Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net loss	$ (29,359)	$ (28,542)
Depreciation and amortization	61,946	58,839
Deferred income tax benefit	(1,172)	(5,127)
Foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	88	(143)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	952	922
Amortization of stock-based compensation	9	59
Decrease in allowance for doubtful accounts	0	(21)
Gain on sale of seismic data and property and equipment	(96)	(7)
Non-cash other income	0	(572)
Non-cash revenue	(1,554)	(2,713)
Decrease in receivables	12,470	6,508
Decrease in other assets	35	424
Decrease in deferred revenue	(3,532)	(7,244)
Increase in accounts payable and other liabilities	4,494	6,748
Net cash provided by operating activities	44,281	29,131
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(20,518)	(20,699)
Cash paid to acquire property and equipment	(362)	(176)
Cash from sale of property and equipment	3	18
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(11)	(19)
Net cash used in investing activities	(20,888)	(20,876)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(178)	(152)
Net cash used in financing activities	(178)	(152)
Effect of exchange rate changes	1,061	96
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	24,276	8,199
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	55,997	52,675
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	80,273	60,874
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	11,974	12,195
Income taxes, net of refunds received	774	(7)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	$ 1,250	$ 2,640