Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Deficit (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock	Total SAExploration Stockholders' Deficit	Non-controlling Interest
Beginning balances at Dec. 31, 2018	$ (17,364)	$ 232,661	$ (249,349)	$ (3,035)	$ (1,866)	$ (21,589)	$ 4,225
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income	(1,546)		(4,119)			(4,119)	2,573
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(390)			(390)		(390)
Issuance of common stock	578	578				578
Purchase of treasury stock	(366)				(366)	(366)
Equity-based compensation cost	2,399	2,399				2,399
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,500)						(1,500)
Ending balances at Jun. 30, 2019	(18,189)	235,638	(253,468)	(3,425)	(2,232)	(23,487)	5,298
Beginning balances at Mar. 31, 2019	(13,057)	234,039	(247,036)	(3,078)	(1,866)	(17,941)	4,884
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income	(5,268)		(6,432)			(6,432)	1,164
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(347)			(347)		(347)
Purchase of treasury stock	(366)				(366)	(366)
Equity-based compensation cost	1,599	1,599				1,599
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(750)						(750)
Ending balances at Jun. 30, 2019	(18,189)	235,638	(253,468)	(3,425)	(2,232)	(23,487)	5,298
Beginning balances at Dec. 31, 2019	(35,813)	240,068	(274,535)	(2,912)	(2,232)	(39,611)	3,798
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income	5,662		3,055			3,055	2,607
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,590			2,590		2,590
Equity-based compensation cost	298	298				298
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(5,982)						(5,982)
Ending balances at Jun. 30, 2020	(33,245)	240,366	(271,480)	(322)	(2,232)	(33,668)	423
Beginning balances at Mar. 31, 2020	(25,149)	240,201	(265,886)	(129)	(2,232)	(28,046)	2,897
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income	(4,407)		(5,594)			(5,594)	1,187
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(193)			(193)		(193)
Equity-based compensation cost	165	165				165
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(3,661)						(3,661)
Ending balances at Jun. 30, 2020	$ (33,245)	$ 240,366	$ (271,480)	$ (322)	$ (2,232)	$ (33,668)	$ 423