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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 A5le8yDTAaQowV5uzjap6X/VcALroajmkIHOFv9hwHDfrBL5OGmyzlfi87QLsLj2
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-11-006393.txt : 20110210
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-11-006393.hdr.sgml : 20110210
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110210165803
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-11-006393
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20101231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110210
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110210

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GEOKINETICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000314606
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				941690082
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 CITYWEST BLVD., SUITE 800
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77042
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(713) 850-7600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 421129
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77242

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZIEGLER WILLIAM R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001008024

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33460
		FILM NUMBER:		11593353

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O FLOTEK INDUSTRIES, INC.
		STREET 2:		2930 W. SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY N., STE. 300
		CITY:			HOUSTON,
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			77043
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a5.xml
<DESCRIPTION>5
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000314606</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GEOKINETICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GOK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001008024</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ZIEGLER WILLIAM R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>SATTERLEE STEPHENS BURKE &amp; BURKE LLP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>230 PARK AVENUE, 11TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10169</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series D Nonconvertible Junior Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ William L. Moll, Jr., attorney-in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-02-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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