Amount of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries intended to be permanently reinvested outside the country of domicile.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 740
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487024&loc=d3e29054-158556

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 740
-Section 50
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-Subparagraph (b)
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 995
-SubTopic 740
-Section 50
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-Subparagraph (b)
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
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Name:	us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsOfForeignSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
United States statutory rate	21.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Seitel Mexicana [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries		$ (0.4)
Seitel Canada [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries		$ (37.1)