Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net loss	$ (28,542)	$ (13,977)
Depreciation and amortization	58,839	68,114
Deferred income tax benefit	(5,127)	(5,704)
Foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	(143)	1,559
Amortization of deferred financing costs	922	889
Amortization of stock-based compensation	59	264
Decrease in allowance for doubtful accounts	(21)	0
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(7)	0
Non-cash other income	(572)	0
Non-cash revenue	(2,713)	(6,805)
Decrease in receivables	6,508	33,923
Decrease in other assets	424	265
Decrease in deferred revenue	(7,244)	(14,035)
Increase in accounts payable and other liabilities	6,748	3,236
Net cash provided by operating activities	29,131	67,729
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(20,699)	(61,218)
Cash paid to acquire property and equipment	(176)	(406)
Cash from sale of property and equipment	18	0
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(19)	(10)
Net cash used in investing activities	(20,876)	(61,634)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(152)	(168)
Net cash used in financing activities	(152)	(168)
Effect of exchange rate changes	96	(1,128)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	8,199	4,799
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	52,675	59,175
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	60,874	63,974
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	12,195	12,230
Income taxes, net of refunds received	(7)	(122)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	$ 2,640	$ 7,959