Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net income	$ 8,343	$ 17,105
Depreciation and amortization	89,252	106,924
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	1,504	0
Deferred income tax provision	149	213
Foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	1,104	(1,036)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	989	1,514
Amortization of stock-based compensation	683	519
Amortization of favorable facility lease	0	214
Decrease in allowance for doubtful accounts	0	(298)
Non-cash other income	0	(208)
Non-cash revenue	(1,710)	(6,175)
Gain on sale of marketable securities	0	(230)
Decrease in receivables	20,200	7,642
Decrease (increase) in other assets	(1,830)	621
Decrease in deferred revenue	(1,868)	(3,207)
Decrease in accounts payable and other liabilities	(5,650)	(5,832)
Net cash provided by operating activities	111,166	117,766
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(111,812)	(148,854)
Cash paid to acquire property, equipment and other	(695)	(1,276)
Net proceeds from sale of marketable securities	0	230
Cash from sale of property, equipment and other	59	90
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(253)	(11)
Net cash used in investing activities	(112,701)	(149,821)
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	(29)	(49)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(186)	(150)
Costs of debt transactions	(6,915)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(32,130)	(199)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(186)	179
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(33,851)	(32,075)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	61,891	74,894
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	28,040	42,819
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	18,409	27,018
Income taxes, net of refunds received	7,251	2,608
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	3,903	3,115
Capital lease obligations incurred	$ 0	$ 95