Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net loss	$ (23,015)	$ (23,099)
Depreciation and amortization	44,232	39,906
Deferred income tax benefit	(585)	(3,703)
Foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	85	(163)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	627	628
Amortization of stock-based compensation	6	76
Decrease in allowance for doubtful accounts	0	(21)
Gain on sale of seismic data and property and equipment	(96)	(7)
Non-cash revenue	(1,407)	(1,364)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	6,441	(10,413)
Increase in other assets	(165)	(10)
Decrease in deferred revenue	(2,888)	(1,160)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities	(2,381)	4,084
Net cash provided by operating activities	20,854	4,754
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(16,101)	(12,869)
Cash paid to acquire property and equipment	(250)	(145)
Cash from sale of property and equipment	3	18
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(8)	(16)
Net cash used in investing activities	(16,356)	(13,012)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(112)	(100)
Net cash used in financing activities	(112)	(100)
Effect of exchange rate changes	460	156
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4,846	(8,202)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	55,997	52,675
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	60,843	44,473
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	11,940	12,102
Income taxes, net of refunds received	690	(187)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	$ 1,250	$ 1,022