LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Loss per common share (basic and diluted):
Net loss attributable to SAExploration	$ (6,432)	$ (17,900)	$ (4,119)	$ (19,126)
Net loss available to common stockholders	$ (6,432)	$ (18,127)	$ (4,119)	$ (66,295)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	7,919	1,865	7,761	1,433
Loss per common share (basic and diluted)	$ (0.81)	$ (9.72)	$ (0.53)	$ (46.26)
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted loss per common share	11,177	5,788	11,177	5,788
Series A And B Preferred Stocks
Loss per common share (basic and diluted):
Amortization of discounts on Series A and Series B preferred stock	$ 0	$ (22,231)	$ 0	$ (67,426)
Series A Preferred Stock
Loss per common share (basic and diluted):
Accretion of Series A preferred stock to redemption value	0	22,667	0	21,376
Dividends	$ 0	$ (663)	$ 0	$ (1,119)

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders basic and diluted.

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Temporary equity accretion of discount.

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Undistributed earnings (loss) basic and diluted.

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Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share in instances when basic and diluted earnings per share are the same amount and reported as a single line item on the face of the financial statements. Basic earnings per share is the amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share includes the amount of net income or loss for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109260490&loc=d3e1337-109256

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Value of accretion of temporary equity during the period due to unpaid dividends.

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Value of accretion of temporary equity to its redemption value during the period.

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Average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS).

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