Seismic Equipment Lease Pool and Property and Equipment - Location of Seismic Equipment Lease Pool and Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net	$ 129,573	$ 119,608	$ 120,377
United States [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net	42,087	40,908
Canada [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net	35,931	22,639
Latin America [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net	18,128	23,109
Australia [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net	7,198	7,973
Russia [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net	2,134	3,708
Singapore [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net	6,451	9,433
United Kingdom [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net	218	329
Europe [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Seismic equipment lease pool and property and equipment, net	$ 17,426	$ 11,509