Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,738	$ 14,706
Depreciation and amortization	29,338	39,384
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	1,504	0
Deferred income tax provision	523	1,065
Foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	647	(411)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	502	492
Amortization of stock-based compensation	226	73
Amortization of favorable facility lease	0	72
Non-cash revenue	(635)	(2,115)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	17,520	(1,092)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	287	(543)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	(1,146)	985
Decrease in accounts payable and other liabilities	(15,092)	(7,534)
Net cash provided by operating activities	35,412	45,082
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(40,132)	(56,420)
Cash paid to acquire property, equipment and other	(336)	(250)
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(246)	(4)
Net cash used in investing activities	(40,714)	(56,674)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of 9½% Senior Notes	250,000	0
Repayment of 9.75% Senior Notes	(275,000)	0
Principal payments on notes payable	(17)	(16)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(62)	(42)
Costs of debt transactions	(5,822)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(30,901)	(58)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(144)	171
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(36,347)	(11,479)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	61,891	74,894
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	25,544	63,415
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	18,253	13,475
Income taxes, net of refunds received	3,770	1,462
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	$ 2,716	$ 709