Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Transfer of inventory to property, plant and equipment	$ 17,662	$ 15,936	$ 10,149
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	1,488	19,241	8,264
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information is as follows:
Interest	15,691	15,441	16,582
Income taxes	4,474	8,163	16,124
Non-cash items from investing and financing activities is as follows:
Purchase of computer equipment financed through capital leases	0	1,178	12,153
Leasehold improvement paid by landlord	955	0	0
Conversion of the Company's investment in a convertible note to equity	$ 0	$ 0	$ 3,151
Issuance of stock in bond exchange	10741	0	0
Investment in multi-client data library financed through trade payables	$ 0	$ 8,939	$ 0
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment and seismic rental equipment financed through accounts payable	0	0	$ 472
Ocean Bottom Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Transfer of inventory to property, plant and equipment	$ 17,700
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment		$ 15,300