Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 47,684	$ 44,647
Restricted cash	2,524	3,060
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,764 at March 31, 2012 and $2,757 at December 31, 2011	132,088	160,736
Deferred costs	13,029	13,941
Prepaid expenses	14,877	12,747
Other current assets	4,950	3,269
Total current assets	215,152	238,400
Property and equipment, net	203,025	212,636
Multi-client data library, net	28,643	41,512
Deferred financing costs, net	12,262	12,987
Restricted cash	10,000
Other assets, net	8,923	8,637
Total assets	478,005	514,172
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	5,751	4,543
Accounts payable	59,845	79,300
Accrued liabilities	89,251	79,836
Deferred revenue	28,266	32,675
Income taxes payable	17,533	18,969
Total current liabilities	200,646	215,323
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion	350,965	350,183
Deferred income taxes	8,082	8,062
Derivative liabilities	3,919	5,778
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock	55,511	53,210
Other liabilities	1,122	1,122
Total liabilities	620,245	633,678
Commitments and contingencies
Mezzanine equity:
Preferred stock, Series B Senior Convertible, $10.00 par value; 2,500,000 shares authorized, 360,008 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012 and 351,444 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011	85,715	83,313
Stockholders' deficit:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 19,364,299 shares issued and 18,990,290 shares outstanding at March 31, 2012 and 19,289,489 shares issued and 18,990,290 shares outstanding at December 31, 2011	193	193
Additional paid-in capital	226,498	228,410
Accumulated deficit	(454,666)	(431,442)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	20	20
Total stockholders' deficit	(227,955)	(202,819)
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders' deficit	$ 478,005	$ 514,172