Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net loss	$ (13,864)	$ (7,646)
Depreciation and amortization	15,101	23,080
Deferred income tax benefit	(1,445)	(5,374)
Foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	(173)	1,459
Amortization of deferred financing costs	318	289
Amortization of stock-based compensation	22	114
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(6)	0
Non-cash revenue	(1)	(179)
Decrease in receivables	6,734	30,856
Increase in other assets	(232)	(273)
Decrease in deferred revenue	(2,098)	(1,843)
Increase in accounts payable and other liabilities	6,333	4,582
Net cash provided by operating activities	10,689	45,065
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(6,386)	(22,900)
Cash paid to acquire property and equipment	(75)	(107)
Cash from sale of property and equipment	14	0
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(11)	(3)
Net cash used in investing activities	(6,458)	(23,010)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(48)	(59)
Net cash used in financing activities	(48)	(59)
Effect of exchange rate changes	177	(1,065)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	4,360	20,931
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	52,675	59,175
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	57,035	80,106
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	116	106
Income taxes, net of refunds received	0	246
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	$ 222	$ 129