Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Information - Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flows Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest paid	$ 673	$ 694	$ 860
Income taxes paid, net	409	1,520	268
Seismic equipment purchases included in accounts payable at year-end	$ 130	$ 325	$ 72

The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4297-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3536-108585

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration