Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Receivables due from BGP	$ 1.6	$ 15.2
Owed to related party for unpaid services	9.3
Majority Shareholder [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, revenues from transactions with related party	13.7	34.5	16.9
Company's outstanding common stock owned by BGP	15.20%
Paid to related party for seismic acquisition services	2.0
Equity Method Investee [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, revenues from transactions with related party	3.5
Per month payment to third-party and lease costs incurred by the administrative support of INOVA Geophysical	0.3
Term of the support and transition agreement	2 years
Board of Directors Chairman [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Company's outstanding common stock owned by BGP	6.40%
Payment for lease of commercial property	4.1
Manufacturing Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payment for lease of commercial property	3.2
Rent and other pass through third party facilities charges [Member] | Board of Directors Chairman [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Per month payment to third-party and lease costs incurred by the administrative support of INOVA Geophysical		6.3	3.1
Payment for lease of commercial property	0.6
Other services [Member] | Board of Directors Chairman [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payment for lease of commercial property	$ 0.3