Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	$ 21,000	$ 13,000	$ 13,000
Due from Seitel Holdings, Inc.	1,177,000	1,156,000
Seitel Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	21,000	13,000	13,000
Due from Seitel Holdings, Inc.	$ 1,200,000	1,200,000
Wandoo Energy LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost method investment, ownership percentage	20.00%
Proceeds from cash dividends	$ 10,000	$ 0	$ 72,000