Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$ (23,224)	$ (28,771)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	33,342	40,537
Bad debt expense		1,986
Amortization of deferred financing costs and accretion of debt discount	1,396	1,185
Stock-based compensation	515	705
(Gain) loss on disposal, exchange and sale of assets	(1,173)	191
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities	(1,884)	(4,443)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash, net of investing portion	536	699
Accounts receivable	28,648	(5,123)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(3,736)	(5,467)
Deferred costs	912	(267)
Accounts payable	(19,455)	18,729
Deferred revenue	(4,409)	7,924
Accrued liabilities and other liabilities	10,216	(1,359)
Net cash provided by operating activities	21,684	26,526
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in multi-client data library, net	(16,661)	(18,639)
Purchases and acquisition of property and equipment	(3,456)	(8,293)
Purchases of other assets	(383)	(1,079)
Proceeds from sale/disposal of assets	13,059	49
Change in restricted cash	(10,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(17,441)	(27,962)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of debt		10,000
Net change in short-term debt	244
Payments on capital lease obligations and vendor financing	(1,150)	(367)
Payments on debt		(200)
Payments of debt issuance costs	(300)	(65)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,206)	9,368
Net increase in cash	3,037	7,932
Cash at the beginning of period	44,647	42,851
Cash at the end of period	47,684	50,783
Cash disclosures:
Interest paid	1,911	739
Income taxes paid	1,100	2,451
Non-cash disclosures:
Capitalized depreciation to multi-client data library	1,083	1,392
Purchases of property and equipment under capital lease obligations and vendor financings, net of down payments	$ 2,430