Dawson Geophysical (DWSN) 10-K 16 Mar 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 11, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL CO
Entity Central Index Key	799,165
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 94,238,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,629,310
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 37,009,000	$ 22,753,000
Short-term investments	21,000,000	27,000,000
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $250,000 at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014	35,700,000	39,995,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	6,150,000	2,420,000
Total current assets	99,859,000	92,168,000
Property, plant and equipment	345,619,000	337,922,000
Less accumulated depreciation	(198,052,000)	(173,428,000)
Net property, plant and equipment	147,567,000	164,494,000
Intangibles	361,000
Total assets	247,787,000	256,662,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,401,000	10,720,000
Accrued liabilities:
Payroll costs and other taxes	1,074,000	1,998,000
Other	4,604,000	4,097,000
Deferred revenue	6,146,000	801,000
Current maturities of notes payable and obligations under capital leases	8,585,000	6,752,000
Total current liabilities	28,810,000	24,368,000
Long-term liabilities:
Notes payable and obligations under capital leases less current maturities	2,106,000	4,933,000
Deferred tax liability, net	5,319,000	27,831,000
Other accrued liabilities	1,834,000
Total long-term liabilities	$ 9,259,000	$ 32,764,000
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock-par value $1.00 per share; 4,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
Common stock-par value $0.01 per share: 35,000,000 shares authorized, 21,629,310 and 14,194,810 shares issued, and 21,580,865 and 14,194,810 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively	$ 216,000	$ 142,000
Additional paid-in capital	142,269,000	98,632,000
Retained earnings	$ 69,057,000	$ 100,973,000
Treasury stock, at cost; 48,445 shares at December 31, 2015 and none at September 30, 2014
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	$ (1,824,000)	$ (217,000)
Total stockholders' equity	209,718,000	199,530,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 247,787,000	$ 256,662,000

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	4,000,000	4,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	35,000,000	35,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	21,629,310	14,194,810
Common stock, shares outstanding	21,580,865	14,194,810
Treasury stock, shares	48,445	0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
Operating revenues	$ 50,802,000	$ 234,685,000	$ 261,683,000	$ 305,299,000
Operating costs:
Operating expenses	42,957,000	205,566,000	223,336,000	234,660,000
General and administrative	5,093,000	22,729,000	16,083,000	13,364,000
Depreciation and amortization	9,736,000	47,072,000	40,168,000	37,095,000
Operating expenses, total	57,786,000	275,367,000	279,587,000	285,119,000
(Loss) income from operations	(6,984,000)	(40,682,000)	(17,904,000)	20,180,000
Other income (expense):
Interest income	20,000	159,000	73,000	63,000
Interest expense	(93,000)	(609,000)	(535,000)	(660,000)
Other income (expense)	154,000	1,098,000	466,000	(13,000)
(Loss) income before income tax	(6,903,000)	(40,034,000)	(17,900,000)	19,570,000
Income tax benefit (expense):
Current	(39,000)	(291,000)	(787,000)	(817,000)
Deferred	1,951,000	14,046,000	6,067,000	(8,273,000)
Income tax benefit (expense)	1,912,000	13,755,000	5,280,000	(9,090,000)
Net (loss) income	(4,991,000)	(26,279,000)	(12,620,000)	10,480,000
Other comprehensive loss:
Net unrealized loss on foreign exchange rate translation, net of tax	(127,000)	(1,480,000)	(217,000)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ (5,118,000)	$ (27,759,000)	$ (12,837,000)	$ 10,480,000
Basic (loss) income per share attributable to common stock	$ (0.36)	$ (1.27)	$ (0.90)	$ 0.75
Diluted (loss) income per share attributable to common stock	(0.36)	$ (1.27)	(0.90)	$ 0.74
Cash dividend declared per share of common stock	$ 0.05		$ 0.14
Weighted average equivalent common shares outstanding	14,019,813	20,688,185	14,008,635	13,868,120
Weighted average equivalent common shares outstanding-assuming dilution	14,019,813	20,688,185	14,008,635	13,939,841

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($)	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total
Balance at beginning of period at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 141,000	$ 95,760,000	$ 105,048,000		$ 200,949,000
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012	14,135,209
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net (loss) income			10,480,000		10,480,000
Stock-based compensation expense		1,394,000			1,394,000
Shares exchanged for taxes on stock-based compensation		(774,000)			(774,000)
Shares exchanged for taxes on stock-based compensation (in shares)	(35,481)
Issuance of common stock as compensation		403,000			403,000
Issuance of common stock as compensation (in shares)	25,492
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards	(1,584)
Exercise of stock options	$ 1,000	607,000			608,000
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	56,584
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 142,000	97,390,000	115,528,000		213,060,000
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	14,180,220
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net (loss) income			(12,620,000)		(12,620,000)
Unrealized loss on foreign exchange rate translation				$ (345,000)
Income tax benefit				128,000
Other comprehensive loss				(217,000)	(217,000)
Stock-based compensation expense		1,054,000			1,054,000
Shares exchanged for taxes on stock-based compensation		(14,000)			(14,000)
Shares exchanged for taxes on stock-based compensation (in shares)	(836)
Issuance of common stock as compensation		171,000			171,000
Issuance of common stock as compensation (in shares)	9,706
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans including tax effect		(1,000)			(1,000)
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans including tax effect (in shares)	2,640
Exercise of stock options		32,000			32,000
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	3,080
Dividends paid			(1,935,000)		(1,935,000)
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 142,000	98,632,000	100,973,000	(217,000)	$ 199,530,000
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	14,194,810				14,194,810
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net (loss) income			(4,991,000)		$ (4,991,000)
Unrealized loss on foreign exchange rate translation				(203,000)
Income tax benefit				76,000
Other comprehensive loss				(127,000)	(127,000)
Stock-based compensation expense		287,000			287,000
Issuance of common stock as compensation		165,000			165,000
Issuance of common stock as compensation (in shares)	21,730
Dividends paid			(646,000)		(646,000)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 142,000	99,084,000	95,336,000	(344,000)	194,218,000
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	14,216,540
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net (loss) income			(26,279,000)		(26,279,000)
Unrealized loss on foreign exchange rate translation				(2,106,000)
Income tax benefit				626,000
Other comprehensive loss				(1,480,000)	(1,480,000)
Stock-based compensation expense		890,000			890,000
Shares exchanged for taxes on stock-based compensation		(333,000)			(333,000)
Shares exchanged for taxes on stock-based compensation (in shares)	(41,855)
Stock consideration issued in merger	$ 74,000	42,828,000			42,902,000
Stock consideration issued in merger (in shares)	7,381,476
Issuance of common stock as compensation		266,000			266,000
Issuance of common stock as compensation (in shares)	58,937
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans including tax effect		85,000			85,000
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans including tax effect (in shares)	14,212
Tax deficit recorded to hypothetical apic pool		(551,000)			(551,000)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 216,000	$ 142,269,000	$ 69,057,000	$ (1,824,000)	$ 209,718,000
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	21,629,310				21,580,865

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income	$ (4,991,000)	$ (26,279,000)	$ (12,620,000)	$ 10,480,000
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	9,736,000	47,072,000	40,168,000	37,095,000
Noncash compensation	452,000	1,156,000	1,225,000	1,797,000
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(1,951,000)	(14,046,000)	(6,067,000)	8,273,000
Change in other long-term liabilities		1,834,000
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets		408,000	(108,000)	657,000
Other	(614,000)	(81,000)	51,000	(712,000)
Change in current assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	2,862,000	15,883,000	(2,507,000)	16,168,000
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets	(3,283,000)	1,752,000	(1,683,000)	25,000
Decrease in accounts payable	(4,923,000)	(3,128,000)	(3,467,000)	(2,952,000)
(Decrease) increase in accrued liabilities	78,000	(4,579,000)	(1,909,000)	(223,000)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	951,000	620,000	(2,637,000)	(29,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,683,000)	20,612,000	10,446,000	70,579,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash acquired from merger		12,382,000
Capital expenditures, net of noncash capital expenditures summarized below	(2,555,000)	(6,846,000)	(35,281,000)	(48,485,000)
Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments	7,750,000	34,500,000	29,250,000	10,750,000
Acquisition of short-term investments	(9,500,000)	(26,750,000)	(32,750,000)	(30,250,000)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	631,000	1,501,000	2,686,000	481,000
Partial proceeds on flood insurance claim		1,000,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(3,674,000)	15,787,000	(36,095,000)	(67,504,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from promissory note		5,144,000
Proceeds from notes payable			10,000,000	983,000
Principal payments on notes payable	(1,783,000)	(16,348,000)	(10,823,000)	(8,898,000)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(288,000)	(1,535,000)	(932,000)	(736,000)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangement		(551,000)
Tax withholdings related to stock based compensation awards		(316,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			32,000	608,000
Dividends paid	(646,000)		(1,935,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,717,000)	(13,606,000)	(3,658,000)	(8,043,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents	(35,000)	(428,000)	(345,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(8,109,000)	22,365,000	(29,652,000)	(4,968,000)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	22,753,000	14,644,000	52,405,000	57,373,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	14,644,000	37,009,000	22,753,000	52,405,000
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	93,000	620,000	537,000	688,000
Cash paid for income taxes		752,000	735,000	1,665,000
Cash received for income taxes	18,000	692,000	3,000	42,000
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
(Decrease) increase in accrued purchases of property and equipment	52,000	(52,000)	(1,693,000)	288,000
Capital lease obligations incurred	$ 651,000	126,000	$ 485,000	$ 1,296,000
Stock consideration to consummate the merger		42,902,000
Financed insurance premiums		$ 1,046,000

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Nature of Operations The Company is a leading provider of onshore seismic data acquisition and processing services. Founded in 1952, the Company acquires and processes 2-D, 3-D and multi-component seismic data for its clients, ranging from major oil and gas companies to independent oil and gas operators as well as providers of multi-client data libraries. The Company operates in the lower 48 states of the United States and in Canada. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Dawson Operating LLC, Eagle Canada, Inc., Dawson Seismic Services Holdings, Inc., Eagle Canada Seismic Services ULC, Tidelands Geophysical Co., Inc. and Exploration Surveys, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Cash Equivalents For purposes of the financial statements, the Company considers demand deposits, certificates of deposit, overnight investments, money market funds and all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Management prepares its allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on its review of past-due accounts, its past experience of historical write-offs and its current client base. While the collectability of outstanding client invoices is continually assessed, the inherent volatility of the energy industry's business cycle can cause swift and unpredictable changes in the financial stability of the Company's clients. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is capitalized at historical cost and depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Management's estimation of this useful life is based on circumstances that exist in the seismic industry and information available at the time of the purchase of the asset. As circumstances change and new information becomes available, these estimates could change. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the results of operations for the period. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when triggering events occur suggesting deterioration in the assets' recoverability or fair value. Recognition of an impairment charge is required if future expected undiscounted net cash flows are insufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets and the fair value of the assets is below the carrying value of the assets. Management's forecast of future cash flows used to perform impairment analysis includes estimates of future revenues and expenses based on the Company's anticipated future results while considering anticipated future oil and natural gas prices which is fundamental in assessing demand for the Company's services. If the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of possible impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to the fair value. If there were to be a fifteen percent or more decline in projected cash flows the Company would be required to do further impairment analysis to determine if fair value is less than the carrying amount of the assets at that time. No impairment charges were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2015, the three months ended December 31, 2014, and the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Leases The Company leases certain equipment and vehicles under lease agreements. The Company evaluates each lease to determine its appropriate classification as an operating or capital lease for financial reporting purposes. Any lease that does not meet the criteria for a capital lease is accounted for as an operating lease. The assets and liabilities under capital leases are recorded at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair market value of the related assets. Assets under capital leases are amortized using the straight-line method over the initial lease term. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation expense. Intangibles Trademarks/tradenames resulting from a business combination are not subject to amortization. The Company tests for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. No impairment charges were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2015. Revenue Recognition Services are provided under cancelable service contracts. These contracts are either "turnkey" or "term" agreements. Under both types of agreements, the Company recognizes revenues when revenue is realizable and services have been performed. Services are defined as the commencement of data acquisition or processing operations. Revenues are considered realizable when earned according to the terms of the service contracts. Under turnkey agreements, revenue is recognized on a per unit of data acquired rate as services are performed. Under term agreements, revenue is recognized on a per unit of time worked rate as services are performed. In the case of a cancelled service contract, revenue is recognized and the client is billed for services performed up to the date of cancellation. The Company receives reimbursements for certain out-of-pocket expenses under the terms of the service contracts. Amounts billed to clients are recorded in revenue at the gross amount including out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by the client. In some instances, clients are billed in advance of services performed. In those cases, the Company recognizes the liability as deferred revenue. As services are performed, those deferred revenue amounts are recognized as revenue. In some instances, the contract contains certain permitting, surveying and drilling costs that are incorporated into the per unit of data acquired rate. In these circumstances, these set-up costs that occur prior to initiating revenue recognition are capitalized and amortized as data is acquired. Stock-Based Compensation The Company measures all stock-based compensation awards, which include stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and common stock awards, using the fair value method and recognizes compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, in its financial statements. The Company records compensation expense as operating or general and administrative expense as appropriate in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the related stock options, restricted stock awards or restricted stock unit awards. Foreign Currency Translation The U.S. Dollar is the reporting currency for all periods presented. The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is generally the local currency. All assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the period. Equity transactions are translated using historical exchange rates. Adjustments resulting from translation are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income in the consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) are included in the consolidated statements of operations as other income (expense). Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes by recognizing amounts of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and by using an asset and liability approach in recognizing the amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns. Management determines deferred taxes by identifying the types and amounts of existing temporary differences, measuring the total deferred tax asset or liability using the applicable tax rate in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates of deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the year of an enacted rate change. The deferred tax asset is reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management's methodology for recording income taxes requires judgment regarding assumptions and the use of estimates, including determining the annual effective tax rate and the valuation of deferred tax assets, which can create variances between actual results and estimates and could have a material impact on the Company's provision or benefit for income taxes. The Company's effective tax rates differ from the statutory federal rate of 35% for certain items such as state and local taxes, valuations allowances, non-deductible expenses, discrete items and expenses related to share-based compensation that are not expected to result in a tax deduction. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements Preparation of the accompanying financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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. Because of the use of assumptions and estimates inherent in the reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the three months ended December 31, 2014 and the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2015 presentation. Current deferred income tax assets have been reclassified and presented as a reduction to deferred income tax liabilities, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the year ended September 30, 2014.

Short-Term Investments

Short-Term Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Short-Term Investments
Short-Term Investments	2. Short-Term Investments The Company had short-term investments at December 31, 2015 and September 2014 consisting of certificates of deposit with original maturities greater than three months, but less than a year. Certificates of deposits with any given banking institution do not exceed the FDIC insurance limit at December 31, 2015 or September 30, 2014.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments At December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the Company's financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments in certificates of deposit, trade and other receivables, other current assets, accounts payable, other current liabilities and term notes (defined below). Due to the short-term maturities of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, other current assets, accounts payables and other current liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value at the respective balance sheet dates. The carrying value of the term notes approximate their fair value based on a comparison with the prevailing market interest rate. Due to the short-term maturities of the Company's investments in certificates of deposit, the carrying amounts approximate fair value at the respective balance sheet dates. The fair values of the Company's term notes and investments in certificates of deposit are level 2 measurements in the fair value hierarchy.

Merger

Merger	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Merger
Merger	4. Merger On February 11, 2015, the Company completed the Merger. Immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, Legacy TGC effected a reverse stock split with respect to its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, on a one-for-three ratio (the "Reverse Stock Split") to reduce the total number of shares of Legacy TGC Common Stock outstanding. After giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split, at the effective time of the Merger, without any action on the part of any shareholder, each issued and outstanding share of Legacy Dawson's common stock, par value $0.33-1/3 per share (the "Legacy Dawson Common Stock"), including shares underlying Legacy Dawson's outstanding equity awards (but excluding any shares of Legacy Dawson Common Stock owned by Legacy TGC, Merger Sub or Legacy Dawson or any wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy Dawson), were converted into the right to receive 1.760 shares of Legacy TGC Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio"). The Merger was accounted for as a reverse acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC No. 805, "Business Combinations." The Company accounted for the transaction by using Legacy Dawson's historical information and accounting policies and adding the assets and liabilities of Legacy TGC at their respective fair values. Consequently, Legacy Dawson's assets and liabilities retained their carrying values and Legacy TGC's assets acquired and liabilities assumed by Legacy Dawson as the accounting acquirer in the Merger were recorded at their fair values measured as of February 11, 2015, the effective date of the Merger. In the fourth quarter of 2015, management finalized its valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the Merger. As a result, the fair value of acquired property, plant and equipment was ultimately concluded to be $5,05 5 ,000 higher than preliminarily estimated, the fair value of current liabilities assumed was higher by $943,000, the fair value of current assets was lower by $625,000, and the fair value of intangible assets was lower by $2,953,000. Further, the net deferred tax asset as a result of these adjustments was $53 4 ,000 lower. In the fourth quarter of 2015, we recorded a $628,000 increase to depreciation expense and a $697,000 reduction to amortization expense as compared to what we would have recorded had the final valuations of assets acquired and liabilities assumed been recorded as of the acquisition date in February 2015. The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Merger date: Estimated Fair Value (in 000's) Stock consideration $ Interest bearing debt assumed Debt-free current liabilities ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total purchase price consideration including liabilities assumed $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Value of current assets Current assets excluding cash and cash equivalents $ Cash and cash equivalents ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total current assets $ Identified tangible assets Fair value of property, plant and equipment $ Identified intangible assets Trademarks/trade names $ Net deferred tax asset $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total indicated value of assets $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The value of the stock consideration was determined based on the closing price of Legacy TGC on the February 11, 2015 closing date and the 7,381,476 shares outstanding. As a result of the consideration transferred being less than the book value of net assets acquired, the Company was required to analyze the purchase price allocation and the potential reasonableness of reflecting a bargain purchase. Upon completing this analysis, the Company determined that the Merger was not an acquisition of a distressed business or a bargain purchase and accordingly reflected a substantial reduction in the property, plant and equipment to its fair value which was reflected by the value of the consideration transferred. Furthermore, in allocating the remainder of the purchase price to the indicated fair value of the property, plant and equipment, there was not any excess purchase price to be allocated to goodwill. Measurements used to determine fair value were deemed to be level 3 fair value measurements. Trade receivables and payables, as well as other current and non-current assets and liabilities, are recorded at their expected settlement amounts as they approximate the fair value of those items at the time of the Merger, based on management's judgments and estimates. Property, plant and equipment were valued using a combination of the income approach, the market approach and the cost approach which was based on current replacement and/or reproduction cost of the asset as new, less depreciation attributable to physical, functional, and economic factors. Useful lives of the property, plant and equipment were estimated to be between eighteen months and twelve years. Trademarks were valued using the relief from royalty method. Relief from royalty method under the income approach estimates the cost savings that accrue to the Company which would otherwise have to pay royalties or license fees on revenues earned through the use of the asset. Trademarks are considered to have an indefinite life and as a result are not amortizable. Existing long term debt assumed in the Merger was recorded at fair valued based on a current market rate. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date represent the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and their tax bases. At the acquisition date, the Company accrued approximately $865,000 for unrecognized tax benefits and contingencies related to certain tax matters. The Company incurred approximately $3,314,000 in merger-related costs on a pretax basis during the year ended December 31, 2015. T his amount is reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company has integrated the operations of Legacy TGC. Additionally, the Company operates in one segment and has a single company-wide management team that administers all service contracts as a whole rather than by discrete operating segments. The Company tracks only basic operational data by area and does not track results by legacy origin. Therefore, it is impracticable to disclose the amount of revenues and earnings or losses attributable to Legacy TGC during the year ended December 31, 2015. Pro Forma Information The following unaudited pro forma condensed financial information for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 gives effect to the Merger as if it had occurred on January l, 2014. The unaudited pro forma condensed financial information has been included for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results that might have occurred had the transactions taken place on the dates indicated and is not intended to be a projection of future results. The unaudited pro forma financial information reflects certain adjustments related to the acquisition, such as (1) to record certain incremental expenses resulting from purchase accounting adjustments, such as reduced depreciation expense in connection with the fair value adjustments to property, plant and equipment; and (2) to record the related tax effects. Shares used in the calculations of earnings per share in the table below were 21,537,480 for the year ended December 31, 2015, 21,400,593 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 21,367,677 for the year ended September 30, 2014 . Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 Pro forma total revenues $ $ $ Pro forma net loss $ ) $ ) $ ) Pro forma net loss per share Basic $ ) $ ) $ ) Diluted $ ) $ ) $ )

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment	5. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment, together with the related estimated useful lives, were as follows: December 31, September 30, 2015 2014 Useful Lives Land, building and other $ $ 3 to 40 years Recording equipment 5 to 10 years Line clearing equipment 5 years Vibrator energy sources 5 to 15 years Vehicles 1.5 to 10 years ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Less accumulated depreciation ) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net property, plant and equipment $ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Supplemental Consolidated Balan

Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet Information	6. Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet Information Other current liabilities consist of the following at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014: December 31, September 30, 2015 2014 Accrued self-insurance reserves $ $ Income and franchise taxes payable Other accrued expenses and current liabilities ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total other current liabilities $ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt
Debt	7. Debt Legacy Dawson and Legacy TGC each had a credit agreement in effect prior to the Merger (the "Legacy Dawson Credit Agreement" and the "Legacy TGC Credit Agreement," respectively), which continued our obligations following the Merger. On June 30, 2015, we entered into an amendment to the Legacy TGC Credit Agreement with our lender, Sovereign Bank, (as so amended, and as further amended pursuant to the LOC Amendment (as defined below), the "Existing Credit Agreement") for the purpose of renewing, extending and increasing our line of credit under such agreement. In connection with this amendment to the Legacy TGC Credit Agreement, we entered into a new term loan evidenced by a promissory note dated June 30, 2015 in the aggregate principal amount of $5,144,000 (the "New Term Loan") and used the proceeds of the New Term Loan to repay in full and terminate the Legacy Dawson Credit Agreement and its master advance term note agreement in connection therewith (collectively, the "Legacy Dawson Credit Facilities"). Existing Credit Agreement Our Existing Credit Agreement with Sovereign Bank includes a term loan feature and a revolving loan feature, and also allows for the issuance of letters of credit or and other promissory notes. We can borrow up to a maximum of $20.0 million pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement, subject to the terms and limitations discussed below. As of December 31, 2015, we had one outstanding note payable under the term loan feature of the Existing Credit Agreement with a principal amount of $3,429,000. We had two outstanding notes payable under the Existing Credit Agreement that are not under the term loan feature (and therefore do not count towards the maximum amounts that we may borrow) which were incurred to purchase (and are secured by) equipment, representing a remaining aggregate principal amount of $5,225,000 as of December 31, 2015. In addition, the Existing Credit Agreement permits us to borrow, repay and re-borrow, from time to time until June 30, 2017, up to the lesser of $20.0 million or 80% of our eligible accounts receivable less the then-outstanding principal balance of the New Term Loan (the "Existing Line of Credit"). We did not utilize the Existing Line of Credit during 2015, and we have the full Existing Line of Credit available for borrowing. Because our ability to borrow funds under our revolving line of credit is tied to the amount of our eligible accounts receivable, if our accounts receivable decrease materially for any reason, including delays, reductions or cancellations by clients or decreased demand for our services, our ability to borrow to fund operations or other obligations may be limited. On November 25, 2015, we entered into an amendment (the "LOC Amendment") to the Existing Credit Agreement to provide for the issuance of a letter of credit in the principal amount of $1,767,000 in favor of AIG Assurance Company in order to support payment of certain insurance premiums of the Company. The principal amount of this letter of credit counts as funds borrowed under our Existing Line of Credit. Our obligations under the Existing Line of Credit are secured by a security interest in our accounts receivable, and the term notes are secured by certain of our core equipment. Interest on amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement accrues at the lesser of 4.5% or the prime rate (as quoted in the Wall Street Journal), subject to an interest rate floor of 2.5%. The Existing Credit Agreement contains customary covenants for credit facilities of this type, including limitations on disposition of assets, mergers and other fundamental changes. We are also obligated to meet certain financial covenants, including (i) a ratio of (x) total liabilities minus subordinated debt to (y) tangible net worth plus subordinated debt not to exceed 1.00:1.00, (ii) a ratio of current assets to current liabilities of at least 1.50:1.00 and (iii) required tangible net worth of not less than $150,000,000. We were in compliance with all covenants under the Existing Credit Agreement, including specified ratios, as of December 31, 2015. Legacy Dawson Credit Facilities Prior to its repayment and termination, the Legacy Dawson Credit Facilities provided for a revolving line of credit and term loans to be made pursuant to notes. We did not utilize the line of credit available under the Legacy Dawson Credit Facilities prior to the termination of the Legacy Dawson Credit Facilities. Prior to termination of the Legacy Dawson Credit Facilities, we had three outstanding notes payable under the term loan feature of the Legacy Dawson Credit Agreement. All amounts owed under the Legacy Dawson Credit Facilities were repaid on June 30, 2015 using proceeds of the New Term Loan and totaled $5,144,000. Other Indebtedness We had one outstanding note, in the remaining principal amount of $838,000 at December 31, 2015 payable to a finance company for insurance. In addition, the Company leases vehicles and certain specialized seismic equipment under leases classified as capital leases. The Company's balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 includes capital lease obligations of $1,199,000 and $1,321,000, respectively. The following tables set forth the aggregate principal amount outstanding under our outstanding notes payable and the interest rates and monthly payments as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014. Information as of September 30, 2014 does not include indebtedness of Legacy TGC as of such date, due to the accounting treatment of the Merger as a reverse acquisition as described in Note 4. Year Ended December 31, 2015 Year Ended September 30, 2014 Notes payable to commercial banks Aggregate principal amount outstanding $8,654,000 $10,364,000 Interest rates 3.5% - 4.5% 3.2% - 3.8% Year Ended December 31, 2015 Year Ended September 30, 2014 Notes payable to finance company for insurance Aggregate principal amount outstanding $ — Interest rates % — The aggregate maturities of the notes payable at December 31, 2015 are as follows: January 2016 - December 2016 $ January 2017 - December 2017 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The Company leases vehicles and certain specialized seismic equipment under leases classified as capital leases. The aggregate maturities of obligations under capital leases at December 31, 2015 are as follows: January 2016 - December 2016 $ January 2017 - December 2017 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest rat es on these leases ranged from 3.16% to 6.88 %.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation	8. Stock-Based Compensation At December 31, 2015, the Company had two stock-based compensation plans: (i) the Amended and Restated Dawson Geophysical Company 2006 Stock and Performance Incentive Plan (the "Legacy Dawson Plan"), which originated from Legacy Dawson and (ii) the Amended and Restated Dawson Geophysical Company 2006 Stock Awards Plan (formerly known as the TGC Industries, Inc. 2006 Stock Awards Plan) (the "Legacy TGC Plan"), which originated from Legacy TGC. As a result of the Merger, the Company administers both the Legacy Dawson Plan and the Legacy TGC Plan. The awards outstanding and available under these plans and their associated accounting treatment are discussed below. In 2006, Legacy Dawson adopted the Legacy Dawson Plan. The Legacy Dawson Plan, which was amended and restated in connection with the Merger, provides for the issuance of up to 827,647 shares of authorized Company common stock (which represents the adjusted number of shares subject to outstanding awards and available for issuance under new awards immediately following the Merger, and the unadjusted number of shares originally reserved under the Legacy Dawson Plan was 750,000). At the date of the Merger, 466,136 shares were available for issuance (immediately following such Merger) pursuant to new grants under the Legacy Dawson Plan to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company (who were not otherwise officers, directors, employees or consultants of Legacy TGC immediately prior to the Merger). The Legacy Dawson Plan provides for the issuance of stock options, common stock grants, restricted stock grants, restricted stock units and other forms of awards. Stock option grant prices awarded under the Legacy Dawson Plan may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock subject to such option on the grant date, and the term of stock options shall extend no more than ten years after the grant date. The Legacy Dawson Plan terminates November 28, 2016. In 2006, the Company adopted the Legacy TGC Plan. The Legacy TGC Plan, which was amended and restated in connection with the Merger, provides for the issuance of up to 1,000,000 shares of authorized Company common stock. At the date of the Merger, 412,254 shares were available for issuance pursuant to new grants under the Legacy TGC Plan to officers, directors and employees of the Company. The Legacy TGC Plan provides for the issuance of stock options, common stock grants and restricted stock grants. Stock option grant prices awarded under the Legacy TGC Plan may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock subject to such option on the grant date, and the term of stock options shall extend no more than ten years after the grant date. The Legacy TGC Plan terminates March 29, 2016. At the time of the Merger, Legacy TGC had no restricted stock grants outstanding. Impact of Stock-based Compensation: The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense, which is included in operating or general and administrative expense as appropriate in the consolidated statements of operations, for the year ended December 31, 2015, the three months ended December 31, 2014 and years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013: Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 Stock Options $ — $ — $ — $ Restricted Stock Awards Restricted Stock Units Common Stock Awards ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total Compensation Expense $ $ $ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Stock Options: Legacy Dawson estimated the fair value of each stock option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Legacy TGC estimated the fair value of each stock option on the date of grant using the Binomial Lattice Model. No stock options have been awarded during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2015. Actual value realized with stock options, if any, is dependent on the future performance of the Company's common stock and overall stock market conditions. A summary of the Company's employee stock options as of December 31, 2015 as well as activity during the three months ended December 31, 2014, the year ended September 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2015 is presented below. Number of Optioned Shares(1) Weighted Average Exercise Price(1) Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years Balance as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014 $ Forfeited ) $ Oustanding and vested Legacy TGC options $ Options cancelled ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Exercisable as of December 31, 2015 $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (1) Balance of optioned shares and weighted average exercise price converted for the Merger that occurred February 11, 2015. Stock options issued under the Legacy TGC and Legacy Dawson plans are incentive stock options. No tax deduction is recorded when options are awarded. If an exercise and sale of vested options results in a disqualifying disposition, a tax deduction for the Company occurs. Outstanding options at December 31, 2015 expire from November 2016 to July 2019. There was no unrecognized compensation costs related to stock option awards as of December 31, 2015. There were no options granted or vested and there were no excess tax benefits from disqualifying dispositions during the year ended December 31, 2015, the three months ended December 31, 2014 and the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. No options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2015 or the three months ended December 31, 2014 or the year ended September 30, 2013. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended September 30, 2014 was $13,000, respectively. No cash was received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements during the year ended December 31, 2015 and the three months ended December 31, 2014. Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements during the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $32,000 and $608,000, respectively. Restricted Stock Awards: There were no restricted stock grants in year ended December 31, 2015, three months ended December 31, 2014, or years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, 182,160 restricted share awards with a weighted average grant date fair value (based on the market price of the Company's stock on the date of grant) of $13.38 per share were outstanding. As of December 31, 2015, all restricted stock has vested and no awards were outstanding. Restricted Stock Units: The Company granted 10,000, 94,898, 38,555 and 3,520 restricted stock units in the year ended December 31, 2015, the three months ended December 31, 2014 and the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, with a weighted average grant date fair value of $5.76, $6.79, $18.02 and $15.42, respectively. The fair value of restricted stock units equals the market price of the Company's stock on the grant date. A summary of the Company's nonvested restricted stock unit awards as of December 31, 2015 as well as activity during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2015 is presented below. Number of Restricted Share Units(1) Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value(1) Balance as of September 30, 2014 $ Grants Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ Grants Vested ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (1) Balance of restricted share units and weighted average grant date fair value price converted for merger that occurred February 11, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, there was approximately $587,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock units. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.78 years. Common Stock Awards: The Company granted common shares with immediate vesting to outside directors and employees in year ended December 31, 2015, the three months ended December 31, 2014 and the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 as follows: Number of Shares Granted Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Year Ended December 31, 2015 $ Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 $ Year Ended September 30, 2014 $ Year Ended September 30, 2013 $

Dividends

Dividends	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Dividends
Dividends	9. Dividends The Company has not paid dividends during calendar year 2015. During calendar year 2014, four quarterly dividends of $0.05 per share were paid to shareholders of record representing an aggregate dividend of approximately $645,000 on each payment date on the number of issued and outstanding Common Stock as of the applicable declaration date, or approximately $2,580,000. While there are currently no restrictions prohibiting the Company from paying dividends, the Board of Directors, after consideration of general economic and market conditions affecting the energy industry in general, and the oilfield services business in particular, determined that the Company would not pay a dividend in respect of the foreseeable future. Payment of any dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital and legal requirements, and other factors deemed relevant by the board.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Employee Benefit Plans
Employee Benefit Plans	10. Employee Benefit Plans The Company provides a 401(k) plan as part of its employee benefits package in order to retain quality personnel. Legacy Dawson elected to match 100% of the employee contributions up to a maximum of 6% of the participant's gross salary under the Legacy Dawson 401(k) plan for the year ended December 31, 2015, the three months ended December 31, 2014, and the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Legacy Dawson's 401(k) plan was retained in connection with the merger. Legacy TGC's 401(k) plan, which was terminated in connection with the Merger, is consistent with Legacy Dawson's 401(k) plan except Legacy TGC matched 50% of the employee's contribution up to a maximum of 6% of the participant's gross salary. The Company's matching contributions under Legacy Dawson's 401(k) plan for calendar year 2015, three months ended December 31, 2014, and fiscal 2014 and 2013 were approximately $1,849,000, $462,000, $1,895,000 and $1,747,000, respectively. Legacy TGC's employees rolled on to the Legacy Dawson 401(k) plan during 2015. In addition, the Company's matching contributions to the Legacy TGC 401(k) plan (prior to such plan's termination) during 2015 were $98,000.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Advertising Costs
Advertising Costs	11. Advertising Costs Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. Advertising costs totaled $466,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015, $62,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2014, $223,000 and $319,000 during the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	12. Income Taxes The Company's components of (loss) income before income taxes are as follows: Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 (Loss) income before income taxes Domestic $ ) $ ) $ ) $ Foreign ) ) ) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The Company recorded income tax benefit of $13, 755 ,000 and $1,912,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the three months ended December 31, 2014, respectively. In year ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded income tax benefit of $5,280,000 as compared to expense of $9,090,000 in year ended September 30, 2013. Income tax benefit (expense) is comprised of the following: Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 Current federal benefit (expense) $ — $ $ ) Current state expense ) $ ) ) ) Current foreign expense — — ) — Deferred foreign benefit (expense) — — — Deferred federal benefit (expense) ) Deferred state benefit (expense) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total $ $ $ $ ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The income tax provision differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to (losses) income before income taxes as follows: Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 Tax benefit (expense) computed at statutory rate of 35% $ $ $ $ ) Change in valuation allowance ) ) ) ) State income tax benefit (expense), net of federal tax ) ) Foreign losses Transaction costs ) ) ) — Other ) ) ) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Income tax benefit (expense) $ $ $ $ ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The principal components of the Company's net deferred tax liability are as follows: December 31, 2015 September 30, 2014 Deferred tax assets: Federal tax net operating loss (NOL) carryforward $ $ Foreign tax NOL carryforward Deferred revenue Restricted stock Workers' compensation State tax NOL carryforward Self-insurance Canadian start-up costs AMT credit carry forward Foreign tax credit Other comprehensive income Unrecognized tax benefits — Other ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total gross deferred tax assets Less valuation allowance ) ) Total net deferred tax assets Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment ) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total net deferred tax liability $ ) $ ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ At December 31, 2015, the Company had a gross NOL for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $65,719,000. This NOL will begin to expire in 2029. The Company will carry forward the net federal NOL of approximately $23,002,000. The Company also had net state NOLs that will affect state taxes of approximately $850,000 at December 31, 2015. State NOLs began to expire in 2015. Carryback provisions are not allowed by all states, accordingly the state NOLs give rise to a deferred tax asset. Several of these carry forwards are primarily available in states where the Company believes the assets cannot be deemed to be more likely than not realizable. Based on management's belief that the net operating loss carry forwards are not realizable, a $ 526 ,000 valuation allowance, net of federal benefit was maintained to offset these deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2015. The Company also has Canadian deferred tax assets that will begin to expire in 2032. The Company has recorded a partial valuation allowance of $3,181,000 against the Canadian deferred tax assets because management believes it is currently not more likely than not to be realizable. In conjunction with the Merger at February 11, 2015, the Company established an accrual for unrecognized tax benefits of $715,000. At December 31, 2015, the Company increased this accrual for unrecognized tax benefits to $1,684,000. There were no unrecognized tax benefits at the three months ended December 31, 2014 or the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. The tax years generally subject to future examination by tax authorities are for years ended December 31, 2012 and after. While it is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next twelve months, the Company does not expect any change to have a significant impact on its results of operations. The Company's policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. There was no interest and penalties recognized in the year ended December 31, 2015, three months ended December 31, 2014 or in the years ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.

Net (Loss) Income per Share Att

Net (Loss) Income per Share Attributable to Common Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Net (Loss) Income per Share Attributable to Common Stock
Net (Loss) Income per Share Attributable to Common Stock	13. Net (Loss) Income per Share Attributable to Common Stock Net (loss) income per share attributable to common stock is calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an allocation method of calculating (loss) earnings per share when a company's capital structure includes participating securities that have rights to undistributed earnings. The Company's employees and officers that hold unvested restricted stock are entitled to dividends when the Company pays dividends. The Company's basic net (loss) income per share attributable to common stock is computed by reducing the Company's net (loss) income by the net income allocable to unvested restricted stockholders that have a right to participate in earnings. The Company's employees and officers that hold unvested restricted stock do not participate in losses because they are not contractually obligated to do so. The undistributed earnings are allocated based on the relative percentage of the weighted average unvested restricted stock awards. The basic net (loss) income per share attributable to common stock is computed by dividing the net (loss) income attributable to common stock by the weighted average shares outstanding. The weighted average shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2015 was calculated by totaling (i) the product of (x) the weighted shares of Legacy Dawson Common Stock outstanding at the beginning of the year multiplied by (y) the Exchange Ratio, plus (ii) the number of shares associated with awards of Legacy Dawson restricted stock and restricted stock units that vested in conjunction with the Merger, weighted as of February 11, 2015, plus (iii) the number of shares of Legacy TGC Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger, weighted to reflect that such shares were outstanding from February 11, 2015 until December 31, 2015. The weighted average number of shares outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were calculated as if the Merger had occurred at the beginning of the respective period, and the components of the weighted average shares calculation were multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company's dilutive net (loss) income per share attributable to common stock is computed by adjusting basic net (loss) income per share attributable to common stock by diluted income allocable to unvested restricted stock, if any, divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding. A reconciliation of the basic and diluted (loss) income per share attributable to common stock is as follows: Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 (in thousands, except share and per share data) Net (loss) income $ ) $ ) $ ) $ Income allocable to unvested restricted stock — ) ) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic (loss) income attributable to common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Reallocation of participating earnings — — — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Diluted (loss) income attributable to common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic Dilutive common stock options and restricted stock units — — — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Diluted ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic (loss) income attributable to a share of common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Diluted (loss) income attributable to a share of common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The Company had a net loss in the year ended December 31, 2015, the three months ended December 31, 2014, and the year ended September 30, 2014. As a result, all stock options and restricted stock units were anti-dilutive and excluded from weighted average shares used in determining the diluted loss attributable to a share of common stock for the respective periods. The following weighted average numbers of stock options and restricted stock units have been excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share attributable to common stock, as their effect would be anti-dilutive for the year ended December 31, 2015, the three months ended December 31, 2014, and the year ended September 30, 2014: Year Ended December 31, Three Months ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 Stock options Restricted stock units ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ There were no weighted average number of stock options or restricted stock units that were anti-dilutive for the year ended September 30, 2013. The following weighted average shares of unvested restricted stock were included in common stock outstanding as such shares have a nonforfeitable right to participate in any dividends that might be declared and have the right to vote: Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 Restricted Stock

Major Clients

Major Clients	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Major Clients
Major Clients	14. Major Clients The Company operates in only one business segment, contract seismic data acquisition and processing services. Sales to these clients, as a percentage of operating revenues that exceeded 10%, were as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 Year Ended September 30, 2014 Year Ended September 30, 2013 A % % % % B % % % % C — — % — The Company does not believe that the loss of any client listed above would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Areas of Operation

Areas of Operation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Areas of Operation
Areas of Operation	15. Areas of Operation The U.S. and Canada are the only countries of operation for the Company. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2 015 were $234,685,000 with $2 22,154 ,000 earned in the United States and $1 2,531 ,000 earned in Canada. Revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $ 50,802,000, all earned in the United States. Revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 were $261,683,000 with $256,110,000 earned in the United States and $5,5 73,000 earned in Canada. Revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 were $305,299,000 with $303,869,000 earned in the United States and $1,430,000 earned in Canada. Net l ong-lived assets as of December 31, 2015 were approximately $147,567,000, with $136,758,000 located in the United States and $10,809,000 located in Canada. Net l ong-lived assets as of September 30, 2014 were approximately $164,494,000, with $163,880,000 located in the United States and $614,000 located in Canada.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies.
Commitments and Contingencies	16. Commitments and Contingencies From time to time, the Company is a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the Company cannot predict the outcomes of any such legal proceedings, management believes that the resolution of pending legal actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity as the Company believes it is adequately indemnified and insured. The Company experiences contractual disputes with its clients from time to time regarding the payment of invoices or other matters. While the Company seeks to minimize these disputes and maintain good relations with its clients, the Company has in the past, and may in the future, experience disputes that could affect its revenues and results of operations in any period. The Company has non-cancelable operating leases for office and shop space in Midland, Plano, Denison, Houston, Denver, Oklahoma City and Calgary, Alberta. The following table summarizes payments due in specific periods related to the Company's contractual obligations with initial terms exceeding one year as of December 31, 2015. Payments Due by Period (in 000's) Total Within 1 Year 2 - 3 Years 4 - 5 Years After 5 Years Operating lease obligations (office space) $ $ $ $ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Some of the Company's operating leases contain predetermined fixed increases of the minimum rental rate during the initial lease term. For these leases, the Company recognizes the related expense on a straight-line basis and records deferred rent as the difference between the amount charged to expense and the rent paid. Rental expense under the Company's operating leases with initial terms exceeding one year was $1,691,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015, $242,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2014, and $965,000 and $900,000 for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had unused letters of credit of approximately $1,767,000. The Company's letters of credit of $1,767,000 are associated with the Company's existing insurance coverage. Also as of December 31, 2015, the Company had unused letters of credit of approximately $233,000. The Company's letters of credit are associated with the Company's self-insured retention on workers' compensation claims. Effective in fiscal 2012, the Company was no longer self-insured for workers' compensation claims after October 1, 2011. The unused letters of credit of $233,000 are associated with workers' compensation claims outstanding prior to October 1, 2011.

Rights Agreement

Rights Agreement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Rights Agreement
Rights Agreement	17. Rights Agreement Legacy Dawson executed a Rights Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2009, between Legacy Dawson and Mellon Investors Services, LLC, as rights agent (the "Rights Agreement"). The Rights Agreement set forth and governed the rights that were dividended to the holders of record of the common stock of Legacy Dawson at the close of business on July 23, 2009 (the "Rights"). The Rights, if triggered, would have entitled the registered holder to purchase from Legacy Dawson certain fractional shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of Legacy Dawson. On October 8, 2014, Legacy Dawson entered into an amendment to the rights agreement (the "Rights Amendment") with the rights agent in order to include provisions such that (a) the Merger would not trigger any action under the Rights Agreement and no distribution of rights would occur by virtue of the Merger or the consummation of the other transactions contemplated thereby and (b) the rights would expire at the effective time of the Merger. Pursuant to the Rights Amendment, the Rights Agreement expired pursuant to its terms upon the closing of the Merger on February 11, 2015.

Recently Issued Accounting Pron

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	18. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) which will require organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. This ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17 to simplify income tax accounting. The update requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet instead of separating deferred taxes into current and noncurrent amounts. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and may be adopted earlier on a voluntary basis. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance during the fourth quarter of 2015 and have applied a full retrospective approach to all periods presented. Current deferred income tax assets of $5,977,000 as of September 30, 2014 have been reclassified and presented as a reduction to deferred income tax liabilities, net, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, "Business Combinations — Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments". ASU 2015-16 eliminates the requirement that an acquirer in a business combination account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, an acquirer will recognize a measurement-period adjustment during the period in which it determines the amount of the adjustment, including the effect on earnings of any amounts it would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The guidance is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2015-16 during the quarter ended September 30, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2015-16 did not materially affect the Company's consolidated results of operations, cash flows, financial position or financial statement disclosures. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, "Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern" (Subtopic 205-40). This ASU provides guidance on management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and in certain circumstances to provide related footnote disclosures. This ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance will have any material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 that introduces a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires disclosures sufficient to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted, but only for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified approach to adopt ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements and the method of adoption.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Concentrations of Credit Risk	19. Concentrations of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk at any given time may consist of cash and cash equivalents, money market funds and overnight investment accounts, short-term investments in certificates of deposit, trade and other receivables and other current assets. At December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, the Company had deposits with domestic and international banks in excess of federally insured limits. Management believes the credit risk associated with these deposits is minimal. Money market funds seek to preserve the value of the investment, but it is possible to lose money investing in these funds. The Company's sales are to clients whose activities relate to oil and natural gas exploration and production. The Company generally extends unsecured credit to these clients; therefore, collection of receivables may be affected by the economy surrounding the oil and natural gas industry or other economic conditions. The Company closely monitors extensions of credit and may negotiate payment terms that mitigate risk.

Quarterly Consolidated Financia

Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited)
Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited)	20. Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarter Ended December 31 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Year Ended December 31, 2015: Operating revenues $ $ $ $ Loss from operations $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Net loss $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Diluted loss per share attributable to common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Three Months Ended December 31, 2014: Operating revenues $ Loss from operations $ ) Net loss $ ) Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common stock $ ) Diluted loss per share attributable to common stock $ ) Year Ended September 30, 2014: Operating revenues $ $ $ $ (Loss) income from operations $ ) $ $ ) $ ) Net (loss) income $ ) $ $ ) $ ) Basic (loss) income per share attributable to common stock $ ) $ $ ) $ ) Diluted (loss) income per share attributable to common stock $ ) $ $ ) $ ) Basic and diluted (loss) income per share attributable to common stock are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of quarterly basic and diluted information may not equal the annual basic and diluted (loss) income per share attributable to common stock. In addition, all income (loss) per share calculations have been adjusted to reflect the 1.76 merger conversion factor.

Summary of Significant Accoun27

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Dawson Operating LLC, Eagle Canada, Inc., Dawson Seismic Services Holdings, Inc., Eagle Canada Seismic Services ULC, Tidelands Geophysical Co., Inc. and Exploration Surveys, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents For purposes of the financial statements, the Company considers demand deposits, certificates of deposit, overnight investments, money market funds and all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Management prepares its allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on its review of past-due accounts, its past experience of historical write-offs and its current client base. While the collectability of outstanding client invoices is continually assessed, the inherent volatility of the energy industry's business cycle can cause swift and unpredictable changes in the financial stability of the Company's clients.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is capitalized at historical cost and depreciated over the useful life of the asset. Management's estimation of this useful life is based on circumstances that exist in the seismic industry and information available at the time of the purchase of the asset. As circumstances change and new information becomes available, these estimates could change. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the results of operations for the period.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when triggering events occur suggesting deterioration in the assets' recoverability or fair value. Recognition of an impairment charge is required if future expected undiscounted net cash flows are insufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets and the fair value of the assets is below the carrying value of the assets. Management's forecast of future cash flows used to perform impairment analysis includes estimates of future revenues and expenses based on the Company's anticipated future results while considering anticipated future oil and natural gas prices which is fundamental in assessing demand for the Company's services. If the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of possible impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to the fair value. If there were to be a fifteen percent or more decline in projected cash flows the Company would be required to do further impairment analysis to determine if fair value is less than the carrying amount of the assets at that time. No impairment charges were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2015, the three months ended December 31, 2014, and the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
Leases	Leases The Company leases certain equipment and vehicles under lease agreements. The Company evaluates each lease to determine its appropriate classification as an operating or capital lease for financial reporting purposes. Any lease that does not meet the criteria for a capital lease is accounted for as an operating lease. The assets and liabilities under capital leases are recorded at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair market value of the related assets. Assets under capital leases are amortized using the straight-line method over the initial lease term. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.
Intangibles	Intangibles Trademarks/tradenames resulting from a business combination are not subject to amortization. The Company tests for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. No impairment charges were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Services are provided under cancelable service contracts. These contracts are either "turnkey" or "term" agreements. Under both types of agreements, the Company recognizes revenues when revenue is realizable and services have been performed. Services are defined as the commencement of data acquisition or processing operations. Revenues are considered realizable when earned according to the terms of the service contracts. Under turnkey agreements, revenue is recognized on a per unit of data acquired rate as services are performed. Under term agreements, revenue is recognized on a per unit of time worked rate as services are performed. In the case of a cancelled service contract, revenue is recognized and the client is billed for services performed up to the date of cancellation. The Company receives reimbursements for certain out-of-pocket expenses under the terms of the service contracts. Amounts billed to clients are recorded in revenue at the gross amount including out-of-pocket expenses that are reimbursed by the client. In some instances, clients are billed in advance of services performed. In those cases, the Company recognizes the liability as deferred revenue. As services are performed, those deferred revenue amounts are recognized as revenue. In some instances, the contract contains certain permitting, surveying and drilling costs that are incorporated into the per unit of data acquired rate. In these circumstances, these set-up costs that occur prior to initiating revenue recognition are capitalized and amortized as data is acquired.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company measures all stock-based compensation awards, which include stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and common stock awards, using the fair value method and recognizes compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, in its financial statements. The Company records compensation expense as operating or general and administrative expense as appropriate in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the related stock options, restricted stock awards or restricted stock unit awards.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation The U.S. Dollar is the reporting currency for all periods presented. The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is generally the local currency. All assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the period. Equity transactions are translated using historical exchange rates. Adjustments resulting from translation are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income in the consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) are included in the consolidated statements of operations as other income (expense).
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes by recognizing amounts of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and by using an asset and liability approach in recognizing the amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns. Management determines deferred taxes by identifying the types and amounts of existing temporary differences, measuring the total deferred tax asset or liability using the applicable tax rate in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates of deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the year of an enacted rate change. The deferred tax asset is reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management's methodology for recording income taxes requires judgment regarding assumptions and the use of estimates, including determining the annual effective tax rate and the valuation of deferred tax assets, which can create variances between actual results and estimates and could have a material impact on the Company's provision or benefit for income taxes. The Company's effective tax rates differ from the statutory federal rate of 35% for certain items such as state and local taxes, valuations allowances, non-deductible expenses, discrete items and expenses related to share-based compensation that are not expected to result in a tax deduction.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements Preparation of the accompanying financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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. Because of the use of assumptions and estimates inherent in the reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the three months ended December 31, 2014 and the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2015 presentation. Current deferred income tax assets have been reclassified and presented as a reduction to deferred income tax liabilities, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the year ended September 30, 2014.

Merger (Tables)

Merger (Tables) - Legacy TGC	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Merger date	Estimated Fair Value (in 000's) Stock consideration $ Interest bearing debt assumed Debt-free current liabilities ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total purchase price consideration including liabilities assumed $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Value of current assets Current assets excluding cash and cash equivalents $ Cash and cash equivalents ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total current assets $ Identified tangible assets Fair value of property, plant and equipment $ Identified intangible assets Trademarks/trade names $ Net deferred tax asset $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total indicated value of assets $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Summary of pro forma information	Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 Pro forma total revenues $ $ $ Pro forma net loss $ ) $ ) $ ) Pro forma net loss per share Basic $ ) $ ) $ ) Diluted $ ) $ ) $ )

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment
Schedule of property, plant and equipment, together with the related estimated useful lives	December 31, September 30, 2015 2014 Useful Lives Land, building and other $ $ 3 to 40 years Recording equipment 5 to 10 years Line clearing equipment 5 years Vibrator energy sources 5 to 15 years Vehicles 1.5 to 10 years ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Less accumulated depreciation ) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net property, plant and equipment $ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Supplemental Consolidated Bal30

Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
Schedule of other current liabilities	December 31, September 30, 2015 2014 Accrued self-insurance reserves $ $ Income and franchise taxes payable Other accrued expenses and current liabilities ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total other current liabilities $ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt
Schedule of aggregate principal amount outstanding, interest rates, and monthly payments under outstanding notes payable	Year Ended December 31, 2015 Year Ended September 30, 2014 Notes payable to commercial banks Aggregate principal amount outstanding $8,654,000 $10,364,000 Interest rates 3.5% - 4.5% 3.2% - 3.8% Year Ended December 31, 2015 Year Ended September 30, 2014 Notes payable to finance company for insurance Aggregate principal amount outstanding $ — Interest rates % —
Schedule of aggregate maturities of notes payable	The aggregate maturities of the notes payable at December 31, 2015 are as follows: January 2016 - December 2016 $ January 2017 - December 2017 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Schedule of aggregate maturities of obligations under capital leases	The aggregate maturities of obligations under capital leases at December 31, 2015 are as follows: January 2016 - December 2016 $ January 2017 - December 2017 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stock-Based Compensation
Summary of stock-based compensation expense	Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 Stock Options $ — $ — $ — $ Restricted Stock Awards Restricted Stock Units Common Stock Awards ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total Compensation Expense $ $ $ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Summary of Company's employee stock options and activity	Number of Optioned Shares(1) Weighted Average Exercise Price(1) Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years Balance as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014 $ Forfeited ) $ Oustanding and vested Legacy TGC options $ Options cancelled ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Exercisable as of December 31, 2015 $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (1) Balance of optioned shares and weighted average exercise price converted for the Merger that occurred February 11, 2015 .
Summary of the Company's nonvested restricted stock unit awards	Number of Restricted Share Units(1) Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value(1) Balance as of September 30, 2014 $ Grants Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ Grants Vested ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (1) Balance of restricted share units and weighted average grant date fair value price converted for merger that occurred February 11, 2015 .
Summary of common shares with immediate vesting granted to outside directors and employees	Number of Shares Granted Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Year Ended December 31, 2015 $ Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 $ Year Ended September 30, 2014 $ Year Ended September 30, 2013 $

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes
Schedule of components of (loss) income before income taxes	Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 (Loss) income before income taxes Domestic $ ) $ ) $ ) $ Foreign ) ) ) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Schedule of income tax (benefit) expense	Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 Current federal benefit (expense) $ — $ $ ) Current state expense ) $ ) ) ) Current foreign expense — — ) — Deferred foreign benefit (expense) — — — Deferred federal benefit (expense) ) Deferred state benefit (expense) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total $ $ $ $ ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Schedule of the difference between the income tax provision and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to (losses) income before income taxes	Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 Tax benefit (expense) computed at statutory rate of 35% $ $ $ $ ) Change in valuation allowance ) ) ) ) State income tax benefit (expense), net of federal tax ) ) Foreign losses Transaction costs ) ) ) — Other ) ) ) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Income tax benefit (expense) $ $ $ $ ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Schedule of the principal components of the Company's net deferred tax liability	December 31, 2015 September 30, 2014 Deferred tax assets: Federal tax net operating loss (NOL) carryforward $ $ Foreign tax NOL carryforward Deferred revenue Restricted stock Workers' compensation State tax NOL carryforward Self-insurance Canadian start-up costs AMT credit carry forward Foreign tax credit Other comprehensive income Unrecognized tax benefits — Other ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total gross deferred tax assets Less valuation allowance ) ) Total net deferred tax assets Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment ) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total net deferred tax liability $ ) $ ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Net (Loss) Income per Share A34

Net (Loss) Income per Share Attributable to Common Stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Net (Loss) Income per Share Attributable to Common Stock
Schedule of the reconciliation of basic and diluted (loss) income per share attributable to common stock	Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 (in thousands, except share and per share data) Net (loss) income $ ) $ ) $ ) $ Income allocable to unvested restricted stock — ) ) ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic (loss) income attributable to common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Reallocation of participating earnings — — — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Diluted (loss) income attributable to common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic Dilutive common stock options and restricted stock units — — — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Diluted ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic (loss) income attributable to a share of common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Diluted (loss) income attributable to a share of common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Schedule of weighted average numbers of stock options and restricted stock units that have been excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share attributable to common stock	Year Ended December 31, Three Months ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 Stock options Restricted stock units ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Schedule of weighted average shares of unvested restricted stock included in common stock outstanding	Year Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2014 2013 Restricted Stock

Major Clients (Tables)

Major Clients (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Major Clients
Schedule of sales to major clients, as a percentage of operating revenues that exceeded 10%	Year Ended December 31, 2015 Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 Year Ended September 30, 2014 Year Ended September 30, 2013 A % % % % B % % % % C — — % —

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies.
Summary of payments due in specific periods related to the Company's contractual obligations with initial terms exceeding one year	Payments Due by Period (in 000's) Total Within 1 Year 2 - 3 Years 4 - 5 Years After 5 Years Operating lease obligations (office space) $ $ $ $ $ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Quarterly Concolidated Financia

Quarterly Concolidated Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited)
Summary of quarterly consolidated financial data (unaudited)	Quarter Ended December 31 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Year Ended December 31, 2015: Operating revenues $ $ $ $ Loss from operations $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Net loss $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Diluted loss per share attributable to common stock $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Three Months Ended December 31, 2014: Operating revenues $ Loss from operations $ ) Net loss $ ) Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common stock $ ) Diluted loss per share attributable to common stock $ ) Year Ended September 30, 2014: Operating revenues $ $ $ $ (Loss) income from operations $ ) $ $ ) $ ) Net (loss) income $ ) $ $ ) $ ) Basic (loss) income per share attributable to common stock $ ) $ $ ) $ ) Diluted (loss) income per share attributable to common stock $ ) $ $ ) $ )

Summary of Significant Accoun38

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)item	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013USD ($)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Number of states in which the Company operates | item		48
Minimum decline in percentage of cash flows required for further impairment analysis		15.00%
Impairment of long-lived assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Federal statutory effective income tax rate		35.00%
Impairment of Intangible Assets		$ 0

Short-Term Investments (Details

Short-Term Investments (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Short-Term Investments
Maturity Period of certificates of deposit, minimum	3 months	3 months
Maturity Period of certificates of deposit, maximum	1 year	1 year

Merger (Details)

Merger (Details)	Feb. 11, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Feb. 10, 2015$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)segment$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 0.01		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Split-effected Common Stock | shares					1.76
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Net deferred tax asset			$ 29,661,000		$ 29,661,000	$ 14,368,000
Common stock, shares outstanding | shares			21,580,865		21,580,865	14,194,810
Number of operating segments | segment					1
Pro Forma Information
Shares used in calculation of earnings per share | shares				21,400,593	21,537,480	21,367,677
Pro forma total revenues				$ 76,897,000	$ 248,295,000	$ 373,544,000
Pro forma net loss				$ (7,722,000)	$ (30,256,000)	$ (13,383,000)
Pro forma net loss per share
Basic | $ / shares				$ (0.36)	$ (1.40)	$ (0.63)
Diluted | $ / shares				$ (0.36)	$ (1.40)	$ (0.63)
Legacy TGC
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.01
Reverse stock split ratio		0.33
Split-effected Common Stock | shares	1.760
Increase in preliminary estimated amount of property, plant and equipment			$ 5,055,000
Increase in preliminary estimated amount of current liability			943,000
Decrease in preliminary estimated amount of current assets			625,000
Decrease in preliminary estimated amount of intangible assets			2,953,000
Decrease in deferred tax assets related to adjustments to preliminary estimates			534,000
Increase in depreciation			628,000
Decrease in amortization expense			$ 697,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Stock consideration	$ 42,902,000
Interest bearing debt assumed	12,048,000
Debt-free current liabilities	13,590,000
Total purchase price consideration including liabilities assumed	68,540,000
Current assets excluding cash and cash equivalents	15,531,000
Cash and cash equivalents	12,382,000
Total current assets	27,913,000
Fair value of property, plant and equipment	33,867,000
Identified intangible assets	400,000
Net deferred tax asset	6,360,000
Total indicated value of assets	$ 68,540,000
Common stock, shares outstanding | shares	7,381,476
Accrued taxes	$ 865,000
Pre-tax merger-related costs					$ 3,314,000
Number of operating segments | segment					1
Legacy TGC | Minimum
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	18 months
Legacy TGC | Maximum
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	12 years
Legacy Dawson
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.33

Property, Plant and Equipement

Property, Plant and Equipement (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross	$ 345,619,000	$ 337,922,000
Less accumulated depreciation	(198,052,000)	(173,428,000)
Net property, plant and equipment	147,567,000	164,494,000
Land, building and other
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross	$ 16,357,000	$ 15,472,000
Land, building and other | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	3 years	3 years
Land, building and other | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	40 years	40 years
Recording equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross	$ 212,541,000	$ 206,517,000
Recording equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	5 years	5 years
Recording equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	10 years	10 years
Line clearing equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross	$ 1,071,000	$ 1,084,000
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	5 years	5 years
Vibrator energy sources
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross	$ 80,454,000	$ 78,119,000
Vibrator energy sources | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	5 years	5 years
Vibrator energy sources | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	15 years	15 years
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross	$ 35,196,000	$ 36,730,000
Vehicles | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	1 year 6 months	1 year 6 months
Vehicles | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment	10 years	10 years

Supplemental Consolidated Bal42

Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet Information (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Other current liabilities
Accrued self-insurance reserves	$ 1,830,000	$ 1,524,000
Income and franchise taxes payable	21,000	96,000
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	2,753,000	2,477,000
Total other current liabilities	$ 4,604,000	$ 4,097,000

DEBT (Details)

DEBT (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)item	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Nov. 25, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instruments
Aggregate principal amount	$ 9,492,000
Capital lease obligations	1,199,000	$ 1,321,000
Notes payable
Aggregate principal amount outstanding	9,492,000
Aggregate maturities of notes payable
January 2016 - December 2016	7,804,000
January 2017 - December 2017	1,688,000
Total	9,492,000
Future minimum lease payments
January 2016 - December 2016	781,000
January 2017 - December 2017	418,000
Total minimum lease payments required	$ 1,199,000
Minimum
Future minimum lease payments
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.16%
Maximum
Future minimum lease payments
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.88%
Existing Credit Agreement
Debt Instruments
Aggregate principal amount				$ 5,144,000
Borrowing, repaying and re-borrowing capacity	$ 20,000,000
Number of notes payable | item	1
Aggregate principal amount	$ 3,429,000
Number of notes payable not covered under term loan feature | item	2
Aggregate principal amount not covered under term loan feature outstanding	$ 5,225,000
Percentage of maximum borrowing capacity on eligible accounts receivable	80.00%
Minimum tangible net worth	$ 150,000,000
Notes payable
Aggregate principal amount outstanding	3,429,000
Aggregate maturities of notes payable
Total	$ 3,429,000
Existing Credit Agreement | Letter Of Credit
Debt Instruments
Aggregate principal amount			$ 1,767,000
Existing Credit Agreement | Minimum
Debt Instruments
Ratio of current assets to current liabilities	1.50
Existing Credit Agreement | Maximum
Debt Instruments
Interest rate	4.50%
Debt to tangible net worth ratio	1
Existing Credit Agreement | Maximum | Prime rate
Debt Instruments
Interest rate floor	2.50%
Notes payable to commercial banks
Debt Instruments
Aggregate principal amount	$ 8,654,000	10,364,000
Notes payable
Aggregate principal amount outstanding	$ 8,654,000	$ 10,364,000
Minimum interest rate (as a percent)	3.50%	3.20%
Maximum interest rate (as a percent)	4.50%	3.80%
Aggregate maturities of notes payable
Total	$ 8,654,000	$ 10,364,000
Notes payable to finance companies for insurance
Debt Instruments
Number of notes payable | item	1
Aggregate principal amount	$ 838,000
Notes payable
Aggregate principal amount outstanding	$ 838,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.35%
Aggregate maturities of notes payable
Total	$ 838,000

Stock-Based Compensation (Detai

Stock-Based Compensation (Details)	Feb. 11, 2015shares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)itemshares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2006shares
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Number of stock-based compensation plans | item			2
Stock-based compensation expense | $		$ 452,000	$ 1,156,000	$ 1,225,000	$ 1,797,000
Legacy Dawson Plan
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Number of shares authorized	827,647					750,000
Legacy Dawson Plan | Maximum
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Option expiration term	10 years
Legacy Dawson Plan | Officers, directors, employees or consultants after merger
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Number of shares authorized	466,136
Legacy TGC Plan
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Number of shares authorized	1,000,000
Legacy TGC Plan | Maximum
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Option expiration term	10 years
Legacy TGC Plan | Officers, directors, employees or consultants after merger
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Number of shares authorized	412,254
Stock options
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Stock-based compensation expense | $					62,000
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Stock-based compensation expense | $		213,000	363,000	821,000	1,307,000
Restricted Stock Awards | Legacy TGC Plan
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Grants outstanding (in shares)	0
Restricted Stock Units
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Stock-based compensation expense | $		$ 74,000	$ 526,000	$ 233,000	25,000
Grants outstanding (in shares)		133,453	129,247	38,555
Common Stock Awards
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Stock-based compensation expense | $		$ 165,000	$ 267,000	$ 171,000	$ 403,000

Stock-Based Compensation - Ince

Stock-Based Compensation - Incentive Stock Options (Details) - Stock options - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Number of Optioned Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)		160,434
Grants (in shares)	0	0
Forfeited (in shares)		(1,760)
Outstanding and vested Legacy TGC options		279,756
Options cancelled		(10,000)
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	160,434	428,430
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)		428,430
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)		$ 10.74
Forfeited (in dollars per share)		10.74
Outstanding and vested Legacy TGC options (in dollars per share)		14.25
Legacy TGC options cancelled (in dollars per share)		11.79
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 10.74	13.01
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)		$ 13.01
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding at the end of the period (in years)		2 years 11 months 5 days
Exercisable at the end of the period (in years)		2 years 11 months 5 days
Additional disclosures
Tax deductions recorded when options are awarded		$ 0
Unrecognized compensation expense related to share-based compensation plans		0
Cash received from share-based payment arrangements	$ 0	$ 0	$ 32,000	$ 608,000
Legacy Dawson Plan
Number of Optioned Shares
Grants (in shares)	0	0	0	0
Vested (in shares)	0	0	0	0
Exercised (in shares)	0	0		0
Additional disclosures
Excess tax benefits from disqualifying dispositions	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Total intrinsic value of options exercised			$ 13,000

Stock-Based Compensation - Rest

Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Common Stock Award (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock Awards
Number of Restricted Share Awards
Grants ( in shares)	0	0	0	0
Restricted Stock Awards | Weighted Average
Number of Restricted Share Awards
Nonvested restricted shares outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	182,160	182,160	182,160
Nonvested restricted shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	182,160	46,695	182,160	182,160
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ (13.38)		$ (13.38)
Additional disclosures
Weighted average unvested restricted stock included in common stock outstanding	182,160	182,160	182,160	182,160	46,695
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 13.38		$ 13.38
Restricted Stock Units
Number of Restricted Share Awards
Nonvested restricted shares outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	38,555	133,453
Grants ( in shares)	94,898	10,000	38,555	3,520
Vested (in shares)		(14,206)
Nonvested restricted shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	133,453	129,247	38,555
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 18.02	$ 10.03
Grants (in dollars per share)	6.79	5.76	$ 18.02	$ 15.42
Vested (in dollars per share)		(17.78)
Nonvested restricted shares outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 10.03	$ 8.85	$ 18.02
Additional disclosures
Weighted average unvested restricted stock included in common stock outstanding	38,555	133,453	38,555		129,247
Unrecognized compensation cost					$ 587,000
Period over which unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized		1 year 9 months 11 days
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 17.78
Common Stock Awards
Number of Restricted Share Awards
Grants ( in shares)	21,730	58,937	9,706	25,491
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ (7.59)	$ (4.53)	$ (17.61)	$ (15.81)
Additional disclosures
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 7.59	$ 4.53	$ 17.61	$ 15.81

Dividends (Details)

Dividends (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Dividends
Dividends paid per share	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.05
Quarterly dividend paid amount	$ 645,000	$ 645,000	$ 645,000	$ 645,000
Dividend paid amount on annualized basis					$ 2,580,000

Employee Benefit Plans (Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Legacy Dawson Geophysical Company 401k Plan
Percentage of employees gross pay that is matched	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Employer matching contribution, percent matched	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Matching contribution to the plan	$ 462	$ 1,849	$ 1,895	$ 1,747
Legacy TGC 401k Plan
Percentage of employees gross pay that is matched		6.00%
Employer matching contribution, percent matched		50.00%
Matching contribution to the plan		$ 98

Advertising Costs (Details)

Advertising Costs (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Advertising Costs
Advertising Expense	$ 62,000	$ 466,000	$ 223,000	$ 319,000

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 11, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
(Loss) income before income taxes
Domestic		$ (6,249,000)	$ (36,230,000)	$ (11,671,000)	$ 23,019,000
Foreign		(654,000)	(3,804,000)	(6,229,000)	(3,449,000)
(Loss) income before income tax		(6,903,000)	(40,034,000)	(17,900,000)	19,570,000
Income tax (benefit) expense
Current federal benefit (expense)			280,000	74,000	(124,000)
Current state expense		(39,000)	(571,000)	(633,000)	(693,000)
Current foreign expense				(228,000)
Deferred foreign benefit (expense)			687,000
Deferred federal benefit (expense)		1,783,000	12,499,000	5,489,000	(6,251,000)
Deferred state benefit (expense)		168,000	860,000	578,000	(2,022,000)
Income tax benefit (expense)		1,912,000	13,755,000	5,280,000	(9,090,000)
Reconciliation of income tax expense (provision)
Tax benefit (expense) computed at statutory rate of 35%		2,416,000	$ 14,012,000	6,265,000	(6,850,000)
Federal income tax rate (as a percent)			35.00%
Change in valuation allowance		(170,000)	$ (502,000)	(1,506,000)	(1,265,000)
State income tax benefit (expense), net of federal tax		83,000	423,000	(32,000)	(1,486,000)
Foreign losses		170,000	954,000	1,506,000	987,000
Transaction costs		(522,000)	(445,000)	(332,000)
Other		(65,000)	(687,000)	(621,000)	(476,000)
Income tax benefit (expense)		1,912,000	13,755,000	5,280,000	(9,090,000)
Net Deferred tax assets:
Federal tax net operating loss (NOL) carryforward			23,002,000	11,205,000
Foreign tax NOL carryforward			3,694,000	2,441,000
Deferred revenue			1,193,000	297,000
Restricted stock			214,000	756,000
Worker's compensation			144,000	148,000
State tax NOL carryforward			850,000	792,000
Self-insurance			260,000	286,000
Canadian start-up costs			296,000	337,000
AMT credit carry forward			315,000	312,000
Foreign tax credit			1,874,000	228,000
Other comprehensive income			1,055,000	128,000
Unrecognized tax benefits			562,000
Other			(91,000)	209,000
Total gross deferred tax assets			33,368,000	17,139,000
Less valuation allowance			(3,707,000)	(2,771,000)
Total net deferred tax assets			29,661,000	14,368,000
Property and equipment			(34,980,000)	(42,199,000)
Total net deferred tax liability			(5,319,000)	(27,831,000)
Gross Net operating loss carry forwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes			65,719,000
Valuation allowance for operating loss carryforward			526,000
roll forward of the Company's unrecognized tax benefits:
Unrecognized tax benefits		0	1,684,000	0	0
Unrecognized tax benefits, accrued in conjunction with merger	$ 715,000
Interest and penalties		$ 0	0	$ 0	$ 0
Canada
Net Deferred tax assets:
Valuation allowance for operating loss carryforward			$ 3,181,000

Net (Loss) Income per Share A51

Net (Loss) Income per Share Attributable to Common Stock (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net (Loss) Income per Share Attributable to Common Stock
Net (loss) income	$ (4,940,000)	$ (2,870,000)	$ (11,877,000)	$ (6,592,000)	$ (4,991,000)	$ (3,882,000)	$ (7,493,000)	$ 1,652,000	$ (2,897,000)	$ (26,279,000)	$ (12,620,000)	$ 10,480,000
Income allocable to unvested restricted stock					(9,000)						(26,000)	(136,000)
Basic (loss) income attributable to common stock					(5,000,000)					(26,279,000)	(12,646,000)	10,344,000
Reallocation of participating earnings												1,000
Diluted (loss) income attributable to common stock					$ (5,000,000)					$ (26,279,000)	$ (12,646,000)	$ 10,345,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic					14,019,813					20,688,185	14,008,635	13,868,120
Dilutive common stock options and restricted stock units												71,721
Diluted					14,019,813					20,688,185	14,008,635	13,939,841
Basic (loss) income attributable to a share of common stock	$ (0.23)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.54)	$ 0.12	$ (0.20)	$ (1.27)	$ (0.90)	$ 0.75
Diluted (loss) income attributable to a share of common stock	$ (0.23)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.54)	$ 0.12	$ (0.20)	$ (1.27)	$ (0.90)	$ 0.74

Net (Loss) Income per Share A52

Net (Loss) Income per Share Attributable to Common Stock - Stock Options and Restricted Stock (Details) - Weighted Average - shares	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Anti-dilutive Securities Excluded from Calculation of Earnings Per Share
Weighted average number of securities excluded from calculation	226,839	286,157	195,480
Stock options
Anti-dilutive Securities Excluded from Calculation of Earnings Per Share
Weighted average number of securities excluded from calculation	160,434	159,561	162,107	0
Restricted Stock Units
Anti-dilutive Securities Excluded from Calculation of Earnings Per Share
Weighted average number of securities excluded from calculation	66,405	126,596	33,373	0

Net (Loss) Income per Share A53

Net (Loss) Income per Share Attributable to Common Stock - Unvested Restricted Stock (Details) - shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Awards | Weighted Average
Net Loss Per Share Attributable To Common Stock
Weighted average unvested restricted stock included in common stock outstanding	46,695	182,160	182,160	182,160

Major Clients (Details)

Major Clients (Details) - segment	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Major Clients Line Items
Number of operating segments		1
Customer concentration risk | Revenues | Customer A
Major Clients Line Items
Concentration risk percentage	14.00%	21.00%	16.00%	19.00%
Customer concentration risk | Revenues | Customer B
Major Clients Line Items
Concentration risk percentage	10.00%	15.00%	13.00%	17.00%
Customer concentration risk | Revenues | Customer C
Major Clients Line Items
Concentration risk percentage			12.00%

Areas of Operation (Details)

Areas of Operation (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Areas of Operation
Revenues		$ 234,685,000	$ 261,683,000	$ 305,299,000
Long-lived assets		147,567,000	164,494,000
U.S.
Areas of Operation
Revenues	$ 50,802,000	222,154,000	256,110,000	303,869,000
Long-lived assets		136,758,000	163,880,000
Canada
Areas of Operation
Revenues		12,531,000	5,573,000	$ 1,430,000
Long-lived assets		$ 10,809,000	$ 614,000

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Contractual Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Operating Lease Obligations
Operating lease obligations (office space), Within 1 Year	$ 1,704
Operating lease obligations (office space), 2-3 Years	2,660
Operating lease obligations (office space), 4-5 Years	1,899
Operating lease obligations (office space), After 5 Years	5,008
Operating lease obligations (office space), Total	$ 11,271

Commitments and Contingencies57

Commitments and Contingencies - Rental Expense and Letters of Credit (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating Lease Obligations
Rental expense under operating leases with initial terms exceeding one year	$ 242,000	$ 1,691,000	$ 965,000	$ 900,000
Self-insured health insurance coverage
Obligations related to health insurance and self-insured workers' compensation
Unused letters of credit		1,767,000
Self-insured retention on workers' compensation claims
Obligations related to health insurance and self-insured workers' compensation
Unused letters of credit		$ 233,000

Rights Agreement (Details)

Rights Agreement (Details) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 23, 2009
Class of Warrant or Right
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
Class of Warrant or Right
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share			$ 1

Recently Issued Accounting Pr59

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - Adjustments for new accounting principle, early adoption - Accounting Standards Update 2015-17	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)
Current deferred income tax assets	$ (5,977,000)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	$ (5,977,000)

Quarterly Consolidated Financ60

Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited)
Operating revenues	$ 55,130,000	$ 62,498,000	$ 43,335,000	$ 73,722,000	$ 50,802,000	$ 62,570,000	$ 54,166,000	$ 76,766,000	$ 68,181,000	$ 234,685,000	$ 261,683,000	$ 305,299,000
(Loss) income from operations	(8,141,000)	(4,662,000)	(18,065,000)	(9,814,000)	(6,984,000)	(6,531,000)	(9,228,000)	2,822,000	(4,967,000)	(40,682,000)	(17,904,000)	20,180,000
Net (loss) income	$ (4,940,000)	$ (2,870,000)	$ (11,877,000)	$ (6,592,000)	$ (4,991,000)	$ (3,882,000)	$ (7,493,000)	$ 1,652,000	$ (2,897,000)	$ (26,279,000)	$ (12,620,000)	$ 10,480,000
Basic (loss) income per share attributable to common stock	$ (0.23)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.54)	$ 0.12	$ (0.20)	$ (1.27)	$ (0.90)	$ 0.75
Diluted (loss) income per share attributable to common stock	$ (0.23)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.54)	$ 0.12	$ (0.20)	$ (1.27)	$ (0.90)	$ 0.74
Merger conversion factor (in shares)										1.76