Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 62,826	$ 24,566	$ (36,838)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (other than multi-client library)	16,202	13,917	24,795
Amortization of multi-client data library	89,080	77,317	85,940
Stock-based compensation expense	6,598	6,344	8,147
Equity in (earnings) losses of INOVA Geophysical	297	(22,862)	(23,724)
Write-down of marine equipment	5,928	0	0
Write-down of investments	556	1,312	7,650
Write-down of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discount	0	0	18,777
Fair value adjustment of warrant	0	0	(12,788)
Loss on disposition of land division	0	0	38,115
Deferred income taxes	3,686	(8,131)	22,207
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(193)	(3,294)	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	4,006	(52,955)	9,515
Unbilled receivables	(64,156)	44,962	(48,935)
Inventories	(7,039)	(6,641)	(16,138)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued royalties	61,873	(7,546)	9,550
Deferred revenue	(6,957)	15,957	7,281
Other assets and liabilities	(3,032)	1,314	(7,634)
Net cash provided by operating activities	169,081	129,984	133,368
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in multi-client data library	(145,627)	(143,782)	(64,426)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(14,877)	(11,060)	(7,372)
Investment in seismic rental equipment	(1,773)	0	0
Maturity (net purchases) of short-term investments	20,000	(20,000)	0
Investment in a convertible notes	(2,000)	(6,500)	0
Proceeds from disposition of land division, net of fees paid	0	0	99,790
Other investing activities	0	(280)	(500)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(144,277)	(181,622)	27,492
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	148,250	0	104,000
Repayments under revolving line of credit	(51,000)	0	(193,429)
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(101,702)	(6,145)	(145,558)
Net proceeds from issuance of debt	0	0	105,695
Net proceeds from issuance of stock	0	0	38,039
Payment of preferred dividends	(1,352)	(1,352)	(1,936)
Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options	807	13,105	1,071
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	193	3,294	0
Contribution from noncontrolling interests	212	961	0
Other financing activities	(1,862)	(59)	(612)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(6,454)	9,804	(92,730)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	219	(183)	72
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	18,569	(42,017)	68,202
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	42,402	84,419	16,217
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 60,971	$ 42,402	$ 84,419