI derives revenues through three primary business lines: compression and related services, equipment and parts sales, and aftermarket services. Strategically, the acquisition is expected to afford the Compression Division the opportunity to capture significant synergies associated with its product and service offerings and its fabrication operations, to further penetrate new and existing markets, and to achieve administrative efficiencies and other strategic benefits.
	Our preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair value of the CSI net assets is as follows (in thousands):
	Current assets	$	100,928
	Property and equipment	571,670
	Intangible assets	68,000
	Goodwill	160,036
	Total assets acquired	900,634
	Current liabilities	75,634
	Total liabilities assumed	75,634
	Net assets acquired	$	825,000
	The allocation of purchase price to CSI's net assets and liabilities as of August 4, 2014 is preliminary and subject to the potential identification of additional assets and contingencies or revisions to the fair value calculations. The final purchase price allocation could differ materially from the preliminary allocation above. Actual purchase price allocation amounts will be disclosed in subsequent filings. The preliminary allocation of purchase price includes approximately $160.0 million allocated to deductible goodwill recorded, and is supported by the strategic benefits discussed above that are expected to be generated from the acquisition. This amount of goodwill recorded as of March 31, 2015 decreased approximately $1.4 million from the amount recorded as of December 31, 2014, primarily due to revisions to the estimated fair value of intangible assets. The acquired property, plant, and equipment is stated at fair value, and depreciation on the acquired property, plant, and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of each asset. Buildings are depreciated using useful lives of 15 to 30 years. Machinery and equipment is depreciated using useful lives of 2 to 16 years. Automobiles and trucks are depreciated using useful lives of 3 to 4 years. The acquired intangible assets represent approximately $33.7 million for the trademark/trade name, approximately $21.4 million for customer relationships, and approximately $12.9 million of other intangible assets that are stated at estimated fair value and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 15 years. These identified intangible assets are recorded net of approximately $6.2 million of accumulated amortization as of March 31, 2015.
	For the three month period ended March 31, 2015, our revenues, depreciation and amortization, and pretax earnings, excluding $6.8 million of allocated interest expense, included $71.3 million, $15.8 million, and $5.8 million, respectively, associated with the CSI Acquisition. Approximately $16.6 million of deferred financing costs related to the CSI Acquisition were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2014 and included in other assets and will be amortized over the term of the related debt. An additional $9.3 million of interim financing costs related to the CSI Acquisition were incurred and reflected in other expense during the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Pro Forma Financial Information
	The pro forma information presented below has been prepared to give effect to the acquisition of CSI as if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the period presented. The pro forma information includes the impact from the allocation of the acquisition 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 transaction had occurred at the beginning of the period presented or the future results that we will achieve after the transaction.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014
		(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
	Revenues	$	305,888
	Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion	$	37,929
	Gross profit	$	40,567
	Net income (loss)	$	(6,527	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$	(8,882	)
	Per share information:
	Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders
	Basic	$	(0.11	)
	Diluted	$	(0.11	)

LongTerm_Debt_and_Other_Borrow

Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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:
			March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
			(In Thousands)
	TETRA	Scheduled Maturity
	Bank revolving line of credit facility	September 30, 2019	$	91,700		$	90,000
	5.90% Senior Notes, Series 2006-A	April 30, 2016	90,000			90,000
	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			35,000
	Other		—			74
	TETRA Total debt		396,700			395,074
	Less current portion		(90,000		)	(90,074		)
	TETRA Total long-term debt		$	306,700		$	305,000
	CCLP
	CCLP Bank Credit Facility	August 4, 2019	208,000			195,000
	CCLP 7.25% Senior Notes (presented net of unamortized discount of $5.0 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014)	15-Aug-22	345,085			344,961
	CCLP total long-term debt		553,085			539,961
	Consolidated total long-term debt		$	859,785		$	844,961
	We and CCLP are in compliance with all covenants and conditions of our respective debt agreements as of March 31, 2015.
	Our Senior Secured Notes
	On March 18, 2015, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the "Note Purchase Agreement") with Wells Fargo Energy Capital, Inc., in its capacity as noteholder representative for the noteholders (the "Noteholder Representative"), and Wells Fargo Energy Capital, Inc., in its capacity as the sole initial purchaser. The Note Purchase Agreement relates to the issuance and sale of $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes due April 1, 2017 (the "Senior Secured Notes"). On April 30, 2015, we completed the issuance and sale of the Senior Secured Notes in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The proceeds from these Senior Secured Notes were used to provide a portion of the funds necessary to repay the $90.0 million principal amount repayment of the Series 2008-B Senior Notes that matured on April 30, 2015. The Senior Secured Notes are secured by our accounts receivable (excluding CCLP accounts receivable) and our limited partner interest in CCLP, and the related Note Purchase Agreement includes financial covenants consistent with those applicable to our existing bank revolving credit facility.
	The principal portion of each of the Senior Secured Notes consists of tranches that bear interest at LIBOR, as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement, plus an applicable margin ("LIBOR Tranches") and tranches that bear interest at the Base Rate plus an applicable margin ("Base Rate Tranches"), as we may request in accordance with the Note Purchase Agreement. The initial Senior Secured Note issued on the closing bears interest at LIBOR, plus an applicable margin. We may convert the LIBOR Tranche into a Base Rate Tranche in accordance with the Note Purchase Agreement. The Note Purchase Agreement contains customary covenants and default and cross-default provisions consistent with the agreements governing our other TETRA indebtedness.

Decommissioning_and_Other_Asse

Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 remaining 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 its remaining offshore platforms previously destroyed by hurricanes. 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. The value of our asset retirement obligations for non-Maritech properties was approximately $8.5 million and $8.4 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. We are required to take certain actions in connection with the retirement of these assets. We have reviewed our obligations in this regard in detail and estimated the cost of these actions. The original estimates are the fair values that have been recorded for retiring these long-lived assets. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. The costs for non-oil and gas assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the life of the asset.
	The changes in the asset retirement obligations during the three month period ended March 31, 2015, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance for the period, as reported	$	62,741
	Activity in the period:
	Accretion of liability	419
	Retirement obligations incurred	—
	Revisions in estimated cash flows	47
	Settlement of retirement obligations	(567		)
	Ending balance	$	62,640
	We review the adequacy of our decommissioning liabilities whenever indicators suggest that the estimated cash flows underlying the liabilities have changed. For our Maritech segment, the timing and amounts of these cash flows are subject to changes in the energy industry environment and other factors and may result in additional liabilities to be recorded.
	Asset retirement obligations are recorded in accordance with FASB ASC 410, whereby the estimated fair value of a liability for asset retirement obligations is recorded in the period in which it is incurred and in which a reasonable estimate can be made. Such estimates are based on relevant assumptions that we believe are reasonable. The cost estimates for Maritech asset retirement obligations are considered reasonable estimates consistent with current market conditions, and we believe reflect the amount of work legally required to be performed in accordance with Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement ("BSEE") standards, as revised from time to time.
	The amount of work performed or estimated to be performed on a Maritech property asset retirement obligation often exceeds amounts previously estimated for numerous reasons including physical subsea, geological, or downhole conditions, that are different from those anticipated at the time of estimation due to the age of the property and the quality of information available about the particular property conditions. Maritech’s remaining oil and gas properties and production platforms were drilled and constructed by other operators many years ago and frequently there is not a great deal of detailed documentation on which to base the estimated asset retirement obligation for these properties. Appropriate underwater surveys are typically performed to determine the condition of such properties as part of our due diligence in estimating the costs, but not all conditions have been able to be determined prior to the commencement of the actual work.
	Certain remaining Maritech properties were damaged by hurricanes in the past, leaving their production platforms leaning or toppled on the seabed and production tubing from the wells (which may be under high pressure) bent underwater. While the basic procedures involved in the plugging and abandonment of wells and decommissioning of platforms and pipelines and removal of debris is generally similar for these properties, the cost of performing work at these damaged locations is particularly difficult to estimate due to the unique conditions encountered, including the uncertainty regarding the extent of physical damage to many of the structures. Maritech has one remaining toppled platform as part of its asset retirement obligation as of March 31, 2015. Our estimate of remaining hurricane related decommissioning costs is approximately $10.3 million and has been included as part of Maritech’s decommissioning liabilities. During the performance of asset retirement activities, unforeseen weather or other conditions may extend the duration and increase the cost of the projects, which are normally not done on a fixed price basis, thereby resulting in costs in excess of the original estimate.
	In addition, Maritech has encountered situations where previously plugged and abandoned wells on its properties have later exhibited a build-up of pressure, which is evidenced by gas bubbles coming from the plugged well head. We refer to this situation as “wells under pressure” and this can either be discovered when performing additional work at the property or by notification from a third party. Wells under pressure require Maritech to return to the site to perform additional plug and abandonment procedures that were neither originally anticipated nor included in the estimate of the asset retirement obligation for such property. Remediation work on such wells under pressure is particularly costly due to the lack of a platform from which to base these activities. Maritech is the last operator of record for its plugged wells and bears the risk of additional future work required as a result of wells becoming under pressure in the future.
	For oil and gas properties previously operated by Maritech, the purchaser of the properties generally became the successor operator and assumed the financial responsibilities associated with the properties’ operations and abandonment and decommissioning. However, to the extent that purchasers of these oil and gas properties fail to perform the abandonment and decommissioning work required and there is insufficient bonding or other security, the previous owners and operators of the properties, including Maritech, may be required to assume responsibility for the abandonment and decommissioning obligations.

Market_Risks_and_Derivative_He

Market Risks and Derivative Hedge Contracts	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Hedge Contracts	NOTE E – MARKET RISKS AND DERIVATIVE 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, including the variable rate credit facility of CCLP, 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.
	Derivative Contracts
	Foreign Currency Derivative Contracts. As of March 31, 2015, we and CCLP had the following foreign currency derivative contracts outstanding relating to portions of our foreign operations:
	Derivative Contracts	US Dollar Notional Amount				Traded Exchange Rate	Settlement Date
		(In Thousands)
	Forward sale Euro dollar	$	1,176			1.07	4/20/15
	Forward purchase pounds sterling	$	2,831			1.48	4/20/15
	Forward sale Brazil real	$	2,044			3.21	4/20/15
	Forward sale Canadian dollar	$	6,126			1.27	4/20/15
	Forward purchase Mexican peso	$	8,289			15.26	4/20/15
	Forward sale Norwegian krone	$	1,411			8.06	4/20/15
	Forward sale Canadian dollar	$	1,400			1.27	4/20/15
	Forward sale Mexican peso	$	915			15.26	4/20/15
	Under a program designed to mitigate the currency exchange rate risk exposure on selected transactions of certain foreign subsidiaries, we and CCLP 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.
	The fair value of foreign currency derivative instruments are based on quoted market values as reported to us by our counterparty (a level 2 fair value measurement). The fair values of our and CCLP's foreign currency derivative instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, are as follows:
	Foreign currency derivative instruments	Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value at			Fair Value at December 31, 2014
				31-Mar-15
				(In Thousands)
	Forward sale contracts	Current assets		$	91		$	—
	Forward purchase contracts	Current assets		13			—
	Forward sale contracts	Current liabilities		(15		)	(91		)
	Forward purchase contracts	Current liabilities		(198		)	(83		)
	Net liability			$	(109	)	$	(174	)
	None of the foreign currency derivative contracts contain credit risk related contingent features that would require us to post assets or collateral for contracts that are classified as liabilities. During the three month period ended March 31, 2015, we recognized approximately $0.5 million of net gains in other income (expense) associated with our foreign currency derivative program.

Equity

Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Equity	NOTE F – EQUITY
	Changes in equity for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015									2014
		TETRA			Non-			Total			TETRA			Non-			Total
					controlling									controlling
					Interest									Interest
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance for the period	$	369,713		$	395,888		$	765,601		$	555,541		$	41,957		$	597,498
	Net income (loss)	(4,447		)	825			(3,622		)	(6,934		)	844			(6,090		)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $0 in 2015 and taxes of $1,196 in 2014	(9,787		)	—			(9,787		)	(2,467		)	—			(2,467		)
	Comprehensive income (loss)	(14,234		)	825			(13,409		)	(9,401		)	844			(8,557		)
	Exercise of common stock options	285			—			285			273			—			273
	Distributions to public unitholders	—			(9,274		)	(9,274		)	—			(1,245		)	(1,245		)
	Equity-based compensation	1,119			477			1,596			1,653			202			1,855
	Treasury stock and other	—						—			(1		)	(176		)	(177		)
	Tax adjustment upon cancellation of stock options	(204		)	—			(204		)	—			—			—
	Ending balance as of March 31	$	356,679		$	387,916		$	744,595		$	548,065		$	41,582		$	589,647
	Activity within the foreign currency translation adjustment account during the periods includes no reclassifications to net income.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Industry Segments	NOTE H – INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
	We manage our operations through five operating segments: Fluids, Production Testing, Compression, Offshore Services, and Maritech, organized in four divisions.
	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 water management services.
	Our Production Testing Division provides frac flowback, production well testing, offshore rig cooling, and other associated services in many of the major oil and gas producing regions 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 Compression Division is a provider of compression services and equipment for natural gas and oil production, gathering, transportation, processing, and storage. The Compression Division's equipment and parts sales business includes the fabrication and sale of standard compressor packages, custom-designed compressor packages, and oilfield pump systems designed and fabricated at the Division's facilities as well as the sale of compressor package parts and components manufactured by third-party suppliers. The Compression Division's aftermarket services business provides compressor package reconfiguration and maintenance services. The Compression Division provides its services and equipment to a broad base of natural gas and oil exploration and production, midstream, transmission, and storage companies operating throughout many of the onshore producing regions of the United States as well as in a number of foreign countries, including Mexico, Canada, and Argentina. As a result of the August 4, 2014, acquisition of CSI, we have significantly expanded the scope of our Compression Division.
	Our Offshore Division consists of two operating segments: Offshore Services and Maritech. The Offshore Services segment provides (1) downhole and subsea services such as well plugging and abandonment and workover 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 saturation diving services.
	The Maritech segment is a limited 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 and production platforms. Maritech intends to acquire a significant portion of these services 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 is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In Thousands)
	Revenues from external customers
	Product sales
	Fluids Division	$	64,994		$	73,420
	Production Testing Division	—			—
	Compression Division	18,151			1,837
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	235			119
	Maritech	1,506			1,376
	Total Offshore Division	1,741			1,495
	Consolidated	$	84,886		$	76,752
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In Thousands)
	Services and rentals
	Fluids Division	$	34,282		$	31,740
	Production Testing Division	35,909			43,014
	Compression Division	84,738			27,927
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	11,548			35,211
	Maritech	—			—
	Intersegment eliminations	(271		)	(1,787		)
	Total Offshore Division	11,277			33,424
	Corporate Overhead	—			—
	Consolidated	$	166,206		$	136,105
	Interdivision revenues
	Fluids Division	$	10		$	(15	)
	Production Testing Division	1,192			624
	Compression Division	—			—
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	—			—
	Maritech	—			—
	Intersegment eliminations	—			—
	Total Offshore Division	—			—
	Interdivision eliminations	(1,202		)	(609		)
	Consolidated	$	—		$	—
	Total revenues
	Fluids Division	$	99,286		$	105,145
	Production Testing Division	37,101			43,638
	Compression Division	102,889			29,764
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	11,783			35,330
	Maritech	1,506			1,376
	Intersegment eliminations	(271		)	(1,787		)
	Total Offshore Division	13,018			34,919
	Interdivision eliminations	(1,202		)	(609		)
	Corporate Overhead	—			—
	Consolidated	$	251,092		$	212,857
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	(In Thousands)
Income (loss) before taxes
Fluids Division	$	17,736		$	18,477
Production Testing Division	39			(2,798		)
Compression Division	2,404			5,187
Offshore Division
Offshore Services	(8,648		)	(7,972		)
Maritech	975			(6,539		)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In Thousands)
Intersegment eliminations	—			—
Total Offshore Division	(7,673		)	(14,511		)
Interdivision eliminations	3			3
Corporate Overhead(1)	(14,563		)	(17,041		)
Consolidated	$	(2,054	)	$	(10,683	)
	March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In Thousands)
Total assets
Fluids Division	$	413,623		$	433,401
Production Testing Division	216,952			334,628
Compression Division	1,274,697			230,189
Offshore Division
Offshore Services	124,856			169,321
Maritech	9,371			22,092
Total Offshore Division	134,227			191,413
Corporate Overhead and eliminations	(10,624		)	28,655
Consolidated	$	2,028,875		$	1,218,286
-1	Amounts reflected include the following general corporate expenses:
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In Thousands)
General and administrative expense	$	8,850		$	11,394
Depreciation and amortization	253			554
Interest expense	4,997			4,531
Other general corporate (income) expense, net	463			562
Total	$	14,563		$	17,041

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Policy Text Block [Abstract]
Principles of consolidation policy	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries. We consolidate the financial statements of CSI Compressco LP and its subsidiaries ("CCLP") as part of our Compression segment. We control CCLP through our ownership of its general partner. The public ownership share of CCLP's net assets and earnings is presented as a component of noncontrolling interest in our consolidated financial statements. 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.
	As a result of CCLP's acquisition of Compressor Systems, Inc. ("CSI") on August 4, 2014, our Compression Division's operations have significantly expanded. See Note B - Acquisitions for further discussion.
	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, 2014.
Reclassifications policy	Certain 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 March 31, 2015, 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. The cost of finished goods, raw materials, and parts and supplies are determined using the weighted average method. The cost of work in progress is determined using the specific identification method.
	Significant components of inventories as of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(In Thousands)
	Finished goods	$	63,563			$	62,188
	Raw materials	3,656				5,005
	Parts and supplies	53,400				51,229
	Work in progress	79,216				70,722
	Total inventories	$	199,835			$	189,144
	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. Work in progress inventory consists primarily of new compressor packages located in the CCLP fabrication facility in Midland, Texas. We provide a reserve for estimated unrealizable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and its estimated realizable value.
Net income per share policy	Net Income (Loss) 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 (loss) per common and common equivalent share:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In Thousands)
	Number of weighted average common shares outstanding	78,907			78,306
	Assumed exercise of stock awards	—			—
	Average diluted shares outstanding	78,907			78,306
	For the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the average diluted shares outstanding excludes the impact of all outstanding stock awards, as the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive due to the net losses recorded during the periods.
Environmental liabilities policy	Environmental Liabilities
	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.
Services and rentals revenues policy	Services and Rentals Revenues and Costs
	A portion of our services and rentals revenues consist of lease rental income pursuant to operating lease arrangements for compressors and other equipment assets. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the following operating lease revenues and associated costs were included in services and rentals revenues and cost of services and rentals, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		(In Thousands)
	Rental revenue	$	45,446			$	2,832
	Cost of rental revenue	$	21,447			$	1,782
Foreign currency translation policy	Foreign Currency Translation
	We have designated the euro, the British pound, the Norwegian krone, the Canadian dollar, the Brazilian real, the Argentine peso, and the Mexican peso as the functional currency for our operations in Finland and Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and certain of our operations in Mexico, respectively. The U.S. dollar is the designated functional currency for all of our other foreign operations. The cumulative translation effects of translating the accounts from the functional currencies into the U.S. dollar at current exchange rates are included as a separate component of equity. Foreign currency exchange gains and (losses) are included in Other Expense and totaled $(0.7) million and $(0.7) million during the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Income taxes policy	Income Taxes
	We recorded a consolidated provision for income taxes
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 include cash, temporary investments, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt pursuant to our bank credit agreements, approximate their carrying amounts. The fair values of our long-term Senior Notes at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, were approximately $285.2 million and $310.7 million, respectively, compared to a carrying amount of $305.0 million, as current rates on those dates were different than the stated interest rates on the Senior Notes. The fair values of the CCLP Senior Notes at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, were approximately $308.0 million and $354.9 million compared to a face amount of approximately $350.0 million (See Note C - Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings, for further discussion). We calculate the fair value of these Senior Notes internally, using current market conditions and average cost of debt (a level 2 fair value measurement).
	The fair value of the liability for the WIT Water Transfer, LLC (acquired in January 2014 and doing business as TD Water Transfer) contingent purchase price consideration at March 31, 2015, was $0. We calculate the fair value of the liability for our contingent purchase price consideration obligation in accordance with the TD Water Transfer share purchase agreement based upon a probability weighted calculation using the actual and anticipated earnings of the acquired operations (a level 3 fair value measurement). We also utilize fair value measurements on a recurring basis in the accounting for our foreign currency forward sale derivative contracts. For these fair value measurements, we utilize the quoted value as determined by our counterparty financial institution (a level 2 fair value measurement). A summary of these fair value measurements as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, is as follows:
						Fair Value Measurements Using
		Total as of				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Description	31-Mar-15				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(In Thousands)
	Asset for foreign currency derivative contracts	$	104			—		104		—
	Liability for foreign currency derivative contracts	(213		)		—		(213	)	—
	Acquisition contingent consideration liability	—				—		—		—
	Net liability	$	(109	)
New Accounting Pronouncements policy	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606). ASU No. 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for our first quarter in fiscal 2017, pending a one year deferral currently under consideration by the FASB, under either full or modified retrospective adoption. Early application is not permitted. We are currently assessing the potential effects of these changes to our consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern” (Topic 250). The ASU provides guidance on management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and in certain circumstances to provide related footnote disclosures. The ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, “Income Statements - Extraordinary and Unusual Items” (Sub-Topic 225-20), which eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The guidance eliminates the separate presentation of extraordinary items on the income statement, net of tax and the related earnings per share, but does not affect the requirement to disclose material items that are unusual in nature or occurring infrequently. The ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied prospectively or retrospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”.  The ASU requires entities that have historically presented debt issuance costs as an asset to present those costs as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability.   This presentation will result in the debt issuance costs being presented the same way debt discounts have historically been handled. The ASU does not change the recognition, measurement, or subsequent measurement guidance for debt issuance costs. The ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods and is to be applied retrospectively.  Early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt this change retrospectively, and 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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
Inventories Table
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(In Thousands)
	Finished goods	$	63,563			$	62,188
	Raw materials	3,656				5,005
	Parts and supplies	53,400				51,229
	Work in progress	79,216				70,722
	Total inventories	$	199,835			$	189,144
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Table
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In Thousands)
	Number of weighted average common shares outstanding	78,907			78,306
	Assumed exercise of stock awards	—			—
	Average diluted shares outstanding	78,907			78,306
Services and Rentals Revenues Table
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		(In Thousands)
	Rental revenue	$	45,446			$	2,832
	Cost of rental revenue	$	21,447			$	1,782
Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis Table
						Fair Value Measurements Using
		Total as of				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Description	31-Mar-15				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
		(In Thousands)
	Asset for foreign currency derivative contracts	$	104			—		104		—
	Liability for foreign currency derivative contracts	(213		)		—		(213	)	—
	Acquisition contingent consideration liability	—				—		—		—
	Net liability	$	(109	)

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)
Pro Forma Financial Information Table
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014
		(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
	Revenues	$	305,888
	Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion	$	37,929
	Gross profit	$	40,567
	Net income (loss)	$	(6,527	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders	$	(8,882	)
	Per share information:
	Net income (loss) attributable to TETRA stockholders
	Basic	$	(0.11	)
	Diluted	$	(0.11	)
Preliminary Allocation of Purchase Price Table
	Current assets	$	100,928
	Property and equipment	571,670
	Intangible assets	68,000
	Goodwill	160,036
	Total assets acquired	900,634
	Current liabilities	75,634
	Total liabilities assumed	75,634
	Net assets acquired	$	825,000

LongTerm_Debt_and_Other_Borrow1

Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Long-Term Debt (Tables)
Long-Term Debt Table
			March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
			(In Thousands)
	TETRA	Scheduled Maturity
	Bank revolving line of credit facility	September 30, 2019	$	91,700		$	90,000
	5.90% Senior Notes, Series 2006-A	April 30, 2016	90,000			90,000
	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			35,000
	Other		—			74
	TETRA Total debt		396,700			395,074
	Less current portion		(90,000		)	(90,074		)
	TETRA Total long-term debt		$	306,700		$	305,000
	CCLP
	CCLP Bank Credit Facility	August 4, 2019	208,000			195,000
	CCLP 7.25% Senior Notes (presented net of unamortized discount of $5.0 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014)	15-Aug-22	345,085			344,961
	CCLP total long-term debt		553,085			539,961
	Consolidated total long-term debt		$	859,785		$	844,961

Decommissioning_and_Other_Asse1

Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)
Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations Table
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance for the period, as reported	$	62,741
	Activity in the period:
	Accretion of liability	419
	Retirement obligations incurred	—
	Revisions in estimated cash flows	47
	Settlement of retirement obligations	(567		)
	Ending balance	$	62,640

Market_Risks_and_Derivative_He1

Market Risks and Derivative Hedge Contracts Market Risks and Derivative Hedge Contracts (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions Table
	Derivative Contracts	US Dollar Notional Amount				Traded Exchange Rate	Settlement Date
		(In Thousands)
	Forward sale Euro dollar	$	1,176			1.07	4/20/15
	Forward purchase pounds sterling	$	2,831			1.48	4/20/15
	Forward sale Brazil real	$	2,044			3.21	4/20/15
	Forward sale Canadian dollar	$	6,126			1.27	4/20/15
	Forward purchase Mexican peso	$	8,289			15.26	4/20/15
	Forward sale Norwegian krone	$	1,411			8.06	4/20/15
	Forward sale Canadian dollar	$	1,400			1.27	4/20/15
	Forward sale Mexican peso	$	915			15.26	4/20/15
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Table
	Foreign currency derivative instruments	Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value at			Fair Value at December 31, 2014
				31-Mar-15
				(In Thousands)
	Forward sale contracts	Current assets		$	91		$	—
	Forward purchase contracts	Current assets		13			—
	Forward sale contracts	Current liabilities		(15		)	(91		)
	Forward purchase contracts	Current liabilities		(198		)	(83		)
	Net liability			$	(109	)	$	(174	)

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in Equity Table
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015									2014
		TETRA			Non-			Total			TETRA			Non-			Total
					controlling									controlling
					Interest									Interest
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance for the period	$	369,713		$	395,888		$	765,601		$	555,541		$	41,957		$	597,498
	Net income (loss)	(4,447		)	825			(3,622		)	(6,934		)	844			(6,090		)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes of $0 in 2015 and taxes of $1,196 in 2014	(9,787		)	—			(9,787		)	(2,467		)	—			(2,467		)
	Comprehensive income (loss)	(14,234		)	825			(13,409		)	(9,401		)	844			(8,557		)
	Exercise of common stock options	285			—			285			273			—			273
	Distributions to public unitholders	—			(9,274		)	(9,274		)	—			(1,245		)	(1,245		)
	Equity-based compensation	1,119			477			1,596			1,653			202			1,855
	Treasury stock and other	—						—			(1		)	(176		)	(177		)
	Tax adjustment upon cancellation of stock options	(204		)	—			(204		)	—			—			—
	Ending balance as of March 31	$	356,679		$	387,916		$	744,595		$	548,065		$	41,582		$	589,647

Industry_Segments_Tables

Industry Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Industry Segments (Tables)
Segment Reporting Table
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In Thousands)
	Revenues from external customers
	Product sales
	Fluids Division	$	64,994		$	73,420
	Production Testing Division	—			—
	Compression Division	18,151			1,837
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	235			119
	Maritech	1,506			1,376
	Total Offshore Division	1,741			1,495
	Consolidated	$	84,886		$	76,752
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In Thousands)
	Services and rentals
	Fluids Division	$	34,282		$	31,740
	Production Testing Division	35,909			43,014
	Compression Division	84,738			27,927
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	11,548			35,211
	Maritech	—			—
	Intersegment eliminations	(271		)	(1,787		)
	Total Offshore Division	11,277			33,424
	Corporate Overhead	—			—
	Consolidated	$	166,206		$	136,105
	Interdivision revenues
	Fluids Division	$	10		$	(15	)
	Production Testing Division	1,192			624
	Compression Division	—			—
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	—			—
	Maritech	—			—
	Intersegment eliminations	—			—
	Total Offshore Division	—			—
	Interdivision eliminations	(1,202		)	(609		)
	Consolidated	$	—		$	—
	Total revenues
	Fluids Division	$	99,286		$	105,145
	Production Testing Division	37,101			43,638
	Compression Division	102,889			29,764
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	11,783			35,330
	Maritech	1,506			1,376
	Intersegment eliminations	(271		)	(1,787		)
	Total Offshore Division	13,018			34,919
	Interdivision eliminations	(1,202		)	(609		)
	Corporate Overhead	—			—
	Consolidated	$	251,092		$	212,857
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In Thousands)
	Income (loss) before taxes
	Fluids Division	$	17,736		$	18,477
	Production Testing Division	39			(2,798		)
	Compression Division	2,404			5,187
	Offshore Division
	Offshore Services	(8,648		)	(7,972		)
	Maritech	975			(6,539		)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In Thousands)
Intersegment eliminations	—			—
Total Offshore Division	(7,673		)	(14,511		)
Interdivision eliminations	3			3
Corporate Overhead(1)	(14,563		)	(17,041		)
Consolidated	$	(2,054	)	$	(10,683	)
	March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In Thousands)
Total assets
Fluids Division	$	413,623		$	433,401
Production Testing Division	216,952			334,628
Compression Division	1,274,697			230,189
Offshore Division
Offshore Services	124,856			169,321
Maritech	9,371			22,092
Total Offshore Division	134,227			191,413
Corporate Overhead and eliminations	(10,624		)	28,655
Consolidated	$	2,028,875		$	1,218,286
-1	Amounts reflected include the following general corporate expenses:
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In Thousands)
General and administrative expense	$	8,850		$	11,394
Depreciation and amortization	253			554
Interest expense	4,997			4,531
Other general corporate (income) expense, net	463			562
Total	$	14,563		$	17,041

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign3

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Revenues	$0	$0
Cost of rental revenue	103,084,000	99,938,000
Inventories Detail [Table]
Finished goods	63,563,000		62,188,000
Raw materials	3,656,000		5,005,000
Parts and supplies	53,400,000		51,229,000
Work in progress	79,216,000		70,722,000
Inventories	199,835,000		189,144,000
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding [Table]
Number of weighted average common shares outstanding	78,907	78,306
Assumed exercise of stock options	0	0
Average diluted shares outstanding	78,907	78,306
Foreign currency exchange gains and losses	-700,000	-700,000
Fair value of contingent purchase price liability	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Classified as Equity, Fair Value Disclosure			0
Asset for foreign currency derivative contracts	104,000		0
Liability for foreign currency derivative contracts	-213,000		-174,000
Acquisition contingent consideration liability	0
Total	-109,000		-174,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Classified as Equity, Fair Value Disclosure			0
Asset for foreign currency derivative contracts	0		0
Liability for foreign currency derivative contracts	0		0
Acquisition contingent consideration liability	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Classified as Equity, Fair Value Disclosure			0
Asset for foreign currency derivative contracts	104,000		0
Liability for foreign currency derivative contracts	-213,000		-174,000
Acquisition contingent consideration liability	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Classified as Equity, Fair Value Disclosure			0
Asset for foreign currency derivative contracts	0		0
Liability for foreign currency derivative contracts	0		0
Acquisition contingent consideration liability	0
Service Agreements [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Revenues	45,446,000	2,832,000
Cost of rental revenue	21,447,000	1,782,000
CSI Compressco Senior Notes [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Fair value of Senior Notes	308,000,000		354,900,000
Carrying value of Senior Notes	350,000,000		350,000,000
TETRA Senior Notes [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Fair value of Senior Notes	285,200,000		310,700,000
Carrying value of Senior Notes	$305,000,000		$305,000,000

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_1

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 04, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price allocation, nondeductible goodwill	$290,960,000	$293,941,000
Accumulated amortization, intangible assets acquired	42,344,000	39,754,000
Compressor Systems, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition		20-Jul-14
Purchase price allocation, current assets			100,928,000
Purchase price allocation, property, plant, and equipment			571,670,000
Purchase price allocation, intangible assets			68,000,000
Purchase price allocation, total assets acquired			900,634,000
Purchase price allocation, current liabilities			75,634,000
Purchase price allocation, total liabilities assumed			75,634,000
Purchase price allocation, net assets acquired			825,000,000
Purchase price allocation, deductible goodwill			160,036,000
Decrease in goodwill recorded during period	1,400,000
Revenues from acquired entitiy	71,300,000
Depreciation and amortization from acquired entity	15,800,000
Pretax earnings from acquired entity	5,800,000
Allocated interest expense excluded from results attributable to acquired entity	6,800,000
Deferred financing costs	16,600,000	9,300,000
Value of trademarks/tradenames			33,700,000
Value of customer relationships			21,400,000
Value of other intangible assets			12,900,000
Accumulated amortization, intangible assets acquired	6,200,000
CSI Compressco [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Effective date of acquisition		4-Aug-14
Purchase price		$825,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset, useful life	15 years
Minimum [Member] | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset, useful life	2 years
Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Acquired property, plant, and equipment, useful life	30 years
Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Acquired property, plant, and equipment, useful life	15 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Acquired property, plant, and equipment, useful life	16 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Acquired property, plant, and equipment, useful life	2 years
Vehicles [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Acquired property, plant, and equipment, useful life	4 years
Vehicles [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Acquired property, plant, and equipment, useful life	3 years

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_2

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Revenues	$305,888,000
Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion	37,929,000
Gross profit	40,567,000
Net income	-6,527,000
Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders	($8,882,000)
Net income attributable to TETRA stockholders
Basic	($0.11)
Diluted	($0.11)

LongTerm_Debt_and_Other_Borrow2

Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 01, 2015
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Total debt	$859,785,000	$844,961,000
Long-term debt, net	859,785,000	844,961,000
TETRA [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Total debt	396,700,000		395,074,000
Less current portion	-90,000,000		-90,074,000
Long-term debt, net	306,700,000		305,000,000
CSI Compressco [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Total debt	553,085,000	539,961,000
Bank revolving line of credit facility [Member] | TETRA [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity date	30-Sep-19
Total debt	91,700,000		90,000,000
Senior Notes Series 2006-A [Member] | TETRA [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Senior Note interest rate	5.90%	5.90%
Maturity date	30-Apr-16
Total debt	90,000,000		90,000,000
Senior Notes Series 2008-B [Member] | TETRA [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Senior Note interest rate	6.56%	6.56%
Maturity date	30-Apr-15
Total debt	90,000,000		90,000,000
Senior Notes Series 2010-A [Member] | TETRA [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Senior Note interest rate	5.09%	5.09%
Maturity date	15-Dec-17
Total debt	65,000,000		65,000,000
Senior Notes Series 2010-B [Member] | TETRA [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Senior Note interest rate	5.67%	5.67%
Maturity date	15-Dec-20
Total debt	25,000,000		25,000,000
Senior Notes Series 2013 [Member] | TETRA [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Senior Note interest rate	4.00%	4.00%
Maturity date	29-Apr-20
Total debt	35,000,000		35,000,000
Secured Notes [Member] | TETRA [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Date of Secured Note Purchase Agreement	18-Mar-15
Maturity date	1-Apr-17
Total debt				50,000,000
CSI Compressco bank credit facility [Member] | CSI Compressco [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity date	4-Aug-19
Total debt	208,000,000	195,000,000
Other long-term debt [Member] | TETRA [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Total debt	0		74,000
CSI Compressco Senior Notes [Member] | CSI Compressco [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Senior Note interest rate	7.25%	7.25%
Maturity date	15-Aug-22
Total debt	$345,085,000	$344,961,000

Decommissioning_and_Other_Asse2

Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Decommissioning and Other Asset Retirement Obligations Detail [Table]
Beginning balance for the period, as reported	$62,741,000
Activity in the period:
Accretion of liability	419,000
Retirement obligations incurred	0
Revisions in estimated cash flows	47,000
Settlement of retirement obligations	-567,000
Ending balance as of June 30	62,640,000
Value of asset retirement obligations associated with non-operated properties	8,500,000	8,400,000
Estimate of remaining hurricane related decommissioning costs	$10,300,000

Market_Risks_and_Derivative_He2

Market Risks and Derivative Hedge Contracts (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total	($109,000)	($174,000)
Derivative [Line Items]
Net gains associated with foreign currency derivatives	540,000
Forward Sale Contract, Euro [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
U.S. Dollar notional amount	1,176,000
Traded exchange rate	1.07
Value date	20-Apr-15
Forward Purchase Contract, Pounds Sterling [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
U.S. Dollar notional amount	2,831,000
Traded exchange rate	1.48
Value date	20-Apr-15
Forward Purchase Contract, Brazil Real [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
U.S. Dollar notional amount	2,044,000
Traded exchange rate	3.21
Value date	20-Apr-15
Forward Purchase Contract, Canadian Dollar [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
U.S. Dollar notional amount	6,126,000
Traded exchange rate	1.27
Value date	20-Apr-15
Forward Sale Contract, Mexican Pesos [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
U.S. Dollar notional amount	8,289,000
Traded exchange rate	15.26
Value date	20-Apr-15
Forward Purchase Contract, Norwegian Kroner [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
U.S. Dollar notional amount	1,411,000
Traded exchange rate	8.06
Value date	20-Apr-15
Forward Purchase Contract, Canadian Dollar (2) [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
U.S. Dollar notional amount	1,400,000
Traded exchange rate	1.27
Value date	20-Apr-15
Forward Purchase Contract, Mexican Pesos [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
U.S. Dollar notional amount	915,000
Traded exchange rate	15.26
Value date	20-Apr-15
Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Forward purchase contracts	13,000	0
Forward sale contracts	91,000	0
Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Forward purchase contracts	-198,000	-83,000
Forward sale contracts	($15,000)	($91,000)

Equity_Details_1

Equity (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	$0	$1,196
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	765,601	597,498
Net income (loss)	-3,622	-6,090
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	-9,787	-2,467
Comprehensive income	-13,409	-8,557
Exercise of common stock options	285	273
Distributions to public unitholders	-9,274	-1,245
Equity-based compensation	1,596	1,855
Treasury stock and other	0	-177
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	-204	0
Ending balance	744,595	589,647
TETRA [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	369,713	555,541
Net income (loss)	-4,447	-6,934
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	-9,787	-2,467
Comprehensive income	-14,234	-9,401
Exercise of common stock options	285	273
Distributions to public unitholders	0	0
Equity-based compensation	1,119	1,653
Treasury stock and other	0	-1
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	-204	0
Ending balance	356,679	548,065
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' equity rollforward
Beginning balance for the period	395,888	41,957
Net income (loss)	825	844
Foreign currency translation adjustment, including taxes	0	0
Comprehensive income	825	844
Exercise of common stock options	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders	-9,274	-1,245
Equity-based compensation	477	202
Treasury stock and other		-176
Tax benefit upon exercise of stock options	0	0
Ending balance	$387,916	$41,582

Industry_Segments_Details_1

Industry Segments (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	$84,886	$76,752
Services and rentals	166,206	136,105
Intersegment revenues	0	0
Total revenues	251,092	212,857
Income (loss) before taxes	-2,054	-10,683
Assets	2,028,875	1,218,286	2,067,836
Fluids Division [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	64,994	73,420
Services and rentals	34,282	31,740
Intersegment revenues	10	-15
Total revenues	99,286	105,145
Income (loss) before taxes	17,736	18,477
Assets	413,623	433,401
Production Testing Division [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	0	0
Services and rentals	35,909	43,014
Intersegment revenues	1,192	624
Total revenues	37,101	43,638
Income (loss) before taxes	39	-2,798
Assets	216,952	334,628
Compression Division [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	18,151	1,837
Services and rentals	84,738	27,927
Intersegment revenues	0	0
Total revenues	102,889	29,764
Income (loss) before taxes	2,404	5,187
Assets	1,274,697	230,189
Offshore Services [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	235	119
Services and rentals	11,548	35,211
Intersegment revenues	0	0
Total revenues	11,783	35,330
Income (loss) before taxes	-8,648	-7,972
Assets	124,856	169,321
Maritech [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	1,506	1,376
Services and rentals	0	0
Intersegment revenues	0	0
Total revenues	1,506	1,376
Income (loss) before taxes	975	-6,539
Assets	9,371	22,092
Offshore Division Eliminations [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Services and rentals	-271	-1,787
Intersegment revenues	0	0
Total revenues	-271	-1,787
Income (loss) before taxes	0	0
Total Offshore Division [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Product sales	1,741	1,495
Services and rentals	11,277	33,424
Intersegment revenues	0	0
Total revenues	13,018	34,919
Income (loss) before taxes	-7,673	-14,511
Assets	134,227	191,413
Interdivision Eliminations [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Intersegment revenues	-1,202	-609
Total revenues	-1,202	-609
Income (loss) before taxes	3	3
Corporate Overhead [Member]
Industry Segments Details [Line Items]
Services and rentals	0	0
Total revenues	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes		-17,041
Assets	($10,624)	$28,655

Industry_Segments_Details_2

Industry Segments (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Corporate Overhead Footnote
General and administrative expense	$8,850	$11,394
Depreciation and amortization	253	554
Interest expense	4,997	4,531
Other general corporate (income) expense, net	463	562
Total	$14,563	$17,041