CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Net revenues	$ 174,679,000	$ 180,045,000	$ 197,554,000
Cost of services and products	114,657,000	120,425,000	121,915,000
Impairment of multi-client data library	9,072,000	0	2,304,000
Gross profit	60,022,000	59,620,000	75,639,000
Operating expenses:
Research, development and engineering	19,025,000	18,182,000	16,431,000
Marketing and sales	23,207,000	21,793,000	20,778,000
General, administrative and other operating expenses	42,249,000	37,364,000	47,129,000
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	36,553,000	0
Total operating expenses	84,481,000	113,892,000	84,338,000
Income (loss) from operations	(24,459,000)	(54,272,000)	(8,699,000)
Interest expense, net	(13,074,000)	(12,972,000)	(16,709,000)
Other expense, net	(1,617,000)	(436,000)	(3,945,000)
Loss before income taxes	(39,150,000)	(67,680,000)	(29,353,000)
Income tax expense	8,064,000	2,718,000	24,000
Net income (loss)	(47,214,000)	(70,398,000)	(29,377,000)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(985,000)	(773,000)	(865,000)
Net loss attributable to ION	$ (48,199,000)	$ (71,171,000)	$ (30,242,000)
Net loss per share:
Basic (usd per share)	$ (3.41)	$ (5.20)	$ (2.55)
Diluted (usd per share)	$ (3.41)	$ (5.20)	$ (2.55)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	14,131	13,692	11,876
Diluted (in shares)	14,131	13,692	11,876
Service
Net revenues	$ 131,280,000	$ 139,038,000	$ 159,410,000
Cost of services and products	83,519,000	100,557,000	100,820,000
Product
Net revenues	43,399,000	41,007,000	38,144,000
Cost of services and products	$ 22,066,000	$ 19,868,000	$ 18,791,000