10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-12691

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

DELAWARE	22-2286646
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

2105 CityWest Blvd.
Suite 400
Houston, Texas	77042-2839
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (281) 933-3339

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ýNo  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ýNo  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	ý	Accelerated filer	o
Non-accelerated filer	o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨No  ý

At October 23, 2015, there were 164,790,322 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.

1

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

	PAGE
PART I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	6
Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	33
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	33
PART II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	35
Item 1A. Risk Factors	36
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	37
Item 5. Other Information	38
Item 6. Exhibits	39

2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.Financial Statements

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	88,239		$	173,608
Accounts receivable, net	21,587			114,325
Unbilled receivables	32,387			22,599
Inventories	34,683			51,162
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,124			13,662
Total current assets	187,020			375,356
Deferred income tax asset	5,706			8,604
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	77,081			69,840
Multi-client data library, net	135,907			118,669
Goodwill	26,809			27,388
Intangible assets, net	5,306			6,788
Other assets	9,380			10,612
Total assets	$	447,209		$	617,257
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	6,612		$	7,649
Accounts payable	27,950			36,863
Accrued expenses	54,302			65,264
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	12,443			35,219
Deferred revenue	5,575			8,262
Total current liabilities	106,882			153,257
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	179,666			182,945
Other long-term liabilities	39,830			143,804
Total liabilities	326,378			480,006
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,200			1,539
Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares; outstanding 164,790,322 and 164,484,095 shares at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, net of treasury stock	1,648			1,645
Additional paid-in capital	892,007			887,749
Accumulated deficit	(753,987		)	(734,409		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(13,564		)	(12,807		)
Treasury stock, at cost, 849,539 shares	(6,565		)	(6,565		)
Total stockholders’ equity	119,539			135,613
Noncontrolling interest	92			99
Total equity	119,631			135,712
Total liabilities and equity	$	447,209		$	617,257

See accompanying Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Service revenues	$	53,515		$	71,923		$	96,918		$	272,386
Product revenues	13,159			34,617			47,129			100,332
Total net revenues	66,674			106,540			144,047			372,718
Cost of services	47,883			60,285			132,234			200,697
Cost of products	7,683			17,032			26,628			47,716
Gross profit (loss)	11,108			29,223			(14,815		)	124,305
Operating expenses:
Research, development and engineering	6,537			10,910			21,496			30,254
Marketing and sales	6,904			8,480			23,375			27,610
General, administrative and other operating expenses	10,541			15,182			40,566			48,334
Total operating expenses	23,982			34,572			85,437			106,198
Income (loss) from operations	(12,874		)	(5,349		)	(100,252		)	18,107
Interest expense, net	(4,854		)	(5,048		)	(14,086		)	(14,779		)
Equity in losses of investments	—			(5,558		)	—			(9,027		)
Other income (expense), net	(346		)	(622		)	98,035			73,970
Income (loss) before income taxes	(18,074		)	(16,577		)	(16,303		)	68,271
Income tax expense	2,082			8,345			3,597			14,261
Net income (loss)	(20,156		)	(24,922		)	(19,900		)	54,010
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(227		)	381			322			(1,384		)
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(20,383	)	$	(24,541	)	$	(19,578	)	$	52,626
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.12	)	$	0.32
Diluted	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.12	)	$	0.32
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	164,755			164,149			164,672			164,021
Diluted	164,755			164,149			164,672			164,326

See accompanying Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Net income (loss)	$	(20,156	)	$	(24,922	)	$	(19,900	)	$	54,010
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, as appropriate:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,365		)	(2,632		)	(757		)	489
Equity interest in investees' other comprehensive income (loss)	—			738			—			(1,125		)
Other changes in other comprehensive income	—			28			—			54
Total other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(1,365		)	(1,866		)	(757		)	(582		)
Comprehensive net income (loss)	(21,521		)	(26,788		)	(20,657		)	53,428
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(227		)	381			322			(1,384		)
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(21,748	)	$	(26,407	)	$	(20,335	)	$	52,044

See accompanying Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(19,900	)	$	54,010
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (other than multi-client data library)	19,660			20,989
Amortization of multi-client data library	24,531			46,014
Stock-based compensation expense	4,174			7,058
Reductions of accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings	(101,978		)	(69,557		)
Equity in losses of investments	—			9,027
Gain on sale of Source product line	—			(6,522		)
Deferred income taxes	5,992			(1,536		)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	92,424			71,540
Unbilled receivables	(9,837		)	(8,036		)
Inventories	464			(4,272		)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued royalties	(43,676		)	(31,324		)
Deferred revenue	(2,576		)	(4,153		)
Other assets and liabilities	(5,274		)	3,738
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(35,996		)	86,976
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	(28,152		)	(57,340		)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental assets	(17,601		)	(6,842		)
Repayment of advance to INOVA Geophysical	—			1,000
Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation	—			(3,074		)
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line	—			14,394
Other investing activities	1,262			928
Net cash used in investing activities	(44,491		)	(50,934		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	—			15,000
Payments under revolving line of credit	—			(50,000		)
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(5,431		)	(11,737		)
Costs associated with issuance of debt	(146		)	(2,126		)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest	—			(6,000		)
Other financing activities	94			423
Net cash used in financing activities	(5,483		)	(54,440		)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	601			189
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(85,369		)	(18,209		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	173,608			148,056
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	88,239		$	129,847

See accompanying Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

FOOTNOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1)    Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheet of ION Geophysical Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “ION,” unless the context otherwise requires) at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2015, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or of future operations.

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A, which was filed on April 24, 2015 and contains the separate consolidated financial statements of INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited (“INOVA Geophysical”) for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

(2)Restructurings

The recent decline in crude oil prices to five-year lows and the depressed level of natural gas prices have negatively impacted the economic outlook of the Company’s exploration and production (“E&P”) company customers, which has also negatively impacted the outlook for the Company’s seismic contractor customers. In response to the decline in crude oil prices, E&P companies have reduced their capital expenditures and shifted their spending from exploration to production-related activities on existing assets. Seismic spending is discretionary; therefore, E&P companies have disproportionately cut their spending on seismic-related services and products.

During the first three quarters of 2015, the Company continued its restructuring program by (i) focusing on centralizing the Company’s global data processing capabilities to two core geographical hubs in the U.S. and the U.K., (ii) reducing the Company’s marine repair infrastructure to two locations in the U.S. and U.A.E., and (iii) making further reductions in personnel across all of the Company’s segments in the third quarter 2015 that, combined with reductions starting in December 2014 and continuing through the first nine months of 2015, have reduced the Company’s full-time employee base by approximately 50%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized the following charges and credits (in thousands):

	Severance Charges(a)			Facility Charges(b)			Total
Cost of goods sold	$	3,981		$	—		$	3,981
Operating expenses	1,910			1,323			3,233
Other (income) expense	—			1,618			1,618
Income tax benefit	(119		)	(150		)	(269		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(172		)	—			(172		)
Consolidated total	$	5,600		$	2,791		$	8,391

^(a)  Represents severance charges related to 2015 restructurings, a portion of which relates to a noncontrolling interest.

^(b)  Represents facility charges related to 2015 restructurings.

7

(3)Segment Information

The Company operates through four business segments – Solutions, Systems, Software and Ocean Bottom Services. The Company measures segment operating results based on income (loss) from operations. In addition, the Company has an equity ownership interest in its INOVA Geophysical joint venture. As of December 31, 2014, the Company wrote down its investment in INOVA Geophysical to zero and has suspended recording its share of losses in the joint venture. If at a future date, the Company’s cumulative share of earnings during the period of suspension becomes greater than its share of losses during the same period, the Company will begin to record its share of earnings in the joint venture as long as its net equity method investment remains greater than zero.

The following table is a summary of segment information (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net revenues:
Solutions:
New Venture	$	26,650		$	18,446		$	35,315		$	76,499
Data Library	15,302			3,262			24,948			30,104
Total multi-client revenues	41,952			21,708			60,263			106,603
Data Processing	10,693			24,151			33,731			91,131
Total	$	52,645		$	45,859		$	93,994		$	197,734
Systems:
Towed Streamer	$	4,426		$	13,666		$	12,273		$	35,782
Other	2,864			11,029			15,460			36,166
Total	$	7,290		$	24,695		$	27,733		$	71,948
Software:
Software Systems	$	5,869		$	9,922		$	19,396		$	28,384
Services	870			1,088			2,924			3,198
Total	$	6,739		$	11,010		$	22,320		$	31,582
Ocean Bottom Services	$	—		$	24,976		$	—		$	71,454
Total	$	66,674		$	106,540		$	144,047		$	372,718
Gross profit (loss):
Solutions	$	11,294		$	5,927		$	(6,954	)	$	51,207
Systems	1,366			10,123			7,425			31,288
Software	4,399			8,326			14,197			23,388
Ocean Bottom Services	(5,951		)	4,847			(29,483		)	18,422
Total	$	11,108		$	29,223		$	(14,815	)	$	124,305
Gross margin:
Solutions	21		%	13		%	(7		)%	26		%
Systems	19		%	41		%	27		%	43		%
Software	65		%	76		%	64		%	74		%
Ocean Bottom Services	—		%	19		%	—		%	26		%
Total	17		%	27		%	(10		)%	33		%
Income (loss) from operations:
Solutions	$	768		$	(5,960	)	$	(40,766	)	$	11,733
Systems	(1,295		)	2,917			(2,660		)	9,835
Software	2,444			6,227			7,874			16,985
Ocean Bottom Services	(7,289		)	1,677			(34,856		)	12,333
Corporate and other	(7,502		)	(10,210		)	(29,844		)	(32,779		)
Income (loss) from operations	(12,874		)	(5,349		)	(100,252		)	18,107
Interest expense, net	(4,854		)	(5,048		)	(14,086		)	(14,779		)
Equity in losses of investments	—			(5,558		)	—			(9,027		)
Other income (expense), net	(346		)	(622		)	98,035			73,970
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(18,074	)	$	(16,577	)	$	(16,303	)	$	68,271

8

(4)Long-term Debt

Obligations (in thousands)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Senior secured second-priority notes	$	175,000		$	175,000
Equipment capital leases	11,278			15,059
Revolving credit facility	—			—
Other debt	—			535
Total	186,278			190,594
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	(6,612		)	(7,649		)
Non-current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	$	179,666		$	182,945

Revolving Credit Facility

In August 2014, ION and its material U.S. subsidiaries, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc., I/O Marine Systems, Inc. and GX Technology Corporation (collectively, the “Subsidiary Borrowers”), entered into a credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). For a complete discussion of the terms, available credit and security of this Credit Facility, see Footnote 6 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

On August 4, 2015, the Company and the Subsidiary Borrowers amended the terms of the Credit Facility pursuant to a First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated effective as of August 4, 2015 (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment contemplated, among other things, (i) PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) becoming the sole lender under the Credit Facility, (ii) the reduction of themaximum amount of the revolving line of credit under the Credit Facility from $80.0 million to $40.0 million, (iii) the elimination of the requirement that the Company not exceed a maximum senior secured leverage ratio, (iv) the amendment of the borrowing base formula under the Credit Facility and (v) the removal of the accordion features under the Credit Facility. For additional information regarding the terms of the First Amendment, see the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015.

The borrowing base under the First Amendment will increase or decrease monthly using an amended formula based on certain eligible receivables, eligible inventory and other amounts, including a percentage of the net orderly liquidation value of the Company's multi-client data library (not to exceed $15.0 million for the multi-client data library data component).  The amended formula also removes the qualified cash component of up to $20.0 million. At September 30, 2015, the borrowing base under the Credit Facility was $40.0 million, and there was no outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility as amended contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company, subject to certain exceptions, from incurring additional indebtedness (including capital lease obligations), repurchasing equity, paying dividends or distributions, granting or incurring additional liens on the Company’s properties, pledging shares of the Company’s subsidiaries, entering into certain merger or other change-in-control transactions, entering into transactions with the Company’s affiliates, making certain sales or other dispositions of the Company’s assets, making certain investments, acquiring other businesses and entering into sale-leaseback transactions with respect to the Company’s property.

The Credit Facility, as amended requires that ION and the Subsidiary Borrowers maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 as of the end of each fiscal quarter during the existence of a covenant testing trigger event. The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined as the ratio of (i) ION’s EBITDA, minus unfunded capital expenditures made during the relevant period, minus distributions (including tax distributions) and dividends made during the relevant period, minus cash taxes paid during the relevant period, to (ii) certain debt payments made during the relevant period. A covenant testing trigger event occurs upon (a) the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Credit Facility or (b) the failure to maintain a measure of liquidity greater than (i) $5.0 million for five consecutive business days or (ii) $4.0 million on any given business day. Liquidity, as defined in the Credit Facility, is the Company’s excess availability to borrow ($40.0 million at September 30, 2015) plus the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash held by ION, the Subsidiary Borrowers and their domestic subsidiaries.

At September 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility as amended contains customary event of default provisions (including a “change of control” event affecting ION), the occurrence of which could lead to an acceleration of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility as amended.

9

Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes

In May 2013, the Company sold $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes due 2018 (“Notes”) in a private offering pursuant to an Indenture dated as of May 13, 2013. The Notes are senior secured second-priority obligations of the Company, are guaranteed by the Company’s material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (“the Guarantors”), and mature on May 15, 2018. Interest on the Notes accrues at the rate of 8.125% per annum and will be payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year during their term. In May 2014, the holders of the Notes exchanged their Notes for a like principal amount of registered Notes with the same terms. For a complete discussion of the terms and security of these Notes, see Footnote 6 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The Notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit or prohibit the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to take certain actions or permit certain conditions to exist during the term of the Notes, including among other things, incurring additional indebtedness, creating liens, paying dividends and making other distributions in respect of the Company’s capital stock, redeeming the Company’s capital stock, making investments or certain other restricted payments, selling certain kinds of assets, entering into transactions with affiliates, and effecting mergers or consolidations. These and other restrictive covenants contained in the Indenture are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. All of the Company’s subsidiaries are currently restricted subsidiaries.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the covenants on the Notes.

On or after May 15, 2015, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15th of the years indicated below:

Date	Percentage
2015	104.063%
2016	102.031%
2017 and thereafter	100.000%

(5)Net Income (Loss) per Share

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is determined based on the assumption that dilutive restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards have vested and outstanding dilutive stock options have been exercised and the aggregate proceeds were used to reacquire common stock using the average price of such common stock for the period. The total number of shares issued or reserved for future issuance under outstanding stock options at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 8,643,375 and 9,111,725, respectively, and the total number of shares of restricted stock and shares reserved for restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 1,363,534 and 1,386,336, respectively. All outstanding stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were anti-dilutive.

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(20,383	)	$	(24,541	)	$	(19,578	)	$	52,626
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	164,755			164,149			164,672			164,021
Effect of dilutive stock awards	—			—			—			305
Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding	164,755			164,149			164,672			164,326
Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.12	)	$	0.32
Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.12	)	$	0.32

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(6)Income Taxes

The Company maintains a valuation allowance for substantially all of its deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance is calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 “Income Taxes,” which requires that a valuation allowance be established or maintained when it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. In the event the Company’s expectations of future operating results change, the valuation allowance may need to be adjusted downward. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has no unreserved U.S. deferred tax assets.

The provision for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 has been calculated based on the actual tax expense incurred for those periods. Given the current uncertainty in expected income generated in various foreign jurisdictions, where tax rates can vary greatly, the Company’s actual tax rate is the best estimate of year-to-date tax expense. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were (11.5)% and (50.3)%, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were (22.1)% and 20.9%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were impacted by the change in valuation allowance related to the reduction of the Company’s legal contingency reserve as well as operating losses for which the Company cannot currently recognize a tax benefit. The Company’s income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $3.6 million primarily relates to income from the Company’s non-U.S. businesses. This foreign tax expense has not been offset by the tax benefits on losses within the U.S. and other jurisdictions, from which the Company cannot currently benefit; therefore negatively impacting the Company’s effective tax rate.

The Company has approximately $1.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits and does not expect to recognize significant increases in unrecognized tax benefits during the next 12-month period. Interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in income tax expense.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s U.S. federal tax returns for 2012 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination for periods prior to 2012, although carryforward attributes that were generated prior to 2012 may still be adjusted upon examination by the IRS if they either have been or will be used in an open year. In the Company’s foreign tax jurisdictions, tax returns for 2009 and subsequent years generally remain open to examination.

(7)Litigation

WesternGeco

In June 2009, WesternGeco L.L.C. (“WesternGeco”) filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. In the lawsuit, styled WesternGeco L.L.C. v. ION Geophysical Corporation, WesternGeco alleged that the Company had infringed several method and apparatus claims contained in four of its United States patents regarding marine seismic streamer steering devices.

The trial began in July 2012. A verdict was returned by the jury in August 2012, finding that the Company infringed the claims contained in the four patents by supplying its DigiFIN^® lateral streamer control units and the related software from the United States and awarded WesternGeco the sum of $105.9 million in damages, consisting of $12.5 million in reasonable royalty and $93.4 million in lost profits.

In June 2013, the presiding judge entered a Memorandum and Order, ruling that WesternGeco is entitled to be awarded supplemental damages for the additional DigiFIN units that were supplied from the United States before and after the trial that were not included in the jury verdict due to the timing of the trial. In October 2013, the judge entered another Memorandum and Order, ruling on the number of DigiFIN units that are subject to supplemental damages and also ruling that the supplemental damages applicable to the additional units should be calculated by adding together the jury’s previous reasonable royalty and lost profits damages awards per unit, resulting in supplemental damages of $73.1 million.

In April 2014, the judge entered another Order, ruling that lost profits should not have been included in the calculation of supplemental damages in the October 2013 Memorandum and Order and reducing the supplemental damages award in the case from $73.1 million to $9.4 million. In the Order, the judge also further reduced the damages award in the case by $3.0 million to reflect a settlement and license that WesternGeco entered into with a customer of the Company that had purchased and used DigiFIN units that were also included in the damage amounts awarded against the Company.

11

In May 2014, the judge signed and entered a Final Judgment in the amount of $123.8 million related to the case. The Final Judgment also included an injunction that enjoins the Company, its agents and anyone acting in concert with it, from supplying in or from the United States the DigiFIN product or any parts unique to the DigiFIN product, or any instrumentality no more than colorably different from any of these products or parts, for combination outside of the United States. The Company has conducted its business in compliance with the district court’s orders in the case, and the Company has reorganized its operations such that it no longer supplies the DigiFIN product or any parts unique to the DigiFIN product in or from the United States.

The Company and WesternGeco each appealed the Final Judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. On July 2, 2015, the Court of Appeals reversed in part the judgment, holding the district court erred by including lost profits in the Final Judgment. Lost profits were $93.4 million and prejudgment interest was approximately $10.9 million of the $123.8 million Final Judgment. Pre-judgment interest on the lost profits portion will be treated in the same way as the lost profits. Post-judgment interest will likewise be treated in the same fashion. On July 29, 2015, WesternGeco filed a petition for rehearing en banc before the Court of Appeals. On October 30, 2015 the Court of Appeals denied WesternGeco’s petition for rehearing en banc. WesternGeco has up to 90 days to determine whether or not it will file a writ requesting the Supreme Court to review the case.

As previously disclosed, the Company had taken a loss contingency accrual of $124 million. As a result of the reversal by the Court of Appeals, as of June 30, 2015, the Company reduced the loss contingency accrual to its current amount of $22 million. The Company’s assessment of its potential loss contingency may change in the future due to developments in the case and other events, such as changes in applicable law, and such reassessment could lead to the determination that no loss contingency is probable or that a greater or lesser loss contingency is probable. Any such reassessment could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Prior to the reduction in damages by the Court of Appeals, the Company arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond at the trial court. The appeal bond is uncollateralized, but the terms of the appeal bond arrangements provide the sureties the contractual right for as long as the bond is outstanding to require the Company to post cash collateral. The Company has received a request for $11 million in collateral and they are in negotiations with the sureties. The appeal bond will remain outstanding during the pendency of appeals.

Other

The Company has been named in various other lawsuits or threatened actions that are incidental to its ordinary business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against the Company, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, cause the Company to incur costs and expenses, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. The results of these lawsuits and actions cannot be predicted with certainty. Management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

(8)Other Income (Expense), Net

The following table is a summary of other income (expense), net (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Reductions of loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)	$	—		$	—		$	101,978		$	69,557
Facility restructuring charges (Footnote 2)	296			—			(2,791		)	—
Gain on sale of product line(a)	—			—			—			6,522
Other expense, net	(642		)	(622		)	(1,152		)	(2,109		)
Total other income (expense), net	$	(346	)	$	(622	)	$	98,035		$	73,970

^(a)  In May 2014, the Company sold its Source product line for approximately $14.4 million, net of transaction fees, recording a gain of approximately $6.5 million before taxes. As a part of this transaction, the Company reduced Goodwill on the Marine reporting unit by $5.1 million. The historical results of this product line have not been material to the Company’s results of operations.

12

(9)Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts

Inventories

The following table is a summary of inventories (in thousands):	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Raw materials and subassemblies	$	36,530		$	41,461
Work-in-process	6,467			18,221
Finished goods	16,213			21,284
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories	(24,527		)	(29,804		)
Total	$	34,683		$	51,162

The $5.3 million reduction in the reserve for excess and obsolete inventories was due to the scrapping of fully reserved inventory.

Other Long-term Liabilities

The following table is a summary of other long-term liabilities (in thousands):	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)	$	22,000	$	123,770
Deferred rents	13,397		13,416
Facility restructuring accrual	3,298		3,353
Other long-term liabilities	1,135		3,265
Total	$	39,830	$	143,804

(10)Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss

The following table is a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in thousands):

	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2014	$	(12,807	)	$	(12,807	)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(757		)	(757		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2015	$	(13,564	)	$	(13,564	)

(11)Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity

The following table is a summary of cash paid for Interest and Income taxes and non-cash items from investing and financing activities (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	8,036		$	9,087
Income taxes	$	7,614		$	12,008
Non-cash items from investing and financing activities:
Purchases of computer equipment financed through capital leases	$	1,178		$	5,768
Investment in multi-client data library financed through accounts payable	$	13,617		$	1,298
Conversion of investment in a convertible note to equity	$	—		$	3,151
Transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	$	15,936	(a)	$	3,039

13

^(a)  This transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment relates to ocean bottom seismic equipment manufactured by the Company to be deployed in the acquisition of ocean bottom seismic data. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company purchased approximately $17.6 million of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, including approximately $14.3 million related to the manufacture of ocean bottom seismic equipment that will be used by the Ocean Bottom Services segment.

(12)Acquisition of OceanGeo

In 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of OceanGeo B.V. (“OceanGeo”). OceanGeo specializes in seismic acquisition operations using ocean bottom cables deployed from vessels leased by OceanGeo. For a complete discussion of the acquisition of OceanGeo, see Footnote 3 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The following summarized unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, assumes that the OceanGeo acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the period prior to the period the acquisition occurred. The Company has prepared these unaudited pro forma financial results for comparative purposes only. These unaudited pro forma financial results may not be indicative of the results that would have occurred if ION had completed the acquisition as of the beginning of that prior period or the results that may be attained in the future. Amounts presented below are in thousands, except for the per share amounts:

Pro forma Consolidated ION Income Statement Information	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Net revenues	$	381,902
Income from operations	$	22,492
Net income	$	55,838
Net income attributable to ION	$	53,684
Basic and diluted net income per common share	$	0.33

OceanGeo did not record any revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to its vessels being idle while it attempts to secure a backlog of future orders.

(13)Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Authoritative guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and stipulates the related disclosure requirements. The Company follows a three-level hierarchy, prioritizing and defining the types of inputs used to measure fair value.

The carrying amounts of the Company’s long-term debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $186.3 million and $190.6 million, respectively, compared to its fair values of $108.9 million and $162.6 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of the long-term debt was calculated using an active market price, based on Level 1 inputs defined as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments. Due to their highly liquid nature, the amount of the Company’s other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts and unbilled receivables, notes receivable, accounts payable, and accrued multi-client data library royalties, represent their approximate fair value.

(14)Stock-based Compensation

Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”). On March 1, 2015, the Company issued 3,108,107 SAR awards to 16 individuals with an exercise price of $2.28. The vesting of these SARs is achieved through both a market condition and a service condition. The market condition is achieved, in part or in full, in the event that during the four-year period beginning on the date of grant the 20-day trailing volume-weighted average price of a share of common stock is (i) greater than 120% of the exercise price for the first 1/3 of the awards, (ii) greater than 125% of the exercise price for the second 1/3 of the awards and (iii) greater than 130% of the exercise price for the final 1/3 of the awards. The exercise condition restricts the ability of the holders to exercise awards until certain service milestones have been reached such that (i) no more than 1/3 of the awards may be exercised, if vested, on and after the first anniversary of the date of grant, (ii) no more than 2/3 of the awards may be exercised, if vested, on and after the second anniversary of the date of grant and (iii) all of the awards may be exercised, if vested, on and after the third anniversary of the date of grant. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded $0.6 million of share-based compensation expense attributable to SAR awards.

14

Pursuant to ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” the SARs are considered liability awards and as such, these amounts are accrued in the liability section of the balance sheet. The Company calculated the fair value of each SAR award on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The following assumptions were used:

	March 1, 2015
Risk-free interest rates	2.03%
Expected lives (in years)	2.7
Expected dividend yield	—%
Expected volatility	60.27%

(15)Related Party Transactions

BGP Inc. (“BGP”) owned approximately 14.4% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of September 30, 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded revenues from BGP of $5.2 million and $5.1 million, respectively.

(16)Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition — In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) jointly issued new accounting guidance for recognition of revenue. This new guidance replaces virtually all existing U.S. GAAP and IFRS guidance on revenue recognition.

On July 9, 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date for its new revenue standard for public and nonpublic entities reporting under U.S. GAAP by one year. As a result, the new guidance is now effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. This new guidance applies to all periods presented. Therefore, when the Company issues its financial statements on Forms 10-Q and 10-K for periods included in its year ended December 31, 2018, its comparative periods that are presented from the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 must be retrospectively presented in compliance with this new guidance. The new guidance requires companies to make more estimates and use more judgment than under current accounting guidance. Public entities will be permitted to adopt the standard as early as the original public entity effective date (i.e, annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods therein). Early adoption prior to that date will not be permitted.

The FASB and IASB (collectively, the “Boards”) have discussed clarifying the guidance in their new revenue standards for: (1) licenses of intellectual property, (2) identifying performance obligations, (3) noncash consideration and (4) collectability. The Boards have also discussed whether to add practical expedients for the accounting for contract modifications at transition and the presentation of sales taxes, and the FASB separately discussed several technical corrections. The FASB and the IASB did not agree on the nature and breadth of all of the changes to be proposed. The Boards are expected to issue separate exposure drafts later this year.

The Company continues to evaluate (i) the two allowed adoption methods to determine which method it plans to use for retrospective presentation of comparative periods, (ii) the impact of proposed clarifications to the guidance on timing of the recognition of revenue within the Company’s various revenue streams, (iii) the Company’s option to adopt the new guidance either as of the originally proposed effective date or the proposed deferred effective date and (iv) whether the implementation of this new guidance will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations for the periods presented.

(17)Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

In 2013, the Company sold $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its Notes. The Notes were issued by ION Geophysical Corporation and are guaranteed by the Company’s material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (“the Guarantors”), all of which are 100-percent-owned subsidiaries. The Guarantors have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment obligations of ION Geophysical Corporation with respect to the Notes. The following condensed consolidating financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for:

• ION Geophysical Corporation and the Guarantors (in each case, reflecting investments in subsidiaries utilizing the equity method of accounting).

• All other subsidiaries of ION Geophysical Corporation that are not Guarantors.

• The consolidating adjustments necessary to present ION Geophysical Corporation’s results on a consolidated basis.

15

This condensed consolidating financial information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes.

	September 30, 2015
Balance Sheet	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	25,470		$	—		$	62,769		$	—		$	88,239
Accounts receivable, net	6			11,017			10,564			—			21,587
Unbilled receivables	—			30,719			1,668			—			32,387
Inventories	—			12,578			22,105			—			34,683
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,638			1,971			6,160			(645		)	10,124
Total current assets	28,114			56,285			103,266			(645		)	187,020
Deferred income tax asset	—			8,296			200			(2,790		)	5,706
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	5,051			24,064			47,966			—			77,081
Multi-client data library, net	—			121,329			14,578			—			135,907
Investment in subsidiaries	684,815			232,637			—			(917,452		)	—
Goodwill	—			—			26,809			—			26,809
Intangible assets, net	—			4,956			350			—			5,306
Intercompany receivables	78,982			—			—			(78,982		)	—
Other assets	8,000			141			1,239			—			9,380
Total assets	$	804,962		$	447,708		$	194,408		$	(999,869	)	$	447,209
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	6,533		$	79		$	—		$	6,612
Accounts payable	1,763			20,508			5,679			—			27,950
Accrued expenses	16,282			25,546			12,526			(52		)	54,302
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	—			11,926			517			—			12,443
Deferred revenue	—			3,135			2,440			—			5,575
Total current liabilities	18,045			67,648			21,241			(52		)	106,882
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	175,000			4,626			40			—			179,666
Intercompany payables	491,902			69,852			9,130			(570,884		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	476			31,834			10,904			(3,384		)	39,830
Total liabilities	685,423			173,960			41,315			(574,320		)	326,378
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			—			1,200			—			1,200
Equity:
Common stock	1,648			290,460			19,138			(309,598		)	1,648
Additional paid-in capital	892,007			180,700			234,234			(414,934		)	892,007
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(753,987		)	224,206			(23,589		)	(200,617		)	(753,987		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,564		)	5,663			(13,361		)	7,698			(13,564		)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	—			(427,281		)	(64,621		)	491,902			—
Treasury stock	(6,565		)	—			—			—			(6,565		)
Total stockholders’ equity	119,539			273,748			151,801			(425,549		)	119,539
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			92			—			92
Total equity	119,539			273,748			151,893			(425,549		)	119,631
Total liabilities and equity	$	804,962		$	447,708		$	194,408		$	(999,869	)	$	447,209

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	December 31, 2014
Balance Sheet	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	109,514		$	—		$	64,094		$	—		$	173,608
Accounts receivable, net	123			49,892			64,310			—			114,325
Unbilled receivables	—			18,548			4,051			—			22,599
Inventories	—			4,013			47,149			—			51,162
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,692			2,697			8,769			(4,496		)	13,662
Total current assets	116,329			75,150			188,373			(4,496		)	375,356
Deferred income tax asset	(7,852		)	6,675			749			9,032			8,604
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	6,412			33,065			30,363			—			69,840
Multi-client data library, net	—			96,423			22,246			—			118,669
Investment in subsidiaries	675,499			278,294			—			(953,793		)	—
Goodwill	—			—			27,388			—			27,388
Intangible assets, net	—			6,254			534			—			6,788
Intercompany receivables	29,979			—			—			(29,979		)	—
Other assets	10,191			147			274			—			10,612
Total assets	$	830,558		$	496,008		$	269,927		$	(979,236	)	$	617,257
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	6,965		$	684		$	—		$	7,649
Accounts payable	4,308			12,028			20,527			—			36,863
Accrued expenses	3,904			34,738			21,807			4,815			65,264
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	—			34,624			595			—			35,219
Deferred revenue	—			5,263			2,999			—			8,262
Total current liabilities	8,212			93,618			46,612			4,815			153,257
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	175,000			7,839			106			—			182,945
Intercompany payables	509,124			8,892			21,087			(539,103		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	2,609			130,985			10,489			(279		)	143,804
Total liabilities	694,945			241,334			78,294			(534,567		)	480,006
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			—			1,539			—			1,539
Equity:
Common stock	1,645			290,460			19,138			(309,598		)	1,645
Additional paid-in capital	887,749			180,700			234,234			(414,934		)	887,749
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(734,409		)	208,846			26,981			(235,827		)	(734,409		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(12,807		)	6,229			(12,795		)	6,566			(12,807		)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	—			(431,561		)	(77,563		)	509,124			—
Treasury stock	(6,565		)	—			—			—			(6,565		)
Total stockholders’ equity	135,613			254,674			189,995			(444,669		)	135,613
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			99			—			99
Total equity	135,613			254,674			190,094			(444,669		)	135,712
Total liabilities and equity	$	830,558		$	496,008		$	269,927		$	(979,236	)	$	617,257

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	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	41,768		$	25,072		$	(166	)	$	66,674
Cost of sales	—			31,712			24,020			(166		)	55,566
Gross profit	—			10,056			1,052			—			11,108
Total operating expenses	3,914			11,266			8,802			—			23,982
Loss from operations	(3,914		)	(1,210		)	(7,750		)	—			(12,874		)
Interest expense, net	(4,769		)	(107		)	22			—			(4,854		)
Intercompany interest, net	184			(806		)	622			—			—
Equity in losses of investments	(14,248		)	(12,141		)	—			26,389			—
Other income (expense)	326			(9		)	(663		)	—			(346		)
Net loss before income taxes	(22,421		)	(14,273		)	(7,769		)	26,389			(18,074		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,038		)	65			4,055			—			2,082
Net loss	(20,383		)	(14,338		)	(11,824		)	26,389			(20,156		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(227		)	—			(227		)
Net loss attributable to ION	(20,383		)	(14,338		)	(12,051		)	26,389			(20,383		)
Comprehensive net loss	$	(21,748	)	$	(15,543	)	$	(12,940	)	$	28,710		$	(21,521	)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(227		)	—			(227		)
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION	$	(21,748	)	$	(15,543	)	$	(13,167	)	$	28,710		$	(21,748	)

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	33,344		$	73,947		$	(751	)	$	106,540
Cost of sales	—			32,447			45,621			(751		)	77,317
Gross profit	—			897			28,326			—			29,223
Total operating expenses	7,599			15,357			11,616			—			34,572
Income (loss) from operations	(7,599		)	(14,460		)	16,710			—			(5,349		)
Interest expense, net	(4,931		)	(58		)	(59		)	—			(5,048		)
Intercompany interest, net	(90		)	566			(476		)	—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	(12,131		)	8,500			—			(1,927		)	(5,558		)
Other income (expense)	(17		)	21			(626		)	—			(622		)
Net income (loss) before income taxes	(24,768		)	(5,431		)	15,549			(1,927		)	(16,577		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(227		)	800			7,772			—			8,345
Net income (loss)	(24,541		)	(6,231		)	7,777			(1,927		)	(24,922		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			381			—			381
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	(24,541		)	(6,231		)	8,158			(1,927		)	(24,541		)
Comprehensive net income (loss)	$	(26,407	)	$	(8,838	)	$	5,168		$	3,289		$	(26,788	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			381			—			381
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(26,407	)	$	(8,838	)	$	5,549		$	3,289		$	(26,407	)

18

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	83,082		$	61,972		$	(1,007	)	$	144,047
Cost of sales	—			84,715			75,154			(1,007		)	158,862
Gross loss	—			(1,633		)	(13,182		)	—			(14,815		)
Total operating expenses	18,296			37,151			29,990			—			85,437
Loss from operations	(18,296		)	(38,784		)	(43,172		)	—			(100,252		)
Interest expense, net	(13,826		)	(279		)	19			—			(14,086		)
Intercompany interest, net	466			(2,208		)	1,742			—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	9,881			(45,091		)	—			35,210			—
Other income (expense)	268			101,961			(4,194		)	—			98,035
Net income (loss) before income taxes	(21,507		)	15,599			(45,605		)	35,210			(16,303		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,929		)	239			5,287			—			3,597
Net income (loss)	(19,578		)	15,360			(50,892		)	35,210			(19,900		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			322			—			322
Net income (loss) applicable to ION	(19,578		)	15,360			(50,570		)	35,210			(19,578		)
Comprehensive net income (loss)	$	(20,335	)	$	14,794		$	(51,458	)	$	36,342		$	(20,657	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			322			—			322
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(20,335	)	$	14,794		$	(51,136	)	$	36,342		$	(20,335	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	159,347		$	215,400		$	(2,029	)	$	372,718
Cost of sales	—			117,461			132,981			(2,029		)	248,413
Gross profit	—			41,886			82,419			—			124,305
Total operating expenses	24,138			45,938			36,122			—			106,198
Income (loss) from operations	(24,138		)	(4,052		)	46,297			—			18,107
Interest expense, net	(13,962		)	(148		)	(669		)	—			(14,779		)
Intercompany interest, net	(234		)	1,519			(1,285		)	—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	92,195			32,615			738			(134,575		)	(9,027		)
Other income (expense)	(1,231		)	73,504			1,697			—			73,970
Net income before income taxes	52,630			103,438			46,778			(134,575		)	68,271
Income tax expense	4			999			13,258			—			14,261
Net income	52,626			102,439			33,520			(134,575		)	54,010
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,384		)	—			(1,384		)
Net income applicable to ION	52,626			102,439			32,136			(134,575		)	52,626
Comprehensive net income	$	52,044		$	102,957		$	34,024		$	(135,597	)	$	53,428
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(1,384		)	—			(1,384		)
Comprehensive net income attributable to ION	$	52,044		$	102,957		$	32,640		$	(135,597	)	$	52,044

19

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(414,473	)	$	173,725		$	204,752		$	(35,996	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	—			(27,282		)	(870		)	(28,152		)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(347		)	(1,162		)	(16,092		)	(17,601		)
Other investing activities	—			1,262			—			1,262
Net cash used in investing activities	(347		)	(27,182		)	(16,962		)	(44,491		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	—			(4,798		)	(633		)	(5,431		)
Intercompany lending	330,828			(141,745		)	(189,083		)	—
Other financing activities	(52		)	—			—			(52		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	330,776			(146,543		)	(189,716		)	(5,483		)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			601			601
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(84,044		)	—			(1,325		)	(85,369		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	109,514			—			64,094			173,608
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	25,470		$	—		$	62,769		$	88,239

20

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(40,896	)	$	63,588		$	64,284		$	86,976
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in multi-client data library	—			(57,192		)	(148		)	(57,340		)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(1,501		)	(4,165		)	(1,176		)	(6,842		)
Repayment of advance to INOVA Geophysical	1,000			—			—			1,000
Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation	—			—			(3,074		)	(3,074		)
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line	—			9,881			4,513			14,394
Other investing activities	579			—			349			928
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	78			(51,476		)	464			(50,934		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments under revolving line of credit	(50,000		)	—			—			(50,000		)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	15,000			—			—			15,000
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	—			(4,470		)	(7,267		)	(11,737		)
Cost associated with issuance of notes	(2,126		)	—			—			(2,126		)
Intercompany lending	37,114			(7,642		)	(29,472		)	—
Acquisition of non-controlling interest	—			—			(6,000		)	(6,000		)
Other financing activities	423			—			—			423
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	411			(12,112		)	(42,739		)	(54,440		)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			189			189
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(40,407		)	—			22,198			(18,209		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	124,701			—			23,355			148,056
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	84,294		$	—		$	45,553		$	129,847

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(18)    Subsequent Events

On November 4, 2015, ION announced that its board of directors has authorized the Company to repurchase, from time to time from November 10, 2015 through November 10, 2017, up to $25 million in shares of its outstanding common stock. The stock repurchase program may be implemented through open market repurchases or privately negotiated transactions, at management’s discretion. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the program will be determined by management at its discretion and will depend on a number of factors including the market price of the Company’s shares of common stock and general market and economic conditions, applicable legal requirements and compliance with the terms of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness.

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Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Summary

Our Business

In this Form 10-Q, “ION Geophysical,” “ION,” “the company” (or, “the Company”), “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to ION Geophysical Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires or as otherwise indicated.

The information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains references to trademarks, service marks and registered marks of ION and our subsidiaries, as indicated. Except where stated otherwise or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “GeoVentures,” “DigiFIN,” “VectorSeis,” “Orca,” “GATOR,” “Calypso,” and “WiBand,” refer to GeoVentures^®, DigiFIN^®, VECTORSEIS^®, ORCA^®, GATOR^®, Calypso^® and WiBand^® registered marks owned by ION or INOVA Geophysical, and the terms “VSO,” “Narwhal,” “Marlin” and “MexicoSPAN” refer to VSO™, Narwhal™, Marlin™ and MexicoSPAN™ trademarks and service marks owned by ION.

We are a global, technology-focused company that provides geoscience technology, services and solutions to the global oil and gas industry. Our offerings are designed to allow oil and gas exploration and production (“E&P”) companies to obtain higher resolution images of the Earth’s subsurface during exploration, exploitation and production operations to reduce their risk in exploration and reservoir development. We acquire and process seismic data from seismic surveys in regional data programs, which then become part of our multi-client data library. The seismic surveys for our data library business are pre-funded, or underwritten, in part by our customers, and, with the exception of our ocean bottom seismic (“OBS”) data acquisition company, OceanGeo B.V. (“OceanGeo”), we utilize an “Asset Lite” strategy by contracting with third party seismic data acquisition companies to shoot and acquire the seismic data, all of which is intended to minimize our risk exposure. We serve customers in all major energy producing regions of the world from strategically located offices across six continents.

Seismic imaging plays a fundamental role in hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir development by delineating structures, rock types and fluid locations in the subsurface. Our technologies, services and solutions are used by E&P companies to generate high-resolution images of the Earth’s subsurface to identify sources of hydrocarbons and pinpoint drilling locations for wells, which can be costly and involve high risk.

We provide our services and products through four business segments – Solutions, Systems, Software and Ocean Bottom Services. Our Ocean Bottom Services segment is comprised of OceanGeo, in which we increased our ownership to 100% in 2014. In addition, we have a 49% ownership interest in our INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited joint venture (“INOVA Geophysical,” or “INOVA”). As of December 31, 2014, we wrote down our investment in INOVA Geophysical to zero, and therefore no longer record our share of losses in the joint venture. For details of our suspension of recording equity method losses, see Footnote 3 “Segment Information” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

For decades we have been engaged in providing innovative seismic data acquisition technology, such as full-wave imaging capability with VectorSeis products, the ability to record seismic data from basins that underlie ice fields in polar regions, and cableless seismic techniques. The advanced technologies we currently offer include our Orca and Gator command and control software systems, WiBand broadband data processing technology, Calypso OBS acquisition system, Narwhal ice management system, and other technologies, each of which is designed to deliver improvements in both image quality and productivity. In 2015, we introduced our new Marlin solution for optimizing simultaneous operations during marine seismic data acquisition. We have over 500 patents and pending patent applications in various countries around the world. Approximately 51% of our employees are involved in technical roles and over 26% of our employees have advanced degrees.

Solutions. Our Solutions business provides two distinct service activities that often work together.

Our GeoVentures services are designed to manage the entire seismic process, from survey planning and design to data acquisition and management, to final subsurface imaging and reservoir characterization. Our GeoVentures group focuses on the technologically intensive components of the image development process, such as survey planning and design, and data processing and interpretation, outsourcing the logistics components (such as field acquisition) to experienced seismic and other geophysical contractors.

Our GX Technology (“GXT”) group offers data processing and imaging services designed to help our E&P customers reduce exploration and production risk, evaluate and develop reservoirs, and increase production. GXT develops a series of subsurface images by applying its processing technology to data owned or licensed by its customers. We maintain approximately 15 petabytes of digital seismic data information storage in 4 global data centers, including two core data centers located in Houston and in the U.K.

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Our Solutions business focuses on providing services for challenging environments, such as the Arctic frontier; complex and hard-to-image geologies, such as deepwater subsurface salt formations in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore West Africa and Brazil; unconventional reservoirs, such as those found in shale, tight gas and oil sands formations; and offshore basin-wide seismic data and imaging programs. Since 2002, our basin exploration seismic data programs have resulted in a substantial data library that covers significant portions of many of the frontier basins in the world, including offshore East and West Africa, India, South America, the Arctic, the deepwater Gulf of Mexico and Australia.

Software. Our Software business provides command and control software systems, related software and services for towed marine streamer and seabed operations, as well as survey design. Our Orca software is installed on towed streamer marine vessels worldwide, and our Gator software is a component of many re-deployable and permanent seabed monitoring systems.

In 2013, we introduced our Narwhal ice management system, and in 2015 we introduced our new Marlin solution. Both of these systems are part of our E&P software solutions for operations management and are designed to reduce risk and improve efficiency in seismic data acquisition and drilling operations in or near ice, such as in the Arctic, where the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that 13 percent of the remaining worldwide reserves are located.

Systems. Our Systems business is engaged in the manufacture of (i) re-deployable ocean bottom cable seismic data acquisition systems and shipboard recorders (for OceanGeo’s use in OBS data acquisition); (ii) marine towed streamer positioning and control systems; and (iii) analog geophone sensors.

Ocean Bottom Services. Through OceanGeo, we offer a fully integrated OBS solution that includes expert survey design, planning and optimization, to maximize seismic image quality, operational efficiency and safety; safe, efficient data acquisition by the experienced team at OceanGeo; superior imaging via OceanGeo’s exclusive use of our VSO systems; and data processing, interpretation and reservoir services, by our GXT group. 

INOVA Geophysical. Historically, we have conducted our land seismic equipment business through INOVA Geophysical, which is a joint venture with BGP Inc. (“BGP”). BGP is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, and is generally regarded as the world’s largest land geophysical service contractor. BGP owns a 51% equity interest in INOVA Geophysical, and we own the remaining 49% interest. INOVA manufactures cable-based and cableless seismic data acquisition systems, digital sensors, vibroseis vehicles (i.e., vibrator trucks) and source controllers for detonator and energy source business lines. As of December 31, 2014, we wrote down our investment in INOVA Geophysical to zero.

Macroeconomic Conditions

Demand for our services and products is cyclical and dependent upon activity levels in the oil and gas industry, particularly our customers’ willingness to invest capital in the exploration for oil and natural gas. Our customers’ capital spending programs are generally based on their outlook for near-term and long-term commodity prices, economic growth, commodity demand and estimates of resource production. As a result, demand for our services and products is largely sensitive to expected commodity prices, principally related to crude oil and natural gas.

In the past few years, crude oil prices have been volatile due to global economic uncertainties. Significant downward crude oil price volatility began early in the fourth quarter of 2014 and prices continued to drop throughout the remainder of 2014 and into the first quarter of 2015, with a partial recovery during the second quarter of 2015 offset by a continued decline in oil prices during the third quarter. The material decrease in crude oil prices can be attributed principally to significant production growth in the U.S. shale plays, strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies, the increase in production by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and its indication not to cut production, offset somewhat by modest increases in global oil demand. The third quarter continued to decline due to mounting concerns about the Chinese economy as well as the potential supply increases related to the potential lifting of sanctions against Iran. These events have created concern in the marketplace that crude oil prices will trade in a relatively low-priced range for the foreseeable future. The average prices for West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) and Intercontinental Exchange Brent (“Brent”) crude oil decreased from an average of $73 per barrel and $76 per barrel, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2014 to an average of $46 per barrel and $50 per barrel, respectively, in the third quarter of 2015. These data points compare to an average price of $101 per barrel and $109 per barrel, respectively, in the first nine months of 2014.

Given the historical volatility of crude prices, there remains a risk that prices could continue to deteriorate due to high levels of domestic and OPEC crude oil production, slowing growth rates in various global regions and/or the potential for ongoing supply/demand imbalances. Alternatively, if the global supply of oil were to decrease due to reduced capital investment by our E&P customers or government instability in a major oil-producing nation and energy demand continues to increase in the U.S. and countries such as China and India, a recovery in WTI and Brent crude oil prices could occur. Regardless of the driver, crude oil price improvements will not occur without a rebalancing of global supply and demand, the timing of which is difficult to predict. If commodity prices do not improve or if they decline further, demand for our services and products could continue to decline.

24

Prices for natural gas in the U.S. averaged $2.80 per mmBtu in the first nine months of 2015 compared to $3.83 per mmBtu in the fourth quarter of 2014 and $4.57 per mmBtu in the first nine months of 2014. Natural gas prices declined due to strong production and a mild winter this year as compared to last year resulting in significant increases in natural gas inventories in the U.S. during the first nine months of 2015, from 11% below the five-year average as of the first nine months of 2014 to 4% above the five year average this year. Customer spending in the natural gas shale plays has been limited due to associated gas being produced from unconventional oil wells in North America. As a result of natural gas production growth outpacing demand in the U.S., natural gas prices continue to be weak relative to prices experienced from 2006 through 2008 and are expected to remain below levels considered economical for new investments in numerous natural gas fields. If natural gas production growth continues to surpass demand in the U.S. and/or the supply of natural gas were to increase, whether the supply comes from conventional or unconventional production or associated natural gas production from oil wells, prices for natural gas could remain constrained for an extended period.

Impact to Our Business

In the first nine months of 2015, E&P companies continued to reduce their capital expenditure budgets in light of the recent steep oil price decreases that began in the fourth quarter of 2014. Certain E&P companies are evaluating near-term oil prices, and how these prices will affect their return on new and existing projects before committing to spend substantial sums from their capital expenditure budgets. We believe E&P companies perceive projects with a longer time to payback, or profitability, as less attractive in the short-term. E&P companies have recently announced their intention to protect dividend payments even if that means reducing capital expenditures. Therefore, E&P companies are increasingly likely to reduce capital expenditures for projects in the early stages, or exploration phase, of the E&P lifecycle compared to prior years. In low oil price environments, oil companies tend to prioritize production-related activities and existing assets over exploration, and disproportionately cut spending on seismic services and products, which has a negative impact on the overall entire seismic industry, including our Company.

The recent reduction in exploration spending has had a significant impact on our results of operations for the first three quarters of 2015 in all of our segments, although we did see an increase in our Solution segment revenues for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014. In our Solutions segment, we have seen continued softness in customer underwriting of our new venture programs and reductions in our data processing business. We continue to maintain high standards for underwriting new projects, and have delayed certain new venture programs accordingly. We invested $28.2 million in our multi-client data library during the first three quarters of 2015, compared to $57.3 million in the same period in 2014.

Although our business has traditionally been seasonal, with the strongest demand for our services and products often in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, as of September 30, 2015, our Solutions segment backlog, which consists of commitments for (i) data processing work and (ii) both multi-client new venture projects and proprietary projects by our GeoVentures group underwritten by our customers, was $23.0 million, compared with backlog of $46.7 million at December 31, 2014 and $49.9 million at September 30, 2014. As a result of the weakness in exploration spending by E&P companies, our backlog over the last four quarters has been lower than historical levels and third quarter of 2015 backlog decreased as a result of MexicoSPAN nearing completion of acquisition. However, we experienced an increase in revenues in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the first and second quarters of 2015 as result of new ventures and data library revenues primarily related to the acquisition of our industry-funded MexicoSPAN and increased sales of our data libraries in South America. We anticipate that the majority of our current backlog will be recognized as revenue in the remainder of 2015 and early 2016. We now expect our full year investment in our multi-client data library to be in the range of $43 to $53 million in 2015.

In the first three quarters of 2015, our OBS segment was affected by potential E&P customers delaying or canceling decisions to commit capital to OBS projects, causing our vessels to remain idle since the fourth quarter of 2014. We have initiated actions within our OBS business to minimize costs, while maintaining our ocean bottom capabilities. We have cold-stacked the chartered vessels and our crew and have taken other actions that will reduce our OceanGeo cash burn rate to less than $3 million per quarter. Despite the extended market downturn and uncertainty, we see significant long-term potential for OceanGeo and our technologies to improve ocean bottom survey productivity, and we expect long-term demand for ocean bottom production surveys (4D) to increase.

Our traditional seismic contractor customers are also experiencing weakened demand due to the reduction in seismic spending by their customers. Since early 2014, seismic contractors have taken 22 seismic vessels, or about 18% of the fleet, out of the market, and we anticipate another 4 vessels will be taken out of service in 2015. As a result, our Systems segment continued to experience weak year-over-year sales as our revenue decreased primarily due to reduced sales of spares and repairs.

The marine seismic vessel market contraction has also reduced the available software market. Our Software segment net revenues decreased for the first three quarters of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014, primarily driven by reduced sales of Orca software licenses.

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We continue to monitor the global economy, the demand for crude oil and natural gas and the resultant impact on the capital spending plans and operations of our E&P customers in order to plan our business. We remain confident that, despite current marketplace challenges that we describe above, we have positioned ourselves to take advantage of the next upturn in the energy cycle by reducing our cost structure, shifting our focus toward E&P solutions and away from equipment sales, and by diversifying our offerings across the E&P lifecycle.

It is our view that technologies that provide a competitive advantage through improved imaging, lower costs or higher productivity will continue to be valued in our marketplace. We believe that our newest technologies, such as Calypso, WiBand, Orca and Narwhal, will continue to attract customer interest, because those technologies are designed to deliver enhanced image quality, efficiency and cost savings.

Restructurings

Due to the current economic conditions described above, including significant reductions in E&P capital expenditures, in the first three quarters of 2015, we continued to implement cost cutting initiatives by (i) focusing on centralizing our global data processing capabilities to two core geographical hubs in the U.S. and the U.K., (ii) reducing our marine repair facilities to two locations in the U.S. and U.A.E., (iii) making further reductions in personnel across all of our segments in the third quarter of 2015 that combined with reductions starting in December 2014, and continuing through the first nine months of 2015 have reduced our full-time employee base by approximately 50% and (iv) reducing salaries by 10% for the majority of our employees for the remainder of 2015. Including actions we began taking in December 2014, we expect that these actions will result in annualized savings of approximately $80 million. See Footnote 2 “Restructurings” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

WesternGeco Litigation

On July 2, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. reversed in part the district court’s judgment, holding the district court erred by including lost profits in the Final Judgment. Lost profits were $93.4 million and prejudgment interest was approximately $10.9 million of the $123.8 million Final Judgment. Pre-judgment interest on the lost profits portion will be treated in the same way as the lost profits. Post-judgment interest will likewise be treated in the same fashion. On July 29, 2015, WesternGeco filed a petition for rehearing en banc before the Court of Appeals. On October 30, 2015 the Court of Appeals denied WesternGeco’s petition for rehearing en banc. WesternGeco has up to 90 days to determine whether or not it will file a writ requesting the Supreme Court to review the case.

As a result of the reversal by the Court of Appeals, as of June 30, 2015, we have reduced our prior loss contingency accrual by approximately $102 million, resulting in a current loss contingency accrual of $22 million. Prior to the reduction in damages by the Court of Appeals, we arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond at the trial court. The appeal bond is uncollateralized, but the terms of the appeal bond arrangements provide the sureties the contractual right for as long as the bond is outstanding to require us to post cash collateral. We have received a request for $11 million in collateral and are in negotiations with the sureties. The appeal bond will remain outstanding during the pendency of appeals. See Footnote 7 “Litigation” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Key Financial Metrics

The table below provides an overview of key financial metrics for our company as a whole and our four business segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period of 2014 (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net revenues:
Solutions:
New Venture	$	26,650	$	18,446	$	35,315	$	76,499
Data Library	15,302		3,262		24,948		30,104
Total multi-client revenues	41,952		21,708		60,263		106,603
Data Processing	10,693		24,151		33,731		91,131
Total	$	52,645	$	45,859	$	93,994	$	197,734
Systems:
Towed Streamer	$	4,426	$	13,666	$	12,273	$	35,782
Other	2,864		11,029		15,460		36,166
Total	$	7,290	$	24,695	$	27,733	$	71,948
Software:
Software Systems	$	5,869	$	9,922	$	19,396	$	28,384

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	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Services	870			1,088			2,924			3,198
Total	$	6,739		$	11,010		$	22,320		$	31,582
Ocean Bottom Services	$	—		$	24,976		$	—		$	71,454
Total	$	66,674		$	106,540		$	144,047		$	372,718
Gross profit (loss):
Solutions	$	11,294		$	5,927		$	(6,954	)	$	51,207
Systems	1,366			10,123			7,425			31,288
Software	4,399			8,326			14,197			23,388
Ocean Bottom Services	(5,951		)	4,847			(29,483		)	18,422
Total	$	11,108		$	29,223		$	(14,815	)	$	124,305
Gross margin:
Solutions	21		%	13		%	(7		)%	26		%
Systems	19		%	41		%	27		%	43		%
Software	65		%	76		%	64		%	74		%
Ocean Bottom Services	—		%	19		%	—		%	26		%
Total	17		%	27		%	(10		)%	33		%
Income (loss) from operations:
Solutions	$	768		$	(5,960	)	$	(40,766	)	$	11,733
Systems	(1,295		)	2,917			(2,660		)	9,835
Software	2,444			6,227			7,874			16,985
Ocean Bottom Services	(7,289		)	1,677			(34,856		)	12,333
Corporate and other	(7,502		)	(10,210		)	(29,844		)	(32,779		)
Total	$	(12,874	)	$	(5,349	)	$	(100,252	)	$	18,107
Operating margin:
Solutions	1		%	(13		)%	(43		)%	6		%
Systems	(18		)%	12		%	(10		)%	14		%
Software	36		%	57		%	35		%	54		%
Ocean Bottom Services	—		%	7		%	—		%	17		%
Corporate and other	(11		)%	(10		)%	(21		)%	(9		)%
Total	(19		)%	(5		)%	(70		)%	5		%

We intend that the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations will provide information that will assist in understanding our consolidated financial statements, the changes in certain key items in those financial statements from period to period, and the primary factors that accounted for those changes.

For a discussion of factors that could impact our future operating results and financial condition, see (i) Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and (ii) Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in Part II of this Form 10-Q.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

Our overall total net revenues of $66.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 (the “Current Quarter”) decreased by $39.8 million, or 37%, compared to total net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 (the “Comparable Quarter”). Our overall gross profit percentage for the Current Quarter was 17%, compared to 27%, for the Comparable Quarter. For the Current Quarter, our loss from operations was $12.9 million, compared to loss from operations of $5.3 million for the Comparable Quarter.

Net loss for the Current Quarter was $20.4 million, or $(0.12) per share, compared to net loss of $24.5 million, or $(0.15) per share, for the Comparable Quarter. The Current Quarter results were impacted by special items totaling $3.5 million, primarily related to restructuring charges. Excluding these impacts, our net loss for the Current Quarter was $16.9 million, or $(0.10) per share, as adjusted.

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Net Revenues, Gross Profits and Gross Margins

Solutions — Net revenues for the Current Quarter increased by $6.7 million, or 15%, to $52.6 million, compared to $45.9 million for the Comparable Quarter. The increase in revenues was primarily due to new ventures and data library revenues primarily related to the acquisition of our industry funded MexicoSPAN program and increased sales of our data libraries in South America. Gross profitincreased by $5.4 million to $11.3 million, representing a 21% gross margin, compared to $5.9 million, which represented a 13% gross margin, in the Comparable Quarter. The increase in gross profit and margin was due to the increase in revenues.

Systems — Net revenues for the Current Quarter decreased by $17.4 million, or 70%, to $7.3 million, compared to $24.7 million for the Comparable Quarter. The decrease in revenues in the Current Quarter was principally due to reduced activity by seismic contractors as they have taken vessels out of service resulting in a reduction in repairs and purchases of spares. Gross profitdecreased by $8.7 million to $1.4 million, representing a 19% gross margin, for the Current Quarter, compared to $10.1 million, representing a 41% gross margin, for the Comparable Quarter. The decrease in gross profit and margin is the result of decreased revenues.

Software — Net revenues for the Current Quarter decreased$4.3 million, or 39%, to $6.7 million, compared to a $11.0 million for the Comparable Quarter. Gross profit for the Current Quarter decreased$3.9 million to $4.4 million, compared to $8.3 million, for the Comparable Quarter. The decrease in revenues was due to a decrease in Orca licensing revenues in the Current Quarter as a result of seismic contractors taking seismic vessels out of service and to a lesser extent the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. Gross margin of 65% in the Current Quarter decreased from the 76% gross margin in the Comparable Quarter primarily due to the decline in revenues in the Current Quarter.

Ocean Bottom Services — Net revenues for the Current Quarter were zero, compared to $25.0 million for the Comparable Quarter. Gross profit (loss) for the Current Quarter was $(6.0) million, compared to gross profit of $4.8 million for the Comparable Quarter. OceanGeo did not record any revenues during the Current Quarter due to its vessels remaining idle while it attempts to secure a backlog of future orders.

Operating Expenses

Research, Development and Engineering — Research, development and engineering expense was $6.5 million for the Current Quarter, a decrease of $4.4 million compared to $10.9 million for the Comparable Quarter. During the current down-cycle in E&P exploration spending, we have been selective in spending on research and development (“R&D”) projects in order to reduce expenses without sacrificing our ability to develop our technologies. As discussed above, despite the extended market downturn and uncertainty, we see significant long-term potential for OceanGeo and our technologies to improve ocean bottom survey productivity, and we expect long-term demand for ocean bottom production surveys (4D) to increase.

Marketing and Sales — Marketing and sales expense was $6.9 million for the Current Quarter, a decrease of $1.6 million compared to $8.5 million for the Comparable Quarter. During the current down-cycle in E&P exploration spending, we have also reduced our payroll and marketing expenses.

General, Administrative and Other Operating Expenses — General, administrative and other operating expenses of $10.5 million for the Current Quarter, a decrease of $4.7 million compared to $15.2 million for the Comparable Quarter. This decrease in expenses was primarily related to reduced expenses in the Current Quarter due to restructuring actions taken in 2014 and 2015.

Other Items

Interest Expense, net — Interest expense, net, was $4.9 million for the Current Quarter compared to $5.0 million for the Comparable Quarter. Interest expense in both quarters is primarily related to the Notes. For additional information, please refer to “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Sources of Capital” below.

Equity in Losses of Investments — We account for our investment in INOVA Geophysical as an equity method investment. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value of our investment in INOVA Geophysical was zero. Therefore, we did not record a share of earnings or losses related to INOVA’s losses for the Current Quarter. For details of our suspension of recording equity method losses, see Footnote 3 “Segment Information” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements. For the Comparable Quarter, we recognized total equity losses of approximately $5.6 million.

Income Tax Expense — Income tax expense for the Current Quarter was $2.1 million compared to $8.3 million for the Comparable Quarter. Our effective tax rates for the Current Quarter and Comparable Quarter were (11.5)% and (50.3)%, respectively. Income tax expense for the Current Quarter primarily relates to income from our non-U.S. businesses. The effective tax rate was negatively impacted by the change in valuation allowance related to operating losses for which we cannot currently recognize a tax benefit.

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Our overall total net revenues of $144.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (the “Current Period”) decreased by $228.7 million, or 61%, compared to total net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (the “Comparable Period”). Our overall gross profit (loss) percentage for the Current Period was (10)%, compared to 33%, for the Comparable Period. For the Current Period, our income (loss) from operations was $(100.3) million, compared to $18.1 million, for the Comparable Period.

Net loss for the Current Period was $19.6 million, or $(0.12) per share, compared to a net income of $52.6 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, in the Comparable Period. The Current Period results were positively impacted by special items totaling $93.6 million, primarily related to an additional partial reversal of a litigation reserve. The Comparable Period was impacted by a reduction in our loss contingency accrual and included a non-recurring gain on the sale of our Source product line. Excluding the impact of these special items, adjusted net loss for the Current Period was $113.2 million, or $(0.69) per share, compared to adjusted net loss of $23.1 million, or $(0.14) per share, in the Comparable Period.

Net Revenues, Gross Profits and Gross Margins

Solutions — Net revenues for the Current Period decreased by $103.7 million, or 52%, to $94.0 million, compared to $197.7 million for the Comparable Period. Revenues for our multi-client businesses within Solutions decreased due to the continued softness of exploration spending. Data processing revenues were also impacted by the softness in exploration spending and by $15.0 million of revenues recognized in the first quarter of 2014 that related to work performed for a customer in 2013.

Gross profit (loss) decreased by $58.2 million to a gross loss of $(7.0) million, representing a (7)% gross margin, compared to a gross profit of $51.2 million, representing a 26% gross margin, in the Comparable Period. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to the decline in revenues and the additional $15.0 million of revenues recognized in the first quarter of 2014 which related to work performed for a customer in 2013.

Systems — Net revenues for the Current Period decreased by $44.2 million, or 61%, to $27.7 million, compared to $71.9 million for the Comparable Period. Gross profit decreased by $23.9 million to $7.4 million, representing a 27% gross margin, for the Current Period compared to $31.3 million, representing a 43% gross margin, for the Comparable Period. This decrease in revenues in the Current Period was principally due to reduced activity by seismic contractors as they have taken vessels out of service resulting in a reduction in repairs and purchases of spares. Gross profits and gross margin decreased due to the significant reduction in revenues in the Current Period compared to the Comparable Period.

Software — Net revenues for the Current Period decreased by $9.3 million, or 29%, to $22.3 million, compared to $31.6 million for the Comparable Period. Gross profit for the Current Period decreased by $9.2 million to $14.2 million, compared to $23.4 million in the Comparable Period. The decrease in revenues was due to a decrease in Orca licensing revenues occurring in the Current Period and, to a lesser extent the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Gross margin of 64% in the Current Period decreased from the 74% gross margin in the Comparable Period primarily due to the decline in revenues in the Current Period.

Ocean Bottom Services — Net revenues for the Current Period were zero compared to $71.5 million for the Comparable Period. Gross profit (loss) for the Current Period was $(29.5) million compared to gross profit of $18.4 million for the Comparable Period. OceanGeo did not record any revenues during the Current Period due to its vessels remaining idle while it attempts to secure a backlog of future orders.

Operating Expenses

Research, Development and Engineering — Research, development and engineering expense was $21.5 million for the Current Period, a decrease of $8.8 million compared to $30.3 million for the Comparable Period. As stated previously, we have been selective in spending on R&D projects in order to reduce expenses without sacrificing our ability to develop our technologies. As discussed above, we see significant long-term potential for our technologies to improve ocean bottom survey productivity, and we expect long-term demand for ocean bottom production surveys (4D) to increase.

Marketing and Sales — Marketing and sales expense was $23.4 million for the Current Period, a decrease of $4.2 million compared to $27.6 million for the Comparable Period. During the current down-cycle in E&P exploration spending, we have also reduced our payroll and marketing expenses.

General, Administrative and Other Operating Expenses — General, administrative and other operating expenses were $40.6 million for the Current Period, a decrease of $7.7 million compared to $48.3 million for the Comparable Period. This decrease in expenses was primarily related to the inclusion of $3.1 million of bad debt expense in the Comparable Period related to a customer bankruptcy while the Current Period included $2.1 million of bad debt recoveries. Excluding the impact of bad debt expenses and recoveries, our general, administrative and other operating expenses decreased $2.5 million, which was primarily the result of the restructuring actions taken in 2014 and 2015 that reduced expenses in the Current Period.

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Other Items

Interest Expense, net — Interest expense, net, was $14.1 million for the Current Period compared to $14.8 million for the Comparable Period. Interest expense in both quarters is primarily related to the Notes. For additional information, please refer to “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Sources of Capital” below.

Equity in Losses of Investments — We account for our investment in INOVA Geophysical as an equity method investment. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value of our investment in INOVA Geophysical was zero. Therefore, we did not record a share of earnings or losses related to INOVA’s losses for the Current Period. For details of our suspension of recording equity method losses, see Footnote 3 “Segment Information” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements. For the Comparable Period, we recorded total equity losses of approximately $9.0 million.

Other Income, Net — Other income for the Current Period was $98.0 million compared to other income of $74.0 million for the Comparable Period. This difference was primarily due to the reduction in our loss contingency accrual recorded in the Current Period being $102.0 million compared to the reduction in our loss contingency accrual recorded in the Comparable Period of $69.6 million. Additionally, we sold our Source product line for $14.4 million recording a gain of $6.5 million, before taxes, in the Comparable Period.

The following table reflects the significant items of other income (expense), net as follows (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Reductions of loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)	$	101,978		$	69,557
Facility restructuring charges (Footnote 2)	(2,791		)	—
Gain on sale of Source product line	—			6,522
Other expense, net	(1,152		)	(2,109		)
Total other income (expense), net	$	98,035		$	73,970

Income Tax Expense— Income tax expense for the Current Period was $3.6 million compared to $14.3 million for the Comparable Period. Our effective tax rates for the Current Period and Comparable Period were (22.1)% and 20.9%, respectively. Our income tax expense for the Current Period primarily relates to income from our non-US businesses. Our effective tax rate for the Current Period was negatively impacted by the change in valuation allowance related to operating losses for which we cannot currently recognize a tax benefit. See further discussion of establishment of the deferred tax valuation allowance at Footnote 6 “Income Taxes”of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Capital

As of September 30, 2015, we had $88.2 million of cash on hand and an undrawn borrowing base of $40.0 million under the Credit Facility (as defined below). Our cash requirements include working capital requirements and cash required for our debt service payments, multi-client seismic data acquisition activities and capital expenditures. As of September 30, 2015, we had working capital of $80.1 million. Working capital requirements are primarily driven by (i) our manufacture of OBS equipment to be used in our Ocean Bottom Services segment ($14.3 million in the Current Period), (ii) our investment in our multi-client data library ($28.2 million in the Current Period) and, to a lesser extent, (iii) our inventory purchase obligations. Also, our headcount has traditionally been a significant driver of our working capital needs. Because a significant portion of our business is involved in the planning, processing and interpretation of seismic data services, one of our largest investments is in our employees, which involves cash expenditures for their salaries, bonuses, payroll taxes and related compensation expenses. As noted above, in December 2014 and the Current Period, we have reduced our workforce by approximately 50%, and reduced salaries by 10% for a majority of our employees for the remainder of 2015 and closed selected facilities. We expect these actions will result in annualized cash savings of approximately $80 million.

Our working capital requirements may change from time to time depending upon many factors, including our operating results and adjustments in our operating plan in response to industry conditions, competition and unexpected events. In recent years, our primary sources of funds have been cash flows generated from operations, existing cash balances, debt and equity issuances and borrowings under our revolving credit facilities.

Credit Facility, including Revolving Line of Credit — In August 2014, we and our material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (the “Subsidiary Borrowers”), entered into a credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). For a complete discussion of the terms, available credit and security of this Credit Facility, see Footnote 6 to the Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

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On August 4, 2015, we and our Subsidiary Borrowers amended the terms of the Credit Facility pursuant to a First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated effective as of August 4, 2015 (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment provided for, among other things, (i) the assignment of all of the commitments of the lenders under the Credit Facility to PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), with PNC becoming the sole lender under the Credit Facility, (ii) the reduction of the maximum amount of the revolving line of credit under the Credit Facility from $80.0 million to $40.0 million, (iii) the elimination of the requirement that we not exceed a maximum senior secured leverage ratio, (iv) the amendment of the borrowing base formula under the Credit Facility and (v) the removal of the accordion features under the Credit Facility. For additional information regarding the terms of the First Amendment, see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015.

The borrowing base under the First Amendment will increase or decrease monthly using an amended formula based on certain eligible receivables, eligible inventory and other amounts, including a percentage of the net orderly liquidation value of our multi-client data library (not to exceed $15.0 million for the multi-client data library data component).  The amended formula also removes the qualified cash component of up to $20.0 million. At September 30, 2015, the borrowing base under the Credit Facility was $40.0 million, and there was no outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility.

The interest rate on revolving credit borrowings under the Credit Facility, as amended by the First Amendment, will be, at our option, (i) an alternate base rate equal to the highest of (a) the prime rate of PNC, (b) a federal funds effective rate plus 0.50% or (c) a LIBOR-based rate plus 1.00%, plus an applicable interest margin of 2.50% (increased from 1.50%), or (ii) a LIBOR-based rate, plus an applicable interest margin of 3.50% (increased from 2.50%). If we had borrowed any funds on September 30, 2015, we would have incurred interest at an annual rate of approximately 2.69%. The revolving credit indebtedness under the Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on the earlier of (x) August 22, 2019 or (y) the date which is 90 days prior to the maturity date of the Notes (or such later due date if the Notes have been refinanced).

The Credit Facility requires us to maintain compliance with various covenants. At September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Facility. For further information regarding our Credit Facility and the First Amendment, see Footnote 4 “Long-term Debt” of Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes — In May 2013, we sold $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”) in a private offering. The Notes are senior secured second-priority obligations guaranteed by our material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. and mature on May 15, 2018. Interest on the Notes accrues at the rate of 8.125% per annum and is payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year during their term. In May 2014, the holders of the Notes exchanged their Notes for a like principal amount of registered Notes with the same terms.

On or after May 15, 2015, we may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15th of the years indicated below:

Date	Percentage
2015	104.063%
2016	102.031%
2017 and thereafter	100.000%

The Indenture governing the Notes requires us to maintain compliance with various covenants. At September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Indenture. For further information regarding the Notes, see Footnote 4 “Long-term Debt” of Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

For additional information regarding the terms of the Notes and related Indenture and Intercreditor Agreement, see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 13, 2013.

Meeting our Liquidity Requirements

As of September 30, 2015, our total outstanding indebtedness (including capital lease obligations) was approximately $186.3 million, consisting of approximately $175.0 million outstanding Notes and $11.3 million of equipment capital leases. As of September 30, 2015, there was no outstanding indebtedness under our Credit Facility.

For the Current Period, total capital expenditures, including the manufacture of OBS equipment and investments in our multi-client data library, were $45.8 million. As discussed above, we began investing in MexicoSPAN early in the third quarter of 2015. This project is well funded by several of our major E&P customers. We expect investments in our multi-client data library in the fourth quarter of this year to be in the range of $15 million to $25 million. Our full year investment in our multi-client data library has been significantly reduced in 2015 compared to 2014 due to the uncertainty in the E&P industry and their reduced capital expenditures budgets for 2015. See “Executive Summary – Macroeconomic Conditions” above.

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We believe that the First Amendment to our Credit Facility and the decision by the Court of Appeals related to the WesternGeco lawsuit will improve our liquidity position and give us more flexibility in how we invest cash into our businesses. Subject to a payment obligation in the amount of the loss contingency we have established with respect to our ongoing WesternGeco litigation (as discussed below), we believe that our existing cash balance, cash to be generated from our increased revenues in the third quarter and our borrowing availability under our Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months. However, under the current market conditions (as discussed above), there is still uncertainty as to the levels of exploration spending by our E&P customers in the fourth quarter of 2015 and into 2016, which could negatively impact our cash generated by operations.

As set forth below, a potential future requirement to satisfy a payment obligation with respect to the WesternGeco litigation in excess of our loss contingency accrual could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and, as a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Loss Contingency – WesternGeco Lawsuit

As of September 30, 2015, we have a loss contingency of $22 million accrued related to the legal proceedings with WesternGeco. As described at Part II, Item 1. “Legal Proceedings,” there are possible scenarios involving an outcome in the WesternGeco lawsuit that could materially and adversely affect our liquidity. Prior to the reduction in damages by the Court of Appeals, we arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond at the trial court. The appeal bond is uncollateralized, but the terms of the appeal bond arrangements provide the sureties the contractual right for as long as the bond is outstanding to require us to post cash collateral. We have received a request for $11 million in collateral and are in negotiations with the sureties.

We may not ultimately prevail in the final appeals process and we could be required to pay damages up to the amount of the loss contingency accrual plus any additional amount ordered by the court. Our assessment of our potential loss contingency may change in the future due to developments at the appellate court and other events, such as changes in applicable law, and such reassessment could lead to the determination that no loss contingency is probable or that a greater loss contingency is probable, which could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Amounts of estimated loss contingency accruals as disclosed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or elsewhere are based on currently available information and involve elements of judgment and significant uncertainties. Actual losses may exceed or be less than these accrual amounts.

Cash Flow from Operations

In the Current Period, we consumed $36.0 million in our operating activities compared to a net generation of $87.0 million in the Comparable Period. Due to the reduction in seismic spending from E&P customers, as discussed above, we experienced significantly reduced revenues, which resulted in a significant use of cash from operations in the Current Period.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $44.5 million for the Current Period, compared to$50.9 million for the Comparable Period. The principal use of cash in our investing activities during the Current Period was $28.2 million cash invested in our multi-client data library and $17.6 million of capital expenditures on property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment. This increase in capital expenditures on property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment includes $14.3 million related to the manufacture of OBS equipment to be placed in service in our Ocean Bottom Services segment.

The principal use of cash in our investing activities during the Comparable Period was $57.3 million cash invested in our multi-client data library, $6.8 million for capital expenditures related to property, plant and equipment, and a net investment in OceanGeo of $3.1 million. Subtracted from these sums were the proceeds from the sale of our Source product line for $14.4 million.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $5.5 million for the Current Period, compared to $54.4 million of cash used in financing activities in the Comparable Period. The primary use of cash in our financing activities during the Current Period was for payments on equipment capital leases.

The net cash flow used in financing activities during the Comparable Period was primarily related to the $35.0 million of net repayments on our revolving line of credit, and $11.7 million of payments of long-term debt.

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Inflation and Seasonality

Inflation in recent years has not had a material effect on our costs of goods or labor, or the prices for our products or services. Traditionally, our business has been seasonal, with strongest demand often occurring in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a complete discussion of our significant accounting policies and estimates. There have been no material changes in the Current Period regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates. For discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Footnote 16 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” of Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Foreign Sales Risks

The majority of our foreign sales are denominated in United States dollars. Product revenues are allocated to geographical locations on the basis of the ultimate destination of the equipment, if known. If the ultimate destination of such equipment is not known, product revenues are allocated to the geographical location of initial shipment. Service revenues, which primarily relate to our GeoVentures and Data Processing divisions, are allocated based upon the billing location of the customer. For the Current Period and Comparable Period, international sales comprised 72% and 76%, respectively, of total net revenues. The total percentage of sales from foreign countries decreased in the Current Period compared to the Comparable Period due to our revenues in North America decreasing at a lower rate than the decrease in revenues that we experienced in the international markets.

The following table is a summary of net revenues by geographic area (in thousands):	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014
Net revenues by geographic area:
Latin America	$	44,522	$	93,216
North America	40,930		90,808
Asia Pacific	11,991		38,435
Europe	11,849		75,116
Middle East	14,875		32,629
Africa	10,475		39,707
Other	9,405		2,753
Total	$	144,047	$	372,664

Credit Risks

At September 30, 2015, we had two customers (Conoco and Pemex) with combined accounts and unbilled receivable balances greater than 10% of our total combined accounts and unbilled receivables balances. These customers’ receivable and unbilled balances represented 14% and 12%, respectively, of our net accounts receivable and unbilled receivables at September 30, 2015.

The loss of any one of these customers or a deterioration in our relationship with these customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Refer to Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a discussion regarding our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk. There have been no material changes to those disclosures during the Current Period.

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file with or submit to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified by the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act, and they include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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Our management carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2015. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There was not any change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2015, which has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

WesternGeco

In June 2009, WesternGeco L.L.C. (“WesternGeco”) filed a lawsuit against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. In the lawsuit, styled WesternGeco L.L.C. v. ION Geophysical Corporation, WesternGeco alleged that we had infringed several method and apparatus claims contained in four of its United States patents regarding marine seismic streamer steering devices.

The trial began in July 2012. A verdict was returned by the jury in August 2012, finding that we infringed the claims contained in the four patents by supplying our DigiFIN^® lateral streamer control units and the related software from the United States and awarded WesternGeco the sum of $105.9 million in damages, consisting of $12.5 million in reasonable royalty and $93.4 million in lost profits.

In June 2013, the presiding judge entered a Memorandum and Order, ruling that WesternGeco is entitled to be awarded supplemental damages for the additional DigiFIN units that were supplied from the United States before and after the trial that were not included in the jury verdict due to the timing of the trial. In October 2013, the judge entered another Memorandum and Order, ruling on the number of DigiFIN units that are subject to supplemental damages and also ruling that the supplemental damages applicable to the additional units should be calculated by adding together the jury’s previous reasonable royalty and lost profits damages awards per unit, resulting in supplemental damages of $73.1 million.

In April 2014, the judge entered another Order, ruling that lost profits should not have been included in the calculation of supplemental damages in the October 2013 Memorandum and Order and reducing the supplemental damages award in the case from $73.1 million to $9.4 million. In the Order, the judge also further reduced the damages award in the case by $3.0 million to reflect a settlement and license that WesternGeco entered into with a customer of ours that had purchased and used DigiFIN units that were also included in the damage amounts awarded against us.

In May 2014, the judge signed and entered a Final Judgment in the amount of $123.8 million. The Final Judgment also included an injunction that enjoins us, our agents and anyone acting in concert with us, from supplying in or from the United States the DigiFIN product or any parts unique to the DigiFIN product, or any instrumentality no more than colorably different from any of these products or parts, for combination outside of the United States. We have conducted our business in compliance with the district court’s orders in the case, and we have reorganized our operations such that we no longer supply the DigiFIN product or any part unique to the DigiFIN product in or from the United States.

We and WesternGeco each appealed the Final Judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. On July 2, 2015, the Court of Appeals reversed in part the district court’s judgment, holding the district court erred by including lost profits in the Final Judgment. Lost profits were $93.4 million and prejudgment interest was approximately $10.9 million of the $123.8 million Final Judgment. Pre-judgment interest on the lost profits portion will be treated in the same way as the lost profits. Post-judgment interest will likewise be treated in the same fashion. On July 29, 2015, WesternGeco filed a petition for rehearing en banc before the Court of Appeals. On October 30, 2015 the Court of Appeals denied WesternGeco’s petition for rehearing en banc. WesternGeco has up to 90 days to determine whether or not it will file a writ requesting the Supreme Court to review the case.

As previously disclosed, we had taken a loss contingency accrual of $124 million. As a result of the reversal by the Court of Appeals, as of June 30, 2015, we have reduced our loss contingency accrual to its current amount of $22 million as of June 30, 2015. Our assessment of our potential loss contingency may change in the future due to developments in the case and other events, such as changes in applicable law, and such reassessment could lead to the determination that no loss contingency is probable or that a greater or lesser loss contingency is probable. Any such reassessment could have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Prior to the reduction in damages by the Court of Appeals, we arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond at the trial court. The appeal bond is uncollateralized, but the terms of the appeal bond arrangements provide the sureties the contractual right for as long as the bond is outstanding to require us to post cash collateral. We have received a request for $11 million in collateral and are in negotiations with the sureties. The appeal bond will remain outstanding during the pendency of appeals.

For additional discussion about the effect of posting an appeal bond on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations, see Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Loss Contingency – WesternGeco Lawsuit” in Part I of this Form 10-Q.

35

Other Litigation

We have been named in various other lawsuits or threatened actions that are incidental to our ordinary business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, cause us to incur costs and expenses, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. The results of these lawsuits and actions cannot be predicted with certainty. We currently believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

This report contains or incorporates by reference statements concerning our future results and performance and other matters that are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Examples of other forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this report include statements regarding:

• the expected outcome of the WesternGeco litigation and future potential adverse effects on our liquidity in the event that the decision of the Court of Appeals is reversed;

• future oil and gas commodity prices;

• future levels of capital expenditures of our customers for seismic activities;

• the effects of current and future worldwide economic conditions (particularly in developing countries) and demand for oil and natural gas and seismic equipment and services;

• future borrowing capacity on our Credit Facility based on future levels of our borrowing base;

• the effects of current and future unrest in the Middle East, North Africa and other regions, including Ukraine;

• the timing of anticipated revenues and the recognition of those revenues for financial accounting purposes;

• the effects of ongoing and future industry consolidation, including, in particular, the effects of consolidation and vertical integration in the towed marine seismic streamers market;

• the timing of future revenue realization of anticipated orders for multi-client survey projects and data processing work in our Solutions segment;

• future levels of our capital expenditures;

• future government regulations, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico;

• expected net revenues, income from operations and net income;

• expected gross margins for our services and products;

• our Ocean Bottom Services chartered vessels remaining idle for an extended period;

• future seismic industry fundamentals, including future demand for seismic services and equipment;

• future benefits to our customers to be derived from new services and products;

• future benefits to be derived from our investments in technologies, joint ventures and acquired companies;

• future growth rates for our services and products;

• the degree and rate of future market acceptance of our new services and products;

• expectations regarding E&P companies and seismic contractor end-users purchasing our more technologically-advanced services and products;

• anticipated timing and success of commercialization and capabilities of services and products under development and start-up costs associated with their development;

• future cash needs and future availability of cash to fund our operations and pay our obligations;

• potential future acquisitions;

• future opportunities for new services and products and projected research and development expenses;

36

• expected continued compliance with our debt financial covenants;

• expectations regarding realization of deferred tax assets; and

• anticipated results with respect to certain estimates we make for financial accounting purposes.

These forward-looking statements reflect our best judgment about future events and trends based on the information currently available to us. Our results of operations can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we make or by risks and uncertainties known or unknown to us. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the forward-looking statements. Actual events and results of operations may vary materially from our current expectations and assumptions.

Information regarding factors that may cause actual results to vary from our expectations, referred to as “risk factors,” appears in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” as previously filed with the SEC. In addition to the risk factors appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, we believe the following risk factors should be considered carefully.

If we cannot meet the continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE may delist our common shares, which would have an adverse impact on the trading volume, liquidity and market price of our common shares.

On August 11, 2015, we were notified by the NYSE that the average closing price of our common shares had fallen below $1.00 per share over a period of 30 consecutive trading days, which is the minimum average share price required by the NYSE under Section 802.01C of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The notice has no immediate impact on the listing of our common shares, which will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE during the six-month period described below, subject to our compliance with other listing standards, under the symbol “IO.”

We have six months following receipt of the NYSE’s notice to regain compliance with the NYSE’s minimum share price requirement. We can regain compliance at any time during the six-month cure period if on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period our common shares have a closing share price of at least $1.00 and an average closing share price of at least $1.00 over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of such month. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we determine that we must cure the price condition by taking an action that will require approval of our stockholders, we may also regain compliance by: (i) obtaining the requisite stockholder approval by no later than our next annual meeting, (ii) implementing the action promptly thereafter and (iii) the price of our common shares promptly exceeding $1.00 per share, and the price remaining above that level for at least the following 30 trading days.

A delisting of our common shares from the NYSE would negatively impact us because it would: (i) reduce the liquidity and market price of our common shares; (ii) reduce the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common shares, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing; (iii) limit our ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing us from accessing the public capital markets, and (iv) impair our ability to provide equity incentives to our employees.

We may from time to time take steps to address the delisting and other issues including but not limited to (i) repurchasing outstanding equity, (ii) reverse stock splits, (iii) mergers, acquisitions or other strategic combinations or arrangements with other parties, or (iv) selected divestures or other sales of certain assets. Any stock repurchase undertaken may include open market repurchases, block trades and other purchases of outstanding equity and the implementation would depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. Any such repurchases could negatively affect our liquidity and any reverse splits undertaken could negatively impact shareholder value.

We may take steps to reduce or refinance outstanding debt, including the Notes, which could impact the market for our securities and negatively affect our liquidity.

We may from time to time take steps to reduce or refinance outstanding debt, including the Notes, or otherwise to reduce interest expense and other debt service obligations. These steps may include open market repurchases, redemptions, maturity extensions, exchange offers and other retirements, purchases or refinancing of outstanding debt, including the Notes, in whole or in part, in addition to making any required scheduled installment payments. The implementation of any such steps would depend on prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. Any such repurchases or redemptions could negatively affect our liquidity.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c) During the three months ended September 30, 2015, in connection with the vesting of (or lapse of restrictions on) shares of our restricted stock held by certain employees, we acquired shares of our common stock in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations that were incurred on the vesting date. The date of acquisition, number of shares and average effective acquisition price per share were as follows:

37

Period	(a) Total Number of Shares Acquired	(b) Average Price Paid Per Share		(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Program	(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Program
July 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015	—	$	—	Not applicable	Not applicable
August 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015	—	$	—	Not applicable	Not applicable
September 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015	2,296	$	0.52	Not applicable	Not applicable
Total	2,296	$	0.52

Item 5. Other Information

None.

38

Item 6.Exhibits

31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
101	The following materials are formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (v) Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

39

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION
By	/s/ Steven A. Bate
	Steven A. Bate
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 5, 2015

40

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
101	The following materials are formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (v) Footnotes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

41

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a)

I, R. Brian Hanson, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015, of ION Geophysical Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 5, 2015	/s/ R. Brian Hanson
	R. Brian Hanson
	President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a)

I, Steven A. Bate, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015, of ION Geophysical Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 5, 2015	/s/ Steven A. Bate
	Steven A. Bate
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report of ION Geophysical Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, R. Brian Hanson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: November 5, 2015	/s/ R. Brian Hanson
	R. Brian Hanson
	President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report of ION Geophysical Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Steven A. Bate, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: November 5, 2015	/s/ Steven A. Bate
	Steven A. Bate
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

XML

Long-term Debt - Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Obligations
Total debt	$ 186,278	$ 190,594
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	(6,612)	(7,649)
Non-current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	179,666	182,945
Senior secured second-priority notes [Member]
Obligations
Total debt	175,000	175,000
Equipment capital leases [Member]
Obligations
Total debt	11,278	15,059
Revolving credit facility [Member]
Obligations
Total debt	0	0
Other debt [Member]
Obligations
Total debt	$ 0	$ 535

XML

Stock-based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2015 individual $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs issued | shares	3,108,107
Number of individuals received SARs | individual	16
Exercise price of SARs	$ 2.28
Vesting period of SARs	4 years
Number of days weighted average price of common stock must be greater than a percentage of exercise price of SARs	20 days
Annual vesting percentage	33.33%
Share-based compensation expense | $		$ 0.6
Phase one [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage that weighted average price of common stock must be greater than exercise price of SARs	120.00%
Annual vesting percentage	33.33%
Phase two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage that weighted average price of common stock must be greater than exercise price of SARs	125.00%
Annual vesting percentage	33.33%
Phase three [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage that weighted average price of common stock must be greater than exercise price of SARs	130.00%
Annual vesting percentage	33.33%

XML

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Raw materials and subassemblies	$ 36,530	$ 41,461
Work-in-process	6,467	18,221
Finished goods	16,213	21,284
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories	(24,527)	(29,804)
Total	34,683	$ 51,162
Inventory adjustments	$ (5,300)

XML

Stock-based Compensation - Valuation Assumptions (Details)	Mar. 01, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rates	2.03%
Expected lives (in years)	2 years 8 months 9 days
Expected dividend yield	0.00%
Expected volatility	60.27%

XML

Other Income (Expense), Net - Summary of Other Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Reductions of loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 101,978	$ 69,557
Facility restructuring charges (Footnote 2)	296	0	(2,791)	0
Gain on sale of product line	0	0	0	6,522
Other expense, net	(642)	(622)	(1,152)	(2,109)
Total other income, net	$ (346)	$ (622)	$ 98,035	$ 73,970

XML

Acquisition of OceanGeo (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Amounts presented below are in thousands, except for the per share amounts:

Pro forma Consolidated ION Income Statement Information	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Net revenues	$	381,902
Income from operations	$	22,492
Net income	$	55,838
Net income attributable to ION	$	53,684
Basic and diluted net income per common share	$	0.33

XML

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	May. 31, 2013	May. 13, 2013
Senior Notes [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt	$ 175,000,000	$ 175,000,000

XML

Restructurings (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring and Related Costs

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized the following charges and credits (in thousands):

	Severance Charges(a)			Facility Charges(b)			Total
Cost of goods sold	$	3,981		$	—		$	3,981
Operating expenses	1,910			1,323			3,233
Other (income) expense	—			1,618			1,618
Income tax benefit	(119		)	(150		)	(269		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(172		)	—			(172		)
Consolidated total	$	5,600		$	2,791		$	8,391

^(a)  Represents severance charges related to 2015 restructurings, a portion of which relates to a noncontrolling interest.

^(b)  Represents facility charges related to 2015 restructurings.

XML

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2014			$ (12,807)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (1,365)	$ (1,866)	(757)	$ (582)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2015	(13,564)		(13,564)
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2014			(12,807)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)			(757)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2015	$ (13,564)		$ (13,564)

XML

Net Income (Loss) per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Number of shares issued or committed for issuance under outstanding stock options	8,643,375	9,111,725
Number of shares of restricted stock and shares reserved for restricted stock units outstanding	1,363,534	1,386,336

XML

Restructurings - Restructuring Charges (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	$ 8,391
Severance Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	5,600
Facility Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	2,791
Cost of goods sold [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	3,981
Cost of goods sold [Member] | Severance Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	3,981
Cost of goods sold [Member] | Facility Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	0
Operating expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	3,233
Operating expenses [Member] | Severance Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	1,910
Operating expenses [Member] | Facility Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	1,323
Other (income) expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	1,618
Other (income) expense [Member] | Facility Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	1,618
Income tax benefit [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	(269)
Income tax benefit [Member] | Severance Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	(119)
Income tax benefit [Member] | Facility Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	(150)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	(172)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest [Member] | Severance Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges	$ (172)

XML

Acquisition of OceanGeo - Pro Forma Income Statement Information (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 381,902
Income (loss) from operations	22,492
Net income (loss)	55,838
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	$ 53,684
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share, in dollars per share | $ / shares	$ 0.33

XML

Subsequent Events (Details)	Nov. 05, 2015 USD ($)
Subsequent event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount	$ 25,000,000

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Other Income (Expense), Net - Disposal of Product Line (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line				$ 0	$ 14,394
Gain on sale of Source product line		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 6,522
Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line	$ 14,400
Gain on sale of Source product line	6,500
Reduction due to sale of Source product line	$ 5,100

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Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

The Company operates through four business segments – Solutions, Systems, Software and Ocean Bottom Services. The Company measures segment operating results based on income (loss) from operations. In addition, the Company has an equity ownership interest in its INOVA Geophysical joint venture. As of December 31, 2014, the Company wrote down its investment in INOVA Geophysical to zero and has suspended recording its share of losses in the joint venture. If at a future date, the Company’s cumulative share of earnings during the period of suspension becomes greater than its share of losses during the same period, the Company will begin to record its share of earnings in the joint venture as long as its net equity method investment remains greater than zero.

The following table is a summary of segment information (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net revenues:
Solutions:
New Venture	$	26,650		$	18,446		$	35,315		$	76,499
Data Library	15,302			3,262			24,948			30,104
Total multi-client revenues	41,952			21,708			60,263			106,603
Data Processing	10,693			24,151			33,731			91,131
Total	$	52,645		$	45,859		$	93,994		$	197,734
Systems:
Towed Streamer	$	4,426		$	13,666		$	12,273		$	35,782
Other	2,864			11,029			15,460			36,166
Total	$	7,290		$	24,695		$	27,733		$	71,948
Software:
Software Systems	$	5,869		$	9,922		$	19,396		$	28,384
Services	870			1,088			2,924			3,198
Total	$	6,739		$	11,010		$	22,320		$	31,582
Ocean Bottom Services	$	—		$	24,976		$	—		$	71,454
Total	$	66,674		$	106,540		$	144,047		$	372,718
Gross profit (loss):
Solutions	$	11,294		$	5,927		$	(6,954	)	$	51,207
Systems	1,366			10,123			7,425			31,288
Software	4,399			8,326			14,197			23,388
Ocean Bottom Services	(5,951		)	4,847			(29,483		)	18,422
Total	$	11,108		$	29,223		$	(14,815	)	$	124,305
Gross margin:
Solutions	21		%	13		%	(7		)%	26		%
Systems	19		%	41		%	27		%	43		%
Software	65		%	76		%	64		%	74		%
Ocean Bottom Services	—		%	19		%	—		%	26		%
Total	17		%	27		%	(10		)%	33		%
Income (loss) from operations:
Solutions	$	768		$	(5,960	)	$	(40,766	)	$	11,733
Systems	(1,295		)	2,917			(2,660		)	9,835
Software	2,444			6,227			7,874			16,985
Ocean Bottom Services	(7,289		)	1,677			(34,856		)	12,333
Corporate and other	(7,502		)	(10,210		)	(29,844		)	(32,779		)
Income (loss) from operations	(12,874		)	(5,349		)	(100,252		)	18,107
Interest expense, net	(4,854		)	(5,048		)	(14,086		)	(14,779		)
Equity in losses of investments	—			(5,558		)	—			(9,027		)
Other income (expense), net	(346		)	(622		)	98,035			73,970
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(18,074	)	$	(16,577	)	$	(16,303	)	$	68,271

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Net Income (Loss) per Share - Basic and Diluted Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	$ (20,383)	$ (24,541)	$ (19,578)	$ 52,626
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	164,755	164,149	164,672	164,021
Effect of dilutive stock awards (in shares)	0	0	0	305
Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding (in shares)	164,755	164,149	164,672	164,326
Basic net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.12)	$ 0.32
Diluted net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.12)	$ 0.32

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Other Income (Expense), Net (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Income, Net

The following table is a summary of other income (expense), net (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Reductions of loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)	$	—		$	—		$	101,978		$	69,557
Facility restructuring charges (Footnote 2)	296			—			(2,791		)	—
Gain on sale of product line(a)	—			—			—			6,522
Other expense, net	(642		)	(622		)	(1,152		)	(2,109		)
Total other income (expense), net	$	(346	)	$	(622	)	$	98,035		$	73,970

^(a)  In May 2014, the Company sold its Source product line for approximately $14.4 million, net of transaction fees, recording a gain of approximately $6.5 million before taxes. As a part of this transaction, the Company reduced Goodwill on the Marine reporting unit by $5.1 million. The historical results of this product line have not been material to the Company’s results of operations.

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Net Income (Loss) per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of basic and diluted net income per common share

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(20,383	)	$	(24,541	)	$	(19,578	)	$	52,626
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	164,755			164,149			164,672			164,021
Effect of dilutive stock awards	—			—			—			305
Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding	164,755			164,149			164,672			164,326
Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.12	)	$	0.32
Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.12	)	$	0.32

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Related Party Transactions (Details) - BGP Joint Venture [Member] - Co-venturer [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Company's outstanding common stock owned by BGP, percent	14.40%
Related party transaction, revenues from transactions with related party	$ 5.2	$ 5.1

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Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Effective income tax rates	(11.50%)	(50.30%)	(22.10%)	20.90%
Income tax expense	$ 2,082,000	$ 8,345,000	$ 3,597,000	$ 14,261,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	1,200,000		1,200,000
United States Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net deferred tax assets	$ 0		$ 0

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Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Summary of Inventories

Inventories

The following table is a summary of inventories (in thousands):	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Raw materials and subassemblies	$	36,530		$	41,461
Work-in-process	6,467			18,221
Finished goods	16,213			21,284
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories	(24,527		)	(29,804		)
Total	$	34,683		$	51,162

Summary of Other Long-term Liabilities

Other Long-term Liabilities

The following table is a summary of other long-term liabilities (in thousands):	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)	$	22,000	$	123,770
Deferred rents	13,397		13,416
Facility restructuring accrual	3,298		3,353
Other long-term liabilities	1,135		3,265
Total	$	39,830	$	143,804

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table is a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in thousands):

	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2014	$	(12,807	)	$	(12,807	)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(757		)	(757		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2015	$	(13,564	)	$	(13,564	)

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Restructurings

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructurings

Restructurings

The recent decline in crude oil prices to five-year lows and the depressed level of natural gas prices have negatively impacted the economic outlook of the Company’s exploration and production (“E&P”) company customers, which has also negatively impacted the outlook for the Company’s seismic contractor customers. In response to the decline in crude oil prices, E&P companies have reduced their capital expenditures and shifted their spending from exploration to production-related activities on existing assets. Seismic spending is discretionary; therefore, E&P companies have disproportionately cut their spending on seismic-related services and products.

During the first three quarters of 2015, the Company continued its restructuring program by (i) focusing on centralizing the Company’s global data processing capabilities to two core geographical hubs in the U.S. and the U.K., (ii) reducing the Company’s marine repair infrastructure to two locations in the U.S. and U.A.E., and (iii) making further reductions in personnel across all of the Company’s segments in the third quarter 2015 that, combined with reductions starting in December 2014 and continuing through the first nine months of 2015, have reduced the Company’s full-time employee base by approximately 50%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized the following charges and credits (in thousands):

	Severance Charges(a)			Facility Charges(b)			Total
Cost of goods sold	$	3,981		$	—		$	3,981
Operating expenses	1,910			1,323			3,233
Other (income) expense	—			1,618			1,618
Income tax benefit	(119		)	(150		)	(269		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(172		)	—			(172		)
Consolidated total	$	5,600		$	2,791		$	8,391

^(a)  Represents severance charges related to 2015 restructurings, a portion of which relates to a noncontrolling interest.

^(b)  Represents facility charges related to 2015 restructurings.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Summary of Non-cash Items from Investing and Financing Activities

The following table is a summary of cash paid for Interest and Income taxes and non-cash items from investing and financing activities (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	8,036		$	9,087
Income taxes	$	7,614		$	12,008
Non-cash items from investing and financing activities:
Purchases of computer equipment financed through capital leases	$	1,178		$	5,768
Investment in multi-client data library financed through accounts payable	$	13,617		$	1,298
Conversion of investment in a convertible note to equity	$	—		$	3,151
Transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	$	15,936	(a)	$	3,039

^(a)  This transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment relates to ocean bottom seismic equipment manufactured by the Company to be deployed in the acquisition of ocean bottom seismic data. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company purchased approximately $17.6 million of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, including approximately $14.3 million related to the manufacture of ocean bottom seismic equipment that will be used by the Ocean Bottom Services segment.

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Long-term Debt - Narrative (Details)	Aug. 04, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2014 USD ($)	May. 31, 2013 USD ($)	May. 13, 2013 USD ($)
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt				$ 175,000,000	$ 175,000,000
Stated rate on debt				8.125%
Line of Credit [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed charge coverage ratio	1.1
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving line of credit [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	$ 40,000,000	$ 40,000,000	$ 80,000,000
Limit for multi-client liquidation component	15,000,000.0
Qualified cash component, maximum to be removed	20,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Required Liquidity, Maintained Five Consecutive Business Days	5,000,000
Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Required Liquidity, Maintained Any Business Day	$ 4,000,000

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Carrying value of long-term debt	$ 186,278	$ 190,594
Fair value of long-term debt	$ 108,900	$ 162,600

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 88,239	$ 173,608	$ 129,847	$ 148,056
Accounts receivable, net	21,587	114,325
Unbilled receivables	32,387	22,599
Inventories	34,683	51,162
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,124	13,662
Total current assets	187,020	375,356
Deferred income tax asset	5,706	8,604
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	77,081	69,840
Multi-client data library, net	135,907	118,669
Goodwill	26,809	27,388
Intangible assets, net	5,306	6,788
Other assets	9,380	10,612
Total assets	447,209	617,257
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,612	7,649
Accounts payable	27,950	36,863
Accrued expenses	54,302	65,264
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	12,443	35,219
Deferred revenue	5,575	8,262
Total current liabilities	106,882	153,257
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	179,666	182,945
Other long-term liabilities	39,830	143,804
Total liabilities	326,378	480,006
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,200	1,539
Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares; outstanding 164,790,322 and 164,484,095 shares at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, net of treasury stock	1,648	1,645
Additional paid-in capital	892,007	887,749
Accumulated deficit	(753,987)	(734,409)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(13,564)	(12,807)
Treasury stock, at cost, 849,539 shares	(6,565)	(6,565)
Total stockholders' equity	119,539	135,613
Noncontrolling interest	92	99
Total equity	119,631	135,712
Total liabilities and equity	$ 447,209	$ 617,257

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Litigation (Details) - WesternGeco [Member] $ in Millions		1 Months Ended					36 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2015	May. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2009 Patent	Jul. 02, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of patent apparatus claims contained | Patent						4
Settled Litigation [Member]
Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]
Total damages awarded		$ 123.8	$ 9.4	$ 73.1	$ 105.9
Reduction in damages award in the case			$ (3.0)
Prejudgment interest expense accrued							$ 10.9
Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings								$ 22.0	$ 124.0
Settled Litigation [Member] | Subsequent event [Member]
Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]
Number Of Days To Request Writ To Review Case	90 days
Settled Litigation [Member] | Lost Royalties [Member]
Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]
Total damages awarded					12.5
Settled Litigation [Member] | Lost Profits [Member]
Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]
Total damages awarded					$ 93.4

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (19,900)	$ 54,010
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (other than multi-client data library)	19,660	20,989
Amortization of multi-client data library	24,531	46,014
Stock-based compensation expense	4,174	7,058
Reductions of accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings	(101,978)	(69,557)
Equity in losses of investments	0	9,027
Gain on sale of Source product line	0	(6,522)
Deferred income taxes	5,992	(1,536)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	92,424	71,540
Unbilled receivables	(9,837)	(8,036)
Inventories	464	(4,272)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued royalties	(43,676)	(31,324)
Deferred revenue	(2,576)	(4,153)
Other assets and liabilities	(5,274)	3,738
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(35,996)	86,976
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	(28,152)	(57,340)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental assets	(17,601)	(6,842)
Repayment of advance to INOVA Geophysical	0	1,000
Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation	0	(3,074)
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line	0	14,394
Other investing activities	1,262	928
Net cash used in investing activities	(44,491)	(50,934)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	0	15,000
Payments under revolving line of credit	0	(50,000)
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(5,431)	(11,737)
Costs associated with issuance of debt	(146)	(2,126)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest	0	(6,000)
Other financing activities	94	423
Net cash used in financing activities	(5,483)	(54,440)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	601	189
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(85,369)	(18,209)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	173,608	148,056
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 88,239	$ 129,847

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Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 66,674	$ 106,540	$ 144,047	$ 372,718
Cost of sales	55,566	77,317	158,862	248,413
Gross profit (loss)	11,108	29,223	(14,815)	124,305
Total operating expenses	23,982	34,572	85,437	106,198
Income (loss) from operations	(12,874)	(5,349)	(100,252)	18,107
Interest expense, net	(4,854)	(5,048)	(14,086)	(14,779)
Intercompany interest, net	0	0	0	0
Equity in losses of investments	0	(5,558)	0	(9,027)
Other income (expense)	(346)	(622)	98,035	73,970
Income (loss) before income taxes	(18,074)	(16,577)	(16,303)	68,271
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,082	8,345	3,597	14,261
Net income (loss)	(20,156)	(24,922)	(19,900)	54,010
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(227)	381	322	(1,384)
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	(20,383)	(24,541)	(19,578)	52,626
Comprehensive net income (loss)	(21,521)	(26,788)	(20,657)	53,428
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(227)	381	322	(1,384)
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	(21,748)	(26,407)	(20,335)	52,044
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | ION Geophysical Corporation [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	0	0	0	0
Cost of sales	0	0	0	0
Gross profit (loss)	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	3,914	7,599	18,296	24,138
Income (loss) from operations	(3,914)	(7,599)	(18,296)	(24,138)
Interest expense, net	(4,769)	(4,931)	(13,826)	(13,962)
Intercompany interest, net	184	(90)	466	(234)
Equity in losses of investments	(14,248)	(12,131)	9,881	92,195
Other income (expense)	326	(17)	268	(1,231)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(22,421)	(24,768)	(21,507)	52,630
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,038)	(227)	(1,929)	4
Net income (loss)	(20,383)	(24,541)	(19,578)	52,626
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	(20,383)	(24,541)	(19,578)	52,626
Comprehensive net income (loss)	(21,748)	(26,407)	(20,335)	52,044
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	(21,748)	(26,407)	(20,335)	52,044
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | The Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	41,768	33,344	83,082	159,347
Cost of sales	31,712	32,447	84,715	117,461
Gross profit (loss)	10,056	897	(1,633)	41,886
Total operating expenses	11,266	15,357	37,151	45,938
Income (loss) from operations	(1,210)	(14,460)	(38,784)	(4,052)
Interest expense, net	(107)	(58)	(279)	(148)
Intercompany interest, net	(806)	566	(2,208)	1,519
Equity in losses of investments	(12,141)	8,500	(45,091)	32,615
Other income (expense)	(9)	21	101,961	73,504
Income (loss) before income taxes	(14,273)	(5,431)	15,599	103,438
Income tax expense (benefit)	65	800	239	999
Net income (loss)	(14,338)	(6,231)	15,360	102,439
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	(14,338)	(6,231)	15,360	102,439
Comprehensive net income (loss)	(15,543)	(8,838)	14,794	102,957
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	(15,543)	(8,838)	14,794	102,957
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | All Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	25,072	73,947	61,972	215,400
Cost of sales	24,020	45,621	75,154	132,981
Gross profit (loss)	1,052	28,326	(13,182)	82,419
Total operating expenses	8,802	11,616	29,990	36,122
Income (loss) from operations	(7,750)	16,710	(43,172)	46,297
Interest expense, net	22	(59)	19	(669)
Intercompany interest, net	622	(476)	1,742	(1,285)
Equity in losses of investments	0	0	0	738
Other income (expense)	(663)	(626)	(4,194)	1,697
Income (loss) before income taxes	(7,769)	15,549	(45,605)	46,778
Income tax expense (benefit)	4,055	7,772	5,287	13,258
Net income (loss)	(11,824)	7,777	(50,892)	33,520
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(227)	381	322	(1,384)
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	(12,051)	8,158	(50,570)	32,136
Comprehensive net income (loss)	(12,940)	5,168	(51,458)	34,024
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(227)	381	322	(1,384)
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	(13,167)	5,549	(51,136)	32,640
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	(166)	(751)	(1,007)	(2,029)
Cost of sales	(166)	(751)	(1,007)	(2,029)
Gross profit (loss)	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from operations	0	0	0	0
Interest expense, net	0	0	0	0
Intercompany interest, net	0	0	0	0
Equity in losses of investments	26,389	(1,927)	35,210	(134,575)
Other income (expense)	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	26,389	(1,927)	35,210	(134,575)
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	26,389	(1,927)	35,210	(134,575)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	26,389	(1,927)	35,210	(134,575)
Comprehensive net income (loss)	28,710	3,289	36,342	(135,597)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$ 28,710	$ 3,289	$ 36,342	$ (135,597)

XML

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Balance Sheet

	September 30, 2015
Balance Sheet	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	25,470		$	—		$	62,769		$	—		$	88,239
Accounts receivable, net	6			11,017			10,564			—			21,587
Unbilled receivables	—			30,719			1,668			—			32,387
Inventories	—			12,578			22,105			—			34,683
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,638			1,971			6,160			(645		)	10,124
Total current assets	28,114			56,285			103,266			(645		)	187,020
Deferred income tax asset	—			8,296			200			(2,790		)	5,706
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	5,051			24,064			47,966			—			77,081
Multi-client data library, net	—			121,329			14,578			—			135,907
Investment in subsidiaries	684,815			232,637			—			(917,452		)	—
Goodwill	—			—			26,809			—			26,809
Intangible assets, net	—			4,956			350			—			5,306
Intercompany receivables	78,982			—			—			(78,982		)	—
Other assets	8,000			141			1,239			—			9,380
Total assets	$	804,962		$	447,708		$	194,408		$	(999,869	)	$	447,209
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	6,533		$	79		$	—		$	6,612
Accounts payable	1,763			20,508			5,679			—			27,950
Accrued expenses	16,282			25,546			12,526			(52		)	54,302
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	—			11,926			517			—			12,443
Deferred revenue	—			3,135			2,440			—			5,575
Total current liabilities	18,045			67,648			21,241			(52		)	106,882
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	175,000			4,626			40			—			179,666
Intercompany payables	491,902			69,852			9,130			(570,884		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	476			31,834			10,904			(3,384		)	39,830
Total liabilities	685,423			173,960			41,315			(574,320		)	326,378
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			—			1,200			—			1,200
Equity:
Common stock	1,648			290,460			19,138			(309,598		)	1,648
Additional paid-in capital	892,007			180,700			234,234			(414,934		)	892,007
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(753,987		)	224,206			(23,589		)	(200,617		)	(753,987		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,564		)	5,663			(13,361		)	7,698			(13,564		)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	—			(427,281		)	(64,621		)	491,902			—
Treasury stock	(6,565		)	—			—			—			(6,565		)
Total stockholders’ equity	119,539			273,748			151,801			(425,549		)	119,539
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			92			—			92
Total equity	119,539			273,748			151,893			(425,549		)	119,631
Total liabilities and equity	$	804,962		$	447,708		$	194,408		$	(999,869	)	$	447,209

	December 31, 2014
Balance Sheet	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	109,514		$	—		$	64,094		$	—		$	173,608
Accounts receivable, net	123			49,892			64,310			—			114,325
Unbilled receivables	—			18,548			4,051			—			22,599
Inventories	—			4,013			47,149			—			51,162
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,692			2,697			8,769			(4,496		)	13,662
Total current assets	116,329			75,150			188,373			(4,496		)	375,356
Deferred income tax asset	(7,852		)	6,675			749			9,032			8,604
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	6,412			33,065			30,363			—			69,840
Multi-client data library, net	—			96,423			22,246			—			118,669
Investment in subsidiaries	675,499			278,294			—			(953,793		)	—
Goodwill	—			—			27,388			—			27,388
Intangible assets, net	—			6,254			534			—			6,788
Intercompany receivables	29,979			—			—			(29,979		)	—
Other assets	10,191			147			274			—			10,612
Total assets	$	830,558		$	496,008		$	269,927		$	(979,236	)	$	617,257
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	6,965		$	684		$	—		$	7,649
Accounts payable	4,308			12,028			20,527			—			36,863
Accrued expenses	3,904			34,738			21,807			4,815			65,264
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	—			34,624			595			—			35,219
Deferred revenue	—			5,263			2,999			—			8,262
Total current liabilities	8,212			93,618			46,612			4,815			153,257
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	175,000			7,839			106			—			182,945
Intercompany payables	509,124			8,892			21,087			(539,103		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	2,609			130,985			10,489			(279		)	143,804
Total liabilities	694,945			241,334			78,294			(534,567		)	480,006
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			—			1,539			—			1,539
Equity:
Common stock	1,645			290,460			19,138			(309,598		)	1,645
Additional paid-in capital	887,749			180,700			234,234			(414,934		)	887,749
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(734,409		)	208,846			26,981			(235,827		)	(734,409		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(12,807		)	6,229			(12,795		)	6,566			(12,807		)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	—			(431,561		)	(77,563		)	509,124			—
Treasury stock	(6,565		)	—			—			—			(6,565		)
Total stockholders’ equity	135,613			254,674			189,995			(444,669		)	135,613
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			99			—			99
Total equity	135,613			254,674			190,094			(444,669		)	135,712
Total liabilities and equity	$	830,558		$	496,008		$	269,927		$	(979,236	)	$	617,257

Condensed Income Statement

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	41,768		$	25,072		$	(166	)	$	66,674
Cost of sales	—			31,712			24,020			(166		)	55,566
Gross profit	—			10,056			1,052			—			11,108
Total operating expenses	3,914			11,266			8,802			—			23,982
Loss from operations	(3,914		)	(1,210		)	(7,750		)	—			(12,874		)
Interest expense, net	(4,769		)	(107		)	22			—			(4,854		)
Intercompany interest, net	184			(806		)	622			—			—
Equity in losses of investments	(14,248		)	(12,141		)	—			26,389			—
Other income (expense)	326			(9		)	(663		)	—			(346		)
Net loss before income taxes	(22,421		)	(14,273		)	(7,769		)	26,389			(18,074		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,038		)	65			4,055			—			2,082
Net loss	(20,383		)	(14,338		)	(11,824		)	26,389			(20,156		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(227		)	—			(227		)
Net loss attributable to ION	(20,383		)	(14,338		)	(12,051		)	26,389			(20,383		)
Comprehensive net loss	$	(21,748	)	$	(15,543	)	$	(12,940	)	$	28,710		$	(21,521	)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(227		)	—			(227		)
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION	$	(21,748	)	$	(15,543	)	$	(13,167	)	$	28,710		$	(21,748	)

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	33,344		$	73,947		$	(751	)	$	106,540
Cost of sales	—			32,447			45,621			(751		)	77,317
Gross profit	—			897			28,326			—			29,223
Total operating expenses	7,599			15,357			11,616			—			34,572
Income (loss) from operations	(7,599		)	(14,460		)	16,710			—			(5,349		)
Interest expense, net	(4,931		)	(58		)	(59		)	—			(5,048		)
Intercompany interest, net	(90		)	566			(476		)	—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	(12,131		)	8,500			—			(1,927		)	(5,558		)
Other income (expense)	(17		)	21			(626		)	—			(622		)
Net income (loss) before income taxes	(24,768		)	(5,431		)	15,549			(1,927		)	(16,577		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(227		)	800			7,772			—			8,345
Net income (loss)	(24,541		)	(6,231		)	7,777			(1,927		)	(24,922		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			381			—			381
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	(24,541		)	(6,231		)	8,158			(1,927		)	(24,541		)
Comprehensive net income (loss)	$	(26,407	)	$	(8,838	)	$	5,168		$	3,289		$	(26,788	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			381			—			381
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(26,407	)	$	(8,838	)	$	5,549		$	3,289		$	(26,407	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	83,082		$	61,972		$	(1,007	)	$	144,047
Cost of sales	—			84,715			75,154			(1,007		)	158,862
Gross loss	—			(1,633		)	(13,182		)	—			(14,815		)
Total operating expenses	18,296			37,151			29,990			—			85,437
Loss from operations	(18,296		)	(38,784		)	(43,172		)	—			(100,252		)
Interest expense, net	(13,826		)	(279		)	19			—			(14,086		)
Intercompany interest, net	466			(2,208		)	1,742			—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	9,881			(45,091		)	—			35,210			—
Other income (expense)	268			101,961			(4,194		)	—			98,035
Net income (loss) before income taxes	(21,507		)	15,599			(45,605		)	35,210			(16,303		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,929		)	239			5,287			—			3,597
Net income (loss)	(19,578		)	15,360			(50,892		)	35,210			(19,900		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			322			—			322
Net income (loss) applicable to ION	(19,578		)	15,360			(50,570		)	35,210			(19,578		)
Comprehensive net income (loss)	$	(20,335	)	$	14,794		$	(51,458	)	$	36,342		$	(20,657	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			322			—			322
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(20,335	)	$	14,794		$	(51,136	)	$	36,342		$	(20,335	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	159,347		$	215,400		$	(2,029	)	$	372,718
Cost of sales	—			117,461			132,981			(2,029		)	248,413
Gross profit	—			41,886			82,419			—			124,305
Total operating expenses	24,138			45,938			36,122			—			106,198
Income (loss) from operations	(24,138		)	(4,052		)	46,297			—			18,107
Interest expense, net	(13,962		)	(148		)	(669		)	—			(14,779		)
Intercompany interest, net	(234		)	1,519			(1,285		)	—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	92,195			32,615			738			(134,575		)	(9,027		)
Other income (expense)	(1,231		)	73,504			1,697			—			73,970
Net income before income taxes	52,630			103,438			46,778			(134,575		)	68,271
Income tax expense	4			999			13,258			—			14,261
Net income	52,626			102,439			33,520			(134,575		)	54,010
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,384		)	—			(1,384		)
Net income applicable to ION	52,626			102,439			32,136			(134,575		)	52,626
Comprehensive net income	$	52,044		$	102,957		$	34,024		$	(135,597	)	$	53,428
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(1,384		)	—			(1,384		)
Comprehensive net income attributable to ION	$	52,044		$	102,957		$	32,640		$	(135,597	)	$	52,044

Condensed Cash Flow Statement

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(414,473	)	$	173,725		$	204,752		$	(35,996	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	—			(27,282		)	(870		)	(28,152		)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(347		)	(1,162		)	(16,092		)	(17,601		)
Other investing activities	—			1,262			—			1,262
Net cash used in investing activities	(347		)	(27,182		)	(16,962		)	(44,491		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	—			(4,798		)	(633		)	(5,431		)
Intercompany lending	330,828			(141,745		)	(189,083		)	—
Other financing activities	(52		)	—			—			(52		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	330,776			(146,543		)	(189,716		)	(5,483		)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			601			601
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(84,044		)	—			(1,325		)	(85,369		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	109,514			—			64,094			173,608
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	25,470		$	—		$	62,769		$	88,239

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(40,896	)	$	63,588		$	64,284		$	86,976
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in multi-client data library	—			(57,192		)	(148		)	(57,340		)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(1,501		)	(4,165		)	(1,176		)	(6,842		)
Repayment of advance to INOVA Geophysical	1,000			—			—			1,000
Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation	—			—			(3,074		)	(3,074		)
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line	—			9,881			4,513			14,394
Other investing activities	579			—			349			928
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	78			(51,476		)	464			(50,934		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments under revolving line of credit	(50,000		)	—			—			(50,000		)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	15,000			—			—			15,000
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	—			(4,470		)	(7,267		)	(11,737		)
Cost associated with issuance of notes	(2,126		)	—			—			(2,126		)
Intercompany lending	37,114			(7,642		)	(29,472		)	—
Acquisition of non-controlling interest	—			—			(6,000		)	(6,000		)
Other financing activities	423			—			—			423
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	411			(12,112		)	(42,739		)	(54,440		)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			189			189
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(40,407		)	—			22,198			(18,209		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	124,701			—			23,355			148,056
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	84,294		$	—		$	45,553		$	129,847

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition — In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) jointly issued new accounting guidance for recognition of revenue. This new guidance replaces virtually all existing U.S. GAAP and IFRS guidance on revenue recognition.

On July 9, 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date for its new revenue standard for public and nonpublic entities reporting under U.S. GAAP by one year. As a result, the new guidance is now effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. This new guidance applies to all periods presented. Therefore, when the Company issues its financial statements on Forms 10-Q and 10-K for periods included in its year ended December 31, 2018, its comparative periods that are presented from the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 must be retrospectively presented in compliance with this new guidance. The new guidance requires companies to make more estimates and use more judgment than under current accounting guidance. Public entities will be permitted to adopt the standard as early as the original public entity effective date (i.e, annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods therein). Early adoption prior to that date will not be permitted.

The FASB and IASB (collectively, the “Boards”) have discussed clarifying the guidance in their new revenue standards for: (1) licenses of intellectual property, (2) identifying performance obligations, (3) noncash consideration and (4) collectability. The Boards have also discussed whether to add practical expedients for the accounting for contract modifications at transition and the presentation of sales taxes, and the FASB separately discussed several technical corrections. The FASB and the IASB did not agree on the nature and breadth of all of the changes to be proposed. The Boards are expected to issue separate exposure drafts later this year.

The Company continues to evaluate (i) the two allowed adoption methods to determine which method it plans to use for retrospective presentation of comparative periods, (ii) the impact of proposed clarifications to the guidance on timing of the recognition of revenue within the Company’s various revenue streams, (iii) the Company’s option to adopt the new guidance either as of the originally proposed effective date or the proposed deferred effective date and (iv) whether the implementation of this new guidance will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations for the periods presented.

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Restructurings - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 geographical_hubs location
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Crude oil, lowest prices, number of years evaluated	5 years
Percentage reduction in full-time employee base	50.00%
Towed Streamer [Member] | Systems [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of geographical hubs | geographical_hubs	2
Number of locations	2

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Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

On November 4, 2015, ION announced that its board of directors has authorized the Company to repurchase, from time to time from November 10, 2015 through November 10, 2017, up to $25 million in shares of its outstanding common stock. The stock repurchase program may be implemented through open market repurchases or privately negotiated transactions, at management’s discretion. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the program will be determined by management at its discretion and will depend on a number of factors including the market price of the Company’s shares of common stock and general market and economic conditions, applicable legal requirements and compliance with the terms of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness.

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Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheet of ION Geophysical Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “ION,” unless the context otherwise requires) at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2015, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or of future operations.

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A, which was filed on April 24, 2015 and contains the separate consolidated financial statements of INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited (“INOVA Geophysical”) for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	164,790,322	164,484,095
Treasury stock, shares	849,539	849,539

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity

Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity

The following table is a summary of cash paid for Interest and Income taxes and non-cash items from investing and financing activities (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	8,036		$	9,087
Income taxes	$	7,614		$	12,008
Non-cash items from investing and financing activities:
Purchases of computer equipment financed through capital leases	$	1,178		$	5,768
Investment in multi-client data library financed through accounts payable	$	13,617		$	1,298
Conversion of investment in a convertible note to equity	$	—		$	3,151
Transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	$	15,936	(a)	$	3,039

^(a)  This transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment relates to ocean bottom seismic equipment manufactured by the Company to be deployed in the acquisition of ocean bottom seismic data. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company purchased approximately $17.6 million of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, including approximately $14.3 million related to the manufacture of ocean bottom seismic equipment that will be used by the Ocean Bottom Services segment.

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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 23, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ION GEOPHYSICAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000866609
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		164,790,322

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Acquisition of OceanGeo

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisition of OceanGeo

Acquisition of OceanGeo

In 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of OceanGeo B.V. (“OceanGeo”). OceanGeo specializes in seismic acquisition operations using ocean bottom cables deployed from vessels leased by OceanGeo. For a complete discussion of the acquisition of OceanGeo, see Footnote 3 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The following summarized unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, assumes that the OceanGeo acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the period prior to the period the acquisition occurred. The Company has prepared these unaudited pro forma financial results for comparative purposes only. These unaudited pro forma financial results may not be indicative of the results that would have occurred if ION had completed the acquisition as of the beginning of that prior period or the results that may be attained in the future. Amounts presented below are in thousands, except for the per share amounts:

Pro forma Consolidated ION Income Statement Information	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Net revenues	$	381,902
Income from operations	$	22,492
Net income	$	55,838
Net income attributable to ION	$	53,684
Basic and diluted net income per common share	$	0.33

OceanGeo did not record any revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to its vessels being idle while it attempts to secure a backlog of future orders.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Service revenues	$ 53,515	$ 71,923	$ 96,918	$ 272,386
Product revenues	13,159	34,617	47,129	100,332
Total net revenues	66,674	106,540	144,047	372,718
Cost of services	47,883	60,285	132,234	200,697
Cost of products	7,683	17,032	26,628	47,716
Gross profit (loss)	11,108	29,223	(14,815)	124,305
Operating expenses:
Research, development and engineering	6,537	10,910	21,496	30,254
Marketing and sales	6,904	8,480	23,375	27,610
General, administrative and other operating expenses	10,541	15,182	40,566	48,334
Total operating expenses	23,982	34,572	85,437	106,198
Income (loss) from operations	(12,874)	(5,349)	(100,252)	18,107
Interest expense, net	(4,854)	(5,048)	(14,086)	(14,779)
Equity in losses of investments	0	(5,558)	0	(9,027)
Other income (expense), net	(346)	(622)	98,035	73,970
Income (loss) before income taxes	(18,074)	(16,577)	(16,303)	68,271
Income tax expense	2,082	8,345	3,597	14,261
Net income (loss)	(20,156)	(24,922)	(19,900)	54,010
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(227)	381	322	(1,384)
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	$ (20,383)	$ (24,541)	$ (19,578)	$ 52,626
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic, in dollars per share	$ (0.12)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.12)	$ 0.32
Diluted, in dollars per share	$ (0.12)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.12)	$ 0.32
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic, in shares	164,755	164,149	164,672	164,021
Diluted, in shares	164,755	164,149	164,672	164,326

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company maintains a valuation allowance for substantially all of its deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance is calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 “Income Taxes,” which requires that a valuation allowance be established or maintained when it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. In the event the Company’s expectations of future operating results change, the valuation allowance may need to be adjusted downward. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has no unreserved U.S. deferred tax assets.

The provision for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 has been calculated based on the actual tax expense incurred for those periods. Given the current uncertainty in expected income generated in various foreign jurisdictions, where tax rates can vary greatly, the Company’s actual tax rate is the best estimate of year-to-date tax expense. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were (11.5)% and (50.3)%, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were (22.1)% and 20.9%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were impacted by the change in valuation allowance related to the reduction of the Company’s legal contingency reserve as well as operating losses for which the Company cannot currently recognize a tax benefit. The Company’s income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $3.6 million primarily relates to income from the Company’s non-U.S. businesses. This foreign tax expense has not been offset by the tax benefits on losses within the U.S. and other jurisdictions, from which the Company cannot currently benefit; therefore negatively impacting the Company’s effective tax rate.

The Company has approximately $1.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits and does not expect to recognize significant increases in unrecognized tax benefits during the next 12-month period. Interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in income tax expense.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s U.S. federal tax returns for 2012 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination for periods prior to 2012, although carryforward attributes that were generated prior to 2012 may still be adjusted upon examination by the IRS if they either have been or will be used in an open year. In the Company’s foreign tax jurisdictions, tax returns for 2009 and subsequent years generally remain open to examination.

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Net Income (Loss) per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income (Loss) per Share

Net Income (Loss) per Share

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is determined based on the assumption that dilutive restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards have vested and outstanding dilutive stock options have been exercised and the aggregate proceeds were used to reacquire common stock using the average price of such common stock for the period. The total number of shares issued or reserved for future issuance under outstanding stock options at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 8,643,375 and 9,111,725, respectively, and the total number of shares of restricted stock and shares reserved for restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 1,363,534 and 1,386,336, respectively. All outstanding stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were anti-dilutive.

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(20,383	)	$	(24,541	)	$	(19,578	)	$	52,626
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	164,755			164,149			164,672			164,021
Effect of dilutive stock awards	—			—			—			305
Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding	164,755			164,149			164,672			164,326
Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.12	)	$	0.32
Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.12	)	$	0.32

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Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

In 2013, the Company sold $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its Notes. The Notes were issued by ION Geophysical Corporation and are guaranteed by the Company’s material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (“the Guarantors”), all of which are 100-percent-owned subsidiaries. The Guarantors have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment obligations of ION Geophysical Corporation with respect to the Notes. The following condensed consolidating financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for:

• ION Geophysical Corporation and the Guarantors (in each case, reflecting investments in subsidiaries utilizing the equity method of accounting).

• All other subsidiaries of ION Geophysical Corporation that are not Guarantors.

• The consolidating adjustments necessary to present ION Geophysical Corporation’s results on a consolidated basis.

This condensed consolidating financial information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes.

	September 30, 2015
Balance Sheet	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	25,470		$	—		$	62,769		$	—		$	88,239
Accounts receivable, net	6			11,017			10,564			—			21,587
Unbilled receivables	—			30,719			1,668			—			32,387
Inventories	—			12,578			22,105			—			34,683
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,638			1,971			6,160			(645		)	10,124
Total current assets	28,114			56,285			103,266			(645		)	187,020
Deferred income tax asset	—			8,296			200			(2,790		)	5,706
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	5,051			24,064			47,966			—			77,081
Multi-client data library, net	—			121,329			14,578			—			135,907
Investment in subsidiaries	684,815			232,637			—			(917,452		)	—
Goodwill	—			—			26,809			—			26,809
Intangible assets, net	—			4,956			350			—			5,306
Intercompany receivables	78,982			—			—			(78,982		)	—
Other assets	8,000			141			1,239			—			9,380
Total assets	$	804,962		$	447,708		$	194,408		$	(999,869	)	$	447,209
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	6,533		$	79		$	—		$	6,612
Accounts payable	1,763			20,508			5,679			—			27,950
Accrued expenses	16,282			25,546			12,526			(52		)	54,302
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	—			11,926			517			—			12,443
Deferred revenue	—			3,135			2,440			—			5,575
Total current liabilities	18,045			67,648			21,241			(52		)	106,882
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	175,000			4,626			40			—			179,666
Intercompany payables	491,902			69,852			9,130			(570,884		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	476			31,834			10,904			(3,384		)	39,830
Total liabilities	685,423			173,960			41,315			(574,320		)	326,378
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			—			1,200			—			1,200
Equity:
Common stock	1,648			290,460			19,138			(309,598		)	1,648
Additional paid-in capital	892,007			180,700			234,234			(414,934		)	892,007
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(753,987		)	224,206			(23,589		)	(200,617		)	(753,987		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,564		)	5,663			(13,361		)	7,698			(13,564		)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	—			(427,281		)	(64,621		)	491,902			—
Treasury stock	(6,565		)	—			—			—			(6,565		)
Total stockholders’ equity	119,539			273,748			151,801			(425,549		)	119,539
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			92			—			92
Total equity	119,539			273,748			151,893			(425,549		)	119,631
Total liabilities and equity	$	804,962		$	447,708		$	194,408		$	(999,869	)	$	447,209

	December 31, 2014
Balance Sheet	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	109,514		$	—		$	64,094		$	—		$	173,608
Accounts receivable, net	123			49,892			64,310			—			114,325
Unbilled receivables	—			18,548			4,051			—			22,599
Inventories	—			4,013			47,149			—			51,162
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,692			2,697			8,769			(4,496		)	13,662
Total current assets	116,329			75,150			188,373			(4,496		)	375,356
Deferred income tax asset	(7,852		)	6,675			749			9,032			8,604
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	6,412			33,065			30,363			—			69,840
Multi-client data library, net	—			96,423			22,246			—			118,669
Investment in subsidiaries	675,499			278,294			—			(953,793		)	—
Goodwill	—			—			27,388			—			27,388
Intangible assets, net	—			6,254			534			—			6,788
Intercompany receivables	29,979			—			—			(29,979		)	—
Other assets	10,191			147			274			—			10,612
Total assets	$	830,558		$	496,008		$	269,927		$	(979,236	)	$	617,257
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	6,965		$	684		$	—		$	7,649
Accounts payable	4,308			12,028			20,527			—			36,863
Accrued expenses	3,904			34,738			21,807			4,815			65,264
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	—			34,624			595			—			35,219
Deferred revenue	—			5,263			2,999			—			8,262
Total current liabilities	8,212			93,618			46,612			4,815			153,257
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	175,000			7,839			106			—			182,945
Intercompany payables	509,124			8,892			21,087			(539,103		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	2,609			130,985			10,489			(279		)	143,804
Total liabilities	694,945			241,334			78,294			(534,567		)	480,006
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			—			1,539			—			1,539
Equity:
Common stock	1,645			290,460			19,138			(309,598		)	1,645
Additional paid-in capital	887,749			180,700			234,234			(414,934		)	887,749
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(734,409		)	208,846			26,981			(235,827		)	(734,409		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(12,807		)	6,229			(12,795		)	6,566			(12,807		)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	—			(431,561		)	(77,563		)	509,124			—
Treasury stock	(6,565		)	—			—			—			(6,565		)
Total stockholders’ equity	135,613			254,674			189,995			(444,669		)	135,613
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			99			—			99
Total equity	135,613			254,674			190,094			(444,669		)	135,712
Total liabilities and equity	$	830,558		$	496,008		$	269,927		$	(979,236	)	$	617,257

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	41,768		$	25,072		$	(166	)	$	66,674
Cost of sales	—			31,712			24,020			(166		)	55,566
Gross profit	—			10,056			1,052			—			11,108
Total operating expenses	3,914			11,266			8,802			—			23,982
Loss from operations	(3,914		)	(1,210		)	(7,750		)	—			(12,874		)
Interest expense, net	(4,769		)	(107		)	22			—			(4,854		)
Intercompany interest, net	184			(806		)	622			—			—
Equity in losses of investments	(14,248		)	(12,141		)	—			26,389			—
Other income (expense)	326			(9		)	(663		)	—			(346		)
Net loss before income taxes	(22,421		)	(14,273		)	(7,769		)	26,389			(18,074		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,038		)	65			4,055			—			2,082
Net loss	(20,383		)	(14,338		)	(11,824		)	26,389			(20,156		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(227		)	—			(227		)
Net loss attributable to ION	(20,383		)	(14,338		)	(12,051		)	26,389			(20,383		)
Comprehensive net loss	$	(21,748	)	$	(15,543	)	$	(12,940	)	$	28,710		$	(21,521	)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(227		)	—			(227		)
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION	$	(21,748	)	$	(15,543	)	$	(13,167	)	$	28,710		$	(21,748	)

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	33,344		$	73,947		$	(751	)	$	106,540
Cost of sales	—			32,447			45,621			(751		)	77,317
Gross profit	—			897			28,326			—			29,223
Total operating expenses	7,599			15,357			11,616			—			34,572
Income (loss) from operations	(7,599		)	(14,460		)	16,710			—			(5,349		)
Interest expense, net	(4,931		)	(58		)	(59		)	—			(5,048		)
Intercompany interest, net	(90		)	566			(476		)	—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	(12,131		)	8,500			—			(1,927		)	(5,558		)
Other income (expense)	(17		)	21			(626		)	—			(622		)
Net income (loss) before income taxes	(24,768		)	(5,431		)	15,549			(1,927		)	(16,577		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(227		)	800			7,772			—			8,345
Net income (loss)	(24,541		)	(6,231		)	7,777			(1,927		)	(24,922		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			381			—			381
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	(24,541		)	(6,231		)	8,158			(1,927		)	(24,541		)
Comprehensive net income (loss)	$	(26,407	)	$	(8,838	)	$	5,168		$	3,289		$	(26,788	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			381			—			381
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(26,407	)	$	(8,838	)	$	5,549		$	3,289		$	(26,407	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	83,082		$	61,972		$	(1,007	)	$	144,047
Cost of sales	—			84,715			75,154			(1,007		)	158,862
Gross loss	—			(1,633		)	(13,182		)	—			(14,815		)
Total operating expenses	18,296			37,151			29,990			—			85,437
Loss from operations	(18,296		)	(38,784		)	(43,172		)	—			(100,252		)
Interest expense, net	(13,826		)	(279		)	19			—			(14,086		)
Intercompany interest, net	466			(2,208		)	1,742			—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	9,881			(45,091		)	—			35,210			—
Other income (expense)	268			101,961			(4,194		)	—			98,035
Net income (loss) before income taxes	(21,507		)	15,599			(45,605		)	35,210			(16,303		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,929		)	239			5,287			—			3,597
Net income (loss)	(19,578		)	15,360			(50,892		)	35,210			(19,900		)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			322			—			322
Net income (loss) applicable to ION	(19,578		)	15,360			(50,570		)	35,210			(19,578		)
Comprehensive net income (loss)	$	(20,335	)	$	14,794		$	(51,458	)	$	36,342		$	(20,657	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			322			—			322
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(20,335	)	$	14,794		$	(51,136	)	$	36,342		$	(20,335	)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Net revenues	$	—		$	159,347		$	215,400		$	(2,029	)	$	372,718
Cost of sales	—			117,461			132,981			(2,029		)	248,413
Gross profit	—			41,886			82,419			—			124,305
Total operating expenses	24,138			45,938			36,122			—			106,198
Income (loss) from operations	(24,138		)	(4,052		)	46,297			—			18,107
Interest expense, net	(13,962		)	(148		)	(669		)	—			(14,779		)
Intercompany interest, net	(234		)	1,519			(1,285		)	—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	92,195			32,615			738			(134,575		)	(9,027		)
Other income (expense)	(1,231		)	73,504			1,697			—			73,970
Net income before income taxes	52,630			103,438			46,778			(134,575		)	68,271
Income tax expense	4			999			13,258			—			14,261
Net income	52,626			102,439			33,520			(134,575		)	54,010
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,384		)	—			(1,384		)
Net income applicable to ION	52,626			102,439			32,136			(134,575		)	52,626
Comprehensive net income	$	52,044		$	102,957		$	34,024		$	(135,597	)	$	53,428
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(1,384		)	—			(1,384		)
Comprehensive net income attributable to ION	$	52,044		$	102,957		$	32,640		$	(135,597	)	$	52,044

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(414,473	)	$	173,725		$	204,752		$	(35,996	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	—			(27,282		)	(870		)	(28,152		)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(347		)	(1,162		)	(16,092		)	(17,601		)
Other investing activities	—			1,262			—			1,262
Net cash used in investing activities	(347		)	(27,182		)	(16,962		)	(44,491		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	—			(4,798		)	(633		)	(5,431		)
Intercompany lending	330,828			(141,745		)	(189,083		)	—
Other financing activities	(52		)	—			—			(52		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	330,776			(146,543		)	(189,716		)	(5,483		)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			601			601
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(84,044		)	—			(1,325		)	(85,369		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	109,514			—			64,094			173,608
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	25,470		$	—		$	62,769		$	88,239

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(40,896	)	$	63,588		$	64,284		$	86,976
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in multi-client data library	—			(57,192		)	(148		)	(57,340		)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(1,501		)	(4,165		)	(1,176		)	(6,842		)
Repayment of advance to INOVA Geophysical	1,000			—			—			1,000
Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation	—			—			(3,074		)	(3,074		)
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line	—			9,881			4,513			14,394
Other investing activities	579			—			349			928
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	78			(51,476		)	464			(50,934		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments under revolving line of credit	(50,000		)	—			—			(50,000		)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	15,000			—			—			15,000
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	—			(4,470		)	(7,267		)	(11,737		)
Cost associated with issuance of notes	(2,126		)	—			—			(2,126		)
Intercompany lending	37,114			(7,642		)	(29,472		)	—
Acquisition of non-controlling interest	—			—			(6,000		)	(6,000		)
Other financing activities	423			—			—			423
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	411			(12,112		)	(42,739		)	(54,440		)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			189			189
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(40,407		)	—			22,198			(18,209		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	124,701			—			23,355			148,056
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	84,294		$	—		$	45,553		$	129,847

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Authoritative guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and stipulates the related disclosure requirements. The Company follows a three-level hierarchy, prioritizing and defining the types of inputs used to measure fair value.

The carrying amounts of the Company’s long-term debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $186.3 million and $190.6 million, respectively, compared to its fair values of $108.9 million and $162.6 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of the long-term debt was calculated using an active market price, based on Level 1 inputs defined as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments. Due to their highly liquid nature, the amount of the Company’s other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts and unbilled receivables, notes receivable, accounts payable, and accrued multi-client data library royalties, represent their approximate fair value.

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Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts

Inventories

The following table is a summary of inventories (in thousands):	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Raw materials and subassemblies	$	36,530		$	41,461
Work-in-process	6,467			18,221
Finished goods	16,213			21,284
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories	(24,527		)	(29,804		)
Total	$	34,683		$	51,162

The $5.3 million reduction in the reserve for excess and obsolete inventories was due to the scrapping of fully reserved inventory.

Other Long-term Liabilities

The following table is a summary of other long-term liabilities (in thousands):	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)	$	22,000	$	123,770
Deferred rents	13,397		13,416
Facility restructuring accrual	3,298		3,353
Other long-term liabilities	1,135		3,265
Total	$	39,830	$	143,804

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Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Cash Flow Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ (35,996)	$ 86,976
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	(28,152)	(57,340)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(17,601)	(6,842)
Repayment of advances to INOVA Geophysical	0	1,000
Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation	0	(3,074)
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line	0	14,394
Other investing activities	1,262	928
Net cash used in investing activities	(44,491)	(50,934)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments under revolving line of credit	0	(50,000)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	0	15,000
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(5,431)	(11,737)
Cost associated with issuance of notes	(146)	(2,126)
Intercompany lending	0	0
Acquisition of non-controlling interest		(6,000)
Other financing activities	(52)	423
Net cash used in financing activities	(5,483)	(54,440)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	601	189
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(85,369)	(18,209)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	173,608	148,056
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	88,239	129,847
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | ION Geophysical Corporation [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(414,473)	(40,896)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	0	0
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(347)	(1,501)
Repayment of advances to INOVA Geophysical		1,000
Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation		0
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line		0
Other investing activities	0	579
Net cash used in investing activities	(347)	78
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments under revolving line of credit		(50,000)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit		15,000
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	0	0
Cost associated with issuance of notes		(2,126)
Intercompany lending	330,828	37,114
Acquisition of non-controlling interest		0
Other financing activities	(52)	423
Net cash used in financing activities	330,776	411
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(84,044)	(40,407)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	109,514	124,701
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	25,470	84,294
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | The Guarantors [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	173,725	63,588
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	(27,282)	(57,192)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(1,162)	(4,165)
Repayment of advances to INOVA Geophysical		0
Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation		0
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line		9,881
Other investing activities	1,262	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(27,182)	(51,476)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments under revolving line of credit		0
Borrowings under revolving line of credit		0
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(4,798)	(4,470)
Cost associated with issuance of notes		0
Intercompany lending	(141,745)	(7,642)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest		0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(146,543)	(12,112)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | All Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	204,752	64,284
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	(870)	(148)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(16,092)	(1,176)
Repayment of advances to INOVA Geophysical		0
Net investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. prior to its consolidation		(3,074)
Net proceeds from sale of Source product line		4,513
Other investing activities	0	349
Net cash used in investing activities	(16,962)	464
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit		0
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(633)	(7,267)
Cost associated with issuance of notes		0
Intercompany lending	(189,083)	(29,472)
Acquisition of non-controlling interest		(6,000)
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(189,716)	(42,739)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	601	189
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,325)	22,198
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	64,094	23,355
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	62,769	$ 45,553
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 0

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Litigation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Litigation

Litigation

WesternGeco

In June 2009, WesternGeco L.L.C. (“WesternGeco”) filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. In the lawsuit, styled WesternGeco L.L.C. v. ION Geophysical Corporation, WesternGeco alleged that the Company had infringed several method and apparatus claims contained in four of its United States patents regarding marine seismic streamer steering devices.

The trial began in July 2012. A verdict was returned by the jury in August 2012, finding that the Company infringed the claims contained in the four patents by supplying its DigiFIN^® lateral streamer control units and the related software from the United States and awarded WesternGeco the sum of $105.9 million in damages, consisting of $12.5 million in reasonable royalty and $93.4 million in lost profits.

In June 2013, the presiding judge entered a Memorandum and Order, ruling that WesternGeco is entitled to be awarded supplemental damages for the additional DigiFIN units that were supplied from the United States before and after the trial that were not included in the jury verdict due to the timing of the trial. In October 2013, the judge entered another Memorandum and Order, ruling on the number of DigiFIN units that are subject to supplemental damages and also ruling that the supplemental damages applicable to the additional units should be calculated by adding together the jury’s previous reasonable royalty and lost profits damages awards per unit, resulting in supplemental damages of $73.1 million.

In April 2014, the judge entered another Order, ruling that lost profits should not have been included in the calculation of supplemental damages in the October 2013 Memorandum and Order and reducing the supplemental damages award in the case from $73.1 million to $9.4 million. In the Order, the judge also further reduced the damages award in the case by $3.0 million to reflect a settlement and license that WesternGeco entered into with a customer of the Company that had purchased and used DigiFIN units that were also included in the damage amounts awarded against the Company.

In May 2014, the judge signed and entered a Final Judgment in the amount of $123.8 million related to the case. The Final Judgment also included an injunction that enjoins the Company, its agents and anyone acting in concert with it, from supplying in or from the United States the DigiFIN product or any parts unique to the DigiFIN product, or any instrumentality no more than colorably different from any of these products or parts, for combination outside of the United States. The Company has conducted its business in compliance with the district court’s orders in the case, and the Company has reorganized its operations such that it no longer supplies the DigiFIN product or any parts unique to the DigiFIN product in or from the United States.

The Company and WesternGeco each appealed the Final Judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. On July 2, 2015, the Court of Appeals reversed in part the judgment, holding the district court erred by including lost profits in the Final Judgment. Lost profits were $93.4 million and prejudgment interest was approximately $10.9 million of the $123.8 million Final Judgment. Pre-judgment interest on the lost profits portion will be treated in the same way as the lost profits. Post-judgment interest will likewise be treated in the same fashion. On July 29, 2015, WesternGeco filed a petition for rehearing en banc before the Court of Appeals. On October 30, 2015 the Court of Appeals denied WesternGeco’s petition for rehearing en banc. WesternGeco has up to 90 days to determine whether or not it will file a writ requesting the Supreme Court to review the case.

As previously disclosed, the Company had taken a loss contingency accrual of $124 million. As a result of the reversal by the Court of Appeals, as of June 30, 2015, the Company reduced the loss contingency accrual to its current amount of $22 million. The Company’s assessment of its potential loss contingency may change in the future due to developments in the case and other events, such as changes in applicable law, and such reassessment could lead to the determination that no loss contingency is probable or that a greater or lesser loss contingency is probable. Any such reassessment could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Prior to the reduction in damages by the Court of Appeals, the Company arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond at the trial court. The appeal bond is uncollateralized, but the terms of the appeal bond arrangements provide the sureties the contractual right for as long as the bond is outstanding to require the Company to post cash collateral. The Company has received a request for $11 million in collateral and they are in negotiations with the sureties. The appeal bond will remain outstanding during the pendency of appeals.

Other

The Company has been named in various other lawsuits or threatened actions that are incidental to its ordinary business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against the Company, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, cause the Company to incur costs and expenses, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. The results of these lawsuits and actions cannot be predicted with certainty. Management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

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Other Income (Expense), Net

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other Income (Expense), Net

The following table is a summary of other income (expense), net (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Reductions of loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)	$	—		$	—		$	101,978		$	69,557
Facility restructuring charges (Footnote 2)	296			—			(2,791		)	—
Gain on sale of product line(a)	—			—			—			6,522
Other expense, net	(642		)	(622		)	(1,152		)	(2,109		)
Total other income (expense), net	$	(346	)	$	(622	)	$	98,035		$	73,970

^(a)  In May 2014, the Company sold its Source product line for approximately $14.4 million, net of transaction fees, recording a gain of approximately $6.5 million before taxes. As a part of this transaction, the Company reduced Goodwill on the Marine reporting unit by $5.1 million. The historical results of this product line have not been material to the Company’s results of operations.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss

The following table is a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in thousands):

	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2014	$	(12,807	)	$	(12,807	)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(757		)	(757		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2015	$	(13,564	)	$	(13,564	)

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Stock-based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions

The following assumptions were used:

	March 1, 2015
Risk-free interest rates	2.03%
Expected lives (in years)	2.7
Expected dividend yield	—%
Expected volatility	60.27%

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$ 8,036	$ 9,087
Income taxes	7,614	12,008
Non-cash items from investing and financing activities:
Purchases of computer equipment financed through capital leases	1,178	5,768
Investment in multi-client data library financed through accounts payable	13,617	1,298
Conversion of investment in a convertible note to equity	0	3,151
Transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	15,936	3,039
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental assets	17,601	$ 6,842
Ocean Bottom Services Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental assets	$ 14,300

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Related Party Transactions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions

BGP Inc. (“BGP”) owned approximately 14.4% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of September 30, 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded revenues from BGP of $5.2 million and $5.1 million, respectively.

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Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of Segment Information

The following table is a summary of segment information (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net revenues:
Solutions:
New Venture	$	26,650		$	18,446		$	35,315		$	76,499
Data Library	15,302			3,262			24,948			30,104
Total multi-client revenues	41,952			21,708			60,263			106,603
Data Processing	10,693			24,151			33,731			91,131
Total	$	52,645		$	45,859		$	93,994		$	197,734
Systems:
Towed Streamer	$	4,426		$	13,666		$	12,273		$	35,782
Other	2,864			11,029			15,460			36,166
Total	$	7,290		$	24,695		$	27,733		$	71,948
Software:
Software Systems	$	5,869		$	9,922		$	19,396		$	28,384
Services	870			1,088			2,924			3,198
Total	$	6,739		$	11,010		$	22,320		$	31,582
Ocean Bottom Services	$	—		$	24,976		$	—		$	71,454
Total	$	66,674		$	106,540		$	144,047		$	372,718
Gross profit (loss):
Solutions	$	11,294		$	5,927		$	(6,954	)	$	51,207
Systems	1,366			10,123			7,425			31,288
Software	4,399			8,326			14,197			23,388
Ocean Bottom Services	(5,951		)	4,847			(29,483		)	18,422
Total	$	11,108		$	29,223		$	(14,815	)	$	124,305
Gross margin:
Solutions	21		%	13		%	(7		)%	26		%
Systems	19		%	41		%	27		%	43		%
Software	65		%	76		%	64		%	74		%
Ocean Bottom Services	—		%	19		%	—		%	26		%
Total	17		%	27		%	(10		)%	33		%
Income (loss) from operations:
Solutions	$	768		$	(5,960	)	$	(40,766	)	$	11,733
Systems	(1,295		)	2,917			(2,660		)	9,835
Software	2,444			6,227			7,874			16,985
Ocean Bottom Services	(7,289		)	1,677			(34,856		)	12,333
Corporate and other	(7,502		)	(10,210		)	(29,844		)	(32,779		)
Income (loss) from operations	(12,874		)	(5,349		)	(100,252		)	18,107
Interest expense, net	(4,854		)	(5,048		)	(14,086		)	(14,779		)
Equity in losses of investments	—			(5,558		)	—			(9,027		)
Other income (expense), net	(346		)	(622		)	98,035			73,970
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(18,074	)	$	(16,577	)	$	(16,303	)	$	68,271

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Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Other Long-term Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 7)	$ 22,000	$ 123,770
Deferred rents	13,397	13,416
Facility restructuring accrual	3,298	3,353
Other long-term liabilities	1,135	3,265
Total	$ 39,830	$ 143,804

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Long-term Debt - Debt Instrument Redemption Percentages (Details) - Senior Notes [Member]	May. 15, 2015
2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentages	104.063%
2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentages	102.031%
2017 and thereafter [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentages	100.00%

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (20,156)	$ (24,922)	$ (19,900)	$ 54,010
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, as appropriate:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,365)	(2,632)	(757)	489
Equity interest in investees' other comprehensive income (loss)	0	738	0	(1,125)
Other changes in other comprehensive income	0	28	0	54
Total other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(1,365)	(1,866)	(757)	(582)
Comprehensive net income (loss)	(21,521)	(26,788)	(20,657)	53,428
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(227)	381	322	(1,384)
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$ (21,748)	$ (26,407)	$ (20,335)	$ 52,044

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Long-term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Debt

Long-term Debt

Obligations (in thousands)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Senior secured second-priority notes	$	175,000		$	175,000
Equipment capital leases	11,278			15,059
Revolving credit facility	—			—
Other debt	—			535
Total	186,278			190,594
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	(6,612		)	(7,649		)
Non-current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	$	179,666		$	182,945

Revolving Credit Facility

In August 2014, ION and its material U.S. subsidiaries, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc., I/O Marine Systems, Inc. and GX Technology Corporation (collectively, the “Subsidiary Borrowers”), entered into a credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). For a complete discussion of the terms, available credit and security of this Credit Facility, see Footnote 6 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

On August 4, 2015, the Company and the Subsidiary Borrowers amended the terms of the Credit Facility pursuant to a First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated effective as of August 4, 2015 (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment contemplated, among other things, (i) PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”) becoming the sole lender under the Credit Facility, (ii) the reduction of themaximum amount of the revolving line of credit under the Credit Facility from $80.0 million to $40.0 million, (iii) the elimination of the requirement that the Company not exceed a maximum senior secured leverage ratio, (iv) the amendment of the borrowing base formula under the Credit Facility and (v) the removal of the accordion features under the Credit Facility. For additional information regarding the terms of the First Amendment, see the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015.

The borrowing base under the First Amendment will increase or decrease monthly using an amended formula based on certain eligible receivables, eligible inventory and other amounts, including a percentage of the net orderly liquidation value of the Company's multi-client data library (not to exceed $15.0 million for the multi-client data library data component).  The amended formula also removes the qualified cash component of up to $20.0 million. At September 30, 2015, the borrowing base under the Credit Facility was $40.0 million, and there was no outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility as amended contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company, subject to certain exceptions, from incurring additional indebtedness (including capital lease obligations), repurchasing equity, paying dividends or distributions, granting or incurring additional liens on the Company’s properties, pledging shares of the Company’s subsidiaries, entering into certain merger or other change-in-control transactions, entering into transactions with the Company’s affiliates, making certain sales or other dispositions of the Company’s assets, making certain investments, acquiring other businesses and entering into sale-leaseback transactions with respect to the Company’s property.

The Credit Facility, as amended requires that ION and the Subsidiary Borrowers maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 as of the end of each fiscal quarter during the existence of a covenant testing trigger event. The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined as the ratio of (i) ION’s EBITDA, minus unfunded capital expenditures made during the relevant period, minus distributions (including tax distributions) and dividends made during the relevant period, minus cash taxes paid during the relevant period, to (ii) certain debt payments made during the relevant period. A covenant testing trigger event occurs upon (a) the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Credit Facility or (b) the failure to maintain a measure of liquidity greater than (i) $5.0 million for five consecutive business days or (ii) $4.0 million on any given business day. Liquidity, as defined in the Credit Facility, is the Company’s excess availability to borrow ($40.0 million at September 30, 2015) plus the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash held by ION, the Subsidiary Borrowers and their domestic subsidiaries.

At September 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility as amended contains customary event of default provisions (including a “change of control” event affecting ION), the occurrence of which could lead to an acceleration of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility as amended.

Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes

In May 2013, the Company sold $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes due 2018 (“Notes”) in a private offering pursuant to an Indenture dated as of May 13, 2013. The Notes are senior secured second-priority obligations of the Company, are guaranteed by the Company’s material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (“the Guarantors”), and mature on May 15, 2018. Interest on the Notes accrues at the rate of 8.125% per annum and will be payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year during their term. In May 2014, the holders of the Notes exchanged their Notes for a like principal amount of registered Notes with the same terms. For a complete discussion of the terms and security of these Notes, see Footnote 6 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The Notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit or prohibit the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to take certain actions or permit certain conditions to exist during the term of the Notes, including among other things, incurring additional indebtedness, creating liens, paying dividends and making other distributions in respect of the Company’s capital stock, redeeming the Company’s capital stock, making investments or certain other restricted payments, selling certain kinds of assets, entering into transactions with affiliates, and effecting mergers or consolidations. These and other restrictive covenants contained in the Indenture are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. All of the Company’s subsidiaries are currently restricted subsidiaries.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the covenants on the Notes.

On or after May 15, 2015, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15th of the years indicated below:

Date	Percentage
2015	104.063%
2016	102.031%
2017 and thereafter	100.000%

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Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 88,239	$ 173,608	$ 129,847	$ 148,056
Accounts receivable, net	21,587	114,325
Unbilled receivables	32,387	22,599
Inventories	34,683	51,162
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,124	13,662
Total current assets	187,020	375,356
Deferred income tax asset	5,706	8,604
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	77,081	69,840
Multi-client data library, net	135,907	118,669
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Goodwill	26,809	27,388
Intangible assets, net	5,306	6,788
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Other assets	9,380	10,612
Total assets	447,209	617,257
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,612	7,649
Accounts payable	27,950	36,863
Accrued expenses	54,302	65,264
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	12,443	35,219
Deferred revenue	5,575	8,262
Total current liabilities	106,882	153,257
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	179,666	182,945
Intercompany payables	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	39,830	143,804
Total liabilities	326,378	480,006
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,200	1,539
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,648	1,645
Additional paid-in capital	892,007	887,749
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(753,987)	(734,409)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,564)	(12,807)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	0	0
Treasury stock	(6,565)	(6,565)
Total stockholders' equity	119,539	135,613
Noncontrolling interests	92	99
Total equity	119,631	135,712
Total liabilities and equity	447,209	617,257
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | ION Geophysical Corporation [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	25,470	109,514	84,294	124,701
Accounts receivable, net	6	123
Unbilled receivables	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,638	6,692
Total current assets	28,114	116,329
Deferred income tax asset	0	(7,852)
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	5,051	6,412
Multi-client data library, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	684,815	675,499
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Intercompany receivables	78,982	29,979
Other assets	8,000	10,191
Total assets	804,962	830,558
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	1,763	4,308
Accrued expenses	16,282	3,904
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	0	0
Deferred revenue	0	0
Total current liabilities	18,045	8,212
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	175,000	175,000
Intercompany payables	491,902	509,124
Other long-term liabilities	476	2,609
Total liabilities	685,423	694,945
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,648	1,645
Additional paid-in capital	892,007	887,749
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(753,987)	(734,409)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,564)	(12,807)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	0	0
Treasury stock	(6,565)	(6,565)
Total stockholders' equity	119,539	135,613
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	119,539	135,613
Total liabilities and equity	804,962	830,558
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | The Guarantors [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	11,017	49,892
Unbilled receivables	30,719	18,548
Inventories	12,578	4,013
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,971	2,697
Total current assets	56,285	75,150
Deferred income tax asset	8,296	6,675
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	24,064	33,065
Multi-client data library, net	121,329	96,423
Investment in subsidiaries	232,637	278,294
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible assets, net	4,956	6,254
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Other assets	141	147
Total assets	447,708	496,008
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,533	6,965
Accounts payable	20,508	12,028
Accrued expenses	25,546	34,738
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	11,926	34,624
Deferred revenue	3,135	5,263
Total current liabilities	67,648	93,618
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	4,626	7,839
Intercompany payables	69,852	8,892
Other long-term liabilities	31,834	130,985
Total liabilities	173,960	241,334
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	290,460	290,460
Additional paid-in capital	180,700	180,700
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	224,206	208,846
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	5,663	6,229
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	(427,281)	(431,561)
Treasury stock	0	0
Total stockholders' equity	273,748	254,674
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	273,748	254,674
Total liabilities and equity	447,708	496,008
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | All Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	62,769	64,094	$ 45,553	$ 23,355
Accounts receivable, net	10,564	64,310
Unbilled receivables	1,668	4,051
Inventories	22,105	47,149
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,160	8,769
Total current assets	103,266	188,373
Deferred income tax asset	200	749
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	47,966	30,363
Multi-client data library, net	14,578	22,246
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Goodwill	26,809	27,388
Intangible assets, net	350	534
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Other assets	1,239	274
Total assets	194,408	269,927
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	79	684
Accounts payable	5,679	20,527
Accrued expenses	12,526	21,807
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	517	595
Deferred revenue	2,440	2,999
Total current liabilities	21,241	46,612
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	40	106
Intercompany payables	9,130	21,087
Other long-term liabilities	10,904	10,489
Total liabilities	41,315	78,294
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,200	1,539
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	19,138	19,138
Additional paid-in capital	234,234	234,234
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(23,589)	26,981
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,361)	(12,795)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	(64,621)	(77,563)
Treasury stock	0	0
Total stockholders' equity	151,801	189,995
Noncontrolling interests	92	99
Total equity	151,893	190,094
Total liabilities and equity	194,408	269,927
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Unbilled receivables	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(645)	(4,496)
Total current assets	(645)	(4,496)
Deferred income tax asset	(2,790)	9,032
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	0	0
Multi-client data library, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	(917,452)	(953,793)
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Intercompany receivables	(78,982)	(29,979)
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	(999,869)	(979,236)
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	(52)	4,815
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	0	0
Deferred revenue	0	0
Total current liabilities	(52)	4,815
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	0	0
Intercompany payables	(570,884)	(539,103)
Other long-term liabilities	(3,384)	(279)
Total liabilities	(574,320)	(534,567)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	(309,598)	(309,598)
Additional paid-in capital	(414,934)	(414,934)
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(200,617)	(235,827)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	7,698	6,566
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	491,902	509,124
Treasury stock	0	0
Total stockholders' equity	(425,549)	(444,669)
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	(425,549)	(444,669)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (999,869)	$ (979,236)

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Long-term Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Obligations

Obligations (in thousands)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Senior secured second-priority notes	$	175,000		$	175,000
Equipment capital leases	11,278			15,059
Revolving credit facility	—			—
Other debt	—			535
Total	186,278			190,594
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	(6,612		)	(7,649		)
Non-current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	$	179,666		$	182,945

Debt Instrument Redemption

On or after May 15, 2015, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15th of the years indicated below:

Date	Percentage
2015	104.063%
2016	102.031%
2017 and thereafter	100.000%

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Segment Information (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) segment	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business segments | segment			4
Summary of segment information
Revenues	$ 66,674,000	$ 106,540,000	$ 144,047,000	$ 372,718,000
Gross profit (loss)	11,108,000	29,223,000	(14,815,000)	124,305,000
Income (loss) from operations	(12,874,000)	(5,349,000)	(100,252,000)	18,107,000
Interest expense, net	(4,854,000)	(5,048,000)	(14,086,000)	(14,779,000)
Equity in losses of investments	0	(5,558,000)	0	(9,027,000)
Other income (expense), net	(346,000)	(622,000)	98,035,000	73,970,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	(18,074,000)	(16,577,000)	(16,303,000)	68,271,000
Operating segments [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	66,674,000	106,540,000	144,047,000	372,718,000
Gross profit (loss)	$ 11,108,000	$ 29,223,000	$ (14,815,000)	$ 124,305,000
Gross margin	17.00%	27.00%	(10.00%)	33.00%
Operating segments [Member] | Solutions [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	$ 52,645,000	$ 45,859,000	$ 93,994,000	$ 197,734,000
Gross profit (loss)	$ 11,294,000	$ 5,927,000	$ (6,954,000)	$ 51,207,000
Gross margin	21.00%	13.00%	(7.00%)	26.00%
Income (loss) from operations	$ 768,000	$ (5,960,000)	$ (40,766,000)	$ 11,733,000
Operating segments [Member] | Solutions [Member] | New Venture and Data Library [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	41,952,000	21,708,000	60,263,000	106,603,000
Operating segments [Member] | Solutions [Member] | New Venture [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	26,650,000	18,446,000	35,315,000	76,499,000
Operating segments [Member] | Solutions [Member] | Data Library [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	15,302,000	3,262,000	24,948,000	30,104,000
Operating segments [Member] | Solutions [Member] | Data Processing [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	10,693,000	24,151,000	33,731,000	91,131,000
Operating segments [Member] | Systems [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	7,290,000	24,695,000	27,733,000	71,948,000
Gross profit (loss)	$ 1,366,000	$ 10,123,000	$ 7,425,000	$ 31,288,000
Gross margin	19.00%	41.00%	27.00%	43.00%
Income (loss) from operations	$ (1,295,000)	$ 2,917,000	$ (2,660,000)	$ 9,835,000
Operating segments [Member] | Systems [Member] | Towed Streamer [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	4,426,000	13,666,000	12,273,000	35,782,000
Operating segments [Member] | Systems [Member] | Other [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	2,864,000	11,029,000	15,460,000	36,166,000
Operating segments [Member] | Software [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	6,739,000	11,010,000	22,320,000	31,582,000
Gross profit (loss)	$ 4,399,000	$ 8,326,000	$ 14,197,000	$ 23,388,000
Gross margin	65.00%	76.00%	64.00%	74.00%
Income (loss) from operations	$ 2,444,000	$ 6,227,000	$ 7,874,000	$ 16,985,000
Operating segments [Member] | Software [Member] | Software Systems [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	5,869,000	9,922,000	19,396,000	28,384,000
Operating segments [Member] | Software [Member] | Services [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	870,000	1,088,000	2,924,000	3,198,000
Operating segments [Member] | Ocean Bottom Services Segment [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	0	24,976,000	0	71,454,000
Gross profit (loss)	$ (5,951,000)	$ 4,847,000	$ (29,483,000)	$ 18,422,000
Gross margin	0.00%	19.00%	0.00%	26.00%
Income (loss) from operations	$ (7,289,000)	$ 1,677,000	$ (34,856,000)	$ 12,333,000
Corporate and other [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment information
Income (loss) from operations	$ (7,502,000)	$ (10,210,000)	$ (29,844,000)	$ (32,779,000)
INOVA Geophysical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity method investments value					$ 0

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Stock-based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”). On March 1, 2015, the Company issued 3,108,107 SAR awards to 16 individuals with an exercise price of $2.28. The vesting of these SARs is achieved through both a market condition and a service condition. The market condition is achieved, in part or in full, in the event that during the four-year period beginning on the date of grant the 20-day trailing volume-weighted average price of a share of common stock is (i) greater than 120% of the exercise price for the first 1/3 of the awards, (ii) greater than 125% of the exercise price for the second 1/3 of the awards and (iii) greater than 130% of the exercise price for the final 1/3 of the awards. The exercise condition restricts the ability of the holders to exercise awards until certain service milestones have been reached such that (i) no more than 1/3 of the awards may be exercised, if vested, on and after the first anniversary of the date of grant, (ii) no more than 2/3 of the awards may be exercised, if vested, on and after the second anniversary of the date of grant and (iii) all of the awards may be exercised, if vested, on and after the third anniversary of the date of grant. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded $0.6 million of share-based compensation expense attributable to SAR awards.

Pursuant to ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” the SARs are considered liability awards and as such, these amounts are accrued in the liability section of the balance sheet. The Company calculated the fair value of each SAR award on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The following assumptions were used:

	March 1, 2015
Risk-free interest rates	2.03%
Expected lives (in years)	2.7
Expected dividend yield	—%
Expected volatility	60.27%