Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated balance sheet of ION Geophysical Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “ION,” unless the context otherwise requires) at December 31, 2018, has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2019, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss and condensed consolidated statements of stockholders' (deficit) equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal recurring nature that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim period have been included. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or of future operations. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements reflect a non-redeemable noncontrolling interest in a majority-owned affiliate which is reported as a separate component of equity in “Noncontrolling interest” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest is stated separately in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The activity for this noncontrolling interest relates to proprietary processing projects in Brazil. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP have been omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation, including the change in reportable segments presentation which had no impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements and the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a result of the adoption of the new lease standard. See Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements.” Significant Accounting Policies The Company’s significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. There have been no changes in such policies or the application of such policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 except as discussed in Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements.” and Note 11 “Lease Obligations.” Use of Estimates The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions by management that affects the reported amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Areas involving significant estimates include, but not limited to, accounts and unbilled receivables, inventory valuation, sales forecast related to multi-client data libraries, impairment of property, plant and equipment and goodwill and deferred taxes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheet of ION Geophysical Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “ION,” unless the context otherwise requires) at December 31, 2018, has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2019, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss and condensed consolidated statements of stockholders' (deficit) equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal recurring nature that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim period have been included. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or of future operations. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements reflect a non-redeemable noncontrolling interest in a majority-owned affiliate which is reported as a separate component of equity in “Noncontrolling interest” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest is stated separately in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The activity for this noncontrolling interest relates to proprietary processing projects in Brazil.

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP have been omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation, including the change in reportable segments presentation which had no impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements and the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a result of the adoption of the new lease standard. See Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements.”

Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. There have been no changes in such policies or the application of such policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 except as discussed in Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements.” and Note 11 “Lease Obligations.”

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions by management that affects the reported amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Areas involving significant estimates include, but not limited to, accounts and unbilled receivables, inventory valuation, sales forecast related to multi-client data libraries, impairment of property, plant and equipment and goodwill and deferred taxes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.