Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from unaffiliated clients	$ 262,903	$ 260,927
Inter-segment revenues	0	0
Segment operating income (loss)	82,827	79,037
Total assets (at end of period)	680,363	655,443	661,010
Capital expenditures	7,668	8,443
Depreciation and amortization	6,633	6,025
Operating Segments [Member] | Reservoir Description [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from unaffiliated clients	125,256	125,245
Inter-segment revenues	2,769	385
Segment operating income (loss)	34,853	34,851
Total assets (at end of period)	325,139	300,483
Capital expenditures	4,816	5,429
Depreciation and amortization	3,848	3,625
Operating Segments [Member] | Production Enhancement [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from unaffiliated clients	110,280	107,431
Inter-segment revenues	797	937
Segment operating income (loss)	37,202	34,238
Total assets (at end of period)	263,351	255,947
Capital expenditures	1,075	2,088
Depreciation and amortization	1,895	1,817
Operating Segments [Member] | Reservoir Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from unaffiliated clients	27,367	28,251
Inter-segment revenues	420	423
Segment operating income (loss)	10,474	9,846
Total assets (at end of period)	35,676	38,605
Capital expenditures	85	519
Depreciation and amortization	239	191
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from unaffiliated clients	0	0
Inter-segment revenues	(3,986)	(1,745)
Segment operating income (loss)	298	102
Total assets (at end of period)	56,197	60,408
Capital expenditures	1,692	407
Depreciation and amortization	$ 651	$ 392