Ion Geophysical (IOGPQ) 10-Q 1 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 21, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ION GEOPHYSICAL CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000866609	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	164,049,309

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$197,306	$148,056
Accounts receivable, net	98,231	149,448
Unbilled receivables	68,452	49,468
Inventories	54,709	57,173
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	25,605	24,772
Total current assets	444,303	428,917
Deferred income tax asset	14,339	14,650
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	59,811	46,684
Multi-client data library, net	243,083	238,784
Equity method investments	47,466	53,865
Goodwill	56,111	55,876
Intangible assets, net	10,566	11,247
Other assets	15,640	14,648
Total assets	891,319	864,671
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	60,551	5,906
Accounts payable	38,654	22,654
Accrued expenses	72,471	84,358
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	38,263	46,460
Deferred revenue	16,030	20,682
Total current liabilities	225,969	180,060
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	180,462	214,246
Other long-term liabilities	142,987	210,602
Total liabilities	549,418	604,908
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	5,552	1,878
Equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares; outstanding 164,049,309 and 163,737,757 shares at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, net of treasury stock	1,640	1,637
Additional paid-in capital	882,892	879,969
Accumulated deficit	-530,178	-606,157
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-11,799	-11,138
Treasury stock, at cost, 849,539 shares at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	-6,565	-6,565
Total stockholders' equity	335,990	257,746
Noncontrolling interests	359	139
Total equity	336,349	257,885
Total liabilities and equity	$891,319	$864,671

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	164,049,309	163,737,757
Treasury stock, shares	849,539	849,539

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Service revenues	$110,696	$89,949
Product revenues	34,002	39,788
Total net revenues	144,698	129,737
Cost of services	72,071	69,273
Cost of products	15,773	25,507
Gross profit	56,854	34,957
Operating expenses:	'	'
Research, development and engineering	9,039	9,290
Marketing and sales	9,213	7,980
General, administrative and other operating expenses	18,931	15,764
Total operating expenses	37,183	33,034
Income (loss) from operations	19,671	1,923
Interest expense, net	-4,797	-1,066
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	-1,688	1,116
Other expense, net	68,526	1,027
Income (loss) before income taxes	81,712	3,000
Income tax expense	5,263	1,201
Net income (loss)	76,449	1,799
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-470	76
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	75,979	1,875
Preferred stock dividends	0	338
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	$75,979	$1,537
Net income (loss) per share:	'	'
Basic, in dollars per share	$0.46	$0.01
Diluted, in dollars per share	$0.46	$0.01
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:	'	'
Basic, in shares	163,847	156,465
Diluted, in shares	164,061	157,315

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$76,449	$1,799
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, as appropriate:	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	486	-3,641
Equity interest in investees' other comprehensive loss	-1,173	-23
Other changes in other comprehensive income	26	8
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	-661	-3,656
Comprehensive net income (loss)	75,788	-1,857
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-470	76
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$75,318	($1,781)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$76,449	$1,799
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization (other than multi-client library)	7,904	4,200
Amortization of multi-client library	16,326	18,592
Stock-based compensation expense	2,777	2,011
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	1,688	-1,116
Reduction of accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings	-69,557	0
Deferred income taxes	-884	-6,150
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	60,646	35,307
Unbilled receivables	-18,945	11,938
Inventories	-144	1,381
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued royalties	-5,359	-13,373
Deferred revenue	-4,678	-7,153
Other assets and liabilities	-3,541	2,155
Net cash provided by operating activities	62,682	49,591
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Cash invested in multi-client data library	-22,353	-28,778
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental assets	-1,997	-3,774
Repayment of advances to INOVA Geophysical	1,000	0
Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V.	-3,683	-9,500
Cash of OceanGeo B.V. upon acquiring a controlling interest	609	0
Investment in convertible note	0	-1,000
Other investing activities	605	76
Net cash used in investing activities	-25,819	-42,976
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	15,000	0
Payments on long-term debt	-2,755	-848
Payment of preferred dividends	0	-338
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	246	716
Other financing activities	-80	350
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	12,411	-120
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	-24	-891
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	49,250	5,604
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	148,056	60,971
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$197,306	$66,575

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The condensed consolidated balance sheet of ION Geophysical Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “ION,” unless the context otherwise requires) at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2014, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or of future operations.
	In late January 2014, the Company acquired an additional 40% interest in OceanGeo B.V. (“OceanGeo”) through the conversion of the outstanding indebtedness owed to the Company by OceanGeo into additional equity interests of OceanGeo, bringing the Company’s total equity interest to 70% and giving the Company control over OceanGeo. The Company has included in its results of operations, the results of OceanGeo from the date of the Company’s acquisition of the controlling interest.
	These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 10-K/A, which was filed on March 28, 2014 and contains the separate consolidated financial statements of INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited (“INOVA Geophysical”) for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

Acquisition_of_Controlling_Int

Acquisition of Controlling Interest in OceanGeo	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Acquisition of Controlling Interest in OceanGeo
	In October 2013, the Company reached agreement with its joint venture partner in OceanGeo, Georadar Levantamentos Geofisicos S/A, for the Company to have the option to increase its ownership percentage in OceanGeo from 30% to 70%, subject to certain conditions. OceanGeo is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and specializes in seismic acquisition operations using ocean-bottom cables deployed from vessels leased by OceanGeo.
	To further assist OceanGeo in acquiring backlog, in October 2013 the Company also agreed to loan OceanGeo additional funds for working capital, subject to the Company’s agreement on the necessity and purpose for each advance and certain other conditions, up to a maximum of $25.0 million. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had advanced $15.3 million, and thereafter in January 2014, prior to obtaining the controlling interest, the Company advanced an additional $3.7 million.
	In January, the Company exercised its option, increasing its ownership percentage through the conversion of certain outstanding amounts loaned to OceanGeo. The Company acquired its ownership interest in OceanGeo as part of its strategy to expand the range of service offerings it can provide to oil and gas exploration and production customers and to put its Calypso® seabed acquisition technology to work in a service model to meet the growing demand for seabed seismic services.
	The acquisition was accounted for by the acquisition method, whereby the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date based on an income approach. The estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed approximated the purchase price and therefore no goodwill or bargain purchase was recognized. As of March 31, 2014, the allocation of the purchase price of OceanGeo was based upon preliminary fair value studies, and may be subject to change as additional information becomes available. In connection with the acquisition, the Company incurred $1.3 million in acquisition-related transaction costs related to professional services and fees. These costs were expensed as incurred and were included in other income (expense), net in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014. As a result of consolidating OceanGeo’s results into the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the period from the acquisition date at the end of January to March 31, 2014, the Company’s results of operations include $20.6 million of OceanGeo revenues and $4.2 million of income from OceanGeo’s operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014. For additional results related to OceanGeo, see Note 3 “Segment Information.” The following table summarizes the fair value assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as the noncontrolling interest, at the acquisition date (in thousands):
	Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	609
	Accounts receivable	9,247
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,433
	Multi-client data library	3,876
	Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	14,598
	Other assets	2,227
	Total identifiable assets	31,990
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(13,464		)
	Bank loans	(6,135		)
	Other liabilities	(1,026		)
	Net assets	11,365
	Noncontrolling interest	(3,410		)
	Total consideration	$	7,955
	The following summarized unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement information for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, assumes that the OceanGeo acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented. The Company has prepared these unaudited pro forma financial results for comparative purposes only. These unaudited pro forma financial results may not be indicative of the results that would have occurred if ION had completed the acquisition as of the beginning of the periods presented or the results that may be attained in the future. Amounts presented below are in thousands, except for the per share amounts:
	Pro forma Consolidated ION Income Statement Information	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Net revenues	$	153,882		$	147,706
	Income from operations	$	23,747		$	4,291
	Net income	$	77,968		$	4,010
	Net income attributable to ION	$	76,821		$	3,164
	Basic net income per common share	$	0.47		$	0.02
	Diluted net income per common share	$	0.47		$	0.02

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company operates through four business segments – Solutions, Systems, Software and Ocean Bottom Services (the segment name for OceanGeo) – as well as through its INOVA Geophysical joint venture. See Note 4 “Equity Method Investments” for the summarized financial information for INOVA Geophysical. The Company measures segment operating results based on income from operations.
	A summary of segment information is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Net revenues:
	Solutions:
	New Venture	$	32,738		$	48,436
	Data Library	13,217			9,448
	Total multi-client revenues	45,955			57,884
	Data Processing	43,286			31,286
	Total	$	89,241		$	89,170
	Systems:
	Towed Streamer	$	11,851		$	13,549
	Ocean Bottom Equipment	—			6,765
	Other	12,997			11,533
	Total	$	24,848		$	31,847
	Software:
	Software Systems	$	9,154		$	7,941
	Services	885			779
	Total	$	10,039		$	8,720
	Ocean Bottom Services	$	20,570		$	—
	Total	$	144,698		$	129,737
	Gross profit:
	Solutions	$	33,011		$	20,197
	Systems	11,417			8,380
	Software	7,257			6,380
	Ocean Bottom Services	5,169			—
	Total	$	56,854		$	34,957
	Gross margin:
	Solutions	37		%	23		%
	Systems	46		%	26		%
	Software	72		%	73		%
	Ocean Bottom Services	25		%	—		%
	Total	39		%	27		%
	Income from operations:
	Solutions	$	19,112		$	7,357
	Systems	3,371			934
	Software	5,128			5,161
	Ocean Bottom Services	4,162			—
	Corporate and other	(12,102		)	(11,529		)
	Income from operations	19,671			1,923
	Interest expense, net	(4,797		)	(1,066		)
	Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	(1,688		)	1,116
	Other income, net	68,526			1,027
	Income before income taxes	$	81,712		$	3,000

Equity_Method_Investments

Equity Method Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Equity Method Investments	'
	Equity Method Investments
	The following table reflects the change in the Company’s equity method investments during the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		INOVA Geophysical			OceanGeo			Total
	Investments at December 31, 2013	$	51,065		$	2,800		$	53,865
	Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	(2,426		)	738			(1,688		)
	Advances to OceanGeo (prior to consolidation)	—			3,683			3,683
	Acquisition of controlling interest (consolidation) of OceanGeo	—			(7,221		)	(7,221		)
	Equity interest in investees' other comprehensive loss	(1,173		)	—			(1,173		)
	Investment at March 31, 2014	$	47,466		$	—		$	47,466
	INOVA Geophysical — The Company accounts for its 49% interest in INOVA Geophysical as an equity method investment and records its share of earnings and losses of INOVA Geophysical on a one fiscal quarter lag basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded its share of losses from INOVA Geophysical of $2.4 million, compared to its share of earnings for the corresponding period in 2013, of $1.9 million. The following table reflects the summarized financial information for INOVA Geophysical for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended December 31,
		2013			2012
	Net revenues	$	40,176		$	59,611
	Gross profit	$	4,948		$	12,327
	Loss from operations	$	(3,667	)	$	(250	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(4,951	)	$	3,742
	Related Party Transactions
	For information regarding transactions between the Company and its equity method investees, see Note 14 “Related Party Transactions.”

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt	'
	Long-term Debt
	Obligations (in thousands)		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Senior secured second-priority notes		$	175,000		$	175,000
	Revolving line of credit		50,000			35,000
	Equipment capital leases		9,091			8,651
	Brazil bank debt		5,649			—
	Facility lease obligation		1,273			1,501
	Total		241,013			220,152
	Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations		(60,551		)	(5,906		)
	Non-current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations		$	180,462		$	214,246
	Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes
	On May 13, 2013, the Company sold $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes due 2018 (“Notes”) in a private offering pursuant to an Indenture dated as of May 13, 2013. The Notes are senior secured second-priority obligations of the Company, are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries, and mature on May 15, 2018. Interest on the Notes accrues at the rate of 8.125% per annum and will be payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year during their term. On April 10, 2014, the Company commenced a registered exchange offer pursuant to which holders of the privately placed Notes that have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may exchange their Notes for a like principal amount of Notes that have been registered under the Securities Act. Unless extended, the exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 9, 2014.
	On or after May 15, 2015, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on May 15th of the years indicated below:
	Date		Percentage
	2015		104.06%
	2016		102.03%
	2017 and thereafter		100.00%
	The Notes are initially jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each of the Company’s current material U.S. subsidiaries: GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Production (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (the “Notes Guarantors”). The Notes and the guarantees are secured, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens, by second-priority liens on substantially all of the assets that secure the indebtedness under the Company’s senior first-priority secured credit facility with China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd., New York Branch (“CMB”) as administrative agent and lender under the facility (see “— Revolving Line of Credit” below). The indebtedness under the Notes is effectively junior to the Company’s obligations under the senior secured credit facility to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the facility, and to any other indebtedness secured on a first-priority basis to the extent of the value of the Company’s assets subject to those first-priority security interests.
	The Notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries. These and other restrictive covenants contained in the Indenture are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. All of the Company’s subsidiaries are currently restricted subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
	In connection with the offering of the Notes, the Company entered into a consent agreement with CMB, as administrative agent and lender under the Company’s senior secured credit facility. See “— Revolving Line of Credit” below.
	In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company and the Notes Guarantors entered into a second lien intercreditor agreement dated as of May 13, 2013 (the “Intercreditor Agreement”) with, among others, CMB, as administrative agent, first lien representative for the first lien secured parties and collateral agent for the first lien secured parties, the trustee under the Indenture and the collateral agent for the second lien secured parties. The Intercreditor Agreement provides, among other things, that the liens on the collateral securing the Notes and related obligations will be junior and subordinate in all respects to the liens on the collateral securing the Company’s senior secured credit facility and related obligations.
	Revolving Line of Credit
	On May 29, 2012, the Company amended the terms of its senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with CMB, as administrative agent and lender. The First Amendment to the Credit Agreement and Loan Documents (the “First Amendment”) modified certain provisions of the Company’s senior credit agreement with CMB that it had entered into on March 25, 2010. The maturity date of any outstanding debt under the Credit Facility is March 24, 2015; therefore the outstanding balance of $50.0 million as of March 31, 2014 has been classified as a current obligation.
	As amended by the First Amendment, the Credit Facility provides that the Company may make revolving credit borrowings in U.S. Dollars, Euros, British Pounds Sterling or Canadian Dollars up to an amount not to exceed the U.S. Dollar equivalent of $175.0 million. The Company also agreed that no additional borrowings may be made at any time at which the outstanding indebtedness under the revolving line of credit (principal, accrued interest and fees) exceeds the U.S. Dollar equivalent of $175.0 million. The First Amendment eliminated sub-facility limits under the Credit Facility.
	The Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility continue to be guaranteed by certain of its material U.S. subsidiaries that remain as parties to the Credit Facility. In addition, INOVA Geophysical continues to provide a bank stand-by letter of credit as credit support for the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility. The Company also entered into a credit support agreement with INOVA Geophysical whereby the Company has agreed to indemnify INOVA Geophysical for any and all losses sustained by INOVA Geophysical that arise out of INOVA Geophysical’s guarantee.
	As amended by the First Amendment, the interest rates per annum on borrowings under the Credit Facility are, at the Company’s option:
	•	an alternate base rate equal to the sum of (i) the greatest of (a) the prime rate of CMB, (b) a federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, or (c) an adjusted LIBOR-based rate plus 1.0%, and (ii) an applicable interest margin of 1.4% (reduced from 2.5%); or
	•	for eurodollar borrowings and borrowings in Euros, Pounds Sterling or Canadian Dollars, the sum of (i) an adjusted LIBOR-based rate, and (ii) an applicable interest margin of 2.4% (reduced from 3.5%).
	As of March 31, 2014, the $50.0 million in outstanding revolving loan indebtedness under the Credit Facility accrued interest at a rate of 2.56% per annum.
	The Credit Facility requires compliance with certain financial covenants, including the following:
	•	maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined, in an amount equal to at least 1.125 to 1;
	•	not exceed a maximum leverage ratio, as defined, of 3.25 to 1; and
	•	maintain a minimum tangible net worth of at least 60% of the Company’s tangible net worth as of March 31, 2010, as defined.
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants.
	Brazil Bank Debt
	In connection with the Company’s acquisition of a controlling interest in OceanGeo, OceanGeo’s existing debt was consolidated into the Company’s accounts. As of March 31, 2014, the outstanding amount, denominated in Brazilian Reais, of this debt was $5.6 million, with various maturity dates in 2014 and 2015; the latest being November 3, 2015. Interest on this debt accrues at an average rate of 15.68%.

Net_Income_per_Share

Net Income per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income per Share	'
	Net Income per Share
	Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is determined based on the assumption that dilutive restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards have vested and outstanding dilutive stock options have been exercised and the aggregate proceeds were used to reacquire common stock using the average price of such common stock for the period. The total number of shares issued or reserved for future issuance under outstanding stock options at March 31, 2014 and 2013 was 9,660,100 and 7,717,937, respectively, and the total number of shares of restricted stock and shares reserved for restricted stock units outstanding at March 31, 2014 and 2013 was 1,237,123 and 1,034,280, respectively.
	Prior to September 30, 2013, there were 27,000 shares outstanding of the Company’s Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”). On September 30, 2013, the holder converted all of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock into 6,065,075 shares of common stock. The then-outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock were anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income applicable to common shares	$	75,979	$	1,537
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	163,847		156,465
	Effect of dilutive stock awards	214		850
	Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding	164,061		157,315
	Basic net income per share	$	0.46	$	0.01
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.46	$	0.01

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company maintains a valuation allowance for substantially all of its deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance is calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 740 “Income Taxes,” which requires that a valuation allowance be established or maintained when it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. In the event the Company’s expectations of future operating results change, the valuation allowance may need to be adjusted upward or downward. As of March 31, 2014, the Company’s unreserved U.S. deferred tax assets totaled $3.8 million. These existing unreserved deferred tax assets are currently considered to be “more likely than not” realized.
	The Company’s effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were 6.4% and 40.0%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2014 was positively impacted by the change in valuation allowance related to the reduction of the legal contingency reserve, offset by the impact of pre-tax losses of OceanGeo within certain jurisdictions for which it could not recognize a tax benefit to offset its tax expenses. Excluding the change in valuation allowance, the Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2014 was 43.3%.
	The Company has approximately $2.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits and does not expect to recognize significant increases in unrecognized tax benefits during the next 12-month period. Interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in income tax expense.
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company’s U.S. federal tax returns for 2007 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination for periods prior to 2007, although carryforward attributes that were generated prior to 2007 may still be adjusted upon examination by the IRS if they either have been or will be used in an open year. In the Company’s foreign tax jurisdictions, tax returns for 2010 and subsequent years generally remain open to examination.

Litigation

Litigation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Litigation	'
	Litigation
	WesternGeco
	In June 2009, WesternGeco L.L.C. (“WesternGeco”) filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. In the lawsuit, styled WesternGeco L.L.C. v. ION Geophysical Corporation, WesternGeco alleged that the Company had infringed several method and apparatus claims contained in four of its United States patents regarding marine seismic streamer steering devices. WesternGeco sought unspecified monetary damages and an injunction prohibiting the Company from making, using, selling, offering for sale or supplying any infringing products in the United States.
	In June 2010, WesternGeco filed a lawsuit against various subsidiaries and affiliates of Fugro N.V. (“Fugro”), one of the Company’s seismic contractor customers, accusing Fugro of infringing the same United States patents regarding marine seismic streamer steering devices by planning to use certain equipment purchased from the Company on a survey located outside of U.S. territorial waters. The court approved the consolidation of the Fugro case with the case against the Company. Fugro filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, and in March 2011, the presiding judge granted Fugro’s motion to dismiss in part, on the basis that the alleged activities of Fugro would occur more than 12 miles from the U.S. coast and therefore are not actionable under U.S. patent infringement law. In response to a Motion for Summary Judgment filed jointly by the Company and Fugro, the Court ruled in April 2012 that the Company did not directly infringe WesternGeco’s method patent claims. In a pre-trial ruling on June 29, 2012, the Court ruled that, if a particular patent claim of WesternGeco was held to be valid and enforceable at the trial, the Company’s supplying of its DigiFIN® lateral streamer control units and related software from the United States to its customers overseas with an intention for the customers to combine DigiFIN and such related software with other required components of the patent claim, would infringe one claim in one of WesternGeco’s asserted patents, U.S. Patent No. 7,293,520.
	The trial began on July 23, 2012. During the trial, Fugro settled all claims asserted against it by WesternGeco and obtained a global license from WesternGeco. A verdict was returned by the jury on August 16, 2012, finding that the Company willfully infringed the claims contained in the four patents by supplying DigiFIN and the related software from the United States and awarded WesternGeco the sum of $105.9 million in damages, consisting of $12.5 million in reasonable royalty and $93.4 million in lost profits.
	In September 2012, the Company filed motions with the trial court to overturn all or portions of the verdict. In June 2013, the presiding judge entered a Memorandum and Order rejecting the jury’s finding of willfulness and denying WesternGeco’s motions for willfulness and enhanced damages, but also denying the Company’s post-verdict motions that challenged the jury’s infringement findings and the damages amount. In the Memorandum and Order, the judge also stated that he would approve WesternGeco’s motion for a permanent injunction and that WesternGeco is entitled to be awarded supplemental damages for the additional DigiFIN units that were supplied from the United States before and after trial that were not included in the jury verdict due to the timing of the trial. On October 24, 2013, the judge entered another Memorandum and Order, ruling on the number of DigiFIN units that are subject to supplemental damages and also ruling that the supplemental damages applicable to the additional units should be calculated by adding together the jury’s previous reasonable royalty and lost profits damages awards per unit, resulting in supplemental damages of $73.1 million. The October 2013 Memorandum and Order also concluded that the Company’s infringement involving the supplemental units was not willful and that WesternGeco was not entitled to receive enhanced damages.
	On April 30, 2014, the judge entered another Order, ruling that lost profits should not have been included in the calculation of supplemental damages in the October 2013 Memorandum and Order and reducing the supplemental damages award in the case from $73.1 million to $9.4 million. In the Order, the judge also further reduced the damages award in the case by $3.0 million to reflect a settlement and license that WesternGeco entered into with a customer of the Company that had purchased and used DigiFIN units that were also included in the damages amounts awarded against the Company. After accounting for the above court-ordered reductions, the total damages award in the case now consists of approximately $123.8 million, consisting of adjusted jury verdict and supplemental damages, court costs and estimates of prejudgment interest.
	The Company intends to appeal the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. WesternGeco also has the right to elect to appeal the final judgment.
	The trial court has ruled that it will also enter a permanent injunction against the Company. As of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Court had not issued the definitive terms of the permanent injunction. Until the permanent injunction is entered, the final terms of the injunction cannot be known for certain, but it is likely that the permanent injunction will prohibit the Company from supplying its DigiFIN units, two parts that are unique to the DigiFIN product and related software from the United States to its customers overseas with an intention for the customers to combine DigiFIN and the software with other required components of the patent claims. The Company has conducted its business in compliance with the Court’s orders in the case, and the Company has reorganized its operations such that it no longer supplies DigiFIN units, the unique DigiFIN parts or the related software from the United States.
	Based on the Company’s analysis after the trial court’s Memorandum and Order in June 2013 denying the Company’s post-verdict motions that challenged the jury’s infringement findings and the damages amount, the Company increased its loss contingency accrual related to this case from $10.0 million to $120.0 million, consisting of jury verdict damages, court costs, and estimates of prejudgment interest and supplemental damages. Based on the Company’s analysis after the trial court’s Memorandum and Order in October 2013 awarding supplemental damages, the Company further increased its loss contingency accrual related to this case from $120.0 million to $193.3 million at December 31, 2013, consisting of jury verdict damages, supplemental damages, court costs, and estimates of prejudgment interest. As a result of the Order entered in April 2014, the Company reversed its prior loss contingency accrual by approximately $70.0 million, resulting in a loss contingency accrual of $123.8 million at March 31, 2014. Additional interest will continue to accrue until this legal matter is fully resolved.
	The Company’s assessment of its potential loss contingency may change in the future due to developments at the trial court or appellate court and other events, such as changes in applicable law, and such reassessment could lead to the determination that no loss contingency is probable or that a greater or lesser loss contingency is probable. Any such reassessment could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
	As stated above, the Company intends to appeal the trial court judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In order to stay the judgment during the appeal, the Company will be required to post an appeal bond with the trial court. The amount of the appeal bond is in the discretion of the trial court judge and could be required to be up to the full amount of damages entered in the judgment, plus court costs and interest; however, in the Order entered in April 2014, the judge agreed that the appeal bond amount required to be posted by the Company will be $120.0 million. The Company has arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond on its behalf. The terms of the appeal bond arrangements provide the sureties the contractual right for as long as the bond is outstanding to require the Company to post cash collateral for up to the full amount of the bond; however, as a result of the reduced damages amount, the sureties have informed the Company that they will not require cash collateral upon the posting of the appeal bond. Until an appeal bond is posted, the terms applicable to the appeal bond, including collateral required to secure the bond, are not final.
	If the sureties exercise their right to require collateral while the appeal bond is outstanding, the Company would intend to utilize a combination of cash on hand and undrawn balances available under its revolving line of credit. If the Company is required to collateralize the full amount of the bond, the Company might also seek additional debt and/or equity financing. The collateralization of the full amount of the bond could have an adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity. Any requirements that the Company collateralize the appeal bond will reduce its liquidity and may reduce the borrowings otherwise available under its Credit Facility. The current maturity date of any outstanding debt under the Company’s Credit Facility is March 2015. No assurances can be made whether the Company’s efforts to raise additional cash would be successful and, if so, on what terms and conditions, and at what cost the Company might be able to secure any such financing.
	If the Company is unable to post the appeal bond, the Company will be unable to stay enforcement of the trial court judgment during the appeal of the judgment. The Company is unable to predict the timing of the posting of the required appeal bond.
	Other
	The Company has been named in various other lawsuits or threatened actions that are incidental to its ordinary business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against the Company, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, cause the Company to incur costs and expenses, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. The results of these lawsuits and actions cannot be predicted with certainty. Management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

Details_of_Selected_Balance_Sh

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts	'
	Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts
	Inventories
	A summary of inventories is as follows (in thousands):	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Raw materials and subassemblies	$	56,252		$	54,168
	Work-in-process	2,428			2,297
	Finished goods	27,285			33,263
	Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories	(31,256		)	(32,555		)
	Total	$	54,709		$	57,173
	Other Long-term Liabilities
	A summary of other long-term liabilities is as follows (in thousands):	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Note 8)	$	123,770		$	193,327
	Facility restructuring accrual	4,818			4,837
	Other long-term liabilities	14,399			12,438
	Total	$	142,987		$	210,602

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	A summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component is as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Equity interest in investees’ other comprehensive income (loss)			Other changes in other comprehensive income (loss)			Total
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2013	$	(11,923	)	$	841		$	(56	)	$	(11,138	)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	486			(1,173		)	26			(661		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2014	$	(11,437	)	$	(332	)	$	(30	)	$	(11,799	)

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activity Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity	'
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity
	A summary of non-cash items from investing and financing activities is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
	Purchases of computer equipment financed through capital leases	$	1,952	$	—
	Transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	$	2,308	$	134

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Authoritative guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and stipulates the related disclosure requirements. The Company follows a three-level hierarchy, prioritizing and defining the types of inputs used to measure fair value.
	Investment in Convertible Note. In March 2012, the Company and a privately owned U.S.-based technology company entered into an agreement for the Company to make available to the technology company a credit facility in an amount of up to $4.0 million. The credit facility has since been amended, such that the current maturity date is March 2015, the annual interest rate is 0.25%, and the conversion provision allows for conversion of any or all of the outstanding balance of the promissory note under the credit facility into common shares of the technology company. As of March 31, 2014, the technology company had drawn $4.0 million under this credit arrangement.
	The Company performed a fair value analysis with respect to its investment in the convertible note using Level 3 inputs. These inputs included a market approach, including the terms and likelihood of an investment event. As of March 31, 2014, the fair value of this investment was approximately $4.2 million, including accrued interest.
	Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments. Due to their highly liquid nature, the amount of the Company’s other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts and unbilled receivables, notes receivable, accounts payable, and accrued multi-client data library royalties, represent their approximate fair value.
	The carrying amounts of the Company’s long-term debt as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $241.0 million and $220.2 million, respectively, compared to its fair values of $228.8 million and $190.4 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The fair value of the long-term debt was calculated using a market approach based upon Level 2 inputs, including a price quote from a major financial institution.
	The Company’s cost method investments for which quoted market prices are not available are recorded at cost and reviewed periodically if there are events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investments.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	BGP Inc. (“BGP”) owned approximately 14.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded revenues from BGP of $2.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Total receivables due from BGP were $2.4 million at March 31, 2014.
	In July 2013, the Company agreed to lend up to $10.0 million to INOVA Geophysical, and received a promissory note issued by INOVA Geophysical to the order of the Company, which was originally scheduled to mature on September 30, 2013. The maturity date of the promissory note has since been extended to June 30, 2014. The loan was made by the Company to support certain short-term working capital needs of INOVA Geophysical. The indebtedness under the note accrues interest at an annual rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate plus 650 basis points. In 2013, the Company advanced the full principal amount of $10.0 million to INOVA Geophysical under the promissory note. INOVA Geophysical has repaid a total of $6.0 million, of which $4.0 million remains outstanding at March 31, 2014.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Reporting Discontinued Operations — In April 2014, the FASB issued amendments to guidance for reporting discontinued operations and disposals of components of an entity. The amended guidance requires that a disposal representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s financial results or a business activity classified as held for sale should be reported as discontinued operations. The amendments also expand the disclosure requirements for discontinued operations and add new disclosures for individually significant dispositions that do not qualify as discontinued operations. The amendments are effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014 (early adoption is permitted only for disposals that have not been previously reported). The implementation of the amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'
	Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
	In 2013, the Company sold $175.0 million of its 8.125% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes due 2018. The Notes were issued by ION Geophysical Corporation and are guaranteed by the Company’s current material U.S. subsidiaries: GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (“the Guarantors”), which are 100-percent-owned subsidiaries. The Guarantors have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment obligations of ION Geophysical Corporation with respect to these debt securities. The following condensed consolidating financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for:
	•	ION Geophysical Corporation and the Guarantors (in each case, reflecting investments in subsidiaries utilizing the equity method of accounting).
	•	All other subsidiaries of ION Geophysical Corporation that are not Guarantors.
	•	The consolidating adjustments necessary to present ION Geophysical Corporation’s results on a consolidated basis.
	This condensed consolidating financial information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes.
		March 31, 2014
	Balance Sheet	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	154,845		$	1,539		$	40,922		$	—		$	197,306
	Accounts receivable, net	2,532			46,308			49,391			—			98,231
	Unbilled receivables	—			55,168			13,284			—			68,452
	Inventories	—			5,658			49,051			—			54,709
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,087			4,897			10,391			(1,770		)	25,605
	Total current assets	169,464			113,570			163,039			(1,770		)	444,303
	Deferred income tax asset	6,500			6,675			758			406			14,339
	Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	6,152			29,977			23,682			—			59,811
	Multi-client data library, net	—			213,272			29,811			—			243,083
	Equity method investments	47,466			—			—			—			47,466
	Investment in subsidiaries	785,917			256,637			—			(1,042,554		)	—
	Goodwill	—			26,984			29,127			—			56,111
	Intangible assets, net	—			7,747			2,819			—			10,566
	Intercompany receivables	50,557			—			—			(50,557		)	—
	Other assets	13,845			46			24,249			(22,500		)	15,640
	Total assets	$	1,079,901		$	654,908		$	273,485		$	(1,116,975	)	$	891,319
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	50,000		$	4,794		$	5,757		$	—		$	60,551
	Accounts payable	2,001			13,078			23,575			—			38,654
	Accrued expenses	15,888			41,532			16,133			(1,082		)	72,471
	Accrued multi-client data library royalties	—			37,648			615			—			38,263
	Deferred revenue	—			12,689			3,341			—			16,030
	Total current liabilities	67,889			109,741			49,421			(1,082		)	225,969
	Long-term debt, net of current maturities	175,000			4,073			1,389			—			180,462
	Intercompany payables	467,223			34,145			16,412			(517,780		)	—
	Other long-term liabilities	33,957			121,617			10,195			(22,782		)	142,987
	Total liabilities	744,069			269,576			77,417			(541,644		)	549,418
	Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—			—			5,552			—			5,552
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock	1,640			290,460			22,362			(312,822		)	1,640
	Additional paid-in capital	882,892			175,005			235,994			(410,999		)	882,892
	Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(530,178		)	324,015			(69		)	(323,946		)	(530,178		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(11,799		)	6,217			(11,430		)	5,213			(11,799		)
	Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	—			(410,365		)	(56,858		)	467,223			—
	Treasury stock	(6,565		)	—			—			—			(6,565		)
	Total stockholders’ equity	335,990			385,332			189,999			(575,331		)	335,990
	Noncontrolling interests	(158		)	—			517			—			359
	Total equity	335,832			385,332			190,516			(575,331		)	336,349
	Total liabilities and equity	$	1,079,901		$	654,908		$	273,485		$	(1,116,975	)	$	891,319
		December 31, 2013
	Balance Sheet	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	124,701		$	—		$	23,355		$	—		$	148,056
	Accounts receivable, net	1,874			99,547			48,027			—			149,448
	Unbilled receivables	—			33,490			15,978			—			49,468
	Inventories	—			6,595			50,578			—			57,173
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,888			5,030			7,438			(584		)	24,772
	Total current assets	139,463			144,662			145,376			(584		)	428,917
	Deferred income tax asset	6,513			6,960			489			688			14,650
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	6,440			29,845			10,399			—			46,684
Multi-client data library, net	—			212,572			26,212			—			238,784
Equity method investments	51,065			—			2,800			—			53,865
Investment in subsidiaries	699,695			248,482			—			(948,177		)	—
Goodwill	—			26,984			28,892			—			55,876
Intangible assets, net	—			8,246			3,001			—			11,247
Intercompany receivables	8,313			13,419			—			(21,732		)	—
Other assets	14,315			56			24,262			(23,985		)	14,648
Total assets	$	925,804		$	691,226		$	241,431		$	(993,790	)	$	864,671
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	4,716		$	1,190		$	—		$	5,906
Accounts payable	3,515			11,741			7,364			34			22,654
Accrued expenses	16,652			54,250			13,392			64			84,358
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	—			45,921			539			—			46,460
Deferred revenue	—			16,387			4,295			—			20,682
Total current liabilities	20,167			133,015			26,780			98			180,060
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	210,000			3,655			591			—			214,246
Intercompany payables	426,134			—			21,732			(447,866		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	11,757			214,211			8,637			(24,003		)	210,602
Total liabilities	668,058			350,881			57,740			(471,771		)	604,908
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,878			—			1,878
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,637			290,460			19,138			(309,598		)	1,637
Additional paid-in capital	879,969			180,700			235,381			(416,081		)	879,969
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(606,157		)	232,186			(4,010		)	(228,176		)	(606,157		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(11,138		)	6,218			(11,920		)	5,702			(11,138		)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	—			(369,219		)	(56,915		)	426,134			—
Treasury stock	(6,565		)	—			—			—			(6,565		)
Total stockholders’ equity	257,746			340,345			181,674			(522,019		)	257,746
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			139			—			139
Total equity	257,746			340,345			181,813			(522,019		)	257,885
Total liabilities and equity	$	925,804		$	691,226		$	241,431		$	(993,790	)	$	864,671
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Total net revenues	$	—		$	78,122		$	66,576		$	—		$	144,698
Cost of goods sold	—			43,996			43,848			—			87,844
Gross profit	—			34,126			22,728			—			56,854
Total operating expenses	9,021			15,255			12,907			—			37,183
Income (loss) from operations	(9,021		)	18,871			9,821			—			19,671
Interest expense, net	(4,573		)	(42		)	(182		)	—			(4,797		)
Intercompany interest, net	66			(435		)	369			—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	89,488			3,856			738			(95,770		)	(1,688		)
Other income (expense)	497			69,911			(1,882		)	—			68,526
Net income before income taxes	76,457			92,161			8,864			(95,770		)	81,712
Income tax expense	478			332			4,453			—			5,263
Net income	75,979			91,829			4,411			(95,770		)	76,449
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(470		)	—			(470		)
Net income applicable to common shares	$	75,979		$	91,829		$	3,941		$	(95,770	)	$	75,979
Comprehensive net income	$	75,318		$	91,828		$	4,901		$	(96,259	)	$	75,788
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(470		)	—			(470		)
Comprehensive net income attributable to ION	$	75,318		$	91,828		$	4,431		$	(96,259	)	$	75,318
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Total net revenues	$	—		$	73,922		$	55,815		$	—		$	129,737
Cost of goods sold	—			60,183			34,597			—			94,780
Gross profit	—			13,739			21,218			—			34,957
Total operating expenses	8,030			16,357			8,647			—			33,034
Income (loss) from operations	(8,030		)	(2,618		)	12,571			—			1,923
Interest expense, net	(1,025		)	22			(63		)	—			(1,066		)
Intercompany interest, net	82			(269		)	187			—			—
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	5,837			6,634			(735		)	(10,620		)	1,116
Other income	340			8			679			—			1,027
Net income (loss) before income taxes	(2,796		)	3,777			12,639			(10,620		)	3,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	(4,671		)	(768		)	6,640			—			1,201
Net income	1,875			4,545			5,999			(10,620		)	1,799
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			76			—			76
Net income attributable to ION	1,875			4,545			6,075			(10,620		)	1,875
Preferred stock dividends	338			—			—			—			338
Net income applicable to common shares	$	1,537		$	4,545		$	6,075		$	(10,620	)	$	1,537
Comprehensive net income (loss)	$	(1,781	)	$	4,546		$	2,275		$	(6,897	)	$	(1,857	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			76			—			76
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(1,781	)	$	4,546		$	2,351		$	(6,897	)	$	(1,781	)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	15,105		$	19,989		$	27,588		$	—		$	62,682
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	—			(22,299		)	(54		)	—			(22,353		)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(551		)	(1,230		)	(216		)	—			(1,997		)
Repayment of advances by INOVA Geophysical	1,000			—			—			—			1,000
Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V.	—			—			(3,683		)	—			(3,683		)
Cash of OceanGeo B.V. upon acquiring a controlling interest	—			—			609			—			609
Other investing activities	579			26			—			—			605
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,028			(23,503		)	(3,344		)	—			(25,819		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	15,000			—			—			—			15,000
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	—			(1,365		)	(1,390		)	—			(2,755		)
Intercompany lending	(1,155		)	6,418			(5,263		)	—			—
Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options	246			—			—			—			246
Other financing activities	(80		)	—			—			—			(80		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	14,011			5,053			(6,653		)	—			12,411
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(24		)	—			(24		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	30,144			1,539			17,567			—			49,250
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	124,701			—			23,355			—			148,056
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	154,845		$	1,539		$	40,922		$	—		$	197,306
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Statement of Cash Flows	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	16,769		$	7,813		$	25,009		$	—		$	49,591
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	—			(13,076		)	(15,702		)	—			(28,778		)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	—			(3,774		)	—			—			(3,774		)
Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V.	(8,000		)	—			(1,500		)	—			(9,500		)
Investment in convertible notes	(1,000		)	—			—			—			(1,000		)
Other investing activities	—			—			76			—			76
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,000		)	(16,850		)	(17,126		)	—			(42,976		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	—			(597		)	(251		)	—			(848		)
Intercompany lending	(26,286		)	9,634			16,652			—			—
Payment of preferred dividends	(338		)	—			—			—			(338		)
Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options	716			—			—			—			716
Other financing activities	350			—			—			—			350
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(25,558		)	9,037			16,401			—			(120		)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(891		)	—			(891		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(17,789		)	—			23,393			—			5,604
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	30,343			—			30,628			—			60,971
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	12,554		$	—		$	54,021		$	—		$	66,575

Other_Income_Net

Other Income, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Income, Net	'
	Other Income, Net
	A summary of other income, net is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Reduction of accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Note 8)	$	69,557		$	—
	Other income (expense), net	(1,031		)	1,027
	Total other income, net	$	68,526		$	1,027

Acquisition_of_Controlling_Int1

Acquisition of Controlling Interest in OceanGeo (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as the noncontrolling interest, at the acquisition date (in thousands):
	Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	609
	Accounts receivable	9,247
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,433
	Multi-client data library	3,876
	Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	14,598
	Other assets	2,227
	Total identifiable assets	31,990
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(13,464		)
	Bank loans	(6,135		)
	Other liabilities	(1,026		)
	Net assets	11,365
	Noncontrolling interest	(3,410		)
	Total consideration	$	7,955
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	'
	Amounts presented below are in thousands, except for the per share amounts:
	Pro forma Consolidated ION Income Statement Information	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Net revenues	$	153,882		$	147,706
	Income from operations	$	23,747		$	4,291
	Net income	$	77,968		$	4,010
	Net income attributable to ION	$	76,821		$	3,164
	Basic net income per common share	$	0.47		$	0.02
	Diluted net income per common share	$	0.47		$	0.02

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Summary of Segment Information	'
	A summary of segment information is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Net revenues:
	Solutions:
	New Venture	$	32,738		$	48,436
	Data Library	13,217			9,448
	Total multi-client revenues	45,955			57,884
	Data Processing	43,286			31,286
	Total	$	89,241		$	89,170
	Systems:
	Towed Streamer	$	11,851		$	13,549
	Ocean Bottom Equipment	—			6,765
	Other	12,997			11,533
	Total	$	24,848		$	31,847
	Software:
	Software Systems	$	9,154		$	7,941
	Services	885			779
	Total	$	10,039		$	8,720
	Ocean Bottom Services	$	20,570		$	—
	Total	$	144,698		$	129,737
	Gross profit:
	Solutions	$	33,011		$	20,197
	Systems	11,417			8,380
	Software	7,257			6,380
	Ocean Bottom Services	5,169			—
	Total	$	56,854		$	34,957
	Gross margin:
	Solutions	37		%	23		%
	Systems	46		%	26		%
	Software	72		%	73		%
	Ocean Bottom Services	25		%	—		%
	Total	39		%	27		%
	Income from operations:
	Solutions	$	19,112		$	7,357
	Systems	3,371			934
	Software	5,128			5,161
	Ocean Bottom Services	4,162			—
	Corporate and other	(12,102		)	(11,529		)
	Income from operations	19,671			1,923
	Interest expense, net	(4,797		)	(1,066		)
	Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	(1,688		)	1,116
	Other income, net	68,526			1,027
	Income before income taxes	$	81,712		$	3,000

Equity_Method_Investments_Tabl

Equity Method Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Change in Equity Method Investments	'
	The following table reflects the change in the Company’s equity method investments during the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		INOVA Geophysical			OceanGeo			Total
	Investments at December 31, 2013	$	51,065		$	2,800		$	53,865
	Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	(2,426		)	738			(1,688		)
	Advances to OceanGeo (prior to consolidation)	—			3,683			3,683
	Acquisition of controlling interest (consolidation) of OceanGeo	—			(7,221		)	(7,221		)
	Equity interest in investees' other comprehensive loss	(1,173		)	—			(1,173		)
	Investment at March 31, 2014	$	47,466		$	—		$	47,466
Equity Method Investments Summarized Financial Information	'
	The following table reflects the summarized financial information for INOVA Geophysical for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended December 31,
		2013			2012
	Net revenues	$	40,176		$	59,611
	Gross profit	$	4,948		$	12,327
	Loss from operations	$	(3,667	)	$	(250	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(4,951	)	$	3,742

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Obligations	'
	Obligations (in thousands)	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Senior secured second-priority notes	$	175,000		$	175,000
	Revolving line of credit	50,000			35,000
	Equipment capital leases	9,091			8,651
	Brazil bank debt	5,649			—
	Facility lease obligation	1,273			1,501
	Total	241,013			220,152
	Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	(60,551		)	(5,906		)
	Non-current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	$	180,462		$	214,246
Debt Instrument Redemption Percentages	'
	On or after May 15, 2015, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on May 15th of the years indicated below:
	Date	Percentage
	2015	104.06%
	2016	102.03%
	2017 and thereafter	100.00%

Net_Income_per_Share_Tables

Net Income per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of basic and diluted net income per common share	'
	The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income applicable to common shares	$	75,979	$	1,537
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	163,847		156,465
	Effect of dilutive stock awards	214		850
	Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding	164,061		157,315
	Basic net income per share	$	0.46	$	0.01
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.46	$	0.01

Details_of_Selected_Balance_Sh1

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Summary of Inventories	'
	A summary of inventories is as follows (in thousands):	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Raw materials and subassemblies	$	56,252		$	54,168
	Work-in-process	2,428			2,297
	Finished goods	27,285			33,263
	Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories	(31,256		)	(32,555		)
	Total	$	54,709		$	57,173
Summary of Other Long-term Liabilities	'
	A summary of other long-term liabilities is as follows (in thousands):	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Note 8)	$	123,770		$	193,327
	Facility restructuring accrual	4,818			4,837
	Other long-term liabilities	14,399			12,438
	Total	$	142,987		$	210,602

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	A summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component is as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Equity interest in investees’ other comprehensive income (loss)			Other changes in other comprehensive income (loss)			Total
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2013	$	(11,923	)	$	841		$	(56	)	$	(11,138	)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	486			(1,173		)	26			(661		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2014	$	(11,437	)	$	(332	)	$	(30	)	$	(11,799	)

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Summary of Non-cash Items from Investing and Financing Activities	'
	A summary of non-cash items from investing and financing activities is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
	Purchases of computer equipment financed through capital leases	$	1,952	$	—
	Transfer of inventory to property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	$	2,308	$	134

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Condensed Balance Sheet	'
		March 31, 2014
	Balance Sheet	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	154,845		$	1,539		$	40,922		$	—		$	197,306
	Accounts receivable, net	2,532			46,308			49,391			—			98,231
	Unbilled receivables	—			55,168			13,284			—			68,452
	Inventories	—			5,658			49,051			—			54,709
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,087			4,897			10,391			(1,770		)	25,605
	Total current assets	169,464			113,570			163,039			(1,770		)	444,303
	Deferred income tax asset	6,500			6,675			758			406			14,339
	Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	6,152			29,977			23,682			—			59,811
	Multi-client data library, net	—			213,272			29,811			—			243,083
	Equity method investments	47,466			—			—			—			47,466
	Investment in subsidiaries	785,917			256,637			—			(1,042,554		)	—
	Goodwill	—			26,984			29,127			—			56,111
	Intangible assets, net	—			7,747			2,819			—			10,566
	Intercompany receivables	50,557			—			—			(50,557		)	—
	Other assets	13,845			46			24,249			(22,500		)	15,640
	Total assets	$	1,079,901		$	654,908		$	273,485		$	(1,116,975	)	$	891,319
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	50,000		$	4,794		$	5,757		$	—		$	60,551
	Accounts payable	2,001			13,078			23,575			—			38,654
	Accrued expenses	15,888			41,532			16,133			(1,082		)	72,471
	Accrued multi-client data library royalties	—			37,648			615			—			38,263
	Deferred revenue	—			12,689			3,341			—			16,030
	Total current liabilities	67,889			109,741			49,421			(1,082		)	225,969
	Long-term debt, net of current maturities	175,000			4,073			1,389			—			180,462
	Intercompany payables	467,223			34,145			16,412			(517,780		)	—
	Other long-term liabilities	33,957			121,617			10,195			(22,782		)	142,987
	Total liabilities	744,069			269,576			77,417			(541,644		)	549,418
	Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—			—			5,552			—			5,552
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock	1,640			290,460			22,362			(312,822		)	1,640
	Additional paid-in capital	882,892			175,005			235,994			(410,999		)	882,892
	Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(530,178		)	324,015			(69		)	(323,946		)	(530,178		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(11,799		)	6,217			(11,430		)	5,213			(11,799		)
	Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	—			(410,365		)	(56,858		)	467,223			—
	Treasury stock	(6,565		)	—			—			—			(6,565		)
	Total stockholders’ equity	335,990			385,332			189,999			(575,331		)	335,990
	Noncontrolling interests	(158		)	—			517			—			359
	Total equity	335,832			385,332			190,516			(575,331		)	336,349
	Total liabilities and equity	$	1,079,901		$	654,908		$	273,485		$	(1,116,975	)	$	891,319
		December 31, 2013
	Balance Sheet	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	124,701		$	—		$	23,355		$	—		$	148,056
	Accounts receivable, net	1,874			99,547			48,027			—			149,448
	Unbilled receivables	—			33,490			15,978			—			49,468
	Inventories	—			6,595			50,578			—			57,173
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,888			5,030			7,438			(584		)	24,772
	Total current assets	139,463			144,662			145,376			(584		)	428,917
	Deferred income tax asset	6,513			6,960			489			688			14,650
	Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	6,440			29,845			10,399			—			46,684
	Multi-client data library, net	—			212,572			26,212			—			238,784
	Equity method investments	51,065			—			2,800			—			53,865
	Investment in subsidiaries	699,695			248,482			—			(948,177		)	—
	Goodwill	—			26,984			28,892			—			55,876
	Intangible assets, net	—			8,246			3,001			—			11,247
Intercompany receivables	8,313			13,419			—			(21,732		)	—
Other assets	14,315			56			24,262			(23,985		)	14,648
Total assets	$	925,804		$	691,226		$	241,431		$	(993,790	)	$	864,671
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	4,716		$	1,190		$	—		$	5,906
Accounts payable	3,515			11,741			7,364			34			22,654
Accrued expenses	16,652			54,250			13,392			64			84,358
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	—			45,921			539			—			46,460
Deferred revenue	—			16,387			4,295			—			20,682
Total current liabilities	20,167			133,015			26,780			98			180,060
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	210,000			3,655			591			—			214,246
Intercompany payables	426,134			—			21,732			(447,866		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	11,757			214,211			8,637			(24,003		)	210,602
Total liabilities	668,058			350,881			57,740			(471,771		)	604,908
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,878			—			1,878
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,637			290,460			19,138			(309,598		)	1,637
Additional paid-in capital	879,969			180,700			235,381			(416,081		)	879,969
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(606,157		)	232,186			(4,010		)	(228,176		)	(606,157		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(11,138		)	6,218			(11,920		)	5,702			(11,138		)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	—			(369,219		)	(56,915		)	426,134			—
Treasury stock	(6,565		)	—			—			—			(6,565		)
Total stockholders’ equity	257,746			340,345			181,674			(522,019		)	257,746
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			139			—			139
Total equity	257,746			340,345			181,813			(522,019		)	257,885
Total liabilities and equity	$	925,804		$	691,226		$	241,431		$	(993,790	)	$	864,671
Condensed Income Statement	'
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
		(In thousands)
	Total net revenues	$	—		$	78,122		$	66,576		$	—		$	144,698
	Cost of goods sold	—			43,996			43,848			—			87,844
	Gross profit	—			34,126			22,728			—			56,854
	Total operating expenses	9,021			15,255			12,907			—			37,183
	Income (loss) from operations	(9,021		)	18,871			9,821			—			19,671
	Interest expense, net	(4,573		)	(42		)	(182		)	—			(4,797		)
	Intercompany interest, net	66			(435		)	369			—			—
	Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	89,488			3,856			738			(95,770		)	(1,688		)
	Other income (expense)	497			69,911			(1,882		)	—			68,526
	Net income before income taxes	76,457			92,161			8,864			(95,770		)	81,712
	Income tax expense	478			332			4,453			—			5,263
	Net income	75,979			91,829			4,411			(95,770		)	76,449
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(470		)	—			(470		)
	Net income applicable to common shares	$	75,979		$	91,829		$	3,941		$	(95,770	)	$	75,979
	Comprehensive net income	$	75,318		$	91,828		$	4,901		$	(96,259	)	$	75,788
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(470		)	—			(470		)
	Comprehensive net income attributable to ION	$	75,318		$	91,828		$	4,431		$	(96,259	)	$	75,318
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Income Statement	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
		(In thousands)
	Total net revenues	$	—		$	73,922		$	55,815		$	—		$	129,737
	Cost of goods sold	—			60,183			34,597			—			94,780
	Gross profit	—			13,739			21,218			—			34,957
	Total operating expenses	8,030			16,357			8,647			—			33,034
	Income (loss) from operations	(8,030		)	(2,618		)	12,571			—			1,923
	Interest expense, net	(1,025		)	22			(63		)	—			(1,066		)
	Intercompany interest, net	82			(269		)	187			—			—
	Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	5,837			6,634			(735		)	(10,620		)	1,116
	Other income	340			8			679			—			1,027
	Net income (loss) before income taxes	(2,796		)	3,777			12,639			(10,620		)	3,000
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(4,671		)	(768		)	6,640			—			1,201
	Net income	1,875			4,545			5,999			(10,620		)	1,799
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			76			—			76
	Net income attributable to ION	1,875			4,545			6,075			(10,620		)	1,875
	Preferred stock dividends	338			—			—			—			338
	Net income applicable to common shares	$	1,537		$	4,545		$	6,075		$	(10,620	)	$	1,537
	Comprehensive net income (loss)	$	(1,781	)	$	4,546		$	2,275		$	(6,897	)	$	(1,857	)
	Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			76			—			76
	Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	$	(1,781	)	$	4,546		$	2,351		$	(6,897	)	$	(1,781	)
Condensed Cash Flow Statement	'
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Statement of Cash Flows	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
		(In thousands)
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	15,105		$	19,989		$	27,588		$	—		$	62,682
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Cash invested in multi-client data library	—			(22,299		)	(54		)	—			(22,353		)
	Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(551		)	(1,230		)	(216		)	—			(1,997		)
	Repayment of advances by INOVA Geophysical	1,000			—			—			—			1,000
	Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V.	—			—			(3,683		)	—			(3,683		)
	Cash of OceanGeo B.V. upon acquiring a controlling interest	—			—			609			—			609
	Other investing activities	579			26			—			—			605
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,028			(23,503		)	(3,344		)	—			(25,819		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Borrowings under revolving line of credit	15,000			—			—			—			15,000
	Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	—			(1,365		)	(1,390		)	—			(2,755		)
	Intercompany lending	(1,155		)	6,418			(5,263		)	—			—
	Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options	246			—			—			—			246
	Other financing activities	(80		)	—			—			—			(80		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	14,011			5,053			(6,653		)	—			12,411
	Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(24		)	—			(24		)
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	30,144			1,539			17,567			—			49,250
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	124,701			—			23,355			—			148,056
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	154,845		$	1,539		$	40,922		$	—		$	197,306
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Statement of Cash Flows	ION Geophysical Corporation			The Guarantors			All Other Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Total Consolidated
		(In thousands)
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	16,769		$	7,813		$	25,009		$	—		$	49,591
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Cash invested in multi-client data library	—			(13,076		)	(15,702		)	—			(28,778		)
	Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	—			(3,774		)	—			—			(3,774		)
	Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V.	(8,000		)	—			(1,500		)	—			(9,500		)
	Investment in convertible notes	(1,000		)	—			—			—			(1,000		)
	Other investing activities	—			—			76			—			76
	Net cash used in investing activities	(9,000		)	(16,850		)	(17,126		)	—			(42,976		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	—			(597		)	(251		)	—			(848		)
	Intercompany lending	(26,286		)	9,634			16,652			—			—
	Payment of preferred dividends	(338		)	—			—			—			(338		)
	Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options	716			—			—			—			716
	Other financing activities	350			—			—			—			350
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(25,558		)	9,037			16,401			—			(120		)
	Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(891		)	—			(891		)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(17,789		)	—			23,393			—			5,604
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	30,343			—			30,628			—			60,971
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	12,554		$	—		$	54,021		$	—		$	66,575

Other_Income_Net_Tables

Other Income, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Income, Net	'
	A summary of other income, net is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Reduction of accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Note 8)	$	69,557		$	—
	Other income (expense), net	(1,031		)	1,027
	Total other income, net	$	68,526		$	1,027

Basis_of_Presentation_Details_

Basis of Presentation - Details (Details) (OceanGeo [Member])	Jan. 31, 2014
OceanGeo [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Increase in ownership percentage	40.00%
Ownership percentage interest	70.00%

Acquisition_of_Controlling_Int2

Acquisition of Controlling Interest in OceanGeo - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
			OceanGeo [Member]	OceanGeo [Member]	OceanGeo [Member]	OceanGeo [Member]	Optional Increase in Ownership [Member]
							OceanGeo [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage in equity interest prior to acquisition	'	'	'	'	30.00%	'	'
Ownership percentage interest	'	'	'	70.00%	'	'	70.00%
Loan made to equity method investee	'	'	'	'	'	$25,000,000	'
Amount drawn on credit facility by investee	'	'	'	3,700,000	15,300,000	'	'
Acquisition related costs	'	'	1,300,000	'	'	'	'
Revenues	144,698,000	129,737,000	4,200,000	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	$19,671,000	$1,923,000	$20,600,000	'	'	'	'

Acquisition_of_Controlling_Int3

Acquisition of Controlling Interest in OceanGeo - Assets and Liabilities Assumed (Details) (OceanGeo [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014
OceanGeo [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$609
Accounts receivable	9,247
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,433
Multi-client data library	3,876
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	14,598
Other assets	2,227
Total identifiable assets	31,990
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-13,464
Bank loans	-6,135
Other liabilities	-1,026
Net assets	11,365
Noncontrolling interest	-3,410
Total consideration	$7,955

Acquisition_of_Controlling_Int4

Acquisition of Controlling Interest in OceanGeo - Pro Forma Income Statement Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'
Net revenues	$153,882	$147,706
Income from operations	23,747	4,291
Net income	77,968	4,010
Net income attributable to ION	$76,821	$3,164
Basic net income per common share	$0.47	$0.02
Diluted net income per common share	$0.47	$0.02

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	$144,698	$129,737
Gross profit (loss)	56,854	34,957
Gross margin	39.00%	27.00%
Income (loss) from operations	19,671	1,923
Interest expense, net	-4,797	-1,066
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	-1,688	1,116
Other expense, net	68,526	1,027
Income (loss) before income taxes	81,712	3,000
Solutions [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	89,241	89,170
Gross profit (loss)	33,011	20,197
Gross margin	37.00%	23.00%
Income (loss) from operations	19,112	7,357
Systems [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	24,848	31,847
Gross profit (loss)	11,417	8,380
Gross margin	46.00%	26.00%
Income (loss) from operations	3,371	934
Software [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	10,039	8,720
Gross profit (loss)	7,257	6,380
Gross margin	72.00%	73.00%
Income (loss) from operations	5,128	5,161
Ocean Bottom Services Segment [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	20,570	0
Gross profit (loss)	5,169	0
Gross margin	25.00%	0.00%
Income (loss) from operations	4,162	0
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	-12,102	-11,529
New Venture and Data Library [Member] | Solutions [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	45,955	57,884
New Venture [Member] | Solutions [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	32,738	48,436
Data Library [Member] | Solutions [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	13,217	9,448
Data Processing [Member] | Solutions [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	43,286	31,286
Towed Streamer [Member] | Systems [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	11,851	13,549
Ocean Bottom Equipment [Member] | Systems [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	0	6,765
Other [Member] | Systems [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	12,997	11,533
Software Systems [Member] | Software [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	9,154	7,941
Services [Member] | Software [Member]	'	'
Summary of segment information	'	'
Revenues	$885	$779

Equity_Method_Investments_Chan

Equity Method Investments Changes in Equity Method Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Investment balance, beginning balance	$53,865	'
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	-1,688	1,116
Advances to OceanGeo (prior to consolidation)	3,683	'
Acquisition of controlling interest (consolidation) of OceanGeo	-7,221	'
Equity interest in investees' other comprehensive loss	-1,173	'
Investment balance, ending balance	47,466	'
INOVA Geophysical [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Investment balance, beginning balance	51,065	'
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	-2,426	1,900
Advances to OceanGeo (prior to consolidation)	0	'
Acquisition of controlling interest (consolidation) of OceanGeo	0	'
Equity interest in investees' other comprehensive loss	-1,173	'
Investment balance, ending balance	47,466	'
OceanGeo [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Investment balance, beginning balance	2,800	'
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	738	'
Advances to OceanGeo (prior to consolidation)	3,683	'
Acquisition of controlling interest (consolidation) of OceanGeo	-7,221	'
Equity interest in investees' other comprehensive loss	0	'
Investment balance, ending balance	$0	'

Equity_Method_Investments_Narr

Equity Method Investments Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
			OceanGeo [Member]	OceanGeo [Member]	OceanGeo [Member]	INOVA Geophysical [Member]	INOVA Geophysical [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of equity method investment	'	'	'	'	'	49.00%	'
Working capital loan to investee	'	'	'	$3,700,000	$15,300,000	'	'
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	($1,688,000)	$1,116,000	$738,000	'	'	($2,426,000)	$1,900,000

Equity_Method_Investments_Inco

Equity Method Investments Income (Loss) (Details) (INOVA Geophysical [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
INOVA Geophysical [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Net revenues	$40,176	$59,611
Gross profit	4,948	12,327
Loss from operations	-3,667	-250
Net income (loss)	($4,951)	$3,742

Longterm_Debt_Obligations_Deta

Long-term Debt Obligations (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Obligations	'	'
Carrying value of long-term debt	$241,013	$220,152
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	-60,551	-5,906
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	180,462	214,246
Senior secured second-priority notes [Member]	'	'
Obligations	'	'
Carrying value of long-term debt	175,000	175,000
Revolving line of credit [Member]	'	'
Obligations	'	'
Carrying value of long-term debt	50,000	35,000
Equipment capital leases [Member]	'	'
Obligations	'	'
Carrying value of long-term debt	9,091	8,651
Brazil bank debt [Member]	'	'
Obligations	'	'
Carrying value of long-term debt	5,649	0
Facility lease obligation [Member]	'	'
Obligations	'	'
Carrying value of long-term debt	$1,273	$1,501

Longterm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-term Debt Narrative (Details) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

13-May-13

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2010

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2010

Mar. 31, 2014

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Brazil Bank Debt [Member]

Brazil Bank Debt [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

China Merchants Bank Co. (CMB) [Member]

China Merchants Bank Co. (CMB) [Member]

China Merchants Bank Co. (CMB) [Member]

China Merchants Bank Co. (CMB) [Member]

China Merchants Bank Co. (CMB) [Member]

Eurodollar Borrowing [Member]

Eurodollar Borrowing [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying value of long-term debt and lease obligations

$241,013,000

$220,152,000

$175,000,000

$175,000,000

'

$50,000,000

$35,000,000

$5,649,000

$0

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt and Interest Rate Caps (Textual) [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount of debt

'

'

'

'

175,000,000

50,000,000

'

5,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

Stated rate on debt

'

'

'

'

8.13%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving line of credit, Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

175,000,000

'

'

Outstanding term loan indebtedness under Credit Facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$50,000,000

'

'

Interest rate debt accrued per annum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.56%

'

'

Debt instrument basis spread on variable rate under option one

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

3.50%

2.40%

Debt instrument basis spread on variable rate under option two

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

Debt instrument basis spread on variable rate under option three

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.50%

1.40%

'

'

Fixed charge coverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.125

'

'

Leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.25

'

'

Percentage of tangible net worth for covenants compliance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60.00%

'

'

'

Average rate on long-term debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.68%

'

'

'

'

'

Longterm_Debt_Redemption_Perce

Long-term Debt Redemption Percentages for Future Periods (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
2015	'
Debt Instrument Redemption [Line Items]	'
Notes redemption percentages	104.06%
2016	'
Debt Instrument Redemption [Line Items]	'
Notes redemption percentages	102.03%
2017 and thereafter	'
Debt Instrument Redemption [Line Items]	'
Notes redemption percentages	100.00%

Net_Income_per_Share_Narrative

Net Income per Share - Narrative (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of shares issued or committed for issuance under outstanding stock options	9,660,100	'	'	7,717,937
Number of shares of restricted stock and shares reserved for restricted stock units outstanding	1,237,123	'	'	1,034,280
Preferred stock shares outstanding	'	'	27,000	'
Number of common stock issuable upon conversion of remaining cumulative convertible preferred stock	'	6,065,075	'	'

Net_Income_per_Share_Basic_and

Net Income per Share - Basic and Diluted Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	$75,979	$1,537
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	163,847	156,465
Effect of dilutive stock awards and convertible preferred stock	214	850
Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding	164,061	157,315
Basic net income per share	$0.46	$0.01
Diluted net income per share	$0.46	$0.01
Series D Preferred Stock	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	$75,979	$1,537

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Effective income tax rates	6.40%	40.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent, Excluding Change In Valuation Allowance	43.30%	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	$2.20	'
United States Tax Authority [Member]	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Net deferred tax asset	$3.80	'

Litigation_Details

Litigation (Details) (WesternGeco [Member], USD $)

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2009

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Aug. 16, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Aug. 16, 2012

Aug. 16, 2012

Oct. 24, 2013

Apr. 30, 2014

Oct. 24, 2013

Oct. 24, 2013

mi

Patent

Pending Litigation [Member]

Pending Litigation, Post Appeal [Member]

Lost Royalties [Member]

Lost Profits [Member]

Lost Profits [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Previously Reported [Member]

Scenario, Adjustment [Member]

Pending Litigation [Member]

Pending Litigation [Member]

Settled Litigation [Member]

Lost Profits [Member]

Lost Profits [Member]

Lost Profits [Member]

Settled Litigation [Member]

Settled Litigation [Member]

Settled Litigation [Member]

Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of patent apparatus claims contained

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum distance from coast to make alleged activities not actionable under patent infringement law

12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total damages awarded

'

'

'

'

'

'

$105.90

'

$12.50

$93.40

$9.40

'

$73.10

($70)

Reduction in damages award in the case

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3

'

'

Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings

'

'

123.8

193.3

120

10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum amount of appeal bond

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$120

'

'

'

'

'

'

Details_of_Selected_Balance_Sh2

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials and subassemblies	$56,252	$54,168
Work-in-process	2,428	2,297
Finished goods	27,285	33,263
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories	-31,256	-32,555
Total	$54,709	$57,173

Details_of_Selected_Balance_Sh3

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts Long-term Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Note 8)	$123,770	$193,327
Facility restructuring accrual	4,818	4,837
Other long-term liabilities	14,399	12,438
Total	$142,987	$210,602

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	($11,138)	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-661	-3,656
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	-11,799	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	-11,923	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	486	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	-11,437	'
Equity interest in investeesb other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	841	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,173	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	-332	'
Other changes in other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	-56	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	26	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	($30)	'

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'	'
Purchases of computer equipment financed through capital leases	$1,952	$0
Transfer of inventory to seismic rental equipment	$2,308	$134

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
			Credit Facility Receivable [Member]	Credit Facility Receivable [Member]	LIBOR
					Credit Facility Receivable [Member]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Additional Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Credit facility to investee	'	'	$4,000,000	'	'
Interest rate on convertible note	'	'	'	'	0.25%
Amount drawn on credit facility by investee	'	'	'	4,000,000	'
Note and accrued interest, fair value	4,200,000	'	'	'	'
Carrying value of long-term debt	241,013,000	220,152,000	'	'	'
Fair value of long-term debt	$228,800,000	$190,400,000	'	'	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
	BGP Joint Venture [Member]	BGP Joint Venture [Member]	INOVA Geophysical [Member]	INOVA Geophysical [Member]	INOVA Geophysical [Member]	INOVA Geophysical [Member]	LIBOR
							INOVA Geophysical [Member]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Company's outstanding common stock owned by BGP	14.50%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Related party transaction, revenues from transactions with related party	$2	$0.90	'	'	'	'	'
Receivables due from BGP	2.4	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loan made to equity method investee	'	'	'	'	'	10	'
Basis spread on annual rate of loan	'	'	'	'	'	'	6.50%
Value of receivables due from related party	'	'	'	4	10	'	'
Payment received on related party debt	'	'	$6	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	13-May-13
			Senior Notes [Member]	Senior Notes [Member]	China Merchants Bank Co. (CMB) [Member]
					Senior Notes [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount of debt	'	'	'	'	$175,000,000
Carrying value of long-term debt and lease obligations	$241,013,000	$220,152,000	$175,000,000	$175,000,000	'
Stated rate on debt	'	'	'	'	8.13%

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$197,306	$148,056	$66,575	$60,971
Accounts receivable, net	98,231	149,448	'	'
Unbilled receivables	68,452	49,468	'	'
Inventories	54,709	57,173	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	25,605	24,772	'	'
Total current assets	444,303	428,917	'	'
Deferred income tax asset	14,339	14,650	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	59,811	46,684	'	'
Multi-client data library, net	243,083	238,784	'	'
Equity method investments	47,466	53,865	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	56,111	55,876	'	'
Intangible assets, net	10,566	11,247	'	'
Intercompany receivables	0	0	'	'
Other assets	15,640	14,648	'	'
Total assets	891,319	864,671	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	60,551	5,906	'	'
Accounts payable	38,654	22,654	'	'
Accrued expenses	72,471	84,358	'	'
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	38,263	46,460	'	'
Deferred revenue	16,030	20,682	'	'
Total current liabilities	225,969	180,060	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	180,462	214,246	'	'
Intercompany payables	0	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	142,987	210,602	'	'
Total liabilities	549,418	604,908	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	5,552	1,878	'	'
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	1,640	1,637	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	882,892	879,969	'	'
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	-530,178	-606,157	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-11,799	-11,138	'	'
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	0	0	'	'
Treasury stock	-6,565	-6,565	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	335,990	257,746	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	359	139	'	'
Total equity	336,349	257,885	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	891,319	864,671	'	'
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | ION Geophysical Corporation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	154,845	124,701	12,554	30,343
Accounts receivable, net	2,532	1,874	'	'
Unbilled receivables	0	0	'	'
Inventories	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,087	12,888	'	'
Total current assets	169,464	139,463	'	'
Deferred income tax asset	6,500	6,513	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	6,152	6,440	'	'
Multi-client data library, net	0	0	'	'
Equity method investments	47,466	51,065	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	785,917	699,695	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'
Intercompany receivables	50,557	8,313	'	'
Other assets	13,845	14,315	'	'
Total assets	1,079,901	925,804	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	50,000	0	'	'
Accounts payable	2,001	3,515	'	'
Accrued expenses	15,888	16,652	'	'
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	0	0	'	'
Deferred revenue	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	67,889	20,167	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	175,000	210,000	'	'
Intercompany payables	467,223	426,134	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	33,957	11,757	'	'
Total liabilities	744,069	668,058	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0	'	'
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	1,640	1,637	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	882,892	879,969	'	'
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	-530,178	-606,157	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-11,799	-11,138	'	'
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	0	0	'	'
Treasury stock	-6,565	-6,565	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	335,990	257,746	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	-158	0	'	'
Total equity	335,832	257,746	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	1,079,901	925,804	'	'
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | The Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,539	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	46,308	99,547	'	'
Unbilled receivables	55,168	33,490	'	'
Inventories	5,658	6,595	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,897	5,030	'	'
Total current assets	113,570	144,662	'	'
Deferred income tax asset	6,675	6,960	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	29,977	29,845	'	'
Multi-client data library, net	213,272	212,572	'	'
Equity method investments	0	0	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	256,637	248,482	'	'
Goodwill	26,984	26,984	'	'
Intangible assets, net	7,747	8,246	'	'
Intercompany receivables	0	13,419	'	'
Other assets	46	56	'	'
Total assets	654,908	691,226	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,794	4,716	'	'
Accounts payable	13,078	11,741	'	'
Accrued expenses	41,532	54,250	'	'
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	37,648	45,921	'	'
Deferred revenue	12,689	16,387	'	'
Total current liabilities	109,741	133,015	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	4,073	3,655	'	'
Intercompany payables	34,145	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	121,617	214,211	'	'
Total liabilities	269,576	350,881	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0	'	'
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	290,460	290,460	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	175,005	180,700	'	'
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	324,015	232,186	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	6,217	6,218	'	'
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	-410,365	-369,219	'	'
Treasury stock	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	385,332	340,345	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	'	'
Total equity	385,332	340,345	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	654,908	691,226	'	'
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | All Other Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	40,922	23,355	54,021	30,628
Accounts receivable, net	49,391	48,027	'	'
Unbilled receivables	13,284	15,978	'	'
Inventories	49,051	50,578	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,391	7,438	'	'
Total current assets	163,039	145,376	'	'
Deferred income tax asset	758	489	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	23,682	10,399	'	'
Multi-client data library, net	29,811	26,212	'	'
Equity method investments	0	2,800	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	29,127	28,892	'	'
Intangible assets, net	2,819	3,001	'	'
Intercompany receivables	0	0	'	'
Other assets	24,249	24,262	'	'
Total assets	273,485	241,431	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	5,757	1,190	'	'
Accounts payable	23,575	7,364	'	'
Accrued expenses	16,133	13,392	'	'
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	615	539	'	'
Deferred revenue	3,341	4,295	'	'
Total current liabilities	49,421	26,780	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	1,389	591	'	'
Intercompany payables	16,412	21,732	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	10,195	8,637	'	'
Total liabilities	77,417	57,740	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	5,552	1,878	'	'
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	22,362	19,138	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	235,994	235,381	'	'
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	-69	-4,010	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-11,430	-11,920	'	'
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	-56,858	-56,915	'	'
Treasury stock	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	189,999	181,674	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	517	139	'	'
Total equity	190,516	181,813	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	273,485	241,431	'	'
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Unbilled receivables	0	0	'	'
Inventories	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-1,770	-584	'	'
Total current assets	-1,770	-584	'	'
Deferred income tax asset	406	688	'	'
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Multi-client data library, net	0	0	'	'
Equity method investments	0	0	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-1,042,554	-948,177	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'
Intercompany receivables	-50,557	-21,732	'	'
Other assets	-22,500	-23,985	'	'
Total assets	-1,116,975	-993,790	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Accounts payable	0	34	'	'
Accrued expenses	-1,082	64	'	'
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	0	0	'	'
Deferred revenue	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	-1,082	98	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	0	0	'	'
Intercompany payables	-517,780	-447,866	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	-22,782	-24,003	'	'
Total liabilities	-541,644	-471,771	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0	'	'
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	-312,822	-309,598	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	-410,999	-416,081	'	'
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	-323,946	-228,176	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	5,213	5,702	'	'
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	467,223	426,134	'	'
Treasury stock	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-575,331	-522,019	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	'	'
Total equity	-575,331	-522,019	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	($1,116,975)	($993,790)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Income Statement (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total net revenues	$144,698	$129,737
Cost of goods sold	87,844	94,780
Gross profit	56,854	34,957
Total operating expenses	37,183	33,034
Income (loss) from operations	19,671	1,923
Interest expense, net	-4,797	-1,066
Intercompany interest, net	0	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	-1,688	1,116
Other income (expense)	68,526	1,027
Income (loss) before income taxes	81,712	3,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	5,263	1,201
Net income	76,449	1,799
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-470	76
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	75,979	1,875
Preferred stock dividends	0	338
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	75,979	1,537
Comprehensive net income (loss)	75,788	-1,857
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-470	76
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	75,318	-1,781
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | ION Geophysical Corporation [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total net revenues	0	0
Cost of goods sold	0	0
Gross profit	0	0
Total operating expenses	9,021	8,030
Income (loss) from operations	-9,021	-8,030
Interest expense, net	-4,573	-1,025
Intercompany interest, net	66	82
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	89,488	5,837
Other income (expense)	497	340
Income (loss) before income taxes	76,457	-2,796
Income tax expense (benefit)	478	-4,671
Net income	75,979	1,875
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	75,979	1,875
Preferred stock dividends	'	338
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	'	1,537
Comprehensive net income (loss)	75,318	-1,781
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	75,318	-1,781
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | The Guarantors [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total net revenues	78,122	73,922
Cost of goods sold	43,996	60,183
Gross profit	34,126	13,739
Total operating expenses	15,255	16,357
Income (loss) from operations	18,871	-2,618
Interest expense, net	-42	22
Intercompany interest, net	-435	-269
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	3,856	6,634
Other income (expense)	69,911	8
Income (loss) before income taxes	92,161	3,777
Income tax expense (benefit)	332	-768
Net income	91,829	4,545
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	91,829	4,545
Preferred stock dividends	'	0
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	'	4,545
Comprehensive net income (loss)	91,828	4,546
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	91,828	4,546
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | All Other Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total net revenues	66,576	55,815
Cost of goods sold	43,848	34,597
Gross profit	22,728	21,218
Total operating expenses	12,907	8,647
Income (loss) from operations	9,821	12,571
Interest expense, net	-182	-63
Intercompany interest, net	369	187
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	738	-735
Other income (expense)	-1,882	679
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,864	12,639
Income tax expense (benefit)	4,453	6,640
Net income	4,411	5,999
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-470	76
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	3,941	6,075
Preferred stock dividends	'	0
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	'	6,075
Comprehensive net income (loss)	4,901	2,275
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-470	76
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	4,431	2,351
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Total net revenues	0	0
Cost of goods sold	0	0
Gross profit	0	0
Total operating expenses	0	0
Income (loss) from operations	0	0
Interest expense, net	0	0
Intercompany interest, net	0	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments	-95,770	-10,620
Other income (expense)	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	-95,770	-10,620
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0
Net income	-95,770	-10,620
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	-95,770	-10,620
Preferred stock dividends	'	0
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	'	-10,620
Comprehensive net income (loss)	-96,259	-6,897
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION	($96,259)	($6,897)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Cash Flow Statement (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	$62,682	$49,591
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Cash invested in multi-client data library	-22,353	-28,778
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	-1,997	-3,774
Repayment of advances to INOVA Geophysical	1,000	0
Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V.	-3,683	-9,500
Cash of OceanGeo B.V. upon acquiring a controlling interest	609	0
Investment in convertible notes	0	-1,000
Other investing activities	605	76
Net cash used in investing activities	-25,819	-42,976
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	15,000	0
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	-2,755	-848
Intercompany lending	0	0
Payment of preferred dividends	0	-338
Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options	246	716
Other financing activities	-80	350
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	12,411	-120
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	-24	-891
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	49,250	5,604
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	148,056	60,971
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	197,306	66,575
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | ION Geophysical Corporation [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	15,105	16,769
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Cash invested in multi-client data library	0	0
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	-551	0
Repayment of advances to INOVA Geophysical	1,000	'
Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V.	0	-8,000
Cash of OceanGeo B.V. upon acquiring a controlling interest	0	'
Investment in convertible notes	'	-1,000
Other investing activities	579	0
Net cash used in investing activities	1,028	-9,000
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	15,000	'
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	0	0
Intercompany lending	-1,155	-26,286
Payment of preferred dividends	'	-338
Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options	246	716
Other financing activities	-80	350
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	14,011	-25,558
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	30,144	-17,789
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	124,701	30,343
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	154,845	12,554
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | The Guarantors [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	19,989	7,813
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Cash invested in multi-client data library	-22,299	-13,076
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	-1,230	-3,774
Repayment of advances to INOVA Geophysical	0	'
Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V.	0	0
Cash of OceanGeo B.V. upon acquiring a controlling interest	0	'
Investment in convertible notes	'	0
Other investing activities	26	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-23,503	-16,850
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	0	'
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	-1,365	-597
Intercompany lending	6,418	9,634
Payment of preferred dividends	'	0
Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options	0	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,053	9,037
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,539	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,539	0
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | All Other Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	27,588	25,009
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Cash invested in multi-client data library	-54	-15,702
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	-216	0
Repayment of advances to INOVA Geophysical	0	'
Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V.	-3,683	-1,500
Cash of OceanGeo B.V. upon acquiring a controlling interest	609	'
Investment in convertible notes	'	0
Other investing activities	0	76
Net cash used in investing activities	-3,344	-17,126
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	0	'
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	-1,390	-251
Intercompany lending	-5,263	16,652
Payment of preferred dividends	'	0
Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options	0	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-6,653	16,401
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	-24	-891
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	17,567	23,393
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	23,355	30,628
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	40,922	54,021
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Cash invested in multi-client data library	0	0
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	0	0
Repayment of advances to INOVA Geophysical	0	'
Investment in and advances to OceanGeo B.V.	0	0
Cash of OceanGeo B.V. upon acquiring a controlling interest	0	'
Investment in convertible notes	'	0
Other investing activities	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	0	'
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	0	0
Intercompany lending	0	0
Payment of preferred dividends	'	0
Proceeds from employee stock purchases and exercise of stock options	0	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	0	0
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0	$0

Other_Income_Net_Details

Other Income, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'
Reduction of accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Note 8)	$69,557	$0
Other income (expense), net	-1,031	1,027
Total other income, net	$68,526	$1,027