Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 15,976	$ (4,515)
Depreciation and amortization	69,221	65,660
Deferred income tax provision	760	429
Amortization of deferred financing costs	997	1,044
Amortization of debt premium	0	(56)
Amortization of stock-based compensation	318	346
Amortization of favorable facility lease	142	147
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts	(313)	6
Non-cash other income	0	(86)
Non-cash revenue	(2,681)	(4,416)
Gain on sale of marketable securities	(230)	(2,467)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	13,804	(1,274)
Decrease in other assets	236	184
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	2,100	(3,733)
Decrease in accounts payable and other liabilities	(1,829)	(7,183)
Net cash provided by operating activities	98,501	44,086
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(113,136)	(79,079)
Cash paid to acquire property, equipment and other	(1,074)	(739)
Net proceeds from sale of marketable securities	230	2,467
Cash from sale of property, equipment and other	90	35
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(9)	(6)
Net cash used in investing activities	(113,899)	(77,322)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on notes payable	(32)	(29)
Repayment of 11.75% Senior Notes	0	(2,000)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(91)	(81)
Borrowings on line of credit	0	737
Payments on line of credit	0	(737)
Contributed capital	0	125,000
Costs of debt and equity transactions	0	(6,067)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(123)	116,823
Effect of exchange rate changes	202	(188)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(15,319)	83,399
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	74,894	89,971
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	59,575	173,370
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	13,539	19,833
Income taxes, net of refunds received	1,894	7,772
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	2,389	5,006
Capital lease obligations incurred	$ 94	$ 0