Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net loss	$ (31,481)	$ (24,424)	$ (109,990)
Depreciation and amortization	77,482	75,078	80,923
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	(3,628)	(3,957)	79,712
Foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	(8)	(109)	1,650
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,285	1,224	1,200
Amortization of stock-based compensation	10	77	328
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts	0	(20)	4
Gain on sale of seismic data and property and equipment	(96)	(7)	0
Non-cash other income	0	(1,744)	0
Non-cash revenue	(1,620)	(3,308)	(6,928)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	1,686	(8,827)	37,490
Decrease in other assets	175	416	692
Decrease in deferred revenue	(3,353)	(9,378)	(10,539)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities	(98)	5,522	(1,906)
Net cash provided by operating activities	40,354	30,543	72,636
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(26,170)	(26,662)	(77,281)
Cash paid to acquire property and equipment	(534)	(304)	(432)
Cash from sale of seismic data and property and equipment	182	18	0
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(14)	(21)	(13)
Net cash used in investing activities	(26,536)	(26,969)	(77,726)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(244)	(205)	(218)
Net cash used in financing activities	(244)	(205)	(218)
Effect of exchange rate changes	1,010	(47)	(1,192)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	14,584	3,322	(6,500)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	55,997	52,675	59,175
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	70,581	55,997	52,675
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	23,879	24,113	24,230
Income taxes, net of refunds received	847	(3,630)	(665)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	$ 2,064	$ 2,640	$ 9,311