Income Taxes (Details) $ in Thousands, CAD in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 CAD	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Increase during the period	$ 6,675	$ 88,737
Tax benefit recorded as a result of lapse in statute of limitations	400
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective income tax rate if recognized in future periods					$ 500
Deferred income tax asset		39			257
Unrecognized tax benefits, accrued interest		1,300			400
Unrecognized tax benefits, accrued penalties		700			0
Interest on unrecognized tax benefits	(100)	$ 500	$ 200
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
NOL carryforwards					200,300
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
NOL carryforwards					3,900
Foreign Federal Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
NOL carryforwards | CAD				CAD 5.8
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
AMT credit carryforward					$ 2,500
Seitel Canada [Member] | Canada Revenue Agency [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Total tax benefit recorded as a result of settlements with taxing authorities	2,300
UNITED STATES | Net operating income (loss) generated [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Increase during the period	8,600
UNITED STATES | Uncertain tax positions adjusted due to settlement [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Increase during the period	$ 2,000