SAExploration 10-Q 5 May 17 2017 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Apr. 28, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	SAEX
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		9,358,529
Entity Registrant Name	SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,514,732
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 11,514	$ 11,460
Restricted cash	4,229	536
Accounts receivable, net	96,167	69,721
Deferred costs on contracts	1,059	8,644
Prepaid expenses	1,603	1,977
Deferred loan issuance costs, net	15,590	0
Total current assets	130,162	92,338
Property and equipment, net	41,206	42,759
Intangible assets, net	703	721
Goodwill	1,725	1,711
Deferred loan issuance costs, net	0	20,856
Accounts receivable, net, noncurrent	37,984	37,984
Deferred income tax assets	5,193	5,122
Other assets	150	164
Total assets	217,123	201,655
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	24,377	9,301
Accrued liabilities	12,641	12,750
Income and other taxes payable	13,388	15,605
Current portion of capital leases	42	56
Deferred revenue	444	7,975
Total current liabilities	85,404	51,531
Borrowings under senior loan facility	0	29,995
Second lien notes, net	82,433	80,238
Senior secured notes, net	1,834	1,830
Total liabilities	169,671	163,594
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized and no shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 55,000,000 shares authorized, 9,358,529 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	1	1
Additional paid-in capital	132,445	131,816
Accumulated deficit	(85,705)	(92,550)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,887)	(4,822)
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to the Corporation	41,854	34,445
Noncontrolling interest	5,598	3,616
Total stockholders’ equity	47,452	38,061
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	217,123	201,655
Line of credit | Revolving Credit Facility
Current liabilities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	4,517	5,844
Line of credit | Senior Loan Facility
Current liabilities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	29,995	0
Borrowings under senior loan facility	$ 29,995	$ 29,995

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred Stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred Stock, authorized shares (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common Stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common Stock, authorized shares (in shares)	55,000,000	55,000,000
Common Stock, issued shares (in shares)	9,358,529	9,358,529
Common Stock, outstanding shares (in shares)	9,358,529	9,358,529

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATE

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue from services	$ 86,169	$ 90,153
Cost of services excluding depreciation and amortization expense	57,774	59,511
Depreciation and amortization expense included in cost of services	3,251	4,199
Gross profit	25,144	26,443
Selling, general and administrative expenses	6,517	6,746
Income from operations	18,627	19,697
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(8,358)	(4,028)
Foreign exchange gain, net	311	1,625
Other expense, net	(13)	(5)
Total other expense, net	(8,060)	(2,408)
Income before income taxes	10,567	17,289
Provision for income taxes	1,740	665
Net income	8,827	16,624
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,982	2,384
Net income attributable to the Corporation	$ 6,845	$ 14,240
Net income attributable to the Corporation per common share:
Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.73	$ 110.16
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.73	$ 110.08
Weighted average shares:
Basic (in shares)	9,358,529	129,269
Diluted (in shares)	9,391,022	129,356

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT5

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 8,827	$ 16,624
Foreign currency translation loss	(65)	(613)
Total comprehensive income	8,762	16,011
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,982	2,384
Comprehensive income attributable to the Corporation	$ 6,780	$ 13,627

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT6

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Foreign Currency Translation	Total Corporation Stockholders’ Equity	Non-controlling Interest
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		9,358,529
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 38,061	$ 1	$ 131,816	$ (92,550)	$ (4,822)	$ 34,445	$ 3,616
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Foreign currency translation	(65)				(65)	(65)
Share-based compensation expense	629		629			629
Net income	8,827			6,845		6,845	1,982
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017		9,358,529
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 47,452	$ 1	$ 132,445	$ (85,705)	$ (4,887)	$ 41,854	$ 5,598

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT7

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Operating activities:
Net income attributable to the Corporation	$ 6,845	$ 14,240
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,982	2,384
Net income	8,827	16,624
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,356	4,332
Amortization of loan issuance costs, debt discount and debt premium	5,261	383
Payment in kind interest	2,204	0
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment	4	(342)
Share-based compensation	629	165
Provision for doubtful accounts	0	640
Unrealized gain on foreign currency transactions	(330)	(1,652)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(28,107)	(48,009)
Prepaid expenses	391	(1,156)
Deferred costs on contracts	7,593	888
Accounts payable	15,547	18,329
Accrued liabilities	(180)	1,525
Income and other taxes payable	(2,279)	2,945
Deferred revenue	(7,531)	3,340
Other, net	16	1
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	5,401	(1,987)
Investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(2,152)	(176)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,851	434
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(301)	258
Financing activities:
Revolving credit facility borrowings	15,625	21,107
Revolving credit facility repayments	(16,952)	(18,471)
Repayments of capital lease obligations	(14)	(24)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,341)	2,612
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(12)	196
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	3,747	1,079
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of period	11,996	11,818
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of period	15,743	12,897
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	930	7,074
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	910	(159)
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information -- non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital assets acquired included in accounts payable	$ 25	$ 157

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of the Business SAExploration Holdings, Inc. and its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Corporation”) is an internationally-focused oilfield services company offering seismic data acquisition and logistical support services in Alaska, Canada, South America, West Africa and Southeast Asia to its customers in the oil and natural gas industry. In addition to the acquisition of 2D, 3D, time-lapse 4D and multi-component seismic data on land, in transition zones and offshore in depths reaching 3,000 meters, the Corporation offers a full-suite of logistical support and in-field data processing services. The Corporation operates crews around the world that utilize over 27,500 owned land and marine channels of seismic data acquisition equipment and other equipment as needed to complete particular projects. Seismic data is used by its customers, including major integrated oil companies, national oil companies and large international independent oil and gas exploration and production companies, to identify and analyze drilling prospects and maximize successful drilling. The results of the seismic surveys the Corporation conducts belong to its customers and are proprietary in nature; the Corporation does not acquire data for its own account or for future sale or maintain multi-client data libraries. Basis of Presentation The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 included herein, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2016 . Although the financial statements and related information included herein have been prepared without audit, and certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, the Corporation believes that the note disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 ("10-K"). In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim financial statements included herein reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Corporation’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year or any future period. Certain amounts in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 , presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on financial position, net income, or stockholders' equity. Significant Accounting Policies There have been no changes to the significant accounting policies of the Corporation from the information provided in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Corporation’s 10-K, except as discussed below under Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements - Restricted Cash and Going Concern . Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Restricted Cash In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance intended to reduce the diversity in classification and presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance requires the beginning-of-period and end-of-period totals on the statement of cash flows to include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Corporation has adopted the guidance effective as of March 31, 2017 and retrospectively for all periods presented. As a result of this adoption, our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. See Note 4 for a reconciliation of the totals in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows and in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Going Concern In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on disclosures of uncertainties about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The guidance requires management's evaluation of whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. This assessment must be made in connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period. Management's evaluation should be based on the relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date the financial statements are issued. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern, but this doubt is alleviated by management's plans, the entity should disclose information that enables the reader to understand what the conditions or events are, management's evaluation of those conditions or events and management's plans that alleviate that substantial doubt. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt and the substantial doubt is not alleviated, the entity must disclose this in the footnotes. The entity must also disclose information that enables the reader to understand what the conditions or events are, management's evaluation of those conditions or events and management's plans that are intended to alleviate that substantial doubt. The amendments are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Corporation has adopted the guidance effective as of January 1, 2017. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Corporation's financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

CREDIT CONCENTRATION

CREDIT CONCENTRATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Classified [Abstract]
CREDIT CONCENTRATION	CREDIT CONCENTRATION At March 31, 2017 , the Corporation's largest account receivable from one customer was $78.1 million , representing 58% of total consolidated accounts receivable. This customer was relying on monetization of tax credits under a State of Alaska tax credit program (“Tax Credits”), either from proceeds from the State of Alaska or from third party financing sources, to satisfy the accounts receivable. There remains substantial uncertainty regarding the timing of reimbursement from the State of Alaska and the availability of third party financing to the customer, or the Corporation, in order for the Corporation to collect its accounts receivable. Due to the customer’s inability to monetize the Tax Credits, our customer has assigned $89.0 million of Tax Credits to the Corporation so that we can seek to monetize these Tax Credits and apply the resulting cash, as monetization occurs, toward the customer’s repayment of its overdue account receivable. The Corporation has recorded a total reduction of the accounts receivable balance of $3.5 million related to the monetization of Tax Credits during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 . Based upon the uncertainty regarding the timing to monetize the Tax Credits as of March 31, 2017, the Corporation has classified $38.0 million as a long term accounts receivable in the March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2017 the state of Alaska has completed its audit of approximately $30.2 million of Tax Credit applications. This audit resulted in the Corporation receiving approximately $24.4 million of Tax Credit certificates during 2016 from the State of Alaska. The State of Alaska disallowed approximately $5.8 million of what the Corporation believes should otherwise be eligible expenditures. The Corporation's customer filed an appeal of this decision on October 18, 2016 seeking a reversal of the disallowed amount. The Corporation expects additional Tax Credit certificates from the State of Alaska representing approximately $58.8 million to be issued on a rolling basis in 2017. There continues to be significant uncertainty regarding the timely payment by the State of Alaska of its obligations on issued Tax Credit certificates as well as the Corporation's ability to accurately estimate the timeframe for such payments. The Corporation continues to explore options to monetize the Tax Credit certificates, including the option it has utilized to sell the certificates in the secondary market at a discount to purchasers that are able to apply the certificates to reduce their own Alaskan tax liabilities. There is a risk that any monetization of the Tax Credits certificates, however, will reflect a substantial discount and may be insufficient to fully repay the customer’s outstanding account receivable. Should this result, the Corporation may be required to record an impairment to the amount due from our customer. In addition, the Corporation believes the secondary market has been negatively impacted by the uncertainty about future political developments or legislative actions. This has currently delayed the Corporation's ability to monetize its Tax Credit certificates. The outcome of future legislative actions could restrict the Corporation's ability to monetize Tax Credits in the secondary market which may result in the Corporation being required to record an impairment to the amount due from our customer. The Corporation also believes that rising oil prices would increase the market for its Tax Credits, but there can be no assurance that prices will increase sufficient to improve the market or when it might occur.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Corporation by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Corporation by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each period and the dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period determined under the treasury stock method. In loss periods, basic net loss and diluted net loss are the same since the effect of potential common shares is anti-dilutive and therefore excluded. Dilutive potential common shares consist of shares issuable upon (i) the vesting of restricted stock, (ii) the exercising of warrants at average market prices greater than their exercise prices, and (iii) the exercising of stock options at average market prices greater than their exercise prices. Under the treasury stock method, dilutive potential common shares are determined based on the assumed exercise of dilutive restricted stock, stock options and warrants less the number of treasury shares assumed to be purchased from the amount that must be paid to exercise stock options, the amount of compensation expense for future service that has not yet been recognized for restricted stock and stock options, and the amount of tax benefits that will be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the dilutive awards become deductible. The computation of basic and diluted net income per share is as follows: Three Months Ended Net Income Attributable to the Corporation Shares Per Share March 31, 2017: Basic income per share $ 6,845 9,358,529 $ 0.73 Effect of dilutive unvested restricted stock unit awards — 32,493 — Diluted income per share $ 6,845 9,391,022 $ 0.73 March 31, 2016: Basic income per share $ 14,240 129,269 $ 110.16 Effect of dilutive securities — 87 (0.08 ) Diluted income per share $ 14,240 129,356 $ 110.08 Warrants to purchase 308,752 and 4,310 shares of common stock have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share in the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, since the warrant exercise price was higher than the weighted average share price during the respective periods. Options to purchase 311,477 and 1,790 shares of common stock have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share in the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, since the option exercise price was higher than the weighted average share price during the respective periods. Unvested restricted stock units representing 207,650 and 805 issuable shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share in the three month period ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, since they were anti-dilutive.

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEE

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS	DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheet to the amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,514 $ 11,460 Restricted cash 4,229 536 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows $ 15,743 $ 11,996 Restricted cash primarily consists of cash collateral for labor claims, office rental and cash in another country restricted by exchange control regulations. As of March 31, 2017 , the Corporation has approximately $3,693 held by a variable interest entity in West Africa of which we are the primary beneficiary and which is restricted by exchange control regulations. For further information on this entity, see Note 12. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable is comprised of the following: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Current: Accounts receivable $ 96,179 $ 69,733 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (12 ) (12 ) Accounts receivable, net $ 96,167 $ 69,721 Noncurrent: Accounts receivable $ 37,984 $ 37,984 Less allowance for doubtful accounts — — Accounts receivable, net $ 37,984 $ 37,984 Property and Equipment Property and equipment is comprised of the following: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Property and equipment $ 106,291 $ 104,203 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (65,085 ) (61,444 ) Property and equipment, net $ 41,206 $ 42,759 Intangible Assets Intangible assets are comprised of the following: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Intangible assets $ 1,362 $ 1,356 Less accumulated amortization (659 ) (635 ) Intangible assets, net $ 703 $ 721 Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities are comprised of the following: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Accrued payroll liabilities $ 6,945 $ 7,432 Other accrued liabilities 5,696 5,318 Total accrued liabilities $ 12,641 $ 12,750

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY	REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY On November 6, 2014 , SAExploration, Inc. (“Borrower”), the Corporation and the Corporation’s other domestic subsidiaries and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Lender”) entered into a Credit and Security Agreement. The credit agreement provides for a $20,000 revolving line of credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") secured by the Corporation’s and the Corporation's domestic subsidiaries' U.S. assets, including accounts receivable and equipment, subject to certain exclusions and exceptions as set forth in the credit agreement. As a result of a yearly appraisal of the orderly net liquidation value of existing eligible equipment by the Lender that occurred during 2016, our borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility was lowered to $9,357 . The proceeds of the revolving credit facility are primarily used to fund the Corporation’s working capital needs for its operations and for general corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , borrowings of $4,517 and $5,844 , respectively, were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Borrowings made under the revolving credit facility bear interest, payable monthly, at a daily rate of daily three-month LIBOR plus 3% ( 4.15% at March 31, 2017 and 4.00% at December 31, 2016 ). The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of November 6, 2017 , unless terminated earlier. The Corporation may request, and the Lender may grant, an increase to the maximum amount available under the revolving credit facility in minimum increments of $1,000 not to exceed an additional $10,000 in the aggregate, so long as certain conditions as described in the credit agreement are met. The Corporation currently does not meet those conditions. The credit agreement includes a sub-facility for letters of credit in amounts up to the lesser of the available borrowing base or $10,000 . Letters of credit are subject to Lender approval and a fee which accrues at the annual rate of 3% of the undrawn daily balance of the outstanding letters of credit, payable monthly. An unused line fee of 0.5% per annum of the daily average of the maximum revolving credit facility amount reduced by outstanding borrowings and letters of credit is payable monthly. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there were no letters of credit outstanding under the sub-facility. For a complete discussion of the terms and security for the revolving credit facility, see Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Corporation's 10-K. Under the revolving credit facility, borrowings are subject to borrowing base availability and may not exceed 85% of the amount of eligible accounts receivable, as defined, plus the lesser of $20,000 or 85% of the orderly net liquidation value of existing eligible equipment per appraisal and 85% of hard costs of acquired eligible equipment, less the aggregate amount of any reserves established by the Lender. As noted above, this process resulted in lowering our borrowing base to $9,357 . If borrowings under the revolving credit facility exceed $5,000 , the Corporation is subject to minimum rolling 12 months EBITDA (as defined) requirements of $20,000 on a consolidated basis and $8,000 on the Corporation’s operations in the State of Alaska. The credit agreement contains covenants including, but not limited to (i) maintain and deliver to Lender, as required, certain financial reports, records and other items, (ii) subject to certain exceptions under the credit agreement, restrictions on the ability of the Corporation to incur indebtedness, create or incur liens, enter into fundamental changes to corporate structure or to the nature of the business of the Corporation, dispose of assets, permit a change in control, acquire non-permitted investments, enter into affiliate transactions or make distributions, (iii) maintain the minimum EBITDA specified above and (iv) maintain eligible equipment, as defined, located in the State of Alaska with a value of at least 75% of the value of such equipment included in the borrowing base availability plus the value of equipment outside the United States that would be otherwise eligible under the credit agreement. The credit agreement also contains representations, warranties, covenants and other terms and conditions, including relating to the payment of fees to the Lender, which are customary for agreements of this type. The Corporation was in compliance with the credit agreement covenants as of March 31, 2017 . SENIOR LOAN FACILITY On June 29, 2016, the Corporation, as borrower, and each of the Corporation’s domestic subsidiaries, as guarantors (the “Guarantors”), entered into the senior loan facility (the "Senior Loan Facility") with the supporting holders of the senior secured notes. In addition to the supporting holders, one additional holder of the senior secured notes subsequently elected to participate as a lender in the Senior Loan Facility based on their proportionate ownership of the senior secured notes as discussed in Note 13. The Senior Loan Facility provides funding up to a maximum borrowing amount of $30,000 . As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , borrowings of $29,995 were outstanding under the Senior Loan Facility. The Senior Loan Facility is secured by a junior first lien on the Corporation's accounts receivable, which includes the Tax Credits and certificates evidencing the Tax Credits. Those Tax Credits and certificates are also pledged on a senior first lien basis to the Lender under the Revolving Credit Facility. Any proceeds from monetizing the Tax Credits or Tax Credit certificates automatically reduce the amount the Corporation has borrowed under its revolving line of credit. The Senior Loan Facility requires that once the Corporation has received $15 million in proceeds from the Tax Credits or Tax Credit certificates, unless waived by the lenders (or individual lenders) under the Senior Loan Facility, mandatory payments of proceeds from the Tax Credits or certificates must be made to reduce the amount outstanding under the Senior Loan Facility. Borrowings under the Senior Loan Facility bear interest at a rate of 10% per year, payable monthly. The Senior Loan Facility has a maturity date of January 2, 2018, unless terminated earlier. The Senior Loan Facility is secured by substantially all of the collateral securing the obligations under (i) the Revolving Credit Agreement (ii) the senior secured notes and (iii) the second lien notes, including the receivable due to the Corporation discussed in Note 2 and above. This security interest is junior to the security interest in such collateral securing the obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility and senior to the security interests in such collateral securing the obligations under the second lien notes and the senior secured notes. The Senior Loan Facility contains negative covenants that restrict the Corporation’s and the Guarantors’ ability to incur indebtedness, create or incur liens, enter into fundamental changes to the Corporation’s corporate structure or to the nature of the Corporation’s business, dispose of assets, permit a change in control to occur, make certain prepayments, other payments and distributions, make certain investments, enter into affiliate transactions or make certain distributions, and requires that the Corporation maintain and deliver certain financial reports, projections, records and other items. The Senior Loan Facility also contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and other terms and conditions, including relating to the payment of fees to the Senior Loan Facility agent and the lenders, and customary events of default. The Corporation is in compliance with the Senior Loan Facility covenants as of March 31, 2017 .

SENIOR LOAN FACILITY

SENIOR LOAN FACILITY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
SENIOR LOAN FACILITY	REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY On November 6, 2014 , SAExploration, Inc. (“Borrower”), the Corporation and the Corporation’s other domestic subsidiaries and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Lender”) entered into a Credit and Security Agreement. The credit agreement provides for a $20,000 revolving line of credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") secured by the Corporation’s and the Corporation's domestic subsidiaries' U.S. assets, including accounts receivable and equipment, subject to certain exclusions and exceptions as set forth in the credit agreement. As a result of a yearly appraisal of the orderly net liquidation value of existing eligible equipment by the Lender that occurred during 2016, our borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility was lowered to $9,357 . The proceeds of the revolving credit facility are primarily used to fund the Corporation’s working capital needs for its operations and for general corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , borrowings of $4,517 and $5,844 , respectively, were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Borrowings made under the revolving credit facility bear interest, payable monthly, at a daily rate of daily three-month LIBOR plus 3% ( 4.15% at March 31, 2017 and 4.00% at December 31, 2016 ). The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of November 6, 2017 , unless terminated earlier. The Corporation may request, and the Lender may grant, an increase to the maximum amount available under the revolving credit facility in minimum increments of $1,000 not to exceed an additional $10,000 in the aggregate, so long as certain conditions as described in the credit agreement are met. The Corporation currently does not meet those conditions. The credit agreement includes a sub-facility for letters of credit in amounts up to the lesser of the available borrowing base or $10,000 . Letters of credit are subject to Lender approval and a fee which accrues at the annual rate of 3% of the undrawn daily balance of the outstanding letters of credit, payable monthly. An unused line fee of 0.5% per annum of the daily average of the maximum revolving credit facility amount reduced by outstanding borrowings and letters of credit is payable monthly. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there were no letters of credit outstanding under the sub-facility. For a complete discussion of the terms and security for the revolving credit facility, see Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Corporation's 10-K. Under the revolving credit facility, borrowings are subject to borrowing base availability and may not exceed 85% of the amount of eligible accounts receivable, as defined, plus the lesser of $20,000 or 85% of the orderly net liquidation value of existing eligible equipment per appraisal and 85% of hard costs of acquired eligible equipment, less the aggregate amount of any reserves established by the Lender. As noted above, this process resulted in lowering our borrowing base to $9,357 . If borrowings under the revolving credit facility exceed $5,000 , the Corporation is subject to minimum rolling 12 months EBITDA (as defined) requirements of $20,000 on a consolidated basis and $8,000 on the Corporation’s operations in the State of Alaska. The credit agreement contains covenants including, but not limited to (i) maintain and deliver to Lender, as required, certain financial reports, records and other items, (ii) subject to certain exceptions under the credit agreement, restrictions on the ability of the Corporation to incur indebtedness, create or incur liens, enter into fundamental changes to corporate structure or to the nature of the business of the Corporation, dispose of assets, permit a change in control, acquire non-permitted investments, enter into affiliate transactions or make distributions, (iii) maintain the minimum EBITDA specified above and (iv) maintain eligible equipment, as defined, located in the State of Alaska with a value of at least 75% of the value of such equipment included in the borrowing base availability plus the value of equipment outside the United States that would be otherwise eligible under the credit agreement. The credit agreement also contains representations, warranties, covenants and other terms and conditions, including relating to the payment of fees to the Lender, which are customary for agreements of this type. The Corporation was in compliance with the credit agreement covenants as of March 31, 2017 . SENIOR LOAN FACILITY On June 29, 2016, the Corporation, as borrower, and each of the Corporation’s domestic subsidiaries, as guarantors (the “Guarantors”), entered into the senior loan facility (the "Senior Loan Facility") with the supporting holders of the senior secured notes. In addition to the supporting holders, one additional holder of the senior secured notes subsequently elected to participate as a lender in the Senior Loan Facility based on their proportionate ownership of the senior secured notes as discussed in Note 13. The Senior Loan Facility provides funding up to a maximum borrowing amount of $30,000 . As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , borrowings of $29,995 were outstanding under the Senior Loan Facility. The Senior Loan Facility is secured by a junior first lien on the Corporation's accounts receivable, which includes the Tax Credits and certificates evidencing the Tax Credits. Those Tax Credits and certificates are also pledged on a senior first lien basis to the Lender under the Revolving Credit Facility. Any proceeds from monetizing the Tax Credits or Tax Credit certificates automatically reduce the amount the Corporation has borrowed under its revolving line of credit. The Senior Loan Facility requires that once the Corporation has received $15 million in proceeds from the Tax Credits or Tax Credit certificates, unless waived by the lenders (or individual lenders) under the Senior Loan Facility, mandatory payments of proceeds from the Tax Credits or certificates must be made to reduce the amount outstanding under the Senior Loan Facility. Borrowings under the Senior Loan Facility bear interest at a rate of 10% per year, payable monthly. The Senior Loan Facility has a maturity date of January 2, 2018, unless terminated earlier. The Senior Loan Facility is secured by substantially all of the collateral securing the obligations under (i) the Revolving Credit Agreement (ii) the senior secured notes and (iii) the second lien notes, including the receivable due to the Corporation discussed in Note 2 and above. This security interest is junior to the security interest in such collateral securing the obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility and senior to the security interests in such collateral securing the obligations under the second lien notes and the senior secured notes. The Senior Loan Facility contains negative covenants that restrict the Corporation’s and the Guarantors’ ability to incur indebtedness, create or incur liens, enter into fundamental changes to the Corporation’s corporate structure or to the nature of the Corporation’s business, dispose of assets, permit a change in control to occur, make certain prepayments, other payments and distributions, make certain investments, enter into affiliate transactions or make certain distributions, and requires that the Corporation maintain and deliver certain financial reports, projections, records and other items. The Senior Loan Facility also contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and other terms and conditions, including relating to the payment of fees to the Senior Loan Facility agent and the lenders, and customary events of default. The Corporation is in compliance with the Senior Loan Facility covenants as of March 31, 2017 .

NOTES PAYABLE

NOTES PAYABLE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
NOTES PAYABLE	NOTES PAYABLE Notes payable consist of the following: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 10% second lien notes due 2019: Carrying value, including paid-in-kind interest of $5,823 and $3,619 and unamortized premium of $358 and $394 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively $ 82,704 $ 80,536 Debt discount, net of accumulated amortization of $74 and $47 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively (271 ) (298 ) Total second lien notes outstanding 82,433 80,238 10% senior secured notes due 2019: Principal outstanding 1,872 1,872 Unamortized deferred loan issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $47 and $43 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively (38 ) (42 ) Total senior secured notes outstanding 1,834 1,830 Total notes payable outstanding (long-term) $ 84,267 $ 82,068 On July 2, 2014 , the Corporation entered into an indenture under which it issued $150,000 of senior secured notes due July 15, 2019 , in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons in offshore transactions pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. On June 19, 2015, all outstanding senior secured notes were exchanged for an equal amount of new senior secured notes ("Senior Secured Notes"), which are substantially identical in terms to the existing senior secured notes except that the Senior Secured Notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In addition, on August 26, 2015, the Corporation entered into an exchange of $10,000 face value of Senior Secured Notes for 2,366,307 shares of the Corporation's common stock. The Senior Secured Notes bear interest at the annual rate of 10% payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2015. On June 24, 2016, as a part of the restructuring of its balance sheet, the Corporation entered into an exchange of $138,128 face value of its Senior Secured Notes for $76,523 of new second lien notes due 2019 ("Second Lien Notes") and 6,410,502 shares of the Corporation's common stock. The Second Lien Notes are substantially similar to the Senior Secured Notes with the following modifications: • The Second Lien Notes have a maturity date of September 24, 2019, provided that, if any of the Senior Secured Notes remain outstanding as of March 31, 2019, the maturity date of the Second Lien Notes will become April 14, 2019 upon the vote of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Second Lien Notes. • The liens securing the Second Lien Notes are junior to the liens securing the Senior Loan Facility and senior to the liens securing the Senior Secured Notes. • Interest on the Second Lien Notes is payable quarterly. The Corporation may elect to pay interest on the Second Lien Notes in kind with additional Second Lien Notes for the first twelve months of interest payment dates, provided that, if the Corporation makes this election, the interest on the Second Lien Notes for such in kind payments will accrue at a per annum rate 1% percent higher than the cash interest rate of 10% . The Corporation elected to pay interest during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 of $2,204 in kind. • The Second Lien Notes have a special redemption right at par of up to $35 million of the issuance to be paid out of the proceeds of the Alaska Tax Credit certificates and is conditioned upon payment in full of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Senior Loan Facility. • The Second Lien Notes include a make-whole provision requiring that if the Second Lien Notes are accelerated or otherwise become due and payable prior to their stated maturity due to an Event of Default (including but not limited to a bankruptcy or liquidation of the Corporation (including the acceleration of claims by operation of law)), then the applicable premium payable with respect to an optional redemption will also be immediately due and payable, along with the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest on, the Second Lien Notes and constitutes part of the obligations in respect thereof as if such acceleration were an optional redemption of the Second Lien Notes, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of each holder’s lost profits as a result thereof. For a complete discussion of the terms and security for the Senior Secured Notes and Second Lien Notes, see Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Corporation's 10-K. The indentures governing the Senior Secured Notes and Second Lien Notes contain covenants that include limitations on the Corporation's ability to: (i) transfer or sell assets; (ii) pay dividends, redeem subordinated indebtedness or make other restricted payments; (iii) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or, with respect to the Corporation's restricted subsidiaries, issue preferred stock; (iv) create or incur liens; (v) incur dividend or other payment restrictions affecting its restricted subsidiaries; (vi) consummate a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of its or its subsidiaries’ assets; (vii) enter into transactions with affiliates; (viii) engage in business other than its current business and reasonably related extensions thereof; and (ix) take or omit to take any actions that would adversely affect or impair in any material respect the collateral securing the Senior Secured Notes and Second Lien Notes. The Corporation was in compliance with the indenture covenants as of March 31, 2017 .

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES The Corporation’s effective tax rate was 16.5% and 3.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The increase in the 2017 effective tax rate is primarily due to several factors including fluctuations in earnings among the various jurisdictions in which the Corporation operates, decreases in valuation allowance reversals and increases in foreign tax rate differentials offset by decreases in permanent differences. The primary reason the 2017 effective tax rate differs from the 35% Federal statutory corporate rate is the reversal of valuation allowances and decreases in permanent tax differences offset by increases in foreign tax rate differentials. Earnings associated with the investments in the Corporation’s foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. Therefore, a U.S. provision for income taxes on those earnings or translation adjustments has not been recorded, as permitted by criterion outlined in ASC 740 “Income Taxes.” Determination of any unrecognized deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to investments in foreign subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration is not practicable due to the inherent complexity of the multi-national tax environment in which the Corporation operates. The Corporation believes that without positive evidence, it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and foreign tax credits may not be realized. In recognition of this risk, the Corporation has maintained a full valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets relating to these NOL carryforwards and foreign tax credits of certain countries.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Preferred Stock The Corporation is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share with such designations, rights, and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding. Common Stock The Corporation is authorized to issue 55,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. The Corporation's stockholders approved a 135-for-1 reverse stock split of the outstanding common stock effective on July 27, 2016. All share and per share amounts for all periods presented have been adjusted to reflect the reverse split as though it had occurred prior to the earliest period presented. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , a total of 9,358,529 shares were issued and outstanding. Warrants As of March 31, 2017 , a total of 154,376 Series A warrants and 154,376 Series B warrants with an expiration date of July 27, 2021 were outstanding. The Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants have exercise prices of $10.30 and $12.88 , respectively, and become exercisable 30 days in advance of their expiration date contingent upon the receipt by the Corporation of Tax Credit certificates in a face amount of at least $25 million issued by the State of Alaska to the Corporation. Common Stock Held in Escrow in Connection with Merger The Corporation was initially formed on February 2, 2011 under the name Trio Merger Corp. as a blank check company to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with one or more business entities. On June 24, 2013 (the "Closing"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation completed a merger ("Merger") under an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, as amended ("Merger Agreement") with the entity formerly known as SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (“Former SAE”), at which time the business of Former SAE became the Corporation’s business. Merger Consideration Escrow A portion of the merger consideration payable at Closing was allocable to holders of certain derivative securities of Former SAE that were not converted or exchanged prior to the Merger. As of March 31, 2017 , a total of 200 shares of common stock were held in escrow pending the conversion or exercise of those derivative securities (the “Merger Consideration Escrow”). The escrow agreement provides that CLCH, LLC ("CLCH"), as nominee of the Corporation, will have voting control over all shares of Corporation common stock held in the Merger Consideration Escrow.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Share-based compensation expense for stock option and restricted stock unit awards in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $ 629 and $ 165 , respectively. At March 31, 2017 , there was approximately $ 778 of unrecognized compensation expense for unvested stock option awards with a weighted average vesting period of 1.32 years. At March 31, 2017 , there was approximately $ 1,571 of unrecognized compensation expense for unvested restricted stock unit awards with a weighted average vesting period of 1.32 years. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , there were no grants of stock options or restricted stock unit awards.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUM

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Corporation has certain assets and liabilities that are required to be measured and disclosed at fair value in accordance with GAAP. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. When an asset or liability is required to be measured at fair value, an entity is required to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs using a fair value hierarchy as follows: Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2: Observable inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar or identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions. Measurement is based on prices or valuation models requiring inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and supported by little or no market activity. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, borrowings under the Senior Loan Facility, and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are a reasonable estimate of their fair values due to their short duration. There were no Corporation financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2017 , December 31, 2016 or March 31, 2016 . The Corporation financial instruments not recorded at fair value consist of the Senior Secured Notes and Second Lien Notes. At March 31, 2017 , the carrying value of the Senior Secured Notes and Second Lien Notes was $1,834 and $82,433 , respectively. At March 31, 2017 , the estimated fair value of the Senior Secured Notes and Second Lien Notes was $1,364 and $66,289 , respectively. The fair value is determined by a market approach using dealer quoted period-end bond prices. This instrument is classified as Level 2 as valuation inputs for fair value measurements are dealer quoted market prices at March 31, 2017 obtained from independent third party sources. However, no assurance can be given that the fair value would be the amount realized in an active market exchange. The Corporation's non-financial assets include goodwill, property and equipment, and other intangible assets, which are classified as Level 3 assets. These assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as part of the Corporation's impairment assessments and as circumstances require. Goodwill is subjected to an annual review for impairment or more frequently as required.

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES Effective November 19, 2012 , an agreement was entered into between a subsidiary of the Corporation and Kuukpik Corporation (“Kuukpik”) to form a separate legal entity (“Joint Venture”) for the purpose of performing contracts for the acquisition and development of geophysical and seismic data and for geophysical and seismic services and any and all related work anywhere on the North Slope of Alaska (onshore or offshore) for a period of five years . The Corporation's and Kuukpik’s percentage ownership interests in the Joint Venture are 49.0% and 51.0% , respectively. The sole source of revenue of the Joint Venture is contracts performed by the Corporation. Pre-award costs incurred on potential contracts by Kuukpik and the Corporation are absorbed by each party and not by the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture receives 10% of gross revenues of all North Slope of Alaska contracts performed by the Corporation, which is distributed to Kuukpik and the Corporation based on their relative ownership percentages. Risk of loss on a contract, including credit risk, is the Corporation's sole responsibility. Based on its power to influence the significant business activities of the Joint Venture and its responsibility to absorb contract losses, the Corporation was determined to be the primary beneficiary under GAAP and as such consolidates the Joint Venture. The results of the Joint Venture are combined with the Corporation and all intercompany transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. Amounts reflected for the Joint Venture in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements consist of the balances reported under net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 and noncontrolling interest on the March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 balance sheets. Effective October 18, 2016, an agreement was entered into between the Corporation and SAExploration Nigeria Limited (“SAE Nigeria”) for the purpose of performing acquisition and development of geophysical and seismic data on a specific project in West Nigeria ("West Nigeria Project"). While the Corporation does not hold an ownership interest in SAE Nigeria, risk of loss on the West Nigeria Project, including credit risk, is the Corporation's sole responsibility. All profits from the West Nigeria Project remain with the Corporation. Based on its power to influence the significant business activities of SAE Nigeria during the completion of the West Nigeria Project, its responsibility to absorb contract losses and the proportion of SAE Nigeria's operations dedicated to the West Nigeria Project at this time, the Corporation was determined to be the primary beneficiary under GAAP and as such consolidates SAE Nigeria for the term of the West Nigeria Project. The results of SAE Nigeria are combined with the Corporation and all intercompany transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities at March 31, 2017 reflected for SAE Nigeria in the unaudited condensed consolidation financial statements was $4,245 . The assets are primarily in restricted cash and the liabilities in accounts payable.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Jeff Hastings, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, owns and controls Speculative Seismic Investments, LLC (“SSI”), which as of April 27, 2017, holds 109,156 shares of the Corporation’s common stock. SSI is a lender under the Corporation’s Senior Loan Facility in the principal amount of $543 and exchanged $2,352 of the Corporation’s Senior Secured Notes for $1,334 of Second Lien Notes in the restructuring consummated on July 27, 2016. SSI subsequently sold the $1,334 of Second Lien Notes in November 2016 representing $1,176 of face value and $158 of interest paid in kind for the period outstanding and is no longer a holder of any Second Lien Notes. Mr. Hastings also controls CLCH, LLC, which holds 24,221 shares of the Corporation’s common stock. Pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated June 24, 2013, CLCH had one right to demand registration of its shares of our common stock that it acquired in the Merger, as well as piggy-back rights on any offering of our common stock or securities exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock. CLCH has exercised its piggy-back registration rights, and all 24,221 of its shares were registered for resale pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-213386, that became effective mid-September 2016. The Corporation bore the expense incurred in connection with the registration statement.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Corporation is involved in various legal proceedings involving contractual and employment relationships, liability claims, and a variety of other matters. The outcome of these legal proceedings and other matters is not expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS A22

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 included herein, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2016 . Although the financial statements and related information included herein have been prepared without audit, and certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, the Corporation believes that the note disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 ("10-K"). In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim financial statements included herein reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Corporation’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year or any future period.
Reclassifications	Certain amounts in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 , presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on financial position, net income, or stockholders' equity.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Restricted Cash In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance intended to reduce the diversity in classification and presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance requires the beginning-of-period and end-of-period totals on the statement of cash flows to include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Corporation has adopted the guidance effective as of March 31, 2017 and retrospectively for all periods presented. As a result of this adoption, our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. See Note 4 for a reconciliation of the totals in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows and in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Going Concern In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on disclosures of uncertainties about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The guidance requires management's evaluation of whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. This assessment must be made in connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period. Management's evaluation should be based on the relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date the financial statements are issued. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern, but this doubt is alleviated by management's plans, the entity should disclose information that enables the reader to understand what the conditions or events are, management's evaluation of those conditions or events and management's plans that alleviate that substantial doubt. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt and the substantial doubt is not alleviated, the entity must disclose this in the footnotes. The entity must also disclose information that enables the reader to understand what the conditions or events are, management's evaluation of those conditions or events and management's plans that are intended to alleviate that substantial doubt. The amendments are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Corporation has adopted the guidance effective as of January 1, 2017. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Corporation's financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Corporation by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to the Corporation by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each period and the dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period determined under the treasury stock method. In loss periods, basic net loss and diluted net loss are the same since the effect of potential common shares is anti-dilutive and therefore excluded. Dilutive potential common shares consist of shares issuable upon (i) the vesting of restricted stock, (ii) the exercising of warrants at average market prices greater than their exercise prices, and (iii) the exercising of stock options at average market prices greater than their exercise prices. Under the treasury stock method, dilutive potential common shares are determined based on the assumed exercise of dilutive restricted stock, stock options and warrants less the number of treasury shares assumed to be purchased from the amount that must be paid to exercise stock options, the amount of compensation expense for future service that has not yet been recognized for restricted stock and stock options, and the amount of tax benefits that will be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the dilutive awards become deductible.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The Corporation has certain assets and liabilities that are required to be measured and disclosed at fair value in accordance with GAAP. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. When an asset or liability is required to be measured at fair value, an entity is required to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs using a fair value hierarchy as follows: Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2: Observable inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar or identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions. Measurement is based on prices or valuation models requiring inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and supported by little or no market activity. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, borrowings under the Senior Loan Facility, and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are a reasonable estimate of their fair values due to their short duration.

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	The computation of basic and diluted net income per share is as follows: Three Months Ended Net Income Attributable to the Corporation Shares Per Share March 31, 2017: Basic income per share $ 6,845 9,358,529 $ 0.73 Effect of dilutive unvested restricted stock unit awards — 32,493 — Diluted income per share $ 6,845 9,391,022 $ 0.73 March 31, 2016: Basic income per share $ 14,240 129,269 $ 110.16 Effect of dilutive securities — 87 (0.08 ) Diluted income per share $ 14,240 129,356 $ 110.08

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SH24

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of cash and cash equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheet to the amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,514 $ 11,460 Restricted cash 4,229 536 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows $ 15,743 $ 11,996
Schedule of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash presented	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheet to the amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,514 $ 11,460 Restricted cash 4,229 536 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows $ 15,743 $ 11,996
Schedule of accounts receivable	Accounts receivable is comprised of the following: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Current: Accounts receivable $ 96,179 $ 69,733 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (12 ) (12 ) Accounts receivable, net $ 96,167 $ 69,721 Noncurrent: Accounts receivable $ 37,984 $ 37,984 Less allowance for doubtful accounts — — Accounts receivable, net $ 37,984 $ 37,984
Schedule of property and equipment	Property and equipment is comprised of the following: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Property and equipment $ 106,291 $ 104,203 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (65,085 ) (61,444 ) Property and equipment, net $ 41,206 $ 42,759
Schedule of intangible assets	Intangible assets are comprised of the following: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Intangible assets $ 1,362 $ 1,356 Less accumulated amortization (659 ) (635 ) Intangible assets, net $ 703 $ 721
Schedule of accrued liabilities	Accrued liabilities are comprised of the following: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Accrued payroll liabilities $ 6,945 $ 7,432 Other accrued liabilities 5,696 5,318 Total accrued liabilities $ 12,641 $ 12,750

NOTES PAYABLE (Tables)

NOTES PAYABLE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of notes payable	March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 10% second lien notes due 2019: Carrying value, including paid-in-kind interest of $5,823 and $3,619 and unamortized premium of $358 and $394 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively $ 82,704 $ 80,536 Debt discount, net of accumulated amortization of $74 and $47 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively (271 ) (298 ) Total second lien notes outstanding 82,433 80,238 10% senior secured notes due 2019: Principal outstanding 1,872 1,872 Unamortized deferred loan issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $47 and $43 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively (38 ) (42 ) Total senior secured notes outstanding 1,834 1,830 Total notes payable outstanding (long-term) $ 84,267 $ 82,068

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS A26

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)	Mar. 31, 2017channel
Foreign Countries
Gas and Oil Acreage [Line Items]
Number of land and marine channels	27,500

CREDIT CONCENTRATION (Details)

CREDIT CONCENTRATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable from customers	$ 96,167	$ 69,721
Customer A | State of Alaska Tax Credits | State and Local Jurisdiction
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Collateral assigned for accounts receivables	30,200
Tax credits assigned as collateral recorded as reduction of accounts receivable	3,500
Tax credits assigned as collateral for accounts receivable, amount subject to monetization		24,400
Tax credits assigned as collateral for accounts receivable, amount disallowed		$ 5,800
Customer A | State of Alaska Tax Credits | State and Local Jurisdiction | Scenario, Forecast
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Tax credits assigned as collateral for accounts receivable, amount subject to monetization			$ 58,800
Customer A | Customer Concentration Risk
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable from customers	78,100
Customer A | Customer Concentration Risk | State of Alaska Tax Credits
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Collateral assigned for accounts receivables	89,000
Customer A | Customer Concentration Risk | State of Alaska Tax Credits | Scenario, Adjustment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable from customers	$ 38,000
Customer A | Customer Concentration Risk | Accounts Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	58.00%

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Earnings p

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Earnings per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Net Income Attributable to the Corporation
Basic income per share	$ 6,845	$ 14,240
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0
Diluted income per share	$ 6,845	$ 14,240
Shares
Basic income per share (in shares)	9,358,529	129,269
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	32,493	87
Diluted income per share (in shares)	9,391,022	129,356
Per Share [Abstract]
Basic income per share (usd per share)	$ 0.73	$ 110.16
Effect of dilutive securities (in dollars per share)	0	(0.08)
Diluted income per share (usd per share)	$ 0.73	$ 110.08

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Additional

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Additional Information (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Warrant
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share (in shares)	308,752	4,310
Employee Stock Option
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share (in shares)	311,477	1,790
Restricted Stock Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share (in shares)	207,650	805

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SH30

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 11,514	$ 11,460
Restricted cash	4,229	536
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows	15,743	$ 11,996	$ 12,897	$ 11,818
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | WEST AFRICA
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 3,693

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SH31

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current:
Accounts receivable	$ 96,179	$ 69,733
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(12)	(12)
Accounts receivable, net	96,167	69,721
Noncurrent:
Accounts receivable	37,984	37,984
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	$ 37,984	$ 37,984

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SH32

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Property and equipment	$ 106,291	$ 104,203
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(65,085)	(61,444)
Property and equipment, net	$ 41,206	$ 42,759

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SH33

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Intangible assets	$ 1,362	$ 1,356
Less accumulated amortization	(659)	(635)
Intangible assets, net	$ 703	$ 721

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SH34

DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Accrued payroll liabilities	$ 6,945	$ 7,432
Other accrued liabilities	5,696	5,318
Total accrued liabilities	$ 12,641	$ 12,750

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY (Deta

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY (Details) - USD ($)	Nov. 06, 2014	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Line of credit | Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		$ 4,517,000	$ 5,844,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Letter of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Unused capacity fee, percentage	3.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 20,000,000		9,357,000
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		$ 4,517,000	$ 5,844,000
Ending interest rate		4.15%	4.00%
Line of credit facility, benchmark subject to minimum monthly EBITDA requirements	5,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | State of Alaska
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, monthly EBITDA requirements	8,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | Borrowing base availability
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Concentration risk, benchmark	$ 20,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | Borrowing base availability | Accounts Receivable
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	85.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | Borrowing base availability | Equipment
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	85.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | Borrowing base availability | Equipment | State of Alaska
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage		75.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, monthly EBITDA requirements	$ 20,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | LIBOR
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Description of variable rate basis	three-month LIBOR
Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | Accordion Feature
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 10,000,000
Line of credit facility, minimum increments	1,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | Sub-Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 10,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of credit | Letter of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Unused capacity fee, percentage	0.50%
Letters of credit outstanding		$ 0	$ 0

SENIOR LOAN FACILITY (Details)

SENIOR LOAN FACILITY (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 29, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowings under senior loan facility		$ 0	$ 29,995
Senior Loan Facility | Senior Loan Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 30,000
Borrowings under senior loan facility		29,995	$ 29,995
Line of credit annual interest rate (as percent)	10.00%
Senior Loan Facility | Senior Loan Facility | Tax Credits | Customer A
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Threshold amount tax credits received as proceeds for accounts receivable		$ 15,000

NOTES PAYABLE - Schedule of Not

NOTES PAYABLE - Schedule of Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 84,267	$ 82,068
10% second lien notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, principal amount	82,704	80,536
Debt discount, net of accumulated amortization of $74 and $47 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	(271)	(298)
10% senior secured notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, principal amount	1,872	1,872
Unamortized deferred loan issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $47 and $43 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	(38)	(42)
Secured Debt | 10% second lien notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization of debt discount	74	47
Long-term debt	82,433	80,238
Paid-in-kind interest	5,823	3,619
Unamortized premium	358	394
Secured Debt | 10% senior secured notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization of debt discount	47	43
Long-term debt	$ 1,834	$ 1,830

NOTES PAYABLE - Additional Info

NOTES PAYABLE - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Jun. 24, 2016	Aug. 26, 2015	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Jul. 02, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payment in kind interest			$ 2,204,000	$ 0
Secured Debt | Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, face amount	$ 138,128,000	$ 10,000,000			$ 150,000,000
Stated interest rate					10.00%
Secured Debt | Senior Secured Second Lien Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, face amount	$ 76,523,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, premium over stated percentage	1.00%
Stated interest rate	10.00%
Payment in kind interest			$ 2,204,000
Special redemption right at par	$ 35,000,000
Common Stock | Secured Debt | Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, conversion shares per unit of debt		2,366,307
Common Stock | Secured Debt | Senior Secured Second Lien Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stock issued (in shares)	6,410,502

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	16.50%	3.80%
Federal statutory corporate rate	35.00%

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Preferre

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Preferred Stock and Common Stock (Details)	Jul. 27, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016$ / sharesshares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, authorized shares (in shares)		1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred Stock, par value (usd per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred Stock, shares issued (in shares)		0	0
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)		0	0
Common Stock, authorized shares (in shares)		55,000,000	55,000,000
Common Stock, par value (usd per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common Stock, issued shares (in shares)		9,358,529	9,358,529
Common Stock, outstanding shares (in shares)		9,358,529	9,358,529
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock split, conversion ratio	0.0074

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Warrants

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Warrants (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Exercise period of warrants	30 days
State of Alaska Tax Credits | Line of credit
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, future borrowing capacity based on assignment of tax credits | $	$ 25,000,000
Series A Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Number of warrants issued (in shares) | shares	154,376
Warrant exercise price (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 10.30
Series B Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Number of warrants issued (in shares) | shares	154,376
Warrant exercise price (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 12.88

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Common S

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Common Stock Held in Escrow in Connection with Merger (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017shares
Merger agreement | Contingent pending conversion or exercise of derivative securities
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of common stock shares held in escrow (in shares)	200

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Detai

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Number of options granted during period (in shares)	0	0
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 629	$ 165
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense for unvested stock option awards	$ 778
Weighted average vesting period (in years)	1 year 3 months 26 days
Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Weighted average vesting period (in years)	1 year 3 months 26 days
Unrecognized compensation expense for unvested restricted stock unit awards	$ 1,571
Number of awards granted during period (in shares)	0	0

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR44

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 84,267	$ 82,068
Senior secured notes, carrying value	1,834	1,830
Second lien notes, net	82,433	80,238
Senior Secured Notes | Senior secured notes
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term debt	1,834	1,830
Senior Secured Notes | Market Approach | Level 2 | Senior secured notes
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior secured notes, fair value	1,364
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes | Senior secured notes
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Long-term debt	82,433	$ 80,238
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes | Market Approach | Level 2 | Senior secured notes
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Senior secured notes, fair value	$ 66,289

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Det

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 19, 2012	Mar. 31, 2017
Corporate Joint Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Term of joint venture agreement	5 years
Gross revenue percentage received by joint venture	49.00%
Variable interest entity, ownership percentage		10.00%
Kuukpik
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gross revenue percentage received by joint venture	51.00%
SAExploration Nigeria Limited | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying amounts of net assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entity		$ 4,245

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Det

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016USD ($)	Apr. 28, 2017shares	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares	Sep. 15, 2016shares	Jul. 27, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 24, 2016USD ($)	Aug. 26, 2015USD ($)	Jul. 02, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 24, 2013right
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, outstanding shares (in shares) | shares			9,358,529	9,358,529
Borrowings under senior loan facility			$ 0	$ 29,995,000
Senior secured notes, carrying value			$ 1,834,000	$ 1,830,000
Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt, face amount							$ 138,128,000	$ 10,000,000	$ 150,000,000
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes | Secured Debt
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt, face amount							$ 76,523,000
Chief Executive Officer | Senior Secured Second Lien Notes | Secured Debt
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt, face amount						$ 1,334,000
SSI | Senior Secured Second Lien Notes | Secured Debt
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt sold	$ 1,334,000
Accrued and unpaid interest	158,000
Debt, repurchased face amount	$ 1,176,000
SSI | Chief Executive Officer | Senior Loan Facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Borrowings under senior loan facility						543,000
SSI | Chief Executive Officer | Senior Secured Notes
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Senior secured notes, carrying value						$ 2,352,000
CLCH | Chief Executive Officer
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, outstanding shares (in shares) | shares			24,221
Common stock, shares registered for resale (in shares) | shares					24,221
CLCH | Chief Executive Officer | Piggy-back Rights
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Right to demand registration of shares | right										1
Subsequent Event | SSI | Chief Executive Officer
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, outstanding shares (in shares) | shares		109,156