Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (4,515)	$ (44,828)
Depreciation and amortization	65,660	76,767
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	429	(1,967)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,044	854
Amortization of debt premium	(56)	(48)
Amortization of stock-based compensation	346	2,299
Amortization of favorable facility lease	147	137
Allowance for collection of trade receivables	6
Non-cash other income	(86)	(28)
Non-cash revenue	(4,416)	(5,776)
Gain on sale of marketable securities	(2,467)	(52)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	(1,274)	1,422
Decrease (increase) in other assets	184	(29)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	(3,733)	4,646
Decrease in accounts payable and other liabilities	(7,183)	(826)
Net cash provided by operating activities	44,086	32,571
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(79,079)	(17,641)
Cash paid to acquire property, equipment and other	(739)	(40)
Net proceeds from sale of marketable securities	2,467	52
Cash from sale of property, equipment and other	35
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(6)	(5)
Net cash used in investing activities	(77,322)	(17,634)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on notes payable	(29)	(27)
Repayment of 11.75% Senior Notes	(2,000)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(81)	(71)
Borrowings on line of credit	737	10
Payments on line of credit	(737)	(10)
Contributed capital	125,000
Costs of debt and equity transactions	(6,067)	(65)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	116,823	(163)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(188)	224
Net increase in cash and equivalents	83,399	14,998
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	89,971	26,270
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	173,370	41,268
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	$ 19,833	$ 19,703
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	5,006	5,953