Seismic Equipment Lease Pool and Property and Equipment - Schedule of Seismic Equipment Lease Pool and Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	$ 13,516	$ 13,474
Cost of seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment	232,517	244,397
Less accumulated depreciation	(188,679)	(170,881)
Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net	43,838	73,516	$ 100,087
Recording Channels [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	126,081	127,202
Other Peripheral Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	92,920	103,721
Seismic Equipment Lease Pool [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	219,001	230,923
Land and Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	3,379	3,375
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	9,462	9,405
Autos and Trucks [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	$ 675	$ 694