Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 2,216	$ (63,417)	$ (96,797)
Depreciation and amortization	142,963	175,592	150,199
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	7,912
Deferred income tax benefit	(289)	(4,053)	(2,924)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,999	1,753	1,832
Amortization of debt premium	(56)	(98)	(93)
Amortization of stock-based compensation	453	3,157	3,034
Amortization of favorable lease facility	290	276	252
Allowance for collection of trade receivables	12	1,524	513
Non-cash other income	(98)	(124)
Non-cash revenue	(9,514)	(9,864)	(7,413)
Gain on sale of marketable securities	(2,467)	(4,188)
Loss on sale of subsidiary			19
Decrease (increase) in receivables	(20,277)	(7,285)	22,997
Decrease (increase) in other assets	(471)	(156)	1,180
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	11,108	12,811	(27,194)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities	(7,684)	3,393	(4,751)
Net cash provided by operating activities	126,097	109,321	40,854
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in seismic data	(126,979)	(49,465)	(55,865)
Cash paid to acquire property, equipment and other	(2,121)	(527)	(400)
Net proceeds from sale of marketable securities	2,467	4,188
Cash transferred upon sale of subsidiary			(22)
Cash from sale of property, equipment and other	122	86	15
Advances to Seitel Holdings, Inc.	(755)	(9)	(11)
Repayment from Seitel Holdings, Inc.	50
Net cash used in investing activities	(127,216)	(45,727)	(56,283)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Contributed capital	125,000
Repayment of 9.75% Senior Notes	(131,094)
Repayment of 11.75% Senior Notes	(2,000)
Principal payments on notes payable	(59)	(54)	(48)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(164)	(146)	(124)
Borrowings on line of credit	737	10	401
Payments on line of credit	(737)	(10)	(401)
Costs of debt and equity transactions	(6,338)	(65)
Net cash used in financing activities	(14,655)	(265)	(172)
Effect of exchange rate changes	697	372	(807)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(15,077)	63,701	(16,408)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	89,971	26,270	42,678
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	74,894	89,971	26,270
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	37,981	39,440	39,455
Income taxes, net of refunds received	$ 7,979	$ (53)	$ 281
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Additions to seismic data library	$10,215	$10,545	$2,197