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, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Nonmonetary Transaction [Line Items]
Additions to seismic data library	$ 4,085	$ 3,376	$ 10,215
Non-cash revenue	2,486	8,518	9,514
Seismic Data Library [Member]
Nonmonetary Transaction [Line Items]
Additions to seismic data library	4,085	3,376	10,215
Non-Exclusive Data Licenses [Member]
Nonmonetary Transaction [Line Items]
Non-cash revenue	2,399	3,047	7,169
Data Acquisition [Member]
Nonmonetary Transaction [Line Items]
Non-cash revenue	87	5,451	2,274
Solutions [Member]
Nonmonetary Transaction [Line Items]
Non-cash revenue	$ 0	$ 20	$ 71