Acquisition	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	Acquisition In February 2010, the Company acquired PGS Onshore for cash and stock consideration valued at $202.8 million. The acquisition of PGS Onshore was expected to provide the Company with a significant business expansion of its seismic data acquisition segment into Mexico, North Africa, the Far East, and in the United States, including Alaska. In addition, the acquisition substantially increased the Company’s multi-client seismic data library with data covering approximately 5,500 square miles of 3D data located primarily in Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Alaska. The operations of PGS Onshore have been combined with those of the Company since February 12, 2010. Disclosure of earnings of PGS Onshore since the acquisition is not practicable as it is not being operated as a standalone subsidiary. The acquisition of PGS Onshore was accounted for by the purchase method, with the purchase price being allocated to the fair value of assets purchased and liabilities assumed. During the first quarter of 2011, the Company finalized the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and recorded an adjustment to reduce the value of property and equipment by $1.1 million and increase goodwill by the same amount. The adjustment reflected the Company’s assessment of certain damaged equipment.

Acquisition

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

In February 2010, the Company acquired PGS Onshore for cash and stock consideration valued at $202.8 million. The acquisition of PGS Onshore was expected to provide the Company with a significant business expansion of its seismic data acquisition segment into Mexico, North Africa, the Far East, and in the United States, including Alaska. In addition, the acquisition substantially increased the Company’s multi-client seismic data library with data covering approximately 5,500 square miles of 3D data located primarily in Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Alaska.

The operations of PGS Onshore have been combined with those of the Company since February 12, 2010. Disclosure of earnings of PGS Onshore since the acquisition is not practicable as it is not being operated as a standalone subsidiary.

The acquisition of PGS Onshore was accounted for by the purchase method, with the purchase price being allocated to the fair value of assets purchased and liabilities assumed. During the first quarter of 2011, the Company finalized the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and recorded an adjustment to reduce the value of property and equipment by $1.1 million and increase goodwill by the same amount. The adjustment reflected the Company’s assessment of certain damaged equipment.