Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 19, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SEITEL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000750813
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		100
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float		$ 0