Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (266,194)	$ 35,713
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (other than multi-client library)	13,146	11,532
Amortization of multi-client library	50,892	66,911
Amortization of debt costs	928	187
Stock-based compensation expense	5,707	4,473
Equity in (earnings) losses of investments	10,414	(4,561)
Gain on sale of cost-method investment	(3,591)	0
Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings	181,776	10,000
Write-down of multi-client data library	5,461	0
Write-down of receivables from OceanGeo	9,157	0
Write-down of excess and obsolete inventory	21,197	0
Deferred income taxes	7,768	795
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	57,481	37,526
Unbilled receivables	6,890	(40,898)
Inventories	(13,157)	(8,540)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued royalties	(6,179)	12,812
Deferred revenue	(6,527)	(12,316)
Other assets and liabilities	3,346	(2,302)
Net cash provided by operating activities	78,515	111,332
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	(86,346)	(105,600)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental assets	(13,539)	(13,566)
Net advances to INOVA Geophysical	(8,000)	0
Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V. (formerly named GeoRXT B.V.)	(9,500)	0
Proceeds from sale of a cost-method investment	4,150	0
Maturity of short-term investments	0	20,000
Investment in convertible note	(2,000)	(2,000)
Other investing activities	76	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(115,159)	(101,166)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of notes	175,000	0
Payments under amended revolving line of credit	(97,250)	(51,000)
Borrowings under amended revolving line of credit	0	148,250
Repayment of term loan	0	(98,250)
Payments on long-term debt	(3,296)	(2,776)
Cost associated with issuance of notes	(6,731)	0
Cost associated with debt amendment	0	(1,313)
Payment of preferred dividends	(1,014)	(1,014)
Conversion payment for preferred stock	(5,000)	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,367	563
Other financing activities	790	338
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	64,866	(5,202)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(608)	113
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	27,614	5,077
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	60,971	42,402
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 88,585	$ 47,479