Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (24,424)	$ (109,990)	$ 9,678
Depreciation and amortization	75,078	80,923	121,023
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	(3,957)	79,712	9,273
Foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	(109)	1,650	1,974
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,224	1,200	1,090
Amortization of stock-based compensation	77	328	536
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts	(20)	4	(337)
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(7)	0	0
Non-cash other loss (income)	(1,744)	0	15
Non-cash revenue	(3,308)	(6,928)	(1,071)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	(8,827)	37,490	(12,199)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	416	692	(405)
Decrease in deferred revenue	(9,378)	(10,539)	(6,960)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities	5,522	(1,906)	1,728
Net cash provided by operating activities	30,543	72,636	124,345
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(26,662)	(77,281)	(93,682)
Cash paid to acquire property and equipment	(304)	(432)	(1,961)
Cash from sale of property and equipment	18	0	0
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(21)	(13)	(13)
Net cash used in investing activities	(26,969)	(77,726)	(95,656)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(205)	(218)	(249)
Net cash used in financing activities	(205)	(218)	(249)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(47)	(1,192)	(618)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,322	(6,500)	27,822
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	52,675	59,175	31,353
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	55,997	52,675	59,175
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	24,113	24,230	24,132
Income taxes, net of refunds received	(3,630)	(665)	(4,937)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	$ 2,640	$ 9,311	$ 950