-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Aay2njxNuLS2nlDCWYF/eFkYQXoatITKDxXSKjxshy1F3xP8601tLyCM0kjJ8HUL
 0wcKmxawiZk75FuP64807g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001129787-04-000150.txt : 20041210
<SEC-HEADER>0001129787-04-000150.hdr.sgml : 20041210
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041210164808
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001129787-04-000150
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041208
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041210
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041210

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:			KAMIN PETER H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000937541
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10165
		FILM NUMBER:		041196884

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		40 BRIARCLIFF RD
		CITY:			LONGMEADOW
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01106
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6179605570

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO INTERNATIONAL PLACE, 25TH FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			UBBEN JEFFREY W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001159187
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10165
		FILM NUMBER:		041196885

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MARITIME PLAZA, SUITE 1400
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94111
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4153623700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		435 PACIFIC AVENUE, FOURTH FLOOR
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94133

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VA PARTNERS LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001129787
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10165
		FILM NUMBER:		041196886

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		435 PACIFIC AVENUE
		STREET 2:		FOURTH FLOOR
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94133
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4153623700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		435 PACIFIC AVENUE
		STREET 2:		FOURTH FLOOR
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94133
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001129787</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VA PARTNERS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>FOURTH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001159187</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>UBBEN JEFFREY W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE, FOURTH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000937541</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KAMIN PETER H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TWO INTERNATIONAL PLACE, 25TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02110</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 par value $.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>216700</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.05</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20330063</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As General Partner of ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P., ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P., and ValueAct Capital Partners Co-Investors, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These securities are also beneficially owned by Jeffrey W. Ubben, George F. Hamel, Jr., and Peter H. Kamin as Managing Members, Principal Owners and Controlling Persons of VA Partners, LLC. The reporting persons disclaim beneficial ownership except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Joint Filer Information

Name: ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Seitel, Inc. (SELA)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: December 8, 2004

Name: ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Seitel, Inc. (SELA)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: December 8, 2004

Name: ValueAct Capital Partners Co-Investors, L.P.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Seitel, Inc. (SELA)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: December 8, 2004

Name: Jeffrey W. Ubben
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Seitel, Inc. (SELA)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: December 8, 2004

Name: George F. Hamel, Jr.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Seitel, Inc. (SELA)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: December 8, 2004

Name: Peter H. Kamin
Address: Two International Place, 25th Floor, Boston, MA 02110
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Seitel, Inc. (SELA)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: December 8, 2004</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL MASTER FUND, L.P., BY VA PARTNERS, L.L.C., ITS GENERAL PARTNER, By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P., BY VA PARTNERS, L.L.C., ITS GENERAL PARTNER, By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL PARTNERS CO-INVESTORS, L.P., BY VA PARTNERS, L.L.C., ITS GENERAL PARTNER By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VA PARTNERS, L.L.C., By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr., Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Ubben</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Peter H. Kamin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----