SAExploration 10-K 14 Apr 20 2019 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Apr. 06, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	SAEX
Entity Registrant Name	SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001514732
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,436,292
Entity Public Float			$ 7,500,000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.0001 Par Value
Entity File Number	001-35471
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-4867100
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Address, Address Line One	1160 Dairy Ashford
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 160
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77079
City Area Code	281
Local Phone Number	258–4400
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Documents Incorporated by Reference	DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Certain information required to be disclosed in Part III of this report is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement or an amendment to this report, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5,441	$ 7,579
Restricted cash	74	271
Accounts receivable, net	51,582	26,463
Deferred costs on contracts	14,966	3,746
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,324	2,843
Total current assets	77,387	40,902
Property and equipment, net	37,289	35,334
Multiclient seismic data library, net	2,719	4,733
Operating lease right-of-use assets	6,421	0
Goodwill	1,766	1,687
Intangible assets, net	3,751	4,066
Tax credits receivable, net	12,104	13,198
Deferred income taxes	0	2,160
Other assets	778	267
Total assets	142,215	102,347
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	30,966	10,103
Accrued liabilities	6,034	10,498
Income and other taxes payable	5,902	3,331
Operating lease liabilities	2,576	0
Current portion of long-term debt	112,401	7,837
Deferred revenue	8,724	4,357
Total current liabilities	166,603	36,126
Long-term debt	7,145	83,205
Other long-term liabilities	4,280	380
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' deficit:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	240,068	232,661
Accumulated deficit	(274,535)	(249,349)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,912)	(3,035)
Treasury stock	(2,232)	(1,866)
SAExploration stockholders’ deficit	(39,611)	(21,589)
Noncontrolling interest	3,798	4,225
Total stockholders’ deficit	(35,813)	(17,364)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$ 142,215	$ 102,347

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue from services	$ 255,234	$ 98,670
Type of Revenue [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Cost of services	$ 197,651	$ 87,601
Type of Cost, Good or Service [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Depreciation and amortization	$ 13,028	$ 12,207
Gross profit (loss)	44,555	(1,138)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	44,936	41,225
Misappropriation of funds	328	1,080
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment	(5,420)	288
Total operating expenses	39,844	42,593
Operating income (loss)	4,711	(43,731)
Other (expense) income, net:
Interest expense, net	(14,660)	(13,858)
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt	(6,976)	53
Foreign exchange loss, net	(436)	(3,417)
Other income, net	2,935	1,326
Total other expense, net	(19,137)	(15,949)
Loss before income taxes	(14,426)	(59,680)
Income taxes	8,187	(120)
Net loss	(22,613)	(59,560)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,573	905
Net loss attributable to SAExploration	$ (25,186)	$ (60,465)
Basic and diluted loss per common share	$ (3.17)	$ (32.91)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	7,951	3,448

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (22,613)	$ (59,560)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	123	2,047
Comprehensive loss	(22,490)	(57,513)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,573	905
Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration	$ (25,063)	$ (58,418)

Consolidated Statements of Chan

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Deficit - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	6% Convertible Notes Due 2023	Series A Preferred Stock	Series F Warrants	Series B Preferred Stock	Series C Warrants	Additional Paid-In Capital	Additional Paid-In Capital6% Convertible Notes Due 2023	Additional Paid-In CapitalSeries A Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-In CapitalSeries F Warrants	Additional Paid-In CapitalSeries B Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-In CapitalSeries C Warrants	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock	SAExploration Stockholders' Equity Deficit	SAExploration Stockholders' Equity Deficit6% Convertible Notes Due 2023	SAExploration Stockholders' Equity DeficitSeries A Preferred Stock	SAExploration Stockholders' Equity DeficitSeries F Warrants	SAExploration Stockholders' Equity DeficitSeries B Preferred Stock	SAExploration Stockholders' Equity DeficitSeries C Warrants	Non-controlling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Adoption of ASU 2016-16 | ASU 2016-16	$ 294												$ 294			$ 294
Beginning balances at Dec. 31, 2017	(56,061)						$ 133,742						(189,178)	$ (5,082)	$ (113)	(60,631)						$ 4,570
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income	(59,560)												(60,465)			(60,465)						905
Other comprehensive income	2,047													2,047		2,047
Equity-based compensation cost	10,131						10,131									10,131
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,753)														(1,753)	(1,753)
Common stock issued in debt exchange	472						472									472
Discount on preferred stock issued in debt exchange			$ 61,971		$ (10,791)				$ 61,971		$ (10,791)							$ 61,971		$ (10,791)
Accretion of discount on preferred stock			(61,971)		10,791				(61,971)		10,791							(61,971)		10,791
Accretion of Series A preferred stock to redemption value			21,376						21,376									21,376
Dividend on Series A preferred stock			(1,614)						(1,614)									(1,614)
Conversion of preferred stock			(15,427)		(22,981)				(15,427)		(22,981)							(15,427)		(22,981)
Common stock and warrants issued in conversion of preferred stock			$ 54,045		22,981				$ 54,045		22,981							$ 54,045		22,981
Series B preferred stock issued in debt exchange					$ 10,791						$ 10,791									$ 10,791
Warrants issued in debt exchange/extinguishment of long-term debt						$ 4,810						$ 4,810									$ 4,810
Stock issuance costs	(1,026)						(1,026)									(1,026)
Conversion option related to 6% convertible notes due 2023, net of allocated costs		$ 15,361						$ 15,361									$ 15,361
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(1,250)																					(1,250)
Ending balances at Dec. 31, 2018	(17,364)						232,661						(249,349)	(3,035)	(1,866)	(21,589)						4,225
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income	(22,613)												(25,186)			(25,186)						2,573
Other comprehensive income	123													123		123
Equity-based compensation cost	(67)						(67)									(67)
Issuance of common stock	578						578									578
Purchase of treasury stock	(366)														(366)	(366)
Warrants issued in debt exchange/extinguishment of long-term debt				$ 6,896						$ 6,896									$ 6,896
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(3,000)																					(3,000)
Ending balances at Dec. 31, 2019	$ (35,813)						$ 240,068						$ (274,535)	$ (2,912)	$ (2,232)	$ (39,611)						$ 3,798

Consolidated Statements of Ch_2

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Deficit (Parenthetical) - 6% Convertible Notes Due 2023	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt stated interest rate percentage	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Debt, maturity year	2023	2023

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (22,613)	$ (59,560)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	13,625	12,660
Tax credits used to offset production taxes	1,094	1,443
Reserve for potential tax credits monetization	0	1,700
Reserve for doubtful accounts	1,722	536
Equity-based compensation cost	(67)	10,131
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment	(5,420)	288
Amortization of loan issuance costs and debt discounts	3,832	5,565
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of long-term debt	6,976	(53)
Unrealized loss on foreign currency transactions	78	3,333
Deferred income taxes	2,147	215
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(25,800)	(12,761)
Deferred costs on contracts	(11,198)	(2,070)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(2,554)	868
Tax credits receivable	0	2,748
Accounts payable	20,820	5,817
Accrued liabilities	(4,024)	4,270
Income and other taxes payable	2,615	(5,018)
Deferred revenue	4,346	83
Other, net	(459)	(338)
Net cash used in operating activities	(14,880)	(30,143)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Asset purchase	0	(21,749)
Purchase of property and equipment	(3,826)	(1,262)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	5,032	830
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,206	(22,181)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments	(7,836)	(59,207)
Long-term debt borrowings	22,666	123,411
Debt issuance costs	(212)	(2,715)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	100	0
Stock issuance costs	0	(1,712)
Purchase of treasury stock	(366)	(1,753)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(3,000)	(1,250)
Net cash provided by financing activities	11,352	56,774
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(13)	(334)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(2,335)	4,116
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year	7,850	3,734
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year	$ 5,515	$ 7,850

ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSI

ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS	SAExploration Holdings, Inc. NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (“we,” “our” or “us) is a full–service provider of seismic data acquisition, logistical support and processing services in North America, South America, Asia Pacific and West Africa to customers in the oil and natural gas industry. Our chief operating decision maker regularly reviews financial data by country to assess performance and allocate resources, resulting in the conclusion that each country in which we operate represents a reporting unit. As these reporting units are similar in terms of economic characteristics, nature of products, processes and type of customers, we have concluded that our seismic data contract services operations comprise one single reportable segment.

GOING CONCERN UNCERTAINTY

GOING CONCERN UNCERTAINTY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
GOING CONCERN UNCERTAINTY	NOTE 2. GOING CONCERN UNCERTAINTY Our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 have been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The going concern basis assumes that we will continue in operation for the next 12 months and will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. Thus, our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern. Our recurring losses, negative cash flows from operating activities, stockholders’ deficit, need for additional financing and the uncertainties surrounding our ability to obtain such financing, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We anticipate negative cash flows from operating activities to continue for the foreseeable future due to, among other things, the significant uncertainty in the outlook for oil and natural gas development as a result of the recent significant decline in oil prices since the beginning of 2020 due in part to failed OPEC negotiations and to concerns about the COVID–19 coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the worldwide economy and global demand for oil. We were recently notified that contracts to acquire seismic data offshore West Africa, valued at approximately $42 million, were terminated by the operator presumably due to uncertainty on government restrictions on operations during the COVID–19 coronavirus pandemic. In addition, other scheduled and anticipated projects have been delayed and there is no assurance as to when they may resume, if at all. We are also unable to predict when industry market conditions may improve. Our senior loan facility matures in January 2021 and to date, we have been unable to negotiate an extension of the maturity date with our debt holders. If we are unable to extend or otherwise address the maturity date of the senior loan facility, we expect that we will be unable to repay the senior loan facility when due in January 2021. In addition, since February 2020, we have been engaged in discussions with the holders of the indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility, senior loan facility and 2023 Notes to extend the January 2021 maturity date of our senior loan facility. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has delayed the determination by certain debt holders as to whether to extend the maturity date of our senior loan facility, as such debt holders require additional analysis and information to make that determination due to the circumstances related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Our management continues to: (i) discuss with our debt holders an extension of the maturity date of the senior loan facility and waivers of the events of default due to the inclusion of an explanatory paragraph raising substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern in the report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10–K; (ii) seek to obtain additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity securities; and (iii) manage operating costs by actively pursuing cost cutting measures to maximize liquidity consistent with current industry market expectations. There is no assurance that we will be successful in extending the maturity date of the senior loan facility or obtaining additional financing on satisfactory terms or at all. In addition, there is no assurance that any such financing, if obtained, will be adequate to meet our needs and support our working capital needs. Based on the uncertainty of achieving these goals and the significance of the factors described, there is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months after the date our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10–K are issued. If we become unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets, and potentially realize significantly less than the values at which they are carried on our financial statements, and the holders of our securities could lose all or part of their investment. Accordingly, our independent registered public accounting firm included an explanatory paragraph in their report accompanying our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTE 3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries which are wholly–owned, controlled by us or a variable interest entity (“VIE”) where we are the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The noncontrolling interest attributed to these entities, if any, are presented as “Noncontrolling interest” on our consolidated balance sheets and “Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest” on our consolidated statements of operations. In the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, except for Note 15 and Note 22, all dollar and share amounts in tabulations are in thousands of dollars and shares, respectively, unless otherwise indicated. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. All our cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several major financial institutions. Deposits with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits; however, we have not experienced any losses in such accounts and we believe we are not exposed to any significant default risk. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. We monitor our customers’ payment history and current credit worthiness to determine that collectability is reasonably assured. We also consider the overall business climate in which our customers operate. We utilize the specific identification method for establishing and maintaining the allowance for doubtful accounts. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is capitalized at historical cost or the relative fair value of assets acquired (see Note 4) and is depreciated using the straight–line method based on estimated economic lives. We expense costs for maintenance and repairs in the period incurred. Significant improvements and betterments are capitalized if they extend the useful life of the asset. Multiclient Seismic Data Library Alaskan Seismic Ventures, LLC (“ASV”), a related party VIE (see Note 13) that we consolidate, maintains a multiclient seismic data library that consists of completed seismic surveys that are primarily licensed on a nonexclusive basis. ASV capitalized costs directly incurred in acquiring and processing the multiclient seismic data and expenses these costs based on the percentage of the total costs to the estimated total revenue that ASV expects to receive from the sales of such data. However, under no circumstances will an individual survey carry a net book value greater than a five year, straight–line amortized value. Impairment of Long–Lived Assets We assess our long–lived assets, such and property and equipment, multiclient seismic data library and intangible assets, for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the recorded carrying value of the long–lived asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the long–lived asset exceeds the sum of the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the long–lived asset, which is estimated through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market prices and third–party appraisals. We assess our goodwill, all of which resides in our Canadian operations reporting unit (the “Reporting Unit”), at least annually for impairment, or more frequently if facts and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not impairment has occurred. We have the option of first performing a qualitative assessment to determine if impairment may have occurred. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Reporting Unit is less than its carrying amount, then we would be required to perform the two–step impairment test. Under the first step in the impairment test, we compare the fair value of the Reporting Unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the Reporting Unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed. Under the second step in the impairment test, the implied fair value of goodwill is compared with its carrying amount. The implied fair value of goodwill is calculated by subtracting the estimated fair values of the Reporting Unit’s assets net of liabilities from the fair value of the Reporting Unit. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. We determine the fair value of the Reporting Unit using a combination of the market approach and the income approach. Under the market approach, the fair value of the Reporting Unit is based on the Guideline Public Company (“GPC”) methodology using GPCs that are considered to be similar to us and whose stock are actively traded. Under the income approach, the fair value of the Reporting Unit is based on the expected present value of the future net cash flows. Tax Credits Receivable The State of Alaska offers tax credits as incentives for oil and natural gas exploration and development. The tax credits are based on costs incurred by the explorer, and the tax credits must be approved by the Alaska Department of Revenue (the “DOR”). ASV earned tax credits related to the costs incurred in obtaining the data for its multiclient seismic data library. After the tax credit applications were submitted to and approved by the DOR, ASV recorded the tax credits as an offset to the capitalized costs of the multiclient seismic data library as the incentive’s usage is consistent with usage of the multiclient seismic data library. Future sales of licenses related to the multiclient seismic data library are subject to a 35% production tax by the State of Alaska. These production taxes are expensed in the period incurred and can be satisfied either through the usage of tax credits or, if there are no tax credits available, a cash payment. In 2019 and 2018, ASV used $1.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of tax credits to satisfy ASV’s production tax liability. The State of Alaska also allows for any unused tax credits to be purchased for cash from the State of Alaska (if and when funds are allocated for the purchase) or transferred or sold to other third parties to utilize against their production taxes. Treasury Stock We record the repurchase of shares of our common stock at cost based on the settlement date of the transaction. These repurchased shares are classified as treasury stock on our consolidated balance sheets. Shares of treasury stock are included in our authorized and issued shares but excluded from outstanding shares. Variable Interest Entities A VIE is defined as an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. We consolidate a VIE when we are the primary beneficiary of such VIE. As primary beneficiary, we have both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. We reconsider our evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE. Revenue Recognition Our services are provided under cancelable service contracts that typically have an original expected duration of one year or less. These contracts are either fixed price agreements that provide for a fixed fee per unit of measure (“Turnkey”) or variable price agreements that provide for a fixed hourly, daily or monthly fee during the term of the project (“Term”). Under both types of agreements, we recognize revenue as the services are performed. We recognize revenue based upon quantifiable measures of progress, such as square or linear kilometers surveyed, each unit of data recorded or other methods using the total estimated revenue for the service contract. We receive reimbursements for certain out–of–pocket expenses under the terms of the service contracts. The amounts billed to clients are included at their gross amount in the total estimated revenue for the service contract. Clients are billed as permitted by the service contract. Contract assets and contract liabilities are the result of timing differences between revenue recognition, billing and cash collections. If billing occurs prior to the revenue recognition or if billing exceeds the revenue recognized, the amount is considered deferred revenue and a contract liability. Conversely, if the revenue recognition exceeds the billing, the exceeded amount is considered unbilled receivable and a contract asset. As services are performed, those deferred revenue amounts are recognized as revenue. In some instances, third party permitting, surveying, drilling, helicopter, equipment rental and mobilization costs that directly relate to the contract are utilized to fulfill the contract obligations. These fulfillment costs are capitalized and a mortized consistent with how the related revenue is recognized unless we determine the costs are no longer recoverable, at which time they are expensed. Estimates for our total revenue and total fulfillment cost on any service contract are based on significant qualitative and quantitative judgments. Our management considers a variety of factors such as whether various components of the performance obligation will be performed internally or externally, cost of third party services, and facts and circumstances unique to the performance obligation in making these estimates. As a significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the profitability of our contracts, we review and update the estimates during each reporting period. We recognize these adjustments in revenues under the cumulative catch–up method which recognizes the impact of the adjustment on revenue to date in the period the adjustment is identified. Revenue in future periods of performance is recognized using the adjusted estimate. At times, we may also recognize revenue from licensing of data that has already been created and is available for delivery. This seismic data license represents a single performance obligation that is typically recognized at a point in time. We recognize this revenue upon the transfer of control to the customer at an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for these licenses. We recognized $3.1 million and $4.1 million of revenues from the sale of licenses in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Foreign Exchange Gains and Losses Assets and liabilities of non–U.S. operations with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar have been translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates, and revenues, expenses and cash flows have been translated at average exchange rates for the respective periods. Any resulting translation gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, such as those resulting from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved and those resulting from remeasurements of monetary items, are included in our consolidated statements of operations. In addition, as we have not designated our intercompany transactions as being of a long–term nature, gains and losses on these transactions are included in our consolidated statements of operations. Income Taxes We use the liability method to determine our income tax provisions, under which current and deferred tax liabilities and assets are recorded in accordance with enacted tax laws and rates. Under this method, the amounts of deferred tax liabilities and assets at the end of each period are determined using the tax rate expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Concentration of Credit Risk Our revenues are derived from a concentrated customer base; however, we are not substantially dependent on any one customer. Based on the nature of our contracts and customer projects, our significant customers can and typically do change from year to year and the largest customers in any one year may not be indicative of the largest customers in the future. In both 2019 and 2018, we had three customers that each individually exceeded 10% of our consolidated revenue from services and that together represented approximately 56% and 75%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue from services. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements On January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016–02, Leases ASU 2018–10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, ASU 2018–11, Targeted Improvements, and 2019–01, Codification Improvements The new standards provide for certain practical expedients when adopting the new guidance. We have elected the practical expedient package outlined in ASU No. 2016–02 under which we can carryforward our previous classification of a lease as either an operating or capital lease, and we do not have to reassess previously recorded initial direct costs. Additionally, we made policy elections allowing us to exclude leases with original terms of 12 months or less from lease assets and liabilities and to not separate nonlease components from the associated lease component and instead account for both as a single lease component for all asset classes. We did not elect the practical expedient allowing us to use hindsight to determine the lease term and to assess any impairment of lease assets during the lookback period. The adoption of the new standards had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheet, with the most significant being the recognition of operating lease right–of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities of $9.9 million and $9.9 million, respectively. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The standard did not materially impact our consolidated statement of operations and consolidated statement of cash flows. New Accounting Standards to be Adopted In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016–03, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, Effective Dates In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017–04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019–12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective during the year ended December 31, 2019 have had or are expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

ASSET PURCHASE

ASSET PURCHASE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Asset Purchase Agreement [Abstract]
ASSET PURCHASE	NOTE 4. ASSET PURCHASE In June 2018, we entered into a stalking horse asset purchase agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with Geokinetics, Inc. (“GEOK”), pursuant to which we agreed to purchase certain assets of GEOK (the “Purchased Assets”) and, to a lesser extent, acquire certain liabilities related thereto in a transaction to be effected in GEOK’s bankruptcy proceeding under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. In July 2018, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas approved the Asset Purchase Agreement, and we completed the acquisition of the Purchased Assets for $18.4 million. In connection with the closing, we entered into a new acquisition purchase money facility (the “PMF”) of approximately $23.4 million in aggregate principal amount of borrowings, secured by the Purchased Assets, to fund the acquisition and pay related transaction costs. Borrowings made under the PMF bore interest at a rate of 10.25% per annum. The PMF was repaid in full in September 2018. The acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition, which requires that the total purchase price, including transaction costs, be allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. The purchase price and the fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities are as follows: Purchase price $ 18,411 Transaction advisory fees and other acquisition costs 3,338 Total purchase price $ 21,749 Accounts receivable $ 8,589 Property and equipment 12,484 Intangible assets, net 3,642 Accrued liabilities (110 ) Deferred revenue (2,856 ) Net assets acquired $ 21,749

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	NOTE 5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment is comprised of the following at December 31: Estimated Useful Life 2019 2018 Field operating equipment 3 – 10 years $ 102,003 $ 89,962 Transportation equipment 3 – 5 years 18,289 18,353 Leasehold improvements 2 – 5 years 563 461 Software 3 – 5 years 2,003 1,976 Computer equipment 3 – 5 years 5,651 5,584 Office equipment 3 – 10 years 984 902 129,493 117,238 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (92,204 ) (81,904 ) Property and equipment, net $ 37,289 $ 35,334 Depreciation expense relating to property and equipment was $11.3 million and $11.4 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, of which $0.3 million in both 2019 and 2018 is included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our consolidated statements of operations.

MULTICLIENT SEISMIC DATA LIBRAR

MULTICLIENT SEISMIC DATA LIBRARY, NET	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Multiclient Data Library [Abstract]
MULTICLIENT SEISMIC DATA LIBRARY, NET	NOTE 6. MULTICLIENT SEISMIC DATA LIBRARY, NET Changes in the carrying value of multiclient seismic data library are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 4,733 $ 5,829 Amortization (2,014 ) (1,096 ) Balance at end of year $ 2,719 $ 4,733 As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, accumulated amortization related to the multiclient seismic data library was $16.6 million and $14.6 million, respectively.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	NOTE 7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill Changes in the carrying value of goodwill are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 1,687 $ 1,832 Foreign currency translation adjustment 79 (145 ) Balance at end of year $ 1,766 $ 1,687 As of December 31, 2019, we have not recorded any impairments related to our goodwill and we believe that our goodwill is recoverable; however, there can be no assurance that the goodwill will not be impaired in the future. Intangible Assets Intangible assets are comprised of the following at December 31: 2019 2018 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Customer relationships $ 1,379 $ (926 ) $ 453 $ 1,356 $ (831 ) $ 525 Technology 3,642 (344 ) 3,298 3,642 (101 ) 3,541 $ 5,021 $ (1,270 ) $ 3,751 $ 4,998 $ (932 ) $ 4,066 Intangible assets are amortized on a straight–line basis with estimated useful lives ranging from 13 to 15 years. Amortization expense was $0.3 million and $0.2 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Amortization expense for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2024 is expected to be $0.3 million, $0.4 million, $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and $2.1 million in the aggregate thereafter.

TAX CREDITS RECEIVABLE, NET

TAX CREDITS RECEIVABLE, NET	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Tax Credit Receivable Net [Abstract]
Tax Credits Receivable, Net	NOTE 8. TAX CREDITS RECEIVABLE, NET Changes in the carrying value of the tax credits receivable, net are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 13,198 $ 19,089 Monetized in period — (2,748 ) Tax credits used to offset production taxes (1,094 ) (1,443 ) Reserve for potential monetization — (1,700 ) Balance at end of year $ 12,104 $ 13,198 We have established an allowance for these tax credits receivable due to the uncertainty of the future monetization of the tax credits and the potential for the DOR to disallow the tax credits as management has determined that the costs submitted to the DOR by ASV did not reflect the affiliate status of ASV. As of both December 31, 2019 and 2018, the tax credits receivable are net of an allowance of $53.0 million.

LONG TERM DEBT

LONG TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG TERM DEBT	NOTE 9. LONG–TERM DEBT Long–term debt consisted of the following as of December 31: 2019 2018 Credit facility: Principal outstanding $ 35,000 $ 12,334 Unamortized debt issuance costs (205 ) (125 ) Carrying amount 34,795 12,209 Senior loan facility: Principal outstanding 29,000 29,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (1,232 ) (2,448 ) Carrying amount 27,768 26,552 6% senior secured convertible notes due 2023: Principal outstanding 60,000 60,000 Unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs (13,341 ) (15,906 ) Carrying amount 46,659 44,094 10% senior notes due 2019: Principal outstanding — 6,957 Unamortized debt issuance costs — (4 ) Carrying amount — 6,953 Note payable 9,974 — Capital lease obligations 350 1,234 Total debt 119,546 91,042 Current portion of long-term debt (112,401 ) (7,837 ) Total long-term debt $ 7,145 $ 83,205 Debt Exchange In January 2018, we consummated an exchange offer and consent solicitation (the “Exchange”) related to our Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Senior Notes”). Pursuant to a restructuring support agreement with holders of approximately 85% of the par value of our Senior Notes, we exchanged $78.0 million of our Senior Notes and $7 thousand of our Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Senior Secured Notes”) for (i) 0.04 million shares of common stock, (ii) 0.03 million shares of Series A preferred stock, (iii) 0.9 million shares of Series B preferred stock, and (iv) 8.3 million Series C warrants. The Exchange was accounted for as an extinguishment as we were legally released of our obligations upon delivery and acceptance of the respective equity securities and we recognized a gain of $0.1 million. Credit Facility As of December 31, 2019, we have a $40.0 million credit facility that expires in August 2021. Borrowings under the credit facility are secured primarily by substantially all our assets located in the United States, subject to certain exclusions. We may use borrowing under the credit facility for working capital purposes and general corporate purposes. In December 2019, we amended our credit facility to, among other things, (i) request and receive advances in the aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million (the “First Advance”); (ii) provide for the ability to request and receive additional advances in the aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million (the “Additional Advances”); and (iii) provide for the issuance of Series F warrants pursuant to a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) exercisable for shares of our common stock. We then borrowed the entire amount of the First Advance to be used for additional working capital. We accounted for the amendment to our credit facility as a debt extinguishment as we determined that the terms of the amended credit facility were substantially different from the terms of the original credit facility. We derecognized the carrying value of the original credit facility and recorded the amended credit facility at fair value. In addition, we capitalized $0.2 million of fees paid to third parties as new debt issuance costs. The credit facility does not require any repayments of amounts outstanding until it expires in August 2021; however, the credit facility does require a mandatory prepayment with the proceeds from any payment or monetization of the tax credits. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at a rate of 11.75% through and including August 2020 and 12.75% thereafter. Senior Loan Facility As of December 31, 2019, we have a $30.0 million senior loan facility that expires in January 2021. Borrowings under the senior loan facility are secured primarily by substantially all the collateral securing the obligation under our credit facility. This security interest is junior to the security interest in the collateral securing the obligations under our credit facility. The senior loan facility does not require any repayments of amounts outstanding until it expires in January 2021; however, the senior loan facility does require a mandatory prepayment with the proceeds from any payment or monetization of the tax credits once the credit facility has had cumulative prepayments of $30.0 million. Borrowings under the senior loan facility bear interest at a rate of 12.50%. 6% Senior Secured Convertible Notes due 2023 Our 6% Senior Secured Convertible Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Notes”) were issued under an indenture dated September 26, 2018 (the “2023 Indenture”). The 2023 Notes mature in September 2023, and interest is payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. When the 2023 Notes were issued, we accounted for the debt and equity components of the 2023 Notes separately, as we have the option to settle the conversion obligation in cash. At the date of issuance, we calculated the fair value of the 2023 Notes, excluding the conversion feature, based on the fair value of similar non–convertible debt instruments. The difference between the cash proceeds and the estimated fair value represented the value which was assigned to the equity component and recorded as a debt discount. The debt discount is being amortized using the effective interest rate method over the period from issuance to the maturity date of September 26, 2023. The carrying amount of the equity component of the 2023 Notes reported in additional paid in capital was initially valued at $15.4 million, which is net of $0.3 million of debt issuance costs allocated to the equity component. As the closing price of our common stock at December 31, 2019 was less than the initial conversion price for the 2023 Notes, the if–converted value of the 2023 Notes would be less than the principal amount. In 2019 and 2018, we recorded interest expense of $6.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively, related to the 2023 Notes, of which $2.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively, related to contractual interest expense. The 2023 Notes are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of common stock or, for certain holders (as defined in the 2023 Indenture), warrants to purchase an equal number of shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share, subject to customary adjustments. The initial conversion rate is 173.91304 shares of common stock or warrants per $1,000 principal amount, representing an initial conversion price of approximately $5.75 per share. We may not redeem the 2023 Notes prior to October 1, 2021. After that date, we may redeem all or part of the 2023 Notes, at our option, if the last reported sale price of our common stock has been at least 150% of the conversion price then in effect (i) on the trading day immediately preceding the date of which we provide notice of redemption and (ii) for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes to be redeemed, payable in cash, plus accrued and unpaid interest and any make whole premium (as described in the 2023 Indenture). In the event of a fundamental change, as defined in the 2023 Indenture, holders of the 2023 Notes may, subject to certain restrictions, require us to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their notes equal to $1,000 or a multiple of $1,000 at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of 2023 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the fundamental change repurchase date. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, as defined in the 2023 Indenture, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes then outstanding may declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the 2023 Notes to be due and payable immediately. Note Payable In November 2019, we financed the purchase of seismic equipment pursuant to a secured promissory note in the amount of $10.0 million. The note bears interest at 7% and matures on January 1, 2023. Borrowings under the note are secured by a security interest in the purchased seismic equipment. The note requires that principal and interest will be due and payable in equal monthly installments beginning in February 2020 and each month thereafter until the maturity date. 10% Senior Notes due 2019 In July 2016, we issued our Senior Notes under an indenture dated July 27, 2016. I Debt Compliance The credit agreements and indentures for our credit facility, senior loan facility and 2023 Notes contain certain representations, warranties, covenants and other terms and conditions which are customary for agreements of these types. As of December 31, 2019, certain events of default had occurred under these agreements. On February 7, 2020, we entered into amendments and waivers to our credit facility, senior loan facility and the indenture governing the 2023 Notes to, among other things, waive existing events of default thereunder and amend certain covenants requiring us to deliver financial statements, reports, projections and other items thereunder. As discussed in Note 2, the report of our independent registered public accounting firm on these consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph raising substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which results in events of default under the credit facility and the senior loan facility, and a cross default under the indenture governing the 2023 Notes. We have entered into forbearance agreements with respect to our credit facility, senior loan facility and 2023 Notes, whereby the holders of the indebtedness thereunder have agreed to refrain from exercising their rights and remedies with respect to these existing defaults and other events of default that have occurred and are continuing as further specified in the forbearance agreements until 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the earlier of (i) May 31, 2020 and (ii) the date the forbearance agreements otherwise terminate in accordance with their terms. However, the long-term debt outstanding under the credit facility, senior loan facility and 2023 Notes has been reclassified as current portion of long-term debt in these financial statements. Maturities of Long–Term Debt The maturities of our long–term debt, including capital leases, for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2024 are $3.2 million, $65.8 million, $3.5 million, $47.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Legal Matters On August 18, 2019, a purported stockholder, John Bodin (the “Class Action Plaintiff”), filed a putative class action lawsuit against us and certain former executive officers named therein (the “Class Action Defendants”) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas captioned John Bodin v. SAExploration Holdings, Inc., et al. Case No. 4:19–cv–03089. The Class Action Plaintiff seeks to represent a class of stockholders who purchased or otherwise acquired our publicly traded securities from March 15, 2016 through August 15, 2019 (the “Covered Period”). The complaint generally alleges that the Class Action Defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the On September 6, 2019, a purported stockholder, M. Shane Hamilton (the “Derivate Plaintiff”), filed a stockholder derivative lawsuit against certain of our former and current executive officers and directors named therein (the “Derivative Defendants”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware captioned M. Shane Hamilton, derivatively on behalf of SAExploration Holdings, Inc., v. Jeff Hastings, et al. The derivative complaint generally alleges (i) breaches by the Derivative Defendants of their fiduciary duties as our directors and/or officers, (ii) unjust enrichment, (iii) waste of corporate assets, and (iv) violations of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act. The derivative complaint seeks, among other things, relief (i) directing us and the Derivative Defendants to take actions to reform and improve our corporate governance and internal procedures, (ii) awarding us restitution from the Derivative Defendants, and (iii) awarding the Derivative Plaintiff’s costs and attorneys’ and experts’ fees. As previously disclosed, the SEC has been conducting an investigation of certain matters, including with respect to revenue recognition, accounts receivable, and tax credits. The DOJ is conducting a parallel investigation with the SEC. We have been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with the SEC and the DOJ in their investigations. The SEC and DOJ investigations are continuing, and we are currently unable to predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of any potential SEC or DOJ legal action or other action or whether it could have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow. The DOR is conducting an investigation with respect to our determination that ASV is a variable interest entity and related Alaska tax credit certificates. We have been cooperating, and will continue to cooperate, with the DOR in its investigation. The DOR investigation is continuing, and we are unable to predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of any potential DOR legal action or other action or whether it could have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow. In the ordinary course of business, we may be subject to legal proceedings involving contractual and employment relationships, liability claims and a variety of other matters. Although the results of these other legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the final outcome of these proceedings should have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. However, we cannot predict the occurrence or outcome of these proceedings with certainty, and if we are unsuccessful in these proceedings and any loss exceeds our available insurance, if any, this could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

WARRANTS

WARRANTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Warrants And Rights Note Disclosure [Abstract]
WARRANTS	NOTE 11. WARRANTS Series A and Series B As of December 31, 2019, we have 0.2 million Series A warrants and 0.2 million Series B warrants outstanding, both with an expiration date of July 27, 2021. The Series A warrants and Series B warrants entitle the holders to purchase 0.05 shares of our common stock, have exercise prices of $10.30 and $12.88, respectively, and become exercisable 30 days in advance of their expiration date. Series C, Series D and Series E Each of these warrants entitles the holder to purchase 0.05 shares of our common stock, has an exercise price of $0.0001 and has no expiration date. These warrants are immediately exercisable by the holder provided that it does not result in a holder owning 10% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, and are exercisable by us upon a change in control. In January 2018, we issued 8.3 million Series C warrants as an element of the Exchange (see Note 8). The Series C warrants were recorded at $4.8 million based on an allocation of the Exchange consideration to the various share classes and securities based on their relative fair values. As of December 31, 2019, we have 6.9 million Series C warrants outstanding. In March 2018, we issued 14.1 million Series D warrants in connection with the conversion of the Series B preferred stock. The Series D warrants were recorded at their fair value of $23.0 million, which was based on the price of our common stock as of the date of the conversion as the Series D warrants have a nominal strike price, no expiration date and no other relevant restrictions. As of December 31, 2019, we have 11.1 million Series D warrants outstanding. In September 2018, we issued 94.8 million Series E warrants in connection with the conversion of the Series A preferred stock. The Series E warrants were recorded at their fair value of $54.0 million, which was based on the price of our common stock as of the date of the conversion as the Series E warrants have a nominal strike price, no expiration date and no other relevant restrictions. As of December 31, 2019, we have 54.6 million Series E warrants outstanding. Series F Under the Warrant Agreement, subject to certain conditions, we will issue up to approximately 2.0 million Series F warrants (the “First Advance Warrants”) and may issue additional Series F warrants representing up to 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, on a fully diluted basis as of the date of the Additional Advances (or approximately 2.3 million shares of our common stock as of the date of the First Advance), upon the issuance of the Additional Advances. Each of the Series F warrants entitles the holder to purchase one share of our common stock, has an exercise price of $0.0001 and has no expiration date. These warrants are immediately exercisable by the holder provided that it does not result in a holder owning 10% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, and are exercisable by us upon a change in control. In December 2019, we issued 0.4 million First Advance Warrants in connection with the amendment of our credit facility (see Note 8). In January 2020, we issued an additional 0.4 million First Advance Warrants upon receipt of NASDAQ approval. The remaining 1.2 million of First Advance Warrants will be issued upon shareholder approval. If we are unable to obtain shareholder approval by July 28, 2020, we are required to negotiate in good faith and use our best efforts to provide the lenders with the economic equivalent of the Series F Warrants to which such lenders would have been entitled had shareholder approval been obtained. The First Advance Warrants, including those issued in January 2020 and those to be issued upon shareholder approval, were recorded at their fair value of $6.9 million, which was based on the price of our common stock on the date of the First Advance as the First Advance Warrants have a nominal strike price, no expiration date and no other relevant restrictions. As the issuance of the First Advance Warrants is deemed to be a fee paid by us to the lenders under our credit facility, we have recorded the fair value of the First Advance Warrants as “Loss on extinguishment of long–term debt” on our consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2019, we have 0.4 million Series F warrants outstanding. Warrant Activity The following table presents the changes in the number of warrants outstanding for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year 87,792 309 Issuance of warrants 430 117,198 Exercise of warrants (14,895 ) (29,715 ) Balance at end of year 73,327 87,792

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	NOTE 12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Preferred Stock We are authorized to issue 1.0 million 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 our Board of Directors. Series A In January 2018, we issued 0.03 million shares of Series A preferred stock as an element of the Exchange (see Note 8). The Series A preferred stock had an 8.0% dividend payable quarterly in arrears and accumulated whether or not earned or declared beginning April 1, 2018. In 2018, we issued dividends in kind valued at $1.6 million. The Series A preferred stock was recorded at $62.0 million, less stock issuance costs of $3.6 million, based on an allocation of the Exchange consideration to the various share classes and securities based on their relative fair values. We evaluated the nondetachable conversion option embedded in the Series A preferred stock and determined that a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) existed as of the closing date of the Exchange. As the intrinsic value of the BCF exceeded the value allotted to the Series A preferred stock, we separately recognized a discount of $62.0 million as a reduction to the value of the Series A preferred stock. In September 2018, all the shares of the Series A preferred stock were converted into 0.7 million shares of common stock and 94.8 million Series E warrants with an exercise price of $0.0001. Upon conversion, the Series A preferred stock was derecognized, and we fully recognized the value of the BCF as a deemed dividend. As of December 31, 2019, there were no issued or outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock. Series B In January 2018, we issued 0.9 million shares of Series B preferred stock as an element of the Exchange (see Note 8). The Series B preferred stock had no stated dividend and dividends were at the discretion of our Board of Directors. The Series B preferred stock was recorded at $10.8 million based on an allocation of the Exchange consideration to the various share classes and securities based on their relative fair values. Similar to the Series A preferred stock, we determined that a BCF existed for the Series B preferred stock. As the intrinsic value of the BCF exceeded the value allotted to the Series B preferred stock, we separately recognized a discount of $10.8 million as a reduction in the value of the Series B preferred stock. In March 2018, all the shares of the Series B preferred stock were converted into 0.2 million shares of common stock and 14.1 million Series D warrants with an exercise price of $0.0001. Upon conversion, the Series B preferred stock was derecognized, and we fully recognized the value of the BCF as a deemed dividend. As of December 31, 2019, there were no issued or outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock. Common Stock As of December 31, 2019, we are authorized to issue 40.0 million shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. The following table presents the changes in the number of shares outstanding for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Shares issued: Balance at beginning of year 3,211 473 Issue of shares upon vesting of restricted stock units 278 268 Issue of shares on exercises of stock options — 16 Issue of shares in consideration for services 243 — Issue of shares in private placement 30 — Issue of shares in the Exchange — 41 Issue of shares on the conversion of the Series A preferred stock — 704 Issue of shares on the conversion of the Series B preferred stock — 225 Issue of shares on exercises of Series C warrants 51 16 Issue of shares on exercises of Series D warrants 33 117 Issue of shares on exercises of Series E warrants 662 1,351 Balance at end of year 4,508 3,211 Shares held as treasury stock: Balance at beginning of year 111 2 Purchase of treasury stock 97 109 Balance at end of year 208 111 Shares outstanding at end of year 4,300 3,100

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	NOTE 13. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES We have two entities that meet the definition of a VIE and, based on our determination that we are the primary beneficiary of these entities, we have consolidated the operating results, assets and liabilities of these entities. We have a 49% interest in a business venture with Kuukpik Corporation (“Kuukpik”) that performs 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). The entity receives 10% of our gross revenues from all North Slope of Alaska contracts and will expire in December 2020. ASV is a multiclient seismic data library company (see Note 2) and we performed seismic services for ASV in 2015 and 2016. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of assets of our VIEs that are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets include cash and cash equivalents of $0.4 million and $0.4 million, prepaid expenses and other current assets of $31 thousand and $31 thousand, multiclient seismic data library, net, of $2.7 million and $4.7 million and tax credits receivable, net of $12.1 million and $13.2 million, respectively. The assets presented above are net of intercompany eliminations. All liabilities associated with our VIEs as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are eliminated in consolidation. Losses incurred by ASV were initially applied to the 100% noncontrolling equity investors until their investment balances were reduced to zero, which occurred in 2015. All subsequent losses incurred by ASV are fully absorbed by us and not allocated to the noncontrolling shareholders as we are the entity that carries the risk of loss related to ASV.

REVENUE FROM SERVICES

REVENUE FROM SERVICES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
REVENUE FROM SERVICES	NOTE 14. REVENUE FROM SERVICES Deferred Costs on Contracts In some instances, we incur third party costs that directly relate to the contract to fulfill the contract obligations. These fulfillment costs are capitalized and a mortized consistent with how the related revenue is recognized. Changes in our deferred costs on contracts are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 3,746 $ 1,780 Fulfillment costs incurred 30,905 9,076 Amortization of fulfillment costs (19,685 ) (7,110 ) Balance at end of year $ 14,966 $ 3,746 Deferred Revenue Typically, our mobilization services are paid by the customer at the beginning of the contract while the revenue is recognized as control transfers to the customer, which can result in deferred revenue. Normally all other revenue is billed as work progresses, which generally will not result in significant deferred revenue except in those cases where a large mobilization is required for the contract. Changes in our deferred revenue are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 4,357 $ 1,477 Acquired from GEOK — 2,856 Cash received, excluding amounts recognized as revenue from services 20,334 6,580 Amounts recognized as revenue from services (15,967 ) (6,556 ) Balance at end of year $ 8,724 $ 4,357 Disaggregated Revenue The following table disaggregates our revenue from services for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Land Marine Total Land Marine Total North America $ 126,317 $ — $ 126,317 $ 71,326 $ — $ 71,326 South America 5,171 18,546 23,717 22,531 — 22,531 Asia Pacific 3,715 101,485 105,200 4,813 — 4,813 Total $ 135,203 $ 120,031 $ 255,234 $ 98,670 $ — $ 98,670 Remaining Performance Obligations As of December 31, 2019, we had $203.1 million of remaining performance obligations. We expect to recognize revenue of approximately 62% of these performance obligations in 2020, 19% in 2021 and the remaining approximately 19% in 2022.

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION	NOTE 15. EQUITY–BASED COMPENSATION We have a long–term incentive plan for our directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors. This plan allows for the issuance of stock options (both incentive and non–qualified), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), other stock–based awards and cash–based awards. As of December 31, 2019, we have 2.8 million shares authorized for issuance under this plan, and 2.0 million shares remain available for grant. Awards that expire or are cancelled without delivery of shares generally become available for issuance under this plan. Shares that are used or withheld to satisfy tax obligations are not available for issuance under this plan. We can either issue new shares, use shares held in treasury or purchase shares of our common stock to satisfy vesting of awards under this plan. Restricted Stock Units An RSU is an award where each unit represents the right to receive the value of one share of our common stock at the date of vesting. RSUs may be settled by, at our discretion, either the issuance of our common stock, cash or a combination thereof based on the fair market value of the common stock on the date of exercise. Activity related to RSUs is as follows: Number of RSUs Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at January 1, 2019 258,917 $ 26.60 Granted 746,612 3.39 Vested (278,402 ) 3.39 Forfeited (614,824 ) 11.62 Nonvested at December 31, 2019 112,303 $ 11.86 In March 2019, we issued 0.5 million RSUs to our senior management, which vested 50% on April 12, 2019 and the remaining 50% will vest on January 29, 2021, and an additional 0.2 million RSUs, all of which vest on September 29, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, there are 27,229 RSUs vesting on September 29, 2020 and 85,074 RSUs vesting on January 29, 2021. The fair value of RSUs granted in 2019 and 2018 was $2.5 million and $14.2 million, respectively. The fair value of RSUs vested in 2019 and 2018 was $1.1 million and $5.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, we had $0.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.05 years. Additionally, as of December 31, 2019, we have 0.1 million RSUs that are vested but have not yet settled. These RSUs were granted to our outside directors in 2018. Equity–Based Compensation Cost Equity–based compensation cost is measured at the date of grant based on the calculated fair value of the award and is generally recognized on a straight–line basis over the requisite service period, including those with graded vesting. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. We recognized equity–based compensation costs of $(0.1) million and $10.1 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Included in these costs for 2019 is $3.8 million related to the forfeiture of unvested RSUs. Included in these costs for 2018 is $5.7 million related to the acceleration of vesting of certain RSUs. These costs are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our consolidated statements of operations.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	NOTE 16. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS We have a defined contribution 401(k) plan for all eligible employees of our U.S. operations and a Retirement Registered Saving Plan for all eligible employees of our Canadian operations. These plans are discretionary and allow for the match of each employee’s contributions up to the maximum allowed under these plans. For 2019 and 2018, we made no matching contributions and had no expenses related to these plans.

LEASES

LEASES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
LEASES	NOTE 17. LEASES We have entered into various non–cancellable operating and finance lease agreements for certain of our offices, shop and warehouse facilities, equipment and vehicles. We determine if an arrangement is a lease, or contains a lease, at inception and record the leases in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements upon lease commencement, which is the date when the underlying asset is made available for use by the lessor. Our leases have remaining lease terms ranging from one year to seven years and often include options to extend the lease term for up to three years. Some of our leases also include options to terminate the lease prior to the end of the agreed upon lease term. For the majority of leases entered into during the current period, we have concluded it is not reasonably certain that we would exercise the options to extend the lease. Therefore, as of the lease commencement date, our lease terms generally do not include these options. We include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight–line basis over the lease term. Certain operating leases provide for annual increases to lease payments based on an index or rate. We estimate the annual increase in lease payments based on the index or rate at the lease commencement date, for both our historical leases and for new leases commencing after January 1, 2019. Differences between the estimated lease payment and actual payment are expensed as incurred. Lease expense for finance lease payments is recognized as amortization expense of the finance lease ROU asset and interest expense on the finance lease liability over the lease term. The balances for the operating and finance leases where we are the lessee are presented on our consolidated balance sheet as follows at December 31: Classification on Consolidated Balance Sheet 2019 Assets: Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 6,421 Finance lease assets Property and equipment, net 324 Total lease assets $ 6,745 Liabilities: Current: Operating lease liabilities Operating lease liabilities $ 2,576 Finance lease liabilities Current portion of long-term debt and finance leases 350 Long-term - Operating lease liabilities Other long-term liabilities 3,980 Total lease liabilities $ 6,906 The components of lease expense on our consolidated statements of operations are as follows for the year ended December 31: 2019 Operating lease expense (1) $ 5,255 Finance lease expense: Amortization of leased assets $ 885 Interest on lease liabilities 109 Total finance lease expense $ 994 Total lease expense $ 6,249 (1) Includes short–term leases and variable lease costs, both of which are immaterial. As of December 31, 2019, our operating leases and finance leases have weighted average remaining lease terms of 3.9 years and 0.4 years, respectively, and both our operating leases and finance leases have a weighted average discount rate of 13.0%. Supplemental cash flows information related to leases where we are the lessee is as follows for the year ended December 31: 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 4,546 Operating cash flows from finance leases 109 Financing cash flows from finance leases 884 Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 375 As of December 31, 2019, the maturities of the liabilities related to our operating leases and finance leases are as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases 2020 $ 3,589 $ 361 2021 1,287 — 2022 953 — 2023 749 — 2024 296 — Thereafter 206 — Total minimum lease payments 7,080 361 Less: interest 524 11 Present value of lease liabilities 6,556 350 Less: current lease liabilities 2,576 350 Long-term lease liabilities $ 3,980 $ —

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 18. INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Current: U.S. $ 168 $ (145 ) Foreign 5,872 (190 ) Total current $ 6,040 $ (335 ) Deferred: U.S. $ 145 $ 145 Foreign 2,002 70 Total deferred 2,147 215 Income taxes $ 8,187 $ (120 ) The geographic sources of our loss before income taxes are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 U.S. $ (23,623 ) $ (44,265 ) Foreign 9,197 (15,415 ) Total $ (14,426 ) $ (59,680 ) The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. statutory income tax rate to the loss before income taxes for the reasons set forth below for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Taxes at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate $ (3,029 ) $ (12,533 ) Nondeductible expenses 508 3,880 Change in valuation allowance 7,111 14,595 Effect of foreign operations 4,413 890 State tax, net of federal benefit 247 (3,174 ) Other (1,063 ) (3,778 ) Provision for income taxes $ 8,187 $ (120 ) Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amouts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The tax effects of our temporary differences and net operating losses (“NOL”) are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Deferred tax assets: Operating loss carryforwards $ 37,860 $ 36,150 Other accrued expenses 4,248 2,833 Outside basis difference in ASV 13,891 13,367 Tax credit carryforwards 1,714 1,859 Original issue discount 1,806 — Other 4,562 3,504 Total deferred tax asset 64,081 57,713 Valuation allowance (59,011 ) (51,850 ) Total deferred tax asset, net 5,070 5,863 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (299 ) (2,193 ) Intangible assets (1,041 ) (1,116 ) Deferred revenue (3,730 ) (394 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (5,070 ) (3,703 ) Net deferred tax asset $ — $ 2,160 At December 31, 2019, we had approximately $1.5 million of foreign tax credits that will start to expire in 2022 under applicable foreign law and $0.2 million of other credits, the majority of which will expire after 2038 under U.S. tax law. As of December 31, 2019, we also had U.S. federal tax NOL carryforwards of $100.1 million, which begin to expire in 2034. These NOL carryforwards, subject to certain requirements and restrictions, including limitations on their use in the event of future ownership changes, may be used to offset future taxable income and thereby reduce our U.S. federal income taxes otherwise payable. We record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion of all the deferred tax assets will not be utilized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in the future and in the appropriate taxing jurisdictions. At December 31, 2019, $59.0 million of valuation allowances are recorded against various deferred tax assets, including foreign NOLs, U.S. federal and foreign tax credit carryforwards and U.S. and state NOL carryforwards. As of December 31, 2019, we have a full valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets related to foreign NOLs as we do not expect that the deferred tax assets will be realized within the carryforward period. We have provided no deferred taxes for earnings of certain of our foreign subsidiaries as these earnings have been and, under current plans, will continue to be permanently reinvested in these foreign subsidiaries. At December 31, 2019, we had $0.3 million of tax liabilities for total gross unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions. The following table presents the changes in our gross unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 169 $ 192 Additions for tax positions taken in prior years 166 (23 ) Balance at end of year $ 335 $ 169 We do not expect to recognize any significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve–month period. Interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in our provision for income taxes. We conduct business in more than 12 countries and are subject to income taxes in most taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. We believe there are no jurisdictions in which the outcome of unresolved issues or claims is likely to be material to our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We further believe that we have made adequate provision for all income tax uncertainties.

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE	NOTE 19. LOSS PER COMMON SHARE Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders 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. Our Series C, Series D, Series E and Series F warrants are immediately exercisable for nominal consideration of $0.0001 per share and do not expire. As such, the shares of common stock issuable upon full exercise of these warrants are considered outstanding in the context of loss per share and are included in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding from their issuance date. The computation of basic and diluted loss per share is as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Net loss attributable to SAExploration $ (25,186 ) $ (60,465 ) Amortization of discount on Series A and Series B preferred stock — (72,762 ) Accretion of Series A preferred stock to redemption value — 21,376 Dividends on Series A preferred stock — (1,614 ) Net loss available to common stockholders $ (25,186 ) $ (113,465 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted) 7,951 3,448 Loss per share available to common stockholders (basic and diluted) $ (3.17 ) $ (32.91 ) Potentially anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted loss available to common stockholders (1) 10,997 10,709 (1) Includes our Series A and Series B warrants, unvested equity–based compensation and the shares underlying our 2023 Notes as their effect, if included, would have been anti–dilutive.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUM

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	NOTE 20. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable to the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration. Level 3 refers to fair values determined based on unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets and liabilities at fair value. The estimated fair values of our financial instruments have been determined at discrete points in time based on relevant market information. Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and long–term debt. The carrying amounts of our financial instruments, other than our 2023 Notes and Senior Notes, approximate fair value because of the short–term nature of the items. As of December 31, 2019, the estimated fair value and carrying value of our 2023 Notes was $42.0 million and $46.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, the estimated aggregate fair value of our 2023 Notes and Senior Notes was $50.7 million, which differs from the aggregate carrying value of $51.0 million. As our 2023 Notes are not actively traded, the fair value determination of the 2023 Notes is categorized as Level 3 as the valuation was based on valuation techniques when observable market data is not available. The fair value determination of our Senior Notes is categorized as Level 2 as this valuation used dealer quoted prices in active markets obtained from independent third–party sources.

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION	NOTE 21. OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are recorded in our consolidated balance sheets as follows at December 31: 2019 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,441 $ 7,579 Restricted cash 74 271 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 5,515 $ 7,850 Restricted cash primarily consists of cash collateral for labor claims, office rental and cash in another country restricted by exchange control regulations. Accounts Receivable, net Total accounts receivable, net is comprised of the following at December 31: 2019 2018 Trade receivables $ 50,447 $ 23,330 Other receivables 3,199 3,681 Total accounts receivable 53,646 27,011 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (2,064 ) (548 ) Total accounts receivable, net $ 51,582 $ 26,463 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 548 $ 12 Provisions for doubtful accounts 1,722 536 Cumulative translation adjustment (206 ) — Balance at end of year $ 2,064 $ 548 Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities are comprised of the following at December 31: 2019 2018 Accrued payroll liabilities $ 2,385 $ 3,622 Accrued interest 181 306 Other accrued liabilities 3,468 6,570 Total accrued liabilities $ 6,034 $ 10,498 Other accrued liabilities primarily consist of accruals for project related expenses. Supplemental Cash Flows Information Supplemental cash flows information is as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Cash paid for interest $ 10,914 $ 9,412 Cash paid for income taxes 388 2,487 Noncash Transactions Noncash transactions are as follows at December 31: 2019 2018 Costs for additions to property and equipment acquired in a note payable $ 9,974 $ — Costs for additions to property and equipment acquired in a capital lease — 1,504 Proceeds from sale of property and equipment in accounts receivable 1,015 — Accrual for stock issued for services 478 — NOTE 24. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION Our 2023 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by all our wholly–owned U.S. subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”), and not by any of our foreign subsidiaries. Supplemental condensed consolidating financial information, including such information for the Guarantors, is presented below. The following financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements herein. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of financial position, results of operations or cash flows had the non–guarantor subsidiaries operated as independent entities. Investments in subsidiaries are presented using the equity method of accounting. The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. Separate financial statements of the Guarantors are not provided as the consolidating financial information contained herein provides a more meaningful disclosure to allow investors to determine the nature of the assets held by, and the operations of, the combined groups. Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets December 31, 2019 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 13 $ 3,565 $ 1,863 $ — $ 5,441 Restricted cash — — 74 — 74 Accounts receivable, net 145 21,823 29,614 — 51,582 Deferred costs on contracts — 5,107 9,859 — 14,966 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 967 1,458 2,899 — 5,324 Total current assets 1,125 31,953 44,309 — 77,387 Property and equipment, net — 36,058 1,231 — 37,289 Multiclient seismic data library, net — 2,719 — — 2,719 Operating lease right-of-use asset — 3,490 2,931 — 6,421 Investment in subsidiaries (95,097 ) 40,366 7,499 47,232 — Intercompany receivables 179,870 — — (179,870 ) — Goodwill — — 1,766 — 1,766 Intangible assets, net — 3,298 453 — 3,751 Tax credits receivable — 12,104 — — 12,104 Deferred income taxes — — — — — Other assets — 239 539 — 778 Total assets $ 85,898 $ 130,227 $ 58,728 $ (132,638 ) $ 142,215 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 4,210 $ 9,002 $ 17,754 $ — $ 30,966 Accrued liabilities 285 4,314 1,435 — 6,034 Income and other taxes payable 63 2,321 3,518 — 5,902 Operating lease liabilities — 2,031 545 — 2,576 Current portion of long-term debt 74,427 37,974 — — 112,401 Deferred revenue — 6,890 1,834 — 8,724 Total current liabilities 78,985 62,532 25,086 — 166,603 Intercompany payables — 116,333 63,537 (179,870 ) — Long-term debt — 7,145 — — 7,145 Other long–term liabilities 300 1,474 2,506 — 4,280 Stockholders’ equity (deficit): Common stock — — 168 (168 ) — Additional paid–in capital 240,068 46,973 19,038 (66,011 ) 240,068 Accumulated deficit (231,223 ) (103,930 ) (52,793 ) 113,411 (274,535 ) Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income — (4,098 ) 1,186 — (2,912 ) Treasury stock, at cost (2,232 ) — — — (2,232 ) SAExploration stockholders’ equity (deficit) 6,613 (61,055 ) (32,401 ) 47,232 (39,611 ) Noncontrolling interest — 3,798 — — 3,798 Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) 6,613 (57,257 ) (32,401 ) 47,232 (35,813 ) Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) $ 85,898 $ 130,227 $ 58,728 $ (132,638 ) $ 142,215 December 31, 2018 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 28 $ 5,285 $ 2,266 $ — $ 7,579 Restricted cash — — 271 — 271 Accounts receivable, net 144 20,487 5,832 — 26,463 Deferred costs on contracts — 3,520 226 — 3,746 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 63 2,395 385 — 2,843 Total current assets 235 31,687 8,980 — 40,902 Property and equipment, net — 32,889 2,445 — 35,334 Multiclient seismic data library, net — 4,733 — — 4,733 Investment in subsidiaries (79,848 ) 41,986 7,499 30,363 — Intercompany receivables 183,675 — — (183,675 ) — Goodwill — — 1,687 — 1,687 Intangible assets, net — 3,541 525 — 4,066 Tax credits receivable, net — 13,198 — — 13,198 Deferred income taxes — 2,023 137 — 2,160 Other assets — 239 28 — 267 Total assets $ 104,062 $ 130,296 $ 21,301 $ (153,312 ) $ 102,347 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 289 $ 7,205 $ 2,609 $ — $ 10,103 Accrued liabilities 906 8,484 1,108 — 10,498 Income and other taxes payable 210 2,739 382 — 3,331 Current portion of long-term debt 6,953 884 — — 7,837 Deferred revenue — 4,357 — — 4,357 Total current liabilities 8,358 23,669 4,099 — 36,126 Intercompany payables — 135,691 47,985 (183,676 ) — Long-term debt 70,646 12,559 — — 83,205 Other long-term liabilities 300 — 80 — 380 Stockholders’ equity (deficit): Common stock — — 168 (168 ) — Additional paid–in capital 232,661 46,974 18,996 (65,970 ) 232,661 Accumulated deficit (206,037 ) (88,681 ) (51,133 ) 96,502 (249,349 ) Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income — (4,141 ) 1,106 — (3,035 ) Treasury stock, at cost (1,866 ) — — — (1,866 ) SAExploration stockholders' equity (deficit) 24,758 (45,848 ) (30,863 ) 30,364 (21,589 ) Noncontrolling interest — 4,225 — — 4,225 Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) 24,758 (41,623 ) (30,863 ) 30,364 (17,364 ) Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) $ 104,062 $ 130,296 $ 21,301 $ (153,312 ) $ 102,347 Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations Year Ended December 31, 2019 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Revenue from services $ — $ 216,169 $ 39,065 $ — $ 255,234 Cost of services — 168,536 29,115 — 197,651 Depreciation and amortization — 12,079 949 — 13,028 Gross profit — 35,554 9,001 — 44,555 Total operating expenses 13,748 18,838 7,258 — 39,844 Operating (loss) income (13,748 ) 16,716 1,743 — 4,711 Other income (expense), net 3,811 (20,715 ) (2,233 ) — (19,137 ) (Loss) income before income taxes and equity in loss of affiliates (9,937 ) (3,999 ) (490 ) — (14,426 ) Income taxes — 7,017 1,170 — 8,187 Loss before equity in loss of affiliates (9,937 ) (11,016 ) (1,660 ) — (22,613 ) Equity in loss of affiliates (15,249 ) (1,660 ) — 16,909 — Net loss (25,186 ) (12,676 ) (1,660 ) 16,909 (22,613 ) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 2,573 — — 2,573 Net loss attributable to SAExploration $ (25,186 ) $ (15,249 ) $ (1,660 ) $ 16,909 $ (25,186 ) Comprehensive loss $ (25,186 ) $ (12,633 ) $ (1,580 ) $ 16,909 $ (22,490 ) Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 2,573 — — 2,573 Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration $ (25,186 ) $ (15,206 ) $ (1,580 ) $ 16,909 $ (25,063 ) Year Ended December 31, 2018 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Revenue from services $ — $ 74,943 $ 23,727 $ — $ 98,670 Cost of services — 67,342 20,259 — 87,601 Depreciation and amortization — 9,669 2,538 — 12,207 Gross (loss) profit — (2,068 ) 930 — (1,138 ) Total operating expenses 14,214 22,089 6,290 — 42,593 Operating loss (14,214 ) (24,157 ) (5,360 ) — (43,731 ) Other income (expense), net 53 (11,627 ) (4,375 ) — (15,949 ) Loss before income taxes and equity in loss of affiliates (14,161 ) (35,784 ) (9,735 ) — (59,680 ) Income taxes 24 (534 ) 390 — (120 ) Loss before equity in loss of affiliates (14,185 ) (35,250 ) (10,125 ) — (59,560 ) Equity in loss of affiliates (46,280 ) (10,125 ) — 56,405 — Net loss (60,465 ) (45,375 ) (10,125 ) 56,405 (59,560 ) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 905 — — 905 Net loss attributable to SAExploration $ (60,465 ) $ (46,280 ) $ (10,125 ) $ 56,405 $ (60,465 ) Comprehensive loss $ (60,465 ) $ (45,437 ) $ (8,016 ) $ 56,405 $ (57,513 ) Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 905 — — 905 Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration $ (60,465 ) $ (46,342 ) $ (8,016 ) $ 56,405 $ (58,418 ) Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows Year Ended December 31, 2019 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (3,497 ) $ 7,614 $ (18,997 ) $ — $ (14,880 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property and equipment — (3,714 ) (112 ) — (3,826 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment — 2,137 2,895 — 5,032 Investment in affiliate — (40 ) — 40 — Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities — (1,617 ) 2,783 40 1,206 Cash flows from financing activities: Long-term debt repayments (6,953 ) (883 ) — — (7,836 ) Long-term debt borrowings — 22,666 — — 22,666 Debt issuance costs — (212 ) — — (212 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock 100 — — — 100 Purchase of treasury stock (366 ) — — — (366 ) Intercompany lending 10,701 (26,283 ) 15,582 — — Contribution from affiliate — — 40 (40 ) — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (3,000 ) — — (3,000 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 3,482 (7,712 ) 15,622 (40 ) 11,352 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — (5 ) (8 ) — (13 ) Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (15 ) (1,720 ) (600 ) — (2,335 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year 28 5,285 2,537 — 7,850 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year $ 13 $ 3,565 $ 1,937 $ — $ 5,515 Year Ended December 31, 2018 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash used in operating activities $ (3,315 ) $ (21,874 ) $ (4,954 ) $ — $ (30,143 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Asset purchase — (21,749 ) — — (21,749 ) Purchase of property and equipment — (1,114 ) (148 ) — (1,262 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment — 280 550 — 830 Investment in affiliate — (222 ) — 222 — Net cash (used in) provded by investing activities — (22,805 ) 402 222 (22,181 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Long-term debt repayments (2,860 ) (56,347 ) — — (59,207 ) Long-term debt borrowings 60,000 63,411 — — 123,411 Debt issuance costs (1,167 ) (1,548 ) — (2,715 ) Stock issuance costs (1,712 ) — — — (1,712 ) Purchase of treasury stock (1,753 ) — — — (1,753 ) Intercompany lending (49,173 ) 43,179 5,994 — — Contribution from affiliate — — 222 (222 ) — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (1,250 ) — — (1,250 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 3,335 47,445 6,216 (222 ) 56,774 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — (321 ) (13 ) — (334 ) Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 20 2,445 1,651 — 4,116 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year 8 2,840 886 — 3,734 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year $ 28 $ 5,285 $ 2,537 $ — $ 7,850

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	NOTE 22. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS As of December 31, 2019, Mr. Hastings, our former Chief Executive Officer, is a lender under our credit facility in the principal amount of $0.5 million and a holder of our 2023 Notes in the principal amount of $1.0 million. In December 2019 and January 2020, we issued 7,159 and 7,166 Series F warrants, respectively, to Mr. Hastings in connection with the amendment to our credit facility and, pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, we agreed to issue 19,682 additional Series F warrants to Mr. Hastings upon shareholder approval of the issuance of the Series F warrants. Mr. Hastings has an ownership interest in Fairweather Science, LLC (“Fairweather Science”), a company that provides specialized environmental support services to clients in Alaska’s natural resource industry. In both 2019 and 2018, we paid $0.1 million to Fairweather Science. Mr. Whiteley, our former Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel, owns and controls RVI Consulting, Inc. (“RVI”). In 2019 and 2018, RVI billed us $0.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, for legal and professional services that were determined to be a misappropriation of funds from us. These amounts are included in “Misappropriation of funds” on our consolidated statements of operations. Mr. Whiteley, or an immediate family member of Mr. Whiteley, is an owner of Woodstone Builders LLC (“Woodstone”) which provided us construction services. In both 2019 and 2018, we capitalized $0.1 million for certain leasehold improvements constructed by Woodstone. A member of our operations management team owns Inupiate Resources LLC which provides us with certain specialty personnel. In 2019 and 2018, we incurred $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, in expenses associated with contract labor. Three members of our operations management team own Inupiate Resources Leasing, LLC which provides us with certain leased equipment. In 2019, we incurred $0.3 million in expenses associated with leased equipment. We did not incur any expenses in 2018. In January 2020, we purchased $0.1 million of previously leased equipment from Inupiate Resources Leasing LLC, terminating the equipment leasing relationship. A member of our operations management team owns Summit Air Resources which provided us with certain salvage services. In 2019 and 2018, we incurred $31 thousand and $34 thousand, respectively, related to these services. ASV is a VIE indirectly owned and/or controlled by Mr. Hastings and Mr. Whiteley (see Note 13). As of March 15, 2020, three of the holders of the indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility, senior loan facility and 2023 Notes represent (together with their respective affiliates) approximately 90%, 72% and 90%, respectively, of the total principal amounts outstanding under such debt financing arrangements. These holders also collectively own 18% of the shares of our outstanding common stock, 61% of the shares of our outstanding common stock, including shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of our outstanding Series C, D, E and F common stock warrants (including the Series F warrants to be issued upon receipt of shareholder approval), and 76% of the shares of our outstanding common stock, including shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of our outstanding Series C, D, E and F common stock warrants (including the Series F warrants to be issued upon receipt of shareholder approval) and upon conversion of our 2023 Notes, respectively. Moreover, the three lenders are parties to certain registration rights agreements, by and among us and certain of our stockholders.

GEOGRAPHIC AND RELATED INFORMAT

GEOGRAPHIC AND RELATED INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
GEOGRAPHIC AND RELATED INFORMATION	NOTE 23. GEOGRAPHIC AND RELATED INFORMATION The following table presents revenue from services based on the location of the services provided for the years ended December 31, and long–lived assets, which includes property and equipment, multiclient seismic data library, goodwill, intangible assets, tax credits receivable, net and other assets, by its geographic location at December 31: Revenue from Services Long-Lived Assets 2019 2018 2019 2018 North America: United States $ 112,151 $ 49,723 $ 57,884 $ 54,551 Canada 13,594 20,810 4,409 3,888 Mexico 572 793 1 — Total 126,317 71,326 62,294 58,439 South America: Brazil 18,546 — — — Colombia 3,441 22,443 — 185 Other 1,730 88 5 62 Total 23,717 22,531 5 247 Asia Pacific India 85,412 — — — Malaysia 12,183 — — — Dubai 3,891 — — — Other 3,714 4,813 2,529 599 Total 105,200 4,813 2,529 599 Consolidated $ 255,234 $ 98,670 $ 64,828 $ 59,285

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMAT

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION	NOTE 21. OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are recorded in our consolidated balance sheets as follows at December 31: 2019 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,441 $ 7,579 Restricted cash 74 271 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 5,515 $ 7,850 Restricted cash primarily consists of cash collateral for labor claims, office rental and cash in another country restricted by exchange control regulations. Accounts Receivable, net Total accounts receivable, net is comprised of the following at December 31: 2019 2018 Trade receivables $ 50,447 $ 23,330 Other receivables 3,199 3,681 Total accounts receivable 53,646 27,011 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (2,064 ) (548 ) Total accounts receivable, net $ 51,582 $ 26,463 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 548 $ 12 Provisions for doubtful accounts 1,722 536 Cumulative translation adjustment (206 ) — Balance at end of year $ 2,064 $ 548 Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities are comprised of the following at December 31: 2019 2018 Accrued payroll liabilities $ 2,385 $ 3,622 Accrued interest 181 306 Other accrued liabilities 3,468 6,570 Total accrued liabilities $ 6,034 $ 10,498 Other accrued liabilities primarily consist of accruals for project related expenses. Supplemental Cash Flows Information Supplemental cash flows information is as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Cash paid for interest $ 10,914 $ 9,412 Cash paid for income taxes 388 2,487 Noncash Transactions Noncash transactions are as follows at December 31: 2019 2018 Costs for additions to property and equipment acquired in a note payable $ 9,974 $ — Costs for additions to property and equipment acquired in a capital lease — 1,504 Proceeds from sale of property and equipment in accounts receivable 1,015 — Accrual for stock issued for services 478 — NOTE 24. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION Our 2023 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by all our wholly–owned U.S. subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”), and not by any of our foreign subsidiaries. Supplemental condensed consolidating financial information, including such information for the Guarantors, is presented below. The following financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements herein. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of financial position, results of operations or cash flows had the non–guarantor subsidiaries operated as independent entities. Investments in subsidiaries are presented using the equity method of accounting. The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. Separate financial statements of the Guarantors are not provided as the consolidating financial information contained herein provides a more meaningful disclosure to allow investors to determine the nature of the assets held by, and the operations of, the combined groups. Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets December 31, 2019 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 13 $ 3,565 $ 1,863 $ — $ 5,441 Restricted cash — — 74 — 74 Accounts receivable, net 145 21,823 29,614 — 51,582 Deferred costs on contracts — 5,107 9,859 — 14,966 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 967 1,458 2,899 — 5,324 Total current assets 1,125 31,953 44,309 — 77,387 Property and equipment, net — 36,058 1,231 — 37,289 Multiclient seismic data library, net — 2,719 — — 2,719 Operating lease right-of-use asset — 3,490 2,931 — 6,421 Investment in subsidiaries (95,097 ) 40,366 7,499 47,232 — Intercompany receivables 179,870 — — (179,870 ) — Goodwill — — 1,766 — 1,766 Intangible assets, net — 3,298 453 — 3,751 Tax credits receivable — 12,104 — — 12,104 Deferred income taxes — — — — — Other assets — 239 539 — 778 Total assets $ 85,898 $ 130,227 $ 58,728 $ (132,638 ) $ 142,215 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 4,210 $ 9,002 $ 17,754 $ — $ 30,966 Accrued liabilities 285 4,314 1,435 — 6,034 Income and other taxes payable 63 2,321 3,518 — 5,902 Operating lease liabilities — 2,031 545 — 2,576 Current portion of long-term debt 74,427 37,974 — — 112,401 Deferred revenue — 6,890 1,834 — 8,724 Total current liabilities 78,985 62,532 25,086 — 166,603 Intercompany payables — 116,333 63,537 (179,870 ) — Long-term debt — 7,145 — — 7,145 Other long–term liabilities 300 1,474 2,506 — 4,280 Stockholders’ equity (deficit): Common stock — — 168 (168 ) — Additional paid–in capital 240,068 46,973 19,038 (66,011 ) 240,068 Accumulated deficit (231,223 ) (103,930 ) (52,793 ) 113,411 (274,535 ) Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income — (4,098 ) 1,186 — (2,912 ) Treasury stock, at cost (2,232 ) — — — (2,232 ) SAExploration stockholders’ equity (deficit) 6,613 (61,055 ) (32,401 ) 47,232 (39,611 ) Noncontrolling interest — 3,798 — — 3,798 Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) 6,613 (57,257 ) (32,401 ) 47,232 (35,813 ) Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) $ 85,898 $ 130,227 $ 58,728 $ (132,638 ) $ 142,215 December 31, 2018 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 28 $ 5,285 $ 2,266 $ — $ 7,579 Restricted cash — — 271 — 271 Accounts receivable, net 144 20,487 5,832 — 26,463 Deferred costs on contracts — 3,520 226 — 3,746 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 63 2,395 385 — 2,843 Total current assets 235 31,687 8,980 — 40,902 Property and equipment, net — 32,889 2,445 — 35,334 Multiclient seismic data library, net — 4,733 — — 4,733 Investment in subsidiaries (79,848 ) 41,986 7,499 30,363 — Intercompany receivables 183,675 — — (183,675 ) — Goodwill — — 1,687 — 1,687 Intangible assets, net — 3,541 525 — 4,066 Tax credits receivable, net — 13,198 — — 13,198 Deferred income taxes — 2,023 137 — 2,160 Other assets — 239 28 — 267 Total assets $ 104,062 $ 130,296 $ 21,301 $ (153,312 ) $ 102,347 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 289 $ 7,205 $ 2,609 $ — $ 10,103 Accrued liabilities 906 8,484 1,108 — 10,498 Income and other taxes payable 210 2,739 382 — 3,331 Current portion of long-term debt 6,953 884 — — 7,837 Deferred revenue — 4,357 — — 4,357 Total current liabilities 8,358 23,669 4,099 — 36,126 Intercompany payables — 135,691 47,985 (183,676 ) — Long-term debt 70,646 12,559 — — 83,205 Other long-term liabilities 300 — 80 — 380 Stockholders’ equity (deficit): Common stock — — 168 (168 ) — Additional paid–in capital 232,661 46,974 18,996 (65,970 ) 232,661 Accumulated deficit (206,037 ) (88,681 ) (51,133 ) 96,502 (249,349 ) Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income — (4,141 ) 1,106 — (3,035 ) Treasury stock, at cost (1,866 ) — — — (1,866 ) SAExploration stockholders' equity (deficit) 24,758 (45,848 ) (30,863 ) 30,364 (21,589 ) Noncontrolling interest — 4,225 — — 4,225 Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) 24,758 (41,623 ) (30,863 ) 30,364 (17,364 ) Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) $ 104,062 $ 130,296 $ 21,301 $ (153,312 ) $ 102,347 Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations Year Ended December 31, 2019 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Revenue from services $ — $ 216,169 $ 39,065 $ — $ 255,234 Cost of services — 168,536 29,115 — 197,651 Depreciation and amortization — 12,079 949 — 13,028 Gross profit — 35,554 9,001 — 44,555 Total operating expenses 13,748 18,838 7,258 — 39,844 Operating (loss) income (13,748 ) 16,716 1,743 — 4,711 Other income (expense), net 3,811 (20,715 ) (2,233 ) — (19,137 ) (Loss) income before income taxes and equity in loss of affiliates (9,937 ) (3,999 ) (490 ) — (14,426 ) Income taxes — 7,017 1,170 — 8,187 Loss before equity in loss of affiliates (9,937 ) (11,016 ) (1,660 ) — (22,613 ) Equity in loss of affiliates (15,249 ) (1,660 ) — 16,909 — Net loss (25,186 ) (12,676 ) (1,660 ) 16,909 (22,613 ) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 2,573 — — 2,573 Net loss attributable to SAExploration $ (25,186 ) $ (15,249 ) $ (1,660 ) $ 16,909 $ (25,186 ) Comprehensive loss $ (25,186 ) $ (12,633 ) $ (1,580 ) $ 16,909 $ (22,490 ) Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 2,573 — — 2,573 Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration $ (25,186 ) $ (15,206 ) $ (1,580 ) $ 16,909 $ (25,063 ) Year Ended December 31, 2018 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Revenue from services $ — $ 74,943 $ 23,727 $ — $ 98,670 Cost of services — 67,342 20,259 — 87,601 Depreciation and amortization — 9,669 2,538 — 12,207 Gross (loss) profit — (2,068 ) 930 — (1,138 ) Total operating expenses 14,214 22,089 6,290 — 42,593 Operating loss (14,214 ) (24,157 ) (5,360 ) — (43,731 ) Other income (expense), net 53 (11,627 ) (4,375 ) — (15,949 ) Loss before income taxes and equity in loss of affiliates (14,161 ) (35,784 ) (9,735 ) — (59,680 ) Income taxes 24 (534 ) 390 — (120 ) Loss before equity in loss of affiliates (14,185 ) (35,250 ) (10,125 ) — (59,560 ) Equity in loss of affiliates (46,280 ) (10,125 ) — 56,405 — Net loss (60,465 ) (45,375 ) (10,125 ) 56,405 (59,560 ) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 905 — — 905 Net loss attributable to SAExploration $ (60,465 ) $ (46,280 ) $ (10,125 ) $ 56,405 $ (60,465 ) Comprehensive loss $ (60,465 ) $ (45,437 ) $ (8,016 ) $ 56,405 $ (57,513 ) Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 905 — — 905 Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration $ (60,465 ) $ (46,342 ) $ (8,016 ) $ 56,405 $ (58,418 ) Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows Year Ended December 31, 2019 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (3,497 ) $ 7,614 $ (18,997 ) $ — $ (14,880 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property and equipment — (3,714 ) (112 ) — (3,826 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment — 2,137 2,895 — 5,032 Investment in affiliate — (40 ) — 40 — Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities — (1,617 ) 2,783 40 1,206 Cash flows from financing activities: Long-term debt repayments (6,953 ) (883 ) — — (7,836 ) Long-term debt borrowings — 22,666 — — 22,666 Debt issuance costs — (212 ) — — (212 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock 100 — — — 100 Purchase of treasury stock (366 ) — — — (366 ) Intercompany lending 10,701 (26,283 ) 15,582 — — Contribution from affiliate — — 40 (40 ) — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (3,000 ) — — (3,000 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 3,482 (7,712 ) 15,622 (40 ) 11,352 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — (5 ) (8 ) — (13 ) Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (15 ) (1,720 ) (600 ) — (2,335 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year 28 5,285 2,537 — 7,850 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year $ 13 $ 3,565 $ 1,937 $ — $ 5,515 Year Ended December 31, 2018 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash used in operating activities $ (3,315 ) $ (21,874 ) $ (4,954 ) $ — $ (30,143 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Asset purchase — (21,749 ) — — (21,749 ) Purchase of property and equipment — (1,114 ) (148 ) — (1,262 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment — 280 550 — 830 Investment in affiliate — (222 ) — 222 — Net cash (used in) provded by investing activities — (22,805 ) 402 222 (22,181 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Long-term debt repayments (2,860 ) (56,347 ) — — (59,207 ) Long-term debt borrowings 60,000 63,411 — — 123,411 Debt issuance costs (1,167 ) (1,548 ) — (2,715 ) Stock issuance costs (1,712 ) — — — (1,712 ) Purchase of treasury stock (1,753 ) — — — (1,753 ) Intercompany lending (49,173 ) 43,179 5,994 — — Contribution from affiliate — — 222 (222 ) — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (1,250 ) — — (1,250 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 3,335 47,445 6,216 (222 ) 56,774 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — (321 ) (13 ) — (334 ) Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 20 2,445 1,651 — 4,116 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year 8 2,840 886 — 3,734 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year $ 28 $ 5,285 $ 2,537 $ — $ 7,850

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)	NOTE 25. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED) In January 2020, we and ASV sold certain seismic data and related assets for a purchase price payable as follows: (i) $14.5 million paid to us, on behalf of ASV and us, in cash on the closing date, (ii) $0.5 million paid to us in cash on the closing date, and (iii) earnout payments in an amount of up to $5.0 million to be paid to us, on behalf of ASV and us, based on the licensing fees related to the licensing of certain seismic data following the closing date in an amount in excess of $15.0 million of licensing fees. In connection with the sale, we and ASV also entered into an agreement (the “Sellers’ Agreement”) with respect to certain post–closing indemnification obligations. The Sellers’ Agreement provides that we will receive all the proceeds paid or payable pursuant to the sale pursuant to clauses (i) and (iii) above, which proceeds will be credited by us towards outstanding amounts owed to us by ASV. We also amended our credit facility, senior loan facility and the indenture governing the 2023 Notes to permit the sale and transactions contemplated by the Sellers’ Agreement and to provide for the application of $14.5 million of the net proceeds received from the sale to reduce indebtedness under our credit facility. Following the sale, the balance of our tax credits receivable, net was reduced to $2.7 million, net of an allowance of $27.7 million. In February 2020, we entered into amendments and waivers to our credit facility, senior loan facility and the indenture governing the 2023 Notes to, among other things, waive existing events of default thereunder and amend certain covenants requiring us to deliver financial statements, reports, projections and other items thereunder. Due to the significant uncertainty in the outlook for oil and natural gas development as a result of the recent significant decline in oil prices since the beginning of 2020 due in part to failed OPEC negotiations and to concerns about the COVID–19 coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the worldwide economy and global demand for oil, certain of our scheduled and anticipated projects have recently been cancelled or delayed and there is no assurance as to when they may be reinitiated or awarded, if at all. We are unable to predict when market conditions may improve, and worsening overall market conditions could result in reductions of backlog and bids outstanding, which will impact our financial performance. As discussed in Note 2, the report of our independent registered public accounting firm on these consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph raising substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which results in events of default under the credit facility and the senior loan facility, and a cross default under the indenture governing the 2023 Notes. As a result of such events of default, we are unable to borrow additional amounts under our credit facility without the requisite approval of the lenders under such credit facility. We have entered into forbearance agreements with respect to our credit facility, senior loan facility and 2023 Notes, whereby the holders of the indebtedness thereunder have agreed to refrain from exercising their rights and remedies with respect to these existing defaults and other events of default that have occurred and are continuing as further specified in the forbearance agreements until 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the earlier of (i) May 31, 2020 and (ii) the date the forbearance agreements otherwise terminate in accordance with their terms. However, the long-term debt outstanding under the credit facility, senior loan facility and 2023 Notes has been reclassified as current portion of long-term debt in these financial statements. We evaluated subsequent events for appropriate accounting and disclosure through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued and determined that there were no other material items that required recognition or disclosure in our consolidated financial statements.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries which are wholly–owned, controlled by us or a variable interest entity (“VIE”) where we are the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The noncontrolling interest attributed to these entities, if any, are presented as “Noncontrolling interest” on our consolidated balance sheets and “Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest” on our consolidated statements of operations. In the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, except for Note 15 and Note 22, all dollar and share amounts in tabulations are in thousands of dollars and shares, respectively, unless otherwise indicated.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. All our cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several major financial institutions. Deposits with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits; however, we have not experienced any losses in such accounts and we believe we are not exposed to any significant default risk.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. We monitor our customers’ payment history and current credit worthiness to determine that collectability is reasonably assured. We also consider the overall business climate in which our customers operate. We utilize the specific identification method for establishing and maintaining the allowance for doubtful accounts. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment is capitalized at historical cost or the relative fair value of assets acquired (see Note 4) and is depreciated using the straight–line method based on estimated economic lives. We expense costs for maintenance and repairs in the period incurred. Significant improvements and betterments are capitalized if they extend the useful life of the asset.
Multiclient Seismic Data Library	Multiclient Seismic Data Library Alaskan Seismic Ventures, LLC (“ASV”), a related party VIE (see Note 13) that we consolidate, maintains a multiclient seismic data library that consists of completed seismic surveys that are primarily licensed on a nonexclusive basis. ASV capitalized costs directly incurred in acquiring and processing the multiclient seismic data and expenses these costs based on the percentage of the total costs to the estimated total revenue that ASV expects to receive from the sales of such data. However, under no circumstances will an individual survey carry a net book value greater than a five year, straight–line amortized value.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long–Lived Assets We assess our long–lived assets, such and property and equipment, multiclient seismic data library and intangible assets, for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the recorded carrying value of the long–lived asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the long–lived asset exceeds the sum of the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the long–lived asset, which is estimated through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market prices and third–party appraisals. We assess our goodwill, all of which resides in our Canadian operations reporting unit (the “Reporting Unit”), at least annually for impairment, or more frequently if facts and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not impairment has occurred. We have the option of first performing a qualitative assessment to determine if impairment may have occurred. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Reporting Unit is less than its carrying amount, then we would be required to perform the two–step impairment test. Under the first step in the impairment test, we compare the fair value of the Reporting Unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the Reporting Unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed. Under the second step in the impairment test, the implied fair value of goodwill is compared with its carrying amount. The implied fair value of goodwill is calculated by subtracting the estimated fair values of the Reporting Unit’s assets net of liabilities from the fair value of the Reporting Unit. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. We determine the fair value of the Reporting Unit using a combination of the market approach and the income approach. Under the market approach, the fair value of the Reporting Unit is based on the Guideline Public Company (“GPC”) methodology using GPCs that are considered to be similar to us and whose stock are actively traded. Under the income approach, the fair value of the Reporting Unit is based on the expected present value of the future net cash flows.
Tax Credits Receivable	Tax Credits Receivable The State of Alaska offers tax credits as incentives for oil and natural gas exploration and development. The tax credits are based on costs incurred by the explorer, and the tax credits must be approved by the Alaska Department of Revenue (the “DOR”). ASV earned tax credits related to the costs incurred in obtaining the data for its multiclient seismic data library. After the tax credit applications were submitted to and approved by the DOR, ASV recorded the tax credits as an offset to the capitalized costs of the multiclient seismic data library as the incentive’s usage is consistent with usage of the multiclient seismic data library. Future sales of licenses related to the multiclient seismic data library are subject to a 35% production tax by the State of Alaska. These production taxes are expensed in the period incurred and can be satisfied either through the usage of tax credits or, if there are no tax credits available, a cash payment. In 2019 and 2018, ASV used $1.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of tax credits to satisfy ASV’s production tax liability. The State of Alaska also allows for any unused tax credits to be purchased for cash from the State of Alaska (if and when funds are allocated for the purchase) or transferred or sold to other third parties to utilize against their production taxes.
Treasury Stock	Treasury Stock We record the repurchase of shares of our common stock at cost based on the settlement date of the transaction. These repurchased shares are classified as treasury stock on our consolidated balance sheets. Shares of treasury stock are included in our authorized and issued shares but excluded from outstanding shares.
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities A VIE is defined as an entity in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. We consolidate a VIE when we are the primary beneficiary of such VIE. As primary beneficiary, we have both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and a right to receive benefits or absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE. We reconsider our evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Our services are provided under cancelable service contracts that typically have an original expected duration of one year or less. These contracts are either fixed price agreements that provide for a fixed fee per unit of measure (“Turnkey”) or variable price agreements that provide for a fixed hourly, daily or monthly fee during the term of the project (“Term”). Under both types of agreements, we recognize revenue as the services are performed. We recognize revenue based upon quantifiable measures of progress, such as square or linear kilometers surveyed, each unit of data recorded or other methods using the total estimated revenue for the service contract. We receive reimbursements for certain out–of–pocket expenses under the terms of the service contracts. The amounts billed to clients are included at their gross amount in the total estimated revenue for the service contract. Clients are billed as permitted by the service contract. Contract assets and contract liabilities are the result of timing differences between revenue recognition, billing and cash collections. If billing occurs prior to the revenue recognition or if billing exceeds the revenue recognized, the amount is considered deferred revenue and a contract liability. Conversely, if the revenue recognition exceeds the billing, the exceeded amount is considered unbilled receivable and a contract asset. As services are performed, those deferred revenue amounts are recognized as revenue. In some instances, third party permitting, surveying, drilling, helicopter, equipment rental and mobilization costs that directly relate to the contract are utilized to fulfill the contract obligations. These fulfillment costs are capitalized and a mortized consistent with how the related revenue is recognized unless we determine the costs are no longer recoverable, at which time they are expensed. Estimates for our total revenue and total fulfillment cost on any service contract are based on significant qualitative and quantitative judgments. Our management considers a variety of factors such as whether various components of the performance obligation will be performed internally or externally, cost of third party services, and facts and circumstances unique to the performance obligation in making these estimates. As a significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the profitability of our contracts, we review and update the estimates during each reporting period. We recognize these adjustments in revenues under the cumulative catch–up method which recognizes the impact of the adjustment on revenue to date in the period the adjustment is identified. Revenue in future periods of performance is recognized using the adjusted estimate. At times, we may also recognize revenue from licensing of data that has already been created and is available for delivery. This seismic data license represents a single performance obligation that is typically recognized at a point in time. We recognize this revenue upon the transfer of control to the customer at an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for these licenses. We recognized $3.1 million and $4.1 million of revenues from the sale of licenses in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Foreign Exchange Gains and Losses	Foreign Exchange Gains and Losses Assets and liabilities of non–U.S. operations with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar have been translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates, and revenues, expenses and cash flows have been translated at average exchange rates for the respective periods. Any resulting translation gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, such as those resulting from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved and those resulting from remeasurements of monetary items, are included in our consolidated statements of operations. In addition, as we have not designated our intercompany transactions as being of a long–term nature, gains and losses on these transactions are included in our consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We use the liability method to determine our income tax provisions, under which current and deferred tax liabilities and assets are recorded in accordance with enacted tax laws and rates. Under this method, the amounts of deferred tax liabilities and assets at the end of each period are determined using the tax rate expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk Our revenues are derived from a concentrated customer base; however, we are not substantially dependent on any one customer. Based on the nature of our contracts and customer projects, our significant customers can and typically do change from year to year and the largest customers in any one year may not be indicative of the largest customers in the future. In both 2019 and 2018, we had three customers that each individually exceeded 10% of our consolidated revenue from services and that together represented approximately 56% and 75%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue from services.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements On January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016–02, Leases ASU 2018–10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, ASU 2018–11, Targeted Improvements, and 2019–01, Codification Improvements The new standards provide for certain practical expedients when adopting the new guidance. We have elected the practical expedient package outlined in ASU No. 2016–02 under which we can carryforward our previous classification of a lease as either an operating or capital lease, and we do not have to reassess previously recorded initial direct costs. Additionally, we made policy elections allowing us to exclude leases with original terms of 12 months or less from lease assets and liabilities and to not separate nonlease components from the associated lease component and instead account for both as a single lease component for all asset classes. We did not elect the practical expedient allowing us to use hindsight to determine the lease term and to assess any impairment of lease assets during the lookback period. The adoption of the new standards had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheet, with the most significant being the recognition of operating lease right–of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities of $9.9 million and $9.9 million, respectively. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The standard did not materially impact our consolidated statement of operations and consolidated statement of cash flows.
New Accounting Standards to be Adopted	New Accounting Standards to be Adopted In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016–03, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, Effective Dates In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017–04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019–12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective during the year ended December 31, 2019 have had or are expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable to the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration. Level 3 refers to fair values determined based on unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets and liabilities at fair value. The estimated fair values of our financial instruments have been determined at discrete points in time based on relevant market information. Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and long–term debt. The carrying amounts of our financial instruments, other than our 2023 Notes and Senior Notes, approximate fair value because of the short–term nature of the items.

ASSET PURCHASE (Tables)

ASSET PURCHASE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Asset Purchase Agreement [Abstract]
Schedule of Purchase Price and Fair Value of Acquired Assets and Assumed Liabilities	The purchase price and the fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities are as follows: Purchase price $ 18,411 Transaction advisory fees and other acquisition costs 3,338 Total purchase price $ 21,749 Accounts receivable $ 8,589 Property and equipment 12,484 Intangible assets, net 3,642 Accrued liabilities (110 ) Deferred revenue (2,856 ) Net assets acquired $ 21,749

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment is comprised of the following at December 31: Estimated Useful Life 2019 2018 Field operating equipment 3 – 10 years $ 102,003 $ 89,962 Transportation equipment 3 – 5 years 18,289 18,353 Leasehold improvements 2 – 5 years 563 461 Software 3 – 5 years 2,003 1,976 Computer equipment 3 – 5 years 5,651 5,584 Office equipment 3 – 10 years 984 902 129,493 117,238 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (92,204 ) (81,904 ) Property and equipment, net $ 37,289 $ 35,334

MULTICLIENT SEISMIC DATA LIBR_2

MULTICLIENT SEISMIC DATA LIBRARY, NET (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Multiclient Data Library [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Value of Multiclient Seismic Data Library	Changes in the carrying value of multiclient seismic data library are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 4,733 $ 5,829 Amortization (2,014 ) (1,096 ) Balance at end of year $ 2,719 $ 4,733

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying value of goodwill are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 1,687 $ 1,832 Foreign currency translation adjustment 79 (145 ) Balance at end of year $ 1,766 $ 1,687
Schedule of Intangible Assets	Intangible assets are comprised of the following at December 31: 2019 2018 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Customer relationships $ 1,379 $ (926 ) $ 453 $ 1,356 $ (831 ) $ 525 Technology 3,642 (344 ) 3,298 3,642 (101 ) 3,541 $ 5,021 $ (1,270 ) $ 3,751 $ 4,998 $ (932 ) $ 4,066

TAX CREDITS RECEIVABLE, NET (Ta

TAX CREDITS RECEIVABLE, NET (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Tax Credit Receivable Net [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Carrying Value of Tax Credits Receivable, Net	Changes in the carrying value of the tax credits receivable, net are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 13,198 $ 19,089 Monetized in period — (2,748 ) Tax credits used to offset production taxes (1,094 ) (1,443 ) Reserve for potential monetization — (1,700 ) Balance at end of year $ 12,104 $ 13,198

LONG TERM DEBT (Tables)

LONG TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Long-term Debt	Long–term debt consisted of the following as of December 31: 2019 2018 Credit facility: Principal outstanding $ 35,000 $ 12,334 Unamortized debt issuance costs (205 ) (125 ) Carrying amount 34,795 12,209 Senior loan facility: Principal outstanding 29,000 29,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (1,232 ) (2,448 ) Carrying amount 27,768 26,552 6% senior secured convertible notes due 2023: Principal outstanding 60,000 60,000 Unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs (13,341 ) (15,906 ) Carrying amount 46,659 44,094 10% senior notes due 2019: Principal outstanding — 6,957 Unamortized debt issuance costs — (4 ) Carrying amount — 6,953 Note payable 9,974 — Capital lease obligations 350 1,234 Total debt 119,546 91,042 Current portion of long-term debt (112,401 ) (7,837 ) Total long-term debt $ 7,145 $ 83,205

WARRANTS (Tables)

WARRANTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Warrants And Rights Note Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Number of Warrants Outstanding	The following table presents the changes in the number of warrants outstanding for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year 87,792 309 Issuance of warrants 430 117,198 Exercise of warrants (14,895 ) (29,715 ) Balance at end of year 73,327 87,792

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Number of Shares Outstanding	The following table presents the changes in the number of shares outstanding for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Shares issued: Balance at beginning of year 3,211 473 Issue of shares upon vesting of restricted stock units 278 268 Issue of shares on exercises of stock options — 16 Issue of shares in consideration for services 243 — Issue of shares in private placement 30 — Issue of shares in the Exchange — 41 Issue of shares on the conversion of the Series A preferred stock — 704 Issue of shares on the conversion of the Series B preferred stock — 225 Issue of shares on exercises of Series C warrants 51 16 Issue of shares on exercises of Series D warrants 33 117 Issue of shares on exercises of Series E warrants 662 1,351 Balance at end of year 4,508 3,211 Shares held as treasury stock: Balance at beginning of year 111 2 Purchase of treasury stock 97 109 Balance at end of year 208 111 Shares outstanding at end of year 4,300 3,100

REVENUE FROM SERVICES (Tables)

REVENUE FROM SERVICES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Deferred Costs on Contracts	Changes in our deferred costs on contracts are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 3,746 $ 1,780 Fulfillment costs incurred 30,905 9,076 Amortization of fulfillment costs (19,685 ) (7,110 ) Balance at end of year $ 14,966 $ 3,746
Schedule of Change in Deferred Revenue	Changes in our deferred revenue are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 4,357 $ 1,477 Acquired from GEOK — 2,856 Cash received, excluding amounts recognized as revenue from services 20,334 6,580 Amounts recognized as revenue from services (15,967 ) (6,556 ) Balance at end of year $ 8,724 $ 4,357
Schedule of Revenue from Services	The following table disaggregates our revenue from services for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Land Marine Total Land Marine Total North America $ 126,317 $ — $ 126,317 $ 71,326 $ — $ 71,326 South America 5,171 18,546 23,717 22,531 — 22,531 Asia Pacific 3,715 101,485 105,200 4,813 — 4,813 Total $ 135,203 $ 120,031 $ 255,234 $ 98,670 $ — $ 98,670

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION (Tabl

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of RSUs Activity	Activity related to RSUs is as follows: Number of RSUs Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at January 1, 2019 258,917 $ 26.60 Granted 746,612 3.39 Vested (278,402 ) 3.39 Forfeited (614,824 ) 11.62 Nonvested at December 31, 2019 112,303 $ 11.86

LEASES (Tables)

LEASES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Operating and Finance Leases Presented on Consolidated Balance Sheet	The balances for the operating and finance leases where we are the lessee are presented on our consolidated balance sheet as follows at December 31: Classification on Consolidated Balance Sheet 2019 Assets: Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 6,421 Finance lease assets Property and equipment, net 324 Total lease assets $ 6,745 Liabilities: Current: Operating lease liabilities Operating lease liabilities $ 2,576 Finance lease liabilities Current portion of long-term debt and finance leases 350 Long-term - Operating lease liabilities Other long-term liabilities 3,980 Total lease liabilities $ 6,906
Schedule of Components of Lease Expense	The components of lease expense on our consolidated statements of operations are as follows for the year ended December 31: 2019 Operating lease expense (1) $ 5,255 Finance lease expense: Amortization of leased assets $ 885 Interest on lease liabilities 109 Total finance lease expense $ 994 Total lease expense $ 6,249 (1) Includes short–term leases and variable lease costs, both of which are immaterial.
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flows Information Related to Leases	Supplemental cash flows information related to leases where we are the lessee is as follows for the year ended December 31: 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 4,546 Operating cash flows from finance leases 109 Financing cash flows from finance leases 884 Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 375
Schedule of Maturities of Liabilities Related to Operating Leases and Finance Leases	As of December 31, 2019, the maturities of the liabilities related to our operating leases and finance leases are as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases 2020 $ 3,589 $ 361 2021 1,287 — 2022 953 — 2023 749 — 2024 296 — Thereafter 206 — Total minimum lease payments 7,080 361 Less: interest 524 11 Present value of lease liabilities 6,556 350 Less: current lease liabilities 2,576 350 Long-term lease liabilities $ 3,980 $ —

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of provision for income taxes	The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Current: U.S. $ 168 $ (145 ) Foreign 5,872 (190 ) Total current $ 6,040 $ (335 ) Deferred: U.S. $ 145 $ 145 Foreign 2,002 70 Total deferred 2,147 215 Income taxes $ 8,187 $ (120 )
Schedule of geographical sources of loss before income taxes	The geographic sources of our loss before income taxes are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 U.S. $ (23,623 ) $ (44,265 ) Foreign 9,197 (15,415 ) Total $ (14,426 ) $ (59,680 )
Summary of Provision for Income Taxes Differs from U.S. Statutory Income Tax Rate to Loss Before Income Taxes	The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. statutory income tax rate to the loss before income taxes for the reasons set forth below for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Taxes at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate $ (3,029 ) $ (12,533 ) Nondeductible expenses 508 3,880 Change in valuation allowance 7,111 14,595 Effect of foreign operations 4,413 890 State tax, net of federal benefit 247 (3,174 ) Other (1,063 ) (3,778 ) Provision for income taxes $ 8,187 $ (120 )
Schedule of tax effects of temporary differences and net operating losses ("NOL")	The tax effects of our temporary differences and net operating losses (“NOL”) are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Deferred tax assets: Operating loss carryforwards $ 37,860 $ 36,150 Other accrued expenses 4,248 2,833 Outside basis difference in ASV 13,891 13,367 Tax credit carryforwards 1,714 1,859 Original issue discount 1,806 — Other 4,562 3,504 Total deferred tax asset 64,081 57,713 Valuation allowance (59,011 ) (51,850 ) Total deferred tax asset, net 5,070 5,863 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (299 ) (2,193 ) Intangible assets (1,041 ) (1,116 ) Deferred revenue (3,730 ) (394 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (5,070 ) (3,703 ) Net deferred tax asset $ — $ 2,160
Schedule of changes on gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits	The following table presents the changes in our gross unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 169 $ 192 Additions for tax positions taken in prior years 166 (23 ) Balance at end of year $ 335 $ 169

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share	The computation of basic and diluted loss per share is as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Net loss attributable to SAExploration $ (25,186 ) $ (60,465 ) Amortization of discount on Series A and Series B preferred stock — (72,762 ) Accretion of Series A preferred stock to redemption value — 21,376 Dividends on Series A preferred stock — (1,614 ) Net loss available to common stockholders $ (25,186 ) $ (113,465 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted) 7,951 3,448 Loss per share available to common stockholders (basic and diluted) $ (3.17 ) $ (32.91 ) Potentially anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted loss available to common stockholders (1) 10,997 10,709 (1) Includes our Series A and Series B warrants, unvested equity–based compensation and the shares underlying our 2023 Notes as their effect, if included, would have been anti–dilutive.

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of cash and cash equivalents	Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are recorded in our consolidated balance sheets as follows at December 31: 2019 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,441 $ 7,579 Restricted cash 74 271 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 5,515 $ 7,850
Schedule of total accounts receivable, net	Total accounts receivable, net is comprised of the following at December 31: 2019 2018 Trade receivables $ 50,447 $ 23,330 Other receivables 3,199 3,681 Total accounts receivable 53,646 27,011 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (2,064 ) (548 ) Total accounts receivable, net $ 51,582 $ 26,463
Schedule of changes in allowance for doubtful accounts	Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Balance at beginning of year $ 548 $ 12 Provisions for doubtful accounts 1,722 536 Cumulative translation adjustment (206 ) — Balance at end of year $ 2,064 $ 548
Schedule of accrued liabilities	Accrued liabilities are comprised of the following at December 31: 2019 2018 Accrued payroll liabilities $ 2,385 $ 3,622 Accrued interest 181 306 Other accrued liabilities 3,468 6,570 Total accrued liabilities $ 6,034 $ 10,498
Schedule of supplemental cash flows information	Supplemental cash flows information is as follows for the years ended December 31: 2019 2018 Cash paid for interest $ 10,914 $ 9,412 Cash paid for income taxes 388 2,487
Schedule of noncash transactions	Noncash transactions are as follows at December 31: 2019 2018 Costs for additions to property and equipment acquired in a note payable $ 9,974 $ — Costs for additions to property and equipment acquired in a capital lease — 1,504 Proceeds from sale of property and equipment in accounts receivable 1,015 — Accrual for stock issued for services 478 —

GEOGRAPHIC AND RELATED INFORM_2

GEOGRAPHIC AND RELATED INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of revenues and identifiable assets by geographic areas	The following table presents revenue from services based on the location of the services provided for the years ended December 31, and long–lived assets, which includes property and equipment, multiclient seismic data library, goodwill, intangible assets, tax credits receivable, net and other assets, by its geographic location at December 31: Revenue from Services Long-Lived Assets 2019 2018 2019 2018 North America: United States $ 112,151 $ 49,723 $ 57,884 $ 54,551 Canada 13,594 20,810 4,409 3,888 Mexico 572 793 1 — Total 126,317 71,326 62,294 58,439 South America: Brazil 18,546 — — — Colombia 3,441 22,443 — 185 Other 1,730 88 5 62 Total 23,717 22,531 5 247 Asia Pacific India 85,412 — — — Malaysia 12,183 — — — Dubai 3,891 — — — Other 3,714 4,813 2,529 599 Total 105,200 4,813 2,529 599 Consolidated $ 255,234 $ 98,670 $ 64,828 $ 59,285

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORM_2

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets December 31, 2019 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 13 $ 3,565 $ 1,863 $ — $ 5,441 Restricted cash — — 74 — 74 Accounts receivable, net 145 21,823 29,614 — 51,582 Deferred costs on contracts — 5,107 9,859 — 14,966 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 967 1,458 2,899 — 5,324 Total current assets 1,125 31,953 44,309 — 77,387 Property and equipment, net — 36,058 1,231 — 37,289 Multiclient seismic data library, net — 2,719 — — 2,719 Operating lease right-of-use asset — 3,490 2,931 — 6,421 Investment in subsidiaries (95,097 ) 40,366 7,499 47,232 — Intercompany receivables 179,870 — — (179,870 ) — Goodwill — — 1,766 — 1,766 Intangible assets, net — 3,298 453 — 3,751 Tax credits receivable — 12,104 — — 12,104 Deferred income taxes — — — — — Other assets — 239 539 — 778 Total assets $ 85,898 $ 130,227 $ 58,728 $ (132,638 ) $ 142,215 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 4,210 $ 9,002 $ 17,754 $ — $ 30,966 Accrued liabilities 285 4,314 1,435 — 6,034 Income and other taxes payable 63 2,321 3,518 — 5,902 Operating lease liabilities — 2,031 545 — 2,576 Current portion of long-term debt 74,427 37,974 — — 112,401 Deferred revenue — 6,890 1,834 — 8,724 Total current liabilities 78,985 62,532 25,086 — 166,603 Intercompany payables — 116,333 63,537 (179,870 ) — Long-term debt — 7,145 — — 7,145 Other long–term liabilities 300 1,474 2,506 — 4,280 Stockholders’ equity (deficit): Common stock — — 168 (168 ) — Additional paid–in capital 240,068 46,973 19,038 (66,011 ) 240,068 Accumulated deficit (231,223 ) (103,930 ) (52,793 ) 113,411 (274,535 ) Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income — (4,098 ) 1,186 — (2,912 ) Treasury stock, at cost (2,232 ) — — — (2,232 ) SAExploration stockholders’ equity (deficit) 6,613 (61,055 ) (32,401 ) 47,232 (39,611 ) Noncontrolling interest — 3,798 — — 3,798 Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) 6,613 (57,257 ) (32,401 ) 47,232 (35,813 ) Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) $ 85,898 $ 130,227 $ 58,728 $ (132,638 ) $ 142,215 December 31, 2018 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 28 $ 5,285 $ 2,266 $ — $ 7,579 Restricted cash — — 271 — 271 Accounts receivable, net 144 20,487 5,832 — 26,463 Deferred costs on contracts — 3,520 226 — 3,746 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 63 2,395 385 — 2,843 Total current assets 235 31,687 8,980 — 40,902 Property and equipment, net — 32,889 2,445 — 35,334 Multiclient seismic data library, net — 4,733 — — 4,733 Investment in subsidiaries (79,848 ) 41,986 7,499 30,363 — Intercompany receivables 183,675 — — (183,675 ) — Goodwill — — 1,687 — 1,687 Intangible assets, net — 3,541 525 — 4,066 Tax credits receivable, net — 13,198 — — 13,198 Deferred income taxes — 2,023 137 — 2,160 Other assets — 239 28 — 267 Total assets $ 104,062 $ 130,296 $ 21,301 $ (153,312 ) $ 102,347 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 289 $ 7,205 $ 2,609 $ — $ 10,103 Accrued liabilities 906 8,484 1,108 — 10,498 Income and other taxes payable 210 2,739 382 — 3,331 Current portion of long-term debt 6,953 884 — — 7,837 Deferred revenue — 4,357 — — 4,357 Total current liabilities 8,358 23,669 4,099 — 36,126 Intercompany payables — 135,691 47,985 (183,676 ) — Long-term debt 70,646 12,559 — — 83,205 Other long-term liabilities 300 — 80 — 380 Stockholders’ equity (deficit): Common stock — — 168 (168 ) — Additional paid–in capital 232,661 46,974 18,996 (65,970 ) 232,661 Accumulated deficit (206,037 ) (88,681 ) (51,133 ) 96,502 (249,349 ) Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income — (4,141 ) 1,106 — (3,035 ) Treasury stock, at cost (1,866 ) — — — (1,866 ) SAExploration stockholders' equity (deficit) 24,758 (45,848 ) (30,863 ) 30,364 (21,589 ) Noncontrolling interest — 4,225 — — 4,225 Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) 24,758 (41,623 ) (30,863 ) 30,364 (17,364 ) Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) $ 104,062 $ 130,296 $ 21,301 $ (153,312 ) $ 102,347
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations Year Ended December 31, 2019 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Revenue from services $ — $ 216,169 $ 39,065 $ — $ 255,234 Cost of services — 168,536 29,115 — 197,651 Depreciation and amortization — 12,079 949 — 13,028 Gross profit — 35,554 9,001 — 44,555 Total operating expenses 13,748 18,838 7,258 — 39,844 Operating (loss) income (13,748 ) 16,716 1,743 — 4,711 Other income (expense), net 3,811 (20,715 ) (2,233 ) — (19,137 ) (Loss) income before income taxes and equity in loss of affiliates (9,937 ) (3,999 ) (490 ) — (14,426 ) Income taxes — 7,017 1,170 — 8,187 Loss before equity in loss of affiliates (9,937 ) (11,016 ) (1,660 ) — (22,613 ) Equity in loss of affiliates (15,249 ) (1,660 ) — 16,909 — Net loss (25,186 ) (12,676 ) (1,660 ) 16,909 (22,613 ) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 2,573 — — 2,573 Net loss attributable to SAExploration $ (25,186 ) $ (15,249 ) $ (1,660 ) $ 16,909 $ (25,186 ) Comprehensive loss $ (25,186 ) $ (12,633 ) $ (1,580 ) $ 16,909 $ (22,490 ) Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 2,573 — — 2,573 Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration $ (25,186 ) $ (15,206 ) $ (1,580 ) $ 16,909 $ (25,063 ) Year Ended December 31, 2018 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Revenue from services $ — $ 74,943 $ 23,727 $ — $ 98,670 Cost of services — 67,342 20,259 — 87,601 Depreciation and amortization — 9,669 2,538 — 12,207 Gross (loss) profit — (2,068 ) 930 — (1,138 ) Total operating expenses 14,214 22,089 6,290 — 42,593 Operating loss (14,214 ) (24,157 ) (5,360 ) — (43,731 ) Other income (expense), net 53 (11,627 ) (4,375 ) — (15,949 ) Loss before income taxes and equity in loss of affiliates (14,161 ) (35,784 ) (9,735 ) — (59,680 ) Income taxes 24 (534 ) 390 — (120 ) Loss before equity in loss of affiliates (14,185 ) (35,250 ) (10,125 ) — (59,560 ) Equity in loss of affiliates (46,280 ) (10,125 ) — 56,405 — Net loss (60,465 ) (45,375 ) (10,125 ) 56,405 (59,560 ) Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 905 — — 905 Net loss attributable to SAExploration $ (60,465 ) $ (46,280 ) $ (10,125 ) $ 56,405 $ (60,465 ) Comprehensive loss $ (60,465 ) $ (45,437 ) $ (8,016 ) $ 56,405 $ (57,513 ) Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 905 — — 905 Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration $ (60,465 ) $ (46,342 ) $ (8,016 ) $ 56,405 $ (58,418 )
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows Year Ended December 31, 2019 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (3,497 ) $ 7,614 $ (18,997 ) $ — $ (14,880 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property and equipment — (3,714 ) (112 ) — (3,826 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment — 2,137 2,895 — 5,032 Investment in affiliate — (40 ) — 40 — Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities — (1,617 ) 2,783 40 1,206 Cash flows from financing activities: Long-term debt repayments (6,953 ) (883 ) — — (7,836 ) Long-term debt borrowings — 22,666 — — 22,666 Debt issuance costs — (212 ) — — (212 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock 100 — — — 100 Purchase of treasury stock (366 ) — — — (366 ) Intercompany lending 10,701 (26,283 ) 15,582 — — Contribution from affiliate — — 40 (40 ) — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (3,000 ) — — (3,000 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 3,482 (7,712 ) 15,622 (40 ) 11,352 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — (5 ) (8 ) — (13 ) Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (15 ) (1,720 ) (600 ) — (2,335 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year 28 5,285 2,537 — 7,850 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year $ 13 $ 3,565 $ 1,937 $ — $ 5,515 Year Ended December 31, 2018 SAExploration Holdings, Inc. The Guarantors Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash used in operating activities $ (3,315 ) $ (21,874 ) $ (4,954 ) $ — $ (30,143 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Asset purchase — (21,749 ) — — (21,749 ) Purchase of property and equipment — (1,114 ) (148 ) — (1,262 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment — 280 550 — 830 Investment in affiliate — (222 ) — 222 — Net cash (used in) provded by investing activities — (22,805 ) 402 222 (22,181 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Long-term debt repayments (2,860 ) (56,347 ) — — (59,207 ) Long-term debt borrowings 60,000 63,411 — — 123,411 Debt issuance costs (1,167 ) (1,548 ) — (2,715 ) Stock issuance costs (1,712 ) — — — (1,712 ) Purchase of treasury stock (1,753 ) — — — (1,753 ) Intercompany lending (49,173 ) 43,179 5,994 — — Contribution from affiliate — — 222 (222 ) — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (1,250 ) — — (1,250 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 3,335 47,445 6,216 (222 ) 56,774 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — (321 ) (13 ) — (334 ) Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 20 2,445 1,651 — 4,116 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year 8 2,840 886 — 3,734 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year $ 28 $ 5,285 $ 2,537 $ — $ 7,850

ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BU_2

ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019segment
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	1

GOING CONCERN UNCERTAINTY - Add

GOING CONCERN UNCERTAINTY - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Seismic Data Offshore West Africa | COVID–19
Unusual Risk Or Uncertainty [Line Items]
Acquisition contract value, terminated	$ 42
Senior Loan Facility
Unusual Risk Or Uncertainty [Line Items]
Debt Instrument maturity date	Jan. 31, 2021

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMA

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)customer	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)customer
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Production tax percentage	35.00%
Tax credit amount	$ 0
Tax credits to ASV’s production tax liability	1,100,000	$ 1,400,000
Revenue from services	255,234,000	98,670,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets	6,421,000	$ 0
Operating lease liabilities	6,556,000
ASU 2016–02
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Operating lease right-of-use assets	9,900,000
Operating lease liabilities	$ 9,900,000
Revenue from Service
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer	3	3
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue from Service
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	10.00%	10.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue from Service | Customer Three
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	56.00%	75.00%
License
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Revenue from services	$ 3,100,000	$ 4,100,000

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUM_2

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information1 (Details)	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2020-01-01
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cancelable service contracts expected period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2021-01-01
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cancelable service contracts expected period	2 years
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2022-01-01
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cancelable service contracts expected period	3 years

ASSET PURCHASE - Additional Inf

ASSET PURCHASE - Additional Information (Details) - GEOK $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018USD ($)
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition related costs	$ 18.4
Aggregate principal amount	$ 23.4
Purchase Money Facility Member
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt stated interest rate percentage	10.25%

ASSET PURCHASE - Purchase Price

ASSET PURCHASE - Purchase Price and Fair Value of Acquired Assets and Assumed Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Property and equipment		$ 3,826	$ 1,262
Net assets acquired		$ 0	$ 21,749
GEOK
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	$ 18,411
Transaction advisory fees and other acquisition costs	3,338
Total purchase price	21,749
Accounts receivable	8,589
Property and equipment	12,484
Intangible assets, net	3,642
Accrued liabilities	(110)
Deferred revenue	(2,856)
Net assets acquired	$ 21,749

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 129,493	$ 117,238
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(92,204)	(81,904)
Property and equipment, net	37,289	35,334
Field Operating Equipment
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 102,003	89,962
Field Operating Equipment | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Field Operating Equipment | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Transportation Equipment
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 18,289	18,353
Transportation Equipment | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Transportation Equipment | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Leasehold Improvements
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 563	461
Leasehold Improvements | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	2 years
Leasehold Improvements | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Software
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 2,003	1,976
Software | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Software | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Computer Equipment
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 5,651	5,584
Computer Equipment | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Computer Equipment | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Office Equipment
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 984	$ 902
Office Equipment | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Office Equipment | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	10 years

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Additi

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Additional Infromation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation Expense included in cost of services	$ 11.3	$ 11.4
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 0.3	$ 0.3

MULTICLIENT SEISMIC DATA LIBR_3

MULTICLIENT SEISMIC DATA LIBRARY, NET - Changes in Carrying Value of Multiclient Seismic Data Library (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Multiclient Data Library [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 4,733	$ 5,829
Amortization	(2,014)	(1,096)
Balance at end of year	$ 2,719	$ 4,733

MULTICLIENT SEISMIC DATA LIBR_4

MULTICLIENT SEISMIC DATA LIBRARY, NET - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Multiclient Data Library [Abstract]
Accumulated amortization of multiclient seismic data library	$ 16.6	$ 14.6

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 1,687	$ 1,832
Foreign currency translation adjustment	79	(145)
Balance at end of year	$ 1,766	$ 1,687

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairments related to goodwill	$ 0
Amortization expense	300,000	$ 200,000
Amortization expense in 2020	300,000
Amortization expense in 2021	400,000
Amortization expense in 2022	300,000
Amortization expense in 2023	400,000
Amortization expense in 2024	300,000
Amortization expense thereafter	$ 2,100,000
Minimum
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of intangible assets (in years)	13 years
Maximum
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of intangible assets (in years)	15 years

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_4

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 5,021	$ 4,998
Accumulated Amortization	(1,270)	(932)
Net Carrying Amount	3,751	4,066
Customer Relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,379	1,356
Accumulated Amortization	(926)	(831)
Net Carrying Amount	453	525
Technology
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	3,642	3,642
Accumulated Amortization	(344)	(101)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 3,298	$ 3,541

TAX CREDITS RECEIVABLE, NET - S

TAX CREDITS RECEIVABLE, NET - Summary of Changes in Carrying Value of Tax Credits Receivable, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Tax Credit Receivable Net [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 13,198	$ 19,089
Monetized in period		(2,748)
Tax credits used to offset production taxes	(1,094)	(1,443)
Reserve for potential monetization		(1,700)
Balance at end of year	$ 12,104	$ 13,198

TAX CREDITS RECEIVABLE, NET - A

TAX CREDITS RECEIVABLE, NET - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Tax Credit Receivable Net [Abstract]
Tax credits receivable net of allowance	$ 53	$ 53

Long-term Debt - Summary of Lon

Long-term Debt - Summary of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Note payable	$ 9,974
Capital lease obligations	350	$ 1,234
Total debt	119,546	91,042
Current portion of long-term debt	(112,401)	(7,837)
Total long-term debt	7,145	83,205
Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal outstanding	35,000	12,334
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(205)	(125)
Carrying amount	34,795	12,209
Senior Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal outstanding	29,000	29,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(1,232)	(2,448)
Carrying amount	27,768	26,552
6% Convertible Notes Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal outstanding	60,000	60,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(300)
Unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs	(13,341)	(15,906)
Carrying amount	$ 46,659	44,094
10% senior notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal outstanding		6,957
Unamortized debt issuance costs		(4)
Carrying amount		$ 6,953

Long-term Debt - Summary of L_2

Long-term Debt - Summary of Long-term Debt (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 27, 2016
6% Convertible Notes Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt stated interest rate percentage	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Debt, maturity year	2023	2023
10% senior notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt stated interest rate percentage	10.00%	10.00%		10.00%
Debt, maturity year	2019	2019

Long-term Debt - Additional Inf

Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands	Jul. 27, 2016	Nov. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)Trading$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of preferred stock (in shares) | shares					41
Gain on extinguishment of debt				$ (6,976,000)	$ 53,000
Purchase of seismic equipment				3,826,000	1,262,000
Maturities of Long–Term Debt
2020				3,200,000
2021				65,800,000
2022				3,500,000
2023				47,000,000
2024				0
Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, face amount				$ 35,000,000	12,334,000
Debt Instrument maturity date				Aug. 31, 2021
Line of credit current borrowing capacity				$ 40,000,000
Fees paid to third parties as new debt issuance costs				200,000
Debt issuance costs allocated to the equity component				$ 205,000	125,000
Credit Facility | Interest Rate Through and Including August 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt stated interest rate percentage				11.75%
Credit Facility | Interest Rate August 2020 Thereafter
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt stated interest rate percentage				12.75%
First Advance | Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 5,000,000
Additional Advances | Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				5,000,000
Senior Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, face amount				$ 29,000,000	29,000,000
Debt Instrument maturity date				Jan. 31, 2021
Line of credit current borrowing capacity				$ 30,000,000
Debt stated interest rate percentage				12.50%
Prepayment fees				$ 30,000,000
Debt issuance costs allocated to the equity component				1,232,000	2,448,000
6% senior secured convertible notes due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, face amount				$ 60,000,000	$ 60,000,000
Debt Instrument maturity date				Sep. 26, 2023
Debt stated interest rate percentage				6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Debt instrument maturity month and year				2023-09
Debt instrument frequency of interest payments				The 2023 Notes mature in September 2023, and interest is payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year
Debt issuance costs allocated to the equity component				$ 300,000
Interest expense				6,200,000	$ 1,600,000
Contractual interest expense				$ 2,600,000	1,000,000
Debt instrument conversion, consecutive trading days | Trading				30
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage				100.00%
Debt instrument redeemable for cash				$ 1,000
Fundamental change repurchase price				$ 1,000
Percentage of principal amount of debt redeemed				100.00%
Debt instrument principal of accrued and unpaid interest payable default percentage				100.00%
6% senior secured convertible notes due 2023 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, conversion price				1.50
Debt instrument principal Percentage				25.00%
6% senior secured convertible notes due 2023 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument conversion trading days | Trading				20
6% senior secured convertible notes due 2023 | Additional Paid-In Capital
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of the equity component				$ 15,400,000
6% senior secured convertible notes due 2023 | Common Stock
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants | $ / shares				$ 0.0001
Debt instrument, conversion price				173.91304
Debt instrument, conversion principal amount				$ 1,000
Conversion price per share | $ / shares				$ 5.75
Debt instrument, conversion description				The initial conversion rate is 173.91304 shares of common stock or warrants per $1,000 principal amount, representing an initial conversion price of approximately $5.75 per share
Secured Promissory Note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument maturity date		Jan. 1, 2023
Debt stated interest rate percentage		7.00%
Debt instrument frequency of interest payments				Interest will be due and payable in equal monthly installments beginning in February 2020 and each month thereafter until the maturity date.
Purchase of seismic equipment		$ 10,000,000
10% senior notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, face amount					$ 6,957,000
Debt Instrument maturity date	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt stated interest rate percentage	10.00%			10.00%	10.00%
Debt instrument frequency of interest payments				Interest was payable quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year
Debt issuance costs allocated to the equity component					$ 4,000
Restructuring Support Agreement | Supporting Holders | Secured Debt | 10% senior notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of par value of debt owned by holders			85.00%
Exchange Offer | Senior Notes and Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain on extinguishment of debt			$ 100,000
Exchange Offer | Secured Debt | 10% senior secured notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, face amount			7,000,000
Exchange Offer | Secured Debt | 10% senior notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, face amount			$ 78,000,000
Exchange Offer | Secured Debt | Common Stock | Senior Notes and Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of preferred stock (in shares) | shares			40
Exchange Offer | Secured Debt | Series A Preferred Stock | Senior Notes and Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of preferred stock (in shares) | shares			30
Exchange Offer | Secured Debt | Series B Preferred Stock | Senior Notes and Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of preferred stock (in shares) | shares			900
Exchange Offer | Secured Debt | Series C Warrants | Senior Notes and Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of preferred stock (in shares) | shares			8,300

WARRANTS (Details)

WARRANTS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Exercise period of warrants					30 days
Number of warrants outstanding					73,327,000	87,792,000	309,000
Issuance of preferred stock (in shares)						41,000
Derecognized amount of Series D preferred stock at conversion		$ 23		$ 54
Series A and B Preferred Stocks
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Number of warrants issued (in shares)					200,000
Number of common stock purchase for each warrant					0.05
Series A and B Preferred Stocks | Minimum
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)					$ 10.30
Series A and B Preferred Stocks | Maximum
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)					$ 12.88
Series B Warrants
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Number of warrants outstanding					200,000
Series C, Series D and Series E Warrants
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)					$ 0.0001
Number of common stock purchase for each warrant					0.05
Series C, Series D and Series E Warrants | Participant Holders
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Conversion of stock, maximum percentage of ownership after transaction					10.00%
Series C Warrants | Exchange | Second Lien Notes and Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Issuance of preferred stock (in shares)			8,300,000		4,800,000
Series C Warrants | Exchange | Second Lien Notes and Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Number of warrants outstanding					6,900,000
Series D Warrant | Exchange | Second Lien Notes and Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)		$ 0.0001
Number of warrants outstanding		14,100,000			11,100,000
Number of preferred stock convertible shares to be issued in conversion (in shares)		14,100,000
Series E Warrants | Exchange | Second Lien Notes and Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)				$ 0.0001
Number of warrants outstanding				94,800,000	54,600,000
Number of preferred stock convertible shares to be issued in conversion (in shares)				94,800,000
Series F Warrants
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)					$ 0.0001
Number of warrants outstanding					400,000
Derecognized amount of Series D preferred stock at conversion					$ 6.9
Remaining number of warrants					1,200,000
Series F Warrants | Warrant Agreement
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Debt conversion, warrants issued					2,300,000
Series F Warrants | Subsequent Event | NASDAQ
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Number of additional warrants issued	400,000
Series F Warrants | Amendment of Credit Facility
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Number of preferred stock convertible shares to be issued in conversion (in shares)					400,000
Series F Warrants | Participant Holders
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Conversion of stock, maximum percentage of ownership after transaction					10.00%
Series F Warrants | Maximum | Warrant Agreement
Class Of Warrant Or Right [Line Items]
Issuance of warrants					2,000,000
Additional warrants issuable percentage of common stock					10.00%

WARRANTS - Schedule of Changes

WARRANTS - Schedule of Changes in Number of Warrants Outstanding (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Warrants And Rights Note Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	87,792	309
Issuance of warrants	430	117,198
Exercise of warrants	(14,895)	(29,715)
Balance at end of year	73,327	87,792

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Addition

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, authorized shares (in shares)		1,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share)		$ 0.0001
Value of shares issued		$ 578,000
Number of warrants outstanding		73,327,000	87,792,000			309,000
Common stock, authorized shares (in shares)		40,000,000
Common stock, par value (USD per share)		$ 0.0001
Series A Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)		0
Preferred dividends paid-in-kind			$ 1,600,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)		0
Series B Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)		0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)		0
Exchange | Series A Preferred Stock | Second Lien Notes and Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Value of shares issued		$ 62,000
Stock issuance costs		3,600
Discount on Series A preferred stock issued in debt exchange		$ 62,000,000
Exchange | Series A Preferred Stock | Participant Holders
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	30,000
Dividend percentage on convertible preferred stock	8.00%
Exchange | Common Stock at Par Value | Second Lien Notes and Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of preferred stock convertible shares to be issued in conversion (in shares)				700,000	200,000
Exchange | Series E Warrants | Second Lien Notes and Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of preferred stock convertible shares to be issued in conversion (in shares)				94,800,000
Number of warrants outstanding		54,600,000		94,800,000
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)				$ 0.0001
Exchange | Series B Preferred Stock | Second Lien Notes and Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Value of shares issued		$ 10,800,000
Discount on Series A preferred stock issued in debt exchange		$ 10,800,000
Exchange | Series B Preferred Stock | Participant Holders | Second Lien Notes and Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	900,000
Exchange | Series D Warrant | Second Lien Notes and Senior Secured Notes | Secured Debt
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of preferred stock convertible shares to be issued in conversion (in shares)					14,100,000
Number of warrants outstanding		11,100,000			14,100,000
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)					$ 0.0001

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Schedule

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Schedule of Changes in Number of Shares Outstanding (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Shares issued:
Balance at beginning of year	3,211	473
Issue of shares upon vesting of restricted stock units	278	268
Issue of shares on exercises of stock options		16
Issue of shares in consideration for services	243
Issue of shares in private placement/ Exchange		41
Balance at end of year	4,508	3,211
Shares held as treasury stock:
Balance at beginning of year	111	2
Purchase of treasury stock	97	109
Balance at end of year	208	111
Shares outstanding at end of year	4,300	3,100
Common Stock | Private Placement
Shares issued:
Issue of shares in private placement/ Exchange	30
Series A Preferred Stock
Shares issued:
Issue of shares on the conversion of preferred stock		704
Series B Preferred Stock
Shares issued:
Issue of shares on the conversion of preferred stock		225
Series C Warrants
Shares issued:
Issue of shares on exercises of warrants	51	16
Series D Warrants
Shares issued:
Issue of shares on exercises of warrants	33	117
Series E Warrants
Shares issued:
Issue of shares on exercises of warrants	662	1,351

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Det

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)Entity	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of variable interest entities | Entity	2
Variable interest entity, ownership percentage	49.00%
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5,441	$ 7,579
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,324	2,843
Multiclient seismic data library, net	2,719	4,733	$ 5,829
Tax credits receivable, net	12,104	13,198
Variable Interest Entity
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	400	400
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	31	31
Multiclient seismic data library, net	2,700	4,700
Tax credits receivable, net	$ 12,100	$ 13,200
Percentage of noncontrolling equity investors	100.00%
Kuukpik
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gross revenue percentage received by entity	10.00%
Entity contract expiration period	2020-12

REVENUE FROM SERVICES - Changes

REVENUE FROM SERVICES - Changes in Deferred Costs on Contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 3,746	$ 1,780
Fulfillment costs incurred	30,905	9,076
Amortization of fulfillment costs	(19,685)	(7,110)
Balance at end of year	$ 14,966	$ 3,746

REVENUE FROM SERVICES - Chang_2

REVENUE FROM SERVICES - Changes in Deferred Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 4,357	$ 1,477
Acquired from GEOK		2,856
Cash received, excluding amounts recognized as revenue from services	20,334	6,580
Amounts recognized as revenue from services	(15,967)	(6,556)
Balance at end of year	$ 8,724	$ 4,357

REVENUE FROM SERVICES - Schedul

REVENUE FROM SERVICES - Schedule of Revenue from Services (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	$ 255,234	$ 98,670
Marine
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	120,031
Land
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	135,203	98,670
North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	126,317	71,326
North America | Land
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	126,317	71,326
South America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	23,717	22,531
South America | Marine
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	18,546
South America | Land
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	5,171	22,531
Asia Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	105,200	4,813
Asia Pacific | Marine
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	101,485
Asia Pacific | Land
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from services	$ 3,715	$ 4,813

REVENUE FROM SERVICES - Remaini

REVENUE FROM SERVICES - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation	$ 203.1

REVENUE FROM SERVICES - Remai_2

REVENUE FROM SERVICES - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details 1)	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2020-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation percentage	62.00%
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected period of satisfaction	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2021-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation percentage	19.00%
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected period of satisfaction	2 years
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2022-01-01
Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation percentage	19.00%
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected period of satisfaction	3 years

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION - Add

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense		$ (0.1)	$ 10.1
RSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Shares issued		746,612
Additional shares vested		278,402
Fair value of RSUs granted		$ 2.5	14.2
Fair value of RSUs vested		1.1	5.3
Unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested RSUs		$ 0.6
Weighted average period of unrecognized compensation cost to recognize		1 year 18 days
Vested and not yet settled (in shares)		100,000
RSUs | Senior Management
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Shares issued	500,000
RSUs | Senior Management | April 12, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Awards vesting percentage	50.00%
Additional shares vested		27,229
RSUs | Senior Management | September 29, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Additional shares vested	200,000
RSUs | Senior Management | January 29, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Awards vesting percentage	50.00%
Additional shares vested		85,074
Forfeiture of Unvested RSUs | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense		$ 3.8
Acceleration of Vesting of Certain RSUs | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense			$ 5.7
Long Term Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized (in shares)		2,800,000
Number of shares available for grant		2,000,000

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION - Sch

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION - Schedule of RSUs Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019$ / sharesshares
Number of shares
Nonvested at beginning of period (in shares) | shares	258,917
Granted (in shares) | shares	746,612
Vested (in shares) | shares	(278,402)
Forfeited (in share) | shares	(614,824)
Nonvested at end of period (in shares) | shares	112,303
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 26.60
Granted (usd per share) | $ / shares	3.39
Vested (usd per share) | $ / shares	3.39
Nonvested at end of period (usd per share) | $ / shares	11.86
Forfeited (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 11.62

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS (Detail

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
401(k) Plan | U.S. Operations
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer matching contributions	$ 0	$ 0
Expenses related to benefit plans	0	0
Retirement Registered Saving Plan | Canadian Operations
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer matching contributions	0	0
Expenses related to benefit plans	$ 0	$ 0

LEASES - Additional Information

LEASES - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating leases weighted average remaining lease terms	3 years 10 months 24 days
Finance leases weighted average remaining lease terms	4 months 24 days
Operating leases weighted average discount rate	13.00%
Finance leases weighted average discount rate	13.00%
Minimum
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Leases remaining lease terms	1 year
Lessee, Operating Lease, Existence of Option to Extend	true
Lessee, Operating Lease, Existence of Option to Terminate	true
Lessee, Finance Lease, Existence of Option to Extend	true
Lessee, Finance Lease, Existence of Option to Terminate	true
Maximum
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Leases remaining lease terms	7 years
Leases, option to extend lease term	3 years

LEASES - Schedule of Operating

LEASES - Schedule of Operating and Finance Leases Presented on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Assets:
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 6,421	$ 0
Finance lease assets	$ 324
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Total lease assets	$ 6,745
Current:
Operating lease liabilities	2,576	$ 0
Finance lease liabilities	$ 350
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	saex:LongTermDebtAndFinanceLeasesCurrent
Long-term - Operating lease liabilities	$ 3,980
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	saex:LongTermDebtAndFinanceLeasesNoncurrent
Total lease liabilities	$ 6,906

LEASES - Schedule of Components

LEASES - Schedule of Components of Lease Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease expense	$ 5,255
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	885
Interest on lease liabilities	109
Total finance lease expense	994
Total lease expense	$ 6,249

LEASES - Schedule of Supplement

LEASES - Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flows Information Related to Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 4,546
Operating cash flows from finance leases	109
Financing cash flows from finance leases	884
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$ 375

LEASES - Schedule of Maturities

LEASES - Schedule of Maturities of Liabilities Related to Operating Leases and Finance Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Operating Leases, 2020	$ 3,589
Operating Leases, 2021	1,287
Operating Leases, 2022	953
Operating Leases, 2023	749
Operating Leases, 2024	296
Operating Leases, Thereafter	206
Total operating leases minimum payments	7,080
Less: interest	524
Present value of lease liabilities	6,556
Less current lease liabilities operating leases	2,576	$ 0
Long-term lease liabilities operating leases	3,980
Financing Leases, 2020	361
Total finance leases minimum lease payments	361
Less: interest	11
Present value of lease liabilities	350
Less current lease liabilities of finance leases	$ 350

INCOME TAXES - Provision for In

INCOME TAXES - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current:
U.S.	$ 168	$ (145)
Foreign	5,872	(190)
Total current	6,040	(335)
Deferred:
U.S.	145	145
Foreign	2,002	70
Total deferred	2,147	215
Provision for income taxes	$ 8,187	$ (120)

INCOME TAXES - Schedule of Geog

INCOME TAXES - Schedule of Geographical Sources of Loss Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax [Line Items]
Loss before income taxes	$ (14,426)	$ (59,680)
U.S.
Income Tax [Line Items]
Loss before income taxes	(23,623)	(44,265)
Foreign
Income Tax [Line Items]
Loss before income taxes	$ 9,197	$ (15,415)

INCOME TAXES - Summary of Provi

INCOME TAXES - Summary of Provision for Income Taxes Differs from U.S. Statutory Income Tax Rate to Loss Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Taxes at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	$ (3,029)	$ (12,533)
Nondeductible expenses	508	3,880
Change in valuation allowance	7,111	14,595
Effect of foreign operations	4,413	890
State tax, net of federal benefit	247	(3,174)
Other	(1,063)	(3,778)
Provision for income taxes	$ 8,187	$ (120)

INCOME TAXES - Schedule of Tax

INCOME TAXES - Schedule of Tax Effects of Temporary Differences and Net Operating Losses ("NOL") (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 37,860	$ 36,150
Other accrued expenses	4,248	2,833
Outside basis difference in ASV	13,891	13,367
Tax credit carryforwards	1,714	1,859
Original issue discount	1,806
Other	4,562	3,504
Total deferred tax asset	64,081	57,713
Valuation allowance	(59,011)	(51,850)
Total deferred tax asset, net	5,070	5,863
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(299)	(2,193)
Intangible assets	(1,041)	(1,116)
Deferred revenue	(3,730)	(394)
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ (5,070)	(3,703)
Net deferred tax asset		$ 2,160

INCOME TAXES - Additional Infor

INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)Country	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Foreign tax credits carryforwards	$ 1,500,000
Foreign tax credit carryforwards beginning expiration period	2022
Other tax credits carryforwards	$ 200,000
Tax credit carryforwards expiration period	2038
Deferred tax assets valuation allowances	$ 59,011,000	$ 51,850,000
Deferred taxes provided for earnings of foreign subsidiaries	0
Unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions	335,000	$ 169,000	$ 192,000
Change in unrecognizsd tax benefits	$ 0
Number of countries involved in business operations | Country	12
U.S.
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 100,100,000
Operating loss carryforwards beginning expiration period	2034

INCOME TAXES - Unrecognized Tax

INCOME TAXES - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 169	$ 192
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years	166
Additions for tax positions taken in prior years		(23)
Balance at end of year	$ 335	$ 169

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - Additio

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - Additional Information (Details)	Dec. 31, 2019$ / shares
Series C Warrants
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Warrants exercisable, nominal consideration price per share	$ 0.0001
Series D Warrant
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Warrants exercisable, nominal consideration price per share	0.0001
Series E Warrants
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Warrants exercisable, nominal consideration price per share	0.0001
Series F Warrants
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Warrants exercisable, nominal consideration price per share	$ 0.0001

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - Computa

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share Diluted [Line Items]
Net loss attributable to SAExploration	$ (25,186)	$ (60,465)
Net loss available to common stockholders	$ (25,186)	$ (113,465)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	7,951	3,448
Loss per share available to common stockholders (basic and diluted)	$ (3.17)	$ (32.91)
Potentially anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted loss available to common stockholders	10,997	10,709
Series A and B Preferred Stocks
Earnings Per Share Diluted [Line Items]
Amortization of discount on Series A and Series B preferred stock		$ (72,762)
Series A Preferred Stock
Earnings Per Share Diluted [Line Items]
Accretion of Series A preferred stock to redemption value		21,376
Dividends		$ (1,614)

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR_2

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) - Level 3 - 2023 Notes and Senior Notes - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Estimated Fair Value
Fair Value Net Derivative Asset Liability Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair value of long-term debt	$ 42	$ 50.7
Carrying Value
Fair Value Net Derivative Asset Liability Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 46.7	$ 51

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATIO_2

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5,441	$ 7,579
Restricted cash	74	271
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 5,515	$ 7,850	$ 3,734

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATIO_3

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - Total Accounts Receivable, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Trade receivables	$ 50,447	$ 23,330
Other receivables	3,199	3,681
Total accounts receivable	53,646	27,011
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(2,064)	(548)	$ (12)
Total accounts receivable, net	$ 51,582	$ 26,463

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATIO_4

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 548	$ 12
Provisions for doubtful accounts	1,722	536
Cumulative translation adjustment	(206)
Balance at end of year	$ 2,064	$ 548

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATIO_5

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Accrued payroll liabilities	$ 2,385	$ 3,622
Accrued interest	181	306
Other accrued liabilities	3,468	6,570
Total accrued liabilities	$ 6,034	$ 10,498

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATIO_6

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - Supplemental Cash Flows Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest	$ 10,914	$ 9,412
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 388	$ 2,487

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATIO_7

OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - Noncash Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Costs for additions to property and equipment acquired in a note payable	$ 9,974
Costs for additions to property and equipment acquired in a capital lease		$ 1,504
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment in accounts receivable	1,015
Accrual for stock issued for services	$ 478

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Det

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details)	Mar. 15, 2020holder	Jan. 31, 2020USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Misappropriation of funds			$ 328,000	$ 1,080,000
Credit Facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Senior loan facility principal amount			$ 35,000,000	12,334,000
Series F Warrants | Warrant Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of warrants issued (in shares) | shares			7,159
Number of warrants issuable upon shareholder approval | shares			19,682
6% Convertible Notes Due 2023
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Senior loan facility principal amount			$ 60,000,000	60,000,000
Senior Loan Facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Senior loan facility principal amount			29,000,000	29,000,000
Subsequent Event
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of Indebtedness holders | holder	3
Subsequent Event | Credit Facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of indebtedness outstanding	90.00%
Collectively owned percentage of common shares	18.00%
Subsequent Event | Series F Warrants | Warrant Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of warrants issued (in shares) | shares		7,166
Subsequent Event | 6% Convertible Notes Due 2023
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of indebtedness outstanding	90.00%
Collectively owned percentage of common shares	76.00%
Subsequent Event | Senior Loan Facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of indebtedness outstanding	72.00%
Collectively owned percentage of common shares	61.00%
SSI | Former Chief Executive Officer | 6% Convertible Notes Due 2023
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Convertible notes principal amount			500,000
SSI | Former Chief Executive Officer | Senior Loan Facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Senior loan facility principal amount			1,000,000
Fairweather Science LLC | Former Chief Executive Officer | Specialized Environmental Support Services | Alaska
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payment to related parties			100,000	100,000
RVI | Former Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel | Legal and Professional Services
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Misappropriation of funds			300,000	1,100,000
Woodstone | Leasehold Improvements
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction expense			100,000	100,000
Inupiate Resources LLC | Member of Operations Management Team | Contract Labor
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction expense			300,000	100,000
Inupiate Resources LLC | Member of Operations Management Team | Expenses Associated With Leased Equipment
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction expense			300,000	0
Inupiate Resources LLC | Subsequent Event | Member of Operations Management Team
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, purchases of property equipment		$ 100,000
Summit Air Resources | Salvage Services | Member of Operations Management Team
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction expense			$ 31,000	$ 34,000

GEOGRAPHIC AND RELATED INFORM_3

GEOGRAPHIC AND RELATED INFORMATION - Revenues and Identifiable Assets by Geographic Areas (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	$ 255,234	$ 98,670
Identifiable Assets	64,828	59,285
United States
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	112,151	49,723
Identifiable Assets	57,884	54,551
Canada
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	13,594	20,810
Identifiable Assets	4,409	3,888
Mexico
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	572	793
Identifiable Assets	1
North America
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	126,317	71,326
Identifiable Assets	62,294	58,439
Brazil
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	18,546
Colombia
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	3,441	22,443
Identifiable Assets		185
Other
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	1,730	88
Identifiable Assets	5	62
South America
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	23,717	22,531
Identifiable Assets	5	247
India
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	85,412
Malaysia
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	12,183
Dubai
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	3,891
Other
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	3,714	4,813
Identifiable Assets	2,529	599
Asia Pacific
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from services	105,200	4,813
Identifiable Assets	$ 2,529	$ 599

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORM_3

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5,441	$ 7,579
Restricted cash	74	271
Accounts receivable, net	51,582	26,463
Deferred costs on contracts	14,966	3,746	$ 1,780
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,324	2,843
Total current assets	77,387	40,902
Property and equipment, net	37,289	35,334
Multiclient seismic data library, net	2,719	4,733	5,829
Operating lease right-of-use assets	6,421	0
Goodwill	1,766	1,687	1,832
Intangible assets, net	3,751	4,066
Tax credits receivable, net	12,104	13,198	19,089
Deferred income taxes	0	2,160
Other assets	778	267
Total assets	142,215	102,347
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	30,966	10,103
Accrued liabilities	6,034	10,498
Income and other taxes payable	5,902	3,331
Operating lease liabilities	2,576	0
Current portion of long-term debt	112,401	7,837
Deferred revenue	8,724	4,357	1,477
Total current liabilities	166,603	36,126
Long-term debt	7,145	83,205
Other long-term liabilities	4,280	380
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	240,068	232,661
Accumulated deficit	(274,535)	(249,349)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,912)	(3,035)
Treasury stock, at cost	(2,232)	(1,866)
SAExploration stockholders’ deficit	(39,611)	(21,589)
Noncontrolling interest	3,798	4,225
Total stockholders’ deficit	(35,813)	(17,364)	$ (56,061)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	142,215	102,347
SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	13	28
Accounts receivable, net	145	144
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	967	63
Total current assets	1,125	235
Investment in subsidiaries	(95,097)	(79,848)
Intercompany receivables	179,870	183,675
Total assets	85,898	104,062
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,210	289
Accrued liabilities	285	906
Income and other taxes payable	63	210
Current portion of long-term debt	74,427	6,953
Total current liabilities	78,985	8,358
Long-term debt		70,646
Other long-term liabilities	300	300
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	240,068	232,661
Accumulated deficit	(231,223)	(206,037)
Treasury stock, at cost	(2,232)	(1,866)
SAExploration stockholders’ deficit	6,613	24,758
Total stockholders’ deficit	6,613	24,758
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	85,898	104,062
The Guarantors
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	3,565	5,285
Accounts receivable, net	21,823	20,487
Deferred costs on contracts	5,107	3,520
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,458	2,395
Total current assets	31,953	31,687
Property and equipment, net	36,058	32,889
Multiclient seismic data library, net	2,719	4,733
Operating lease right-of-use assets	3,490
Investment in subsidiaries	40,366	41,986
Intangible assets, net	3,298	3,541
Tax credits receivable, net	12,104	13,198
Deferred income taxes		2,023
Other assets	239	239
Total assets	130,227	130,296
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	9,002	7,205
Accrued liabilities	4,314	8,484
Income and other taxes payable	2,321	2,739
Operating lease liabilities	2,031
Current portion of long-term debt	37,974	884
Deferred revenue	6,890	4,357
Total current liabilities	62,532	23,669
Intercompany payables	116,333	135,691
Long-term debt	7,145	12,559
Other long-term liabilities	1,474
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	46,973	46,974
Accumulated deficit	(103,930)	(88,681)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(4,098)	(4,141)
SAExploration stockholders’ deficit	(61,055)	(45,848)
Noncontrolling interest	3,798	4,225
Total stockholders’ deficit	(57,257)	(41,623)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	130,227	130,296
Other Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,863	2,266
Restricted cash	74	271
Accounts receivable, net	29,614	5,832
Deferred costs on contracts	9,859	226
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,899	385
Total current assets	44,309	8,980
Property and equipment, net	1,231	2,445
Operating lease right-of-use assets	2,931
Investment in subsidiaries	7,499	7,499
Goodwill	1,766	1,687
Intangible assets, net	453	525
Deferred income taxes		137
Other assets	539	28
Total assets	58,728	21,301
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	17,754	2,609
Accrued liabilities	1,435	1,108
Income and other taxes payable	3,518	382
Operating lease liabilities	545
Deferred revenue	1,834
Total current liabilities	25,086	4,099
Intercompany payables	63,537	47,985
Other long-term liabilities	2,506	80
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Common stock	168	168
Additional paid-in capital	19,038	18,996
Accumulated deficit	(52,793)	(51,133)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	1,186	1,106
SAExploration stockholders’ deficit	(32,401)	(30,863)
Total stockholders’ deficit	(32,401)	(30,863)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	58,728	21,301
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Investment in subsidiaries	47,232	30,363
Intercompany receivables	(179,870)	(183,675)
Total assets	(132,638)	(153,312)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payables	(179,870)	(183,676)
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Common stock	(168)	(168)
Additional paid-in capital	(66,011)	(65,970)
Accumulated deficit	113,411	96,502
SAExploration stockholders’ deficit	47,232	30,364
Total stockholders’ deficit	47,232	30,364
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$ (132,638)	$ (153,312)

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORM_4

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION - Condensed Consolidated Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Condensed Income Statements Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from services	$ 255,234	$ 98,670
Type of Revenue [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Cost of services	$ 197,651	$ 87,601
Type of Cost, Good or Service [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Depreciation and amortization	$ 13,028	$ 12,207
Gross profit (loss)	44,555	(1,138)
Total operating expenses	39,844	42,593
Operating income (loss)	4,711	(43,731)
Other income (expense), net	(19,137)	(15,949)
Loss before income taxes	(14,426)	(59,680)
Income taxes	8,187	(120)
Loss before equity in loss of affiliates	(22,613)	(59,560)
Net loss	(22,613)	(59,560)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,573	905
Net loss attributable to SAExploration	(25,186)	(60,465)
Comprehensive loss	(22,490)	(57,513)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,573	905
Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration	$ (25,063)	$ (58,418)
SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Income Statements Captions [Line Items]
Type of Revenue [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Type of Cost, Good or Service [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Total operating expenses	$ 13,748	$ 14,214
Operating income (loss)	(13,748)	(14,214)
Other income (expense), net	3,811	53
Loss before income taxes	(9,937)	(14,161)
Income taxes		24
Loss before equity in loss of affiliates	(9,937)	(14,185)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(15,249)	(46,280)
Net loss	(25,186)	(60,465)
Net loss attributable to SAExploration	(25,186)	(60,465)
Comprehensive loss	(25,186)	(60,465)
Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration	(25,186)	(60,465)
The Guarantors
Condensed Income Statements Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from services	$ 216,169	$ 74,943
Type of Revenue [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Cost of services	$ 168,536	$ 67,342
Type of Cost, Good or Service [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Depreciation and amortization	$ 12,079	$ 9,669
Gross profit (loss)	35,554	(2,068)
Total operating expenses	18,838	22,089
Operating income (loss)	16,716	(24,157)
Other income (expense), net	(20,715)	(11,627)
Loss before income taxes	(3,999)	(35,784)
Income taxes	7,017	(534)
Loss before equity in loss of affiliates	(11,016)	(35,250)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(1,660)	(10,125)
Net loss	(12,676)	(45,375)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,573	905
Net loss attributable to SAExploration	(15,249)	(46,280)
Comprehensive loss	(12,633)	(45,437)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,573	905
Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration	(15,206)	(46,342)
Other Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from services	$ 39,065	$ 23,727
Type of Revenue [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Cost of services	$ 29,115	$ 20,259
Type of Cost, Good or Service [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Depreciation and amortization	$ 949	$ 2,538
Gross profit (loss)	9,001	930
Total operating expenses	7,258	6,290
Operating income (loss)	1,743	(5,360)
Other income (expense), net	(2,233)	(4,375)
Loss before income taxes	(490)	(9,735)
Income taxes	1,170	390
Loss before equity in loss of affiliates	(1,660)	(10,125)
Net loss	(1,660)	(10,125)
Net loss attributable to SAExploration	(1,660)	(10,125)
Comprehensive loss	(1,580)	(8,016)
Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration	$ (1,580)	$ (8,016)
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Income Statements Captions [Line Items]
Type of Revenue [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Type of Cost, Good or Service [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Equity in loss of affiliates	$ 16,909	$ 56,405
Net loss	16,909	56,405
Net loss attributable to SAExploration	16,909	56,405
Comprehensive loss	16,909	56,405
Comprehensive loss attributable to SAExploration	$ 16,909	$ 56,405

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORM_5

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ (14,880)	$ (30,143)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Asset purchase	0	(21,749)
Purchase of property and equipment	(3,826)	(1,262)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	5,032	830
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,206	(22,181)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments	(7,836)	(59,207)
Long-term debt borrowings	22,666	123,411
Debt issuance costs	(212)	(2,715)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	100	0
Stock issuance costs	0	(1,712)
Purchase of treasury stock	(366)	(1,753)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(3,000)	(1,250)
Net cash provided by financing activities	11,352	56,774
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(13)	(334)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(2,335)	4,116
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year	7,850	3,734
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year	5,515	7,850
SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(3,497)	(3,315)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments	(6,953)	(2,860)
Long-term debt borrowings		60,000
Debt issuance costs		(1,167)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	100
Stock issuance costs		(1,712)
Purchase of treasury stock	(366)	(1,753)
Intercompany lending	10,701	(49,173)
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,482	3,335
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(15)	20
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year	28	8
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year	13	28
The Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	7,614	(21,874)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Asset purchase		(21,749)
Purchase of property and equipment	(3,714)	(1,114)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	2,137	280
Investment in affiliate	(40)	(222)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,617)	(22,805)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments	(883)	(56,347)
Long-term debt borrowings	22,666	63,411
Debt issuance costs	(212)	(1,548)
Intercompany lending	(26,283)	43,179
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(3,000)	(1,250)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(7,712)	47,445
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(5)	(321)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1,720)	2,445
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year	5,285	2,840
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year	3,565	5,285
Other Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(18,997)	(4,954)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(112)	(148)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	2,895	550
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	2,783	402
Cash flows from financing activities:
Intercompany lending	15,582	5,994
Contribution from affiliate	40	222
Net cash provided by financing activities	15,622	6,216
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(8)	(13)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(600)	1,651
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of year	2,537	886
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of year	1,937	2,537
Consolidating Adjustments
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in affiliate	40	222
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	40	222
Cash flows from financing activities:
Contribution from affiliate	(40)	(222)
Net cash provided by financing activities	$ (40)	$ (222)

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED) -

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED) - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Tax credits receivable net of allowance		$ 53,000,000	$ 53,000,000
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of assets	$ 500,000
License fees	15,000,000
Tax credits receivable, net	2,700,000
Tax credits receivable net of allowance	27,700,000
Subsequent Event | Sellers’ Agreement
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of assets	14,500,000
Subsequent Event | Sellers’ Agreement | Maximum
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Earnout payment receivable	$ 5,000,000