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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KvYUdK8NkDrmo43rpNz5f0XkMS0Ysb4WHP7CQeupktlp+4EoOpgOnGRNNX5Zqmza
 tDwPVXYrbwp4PifDWqtwGw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000932799-06-000045.txt : 20060301
<SEC-HEADER>0000932799-06-000045.hdr.sgml : 20060301
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060301161509
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000932799-06-000045
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050603
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060301
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060301

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SEITEL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000750813
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OIL AND GAS FIELD EXPLORATION SERVICES [1382]
		IRS NUMBER:				760025431
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10811 S. WESTVIEW CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		BUILDING C, SUITE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77043
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7138818900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10811 S. WESTVIEW CIRCLE
		STREET 2:		BUILDING C, SUITE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77043

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SEISMIC ENTERPRISES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19870814

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MELLON HBV ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001218315
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10165
		FILM NUMBER:		06655878

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 PARK AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 3300
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10166-3399
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2128083941

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 PARK AVE
		STREET 2:		STE 3300
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10166-3399
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>seitelfm5_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-06-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>1</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000750813</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SEITEL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SELA.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001218315</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MELLON HBV ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>200 PARK AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10166-3399</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-06-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value>L</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>19500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.40</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>21499983</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This reports a ppurchase in June 2005 of Issuer's Common Stock not previously disclosed on Form 4.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Reporting Person serves as investment advisor and agent for Mellon HBV Master Global Event Driven Fund LP, Mellon HBV
 Master Rediscovered Opportunties Fund LP, Axis RDO Ltd, Mellon MBV Master US Event Driven Funds LP.  Ther Reporting Person
 exercises voting and dispository power over all such shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ William F. Harley, III, CEO</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-02-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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