Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (13,977)	$ 8,953
Depreciation and amortization	68,114	85,938
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	(5,704)	7,430
Foreign currency exchange losses	1,559	1,344
Amortization of deferred financing costs	889	808
Amortization of stock-based compensation	264	417
Decrease in allowance for doubtful accounts	0	(337)
Non-cash other loss	0	14
Non-cash revenue	(6,805)	(260)
Decrease in receivables	33,923	3,342
Decrease (increase) in other assets	265	(703)
Decrease in deferred revenue	(14,035)	(14,140)
Increase in accounts payable and other liabilities	3,236	6,544
Net cash provided by operating activities	67,729	99,350
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(61,218)	(72,272)
Cash paid to acquire property, equipment and other	(406)	(1,404)
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(10)	(10)
Net cash used in investing activities	(61,634)	(73,686)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(168)	(187)
Net cash used in financing activities	(168)	(187)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(1,128)	(249)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	4,799	25,228
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	59,175	31,353
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	63,974	56,581
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	12,230	12,137
Income taxes, net of refunds received	(122)	(3,728)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	$ 7,959	$ 177