Seismic Equipment Lease Pool and Property and Equipment - Schedule of Seismic Equipment Lease Pool and Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	$ 14,324	$ 13,516
Cost of seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment	188,598	232,517
Less accumulated depreciation	(165,698)	(188,679)
Net book value of seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment	22,900	43,838	$ 73,516
Recording channels
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	89,397	126,081
Other peripheral equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	84,877	92,920
Cost of seismic equipment lease pool
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	174,274	219,001
Land and buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	3,380	3,379
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	10,222	9,462
Autos and trucks
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost of property and equipment	$ 722	$ 675