Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - The activity related to non-monetary exchanges (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Nonmonetary Transaction [Line Items]
Additions to seismic data library	$ 3,376	$ 10,215	$ 10,545
Non-cash revenue	8,518	9,514	9,864
Seismic Data Library [Member]
Nonmonetary Transaction [Line Items]
Additions to seismic data library	3,376	10,215	10,545
Non-Exclusive Data Licenses [Member]
Nonmonetary Transaction [Line Items]
Non-cash revenue	3,046	7,169	7,187
Data Acquisition [Member]
Nonmonetary Transaction [Line Items]
Non-cash revenue	5,452	2,274	2,677
Solutions [Member]
Nonmonetary Transaction [Line Items]
Non-cash revenue	$ 20	$ 71	$ 0