Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 857	$ 832
Accrued expenses	3,228	631
Other	294	291
Total current deferred tax assets	4,379	1,754
Noncurrent deferred tax assets:
Stock-based compensation	2,546	1,856
Loss carryforwards—U.S	115,486	97,232
Loss carryforwards—foreign	45,153	41,639
Multi-client seismic data library	1,916	12,906
Foreign tax credit	17,652	13,244
Total noncurrent deferred tax assets	182,753	166,877
Total deferred tax assets	187,132	168,631
Valuation allowance	(180,323)	(144,538)
Net deferred tax assets	6,809	24,093
Current deferred tax liabilities
Deferred revenue	1,725	2,639
Other	124	178
Total current deferred tax liabilities	1,849	2,817
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	17,008	25,055
Other	638	4,283
Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities	17,646	29,338
Total deferred tax liabilities	19,495	32,155
Net deferred income tax liability	12,686	8,062
Change in valuation allowance	$ 35,785	$ 40,517	$ 28,820