Ion Geophysical (IOGPQ) 10-K 12 Feb 21 2020 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 08, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000866609
Entity Registrant Name	ION GEOPHYSICAL CORP
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-12691
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	22-2286646
Entity Address, Address Line One	2105 CityWest Blvd
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77042-2855
City Area Code	281
Local Phone Number	933-3339
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	IO
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 26,800,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,981,513

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 37,486	$ 33,065
Accounts receivable, net	8,045	29,548
Unbilled receivables	11,262	11,815
Inventories, net	11,267	12,187
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,116	6,012
Total current assets	75,176	92,627
Deferred income tax asset, net	0	8,734
Property, plant and equipment, net	9,511	13,188
Multi-client data library, net	50,914	60,384
Goodwill	19,565	23,585
Right-of-use assets	35,501	32,546
Other assets	2,926	2,130
Total assets	193,593	233,194
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	143,731	2,107
Accounts payable	33,418	49,316
Accrued expenses	16,363	30,328
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	21,359	18,831
Deferred revenue	3,648	4,551
Current maturities of operating lease liabilities	7,570	11,055
Total current liabilities	226,089	116,188
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	0	119,352
Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities	38,372	30,833
Other long-term liabilities	222	1,453
Total liabilities	264,683	267,826
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 26,666,667 shares; outstanding 14,333,101 and 14,224,787 shares at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively	143	142
Additional paid-in capital	958,584	956,647
Accumulated deficit	(1,011,516)	(974,291)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(19,913)	(19,318)
Total stockholders’ deficit	(72,702)	(36,820)
Noncontrolling interests	1,612	2,188
Total deficit	(71,090)	(34,632)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$ 193,593	$ 233,194

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	26,666,667	26,666,667
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	14,333,101	14,224,787

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Net revenues	$ 122,674		$ 174,679	$ 180,045
Impairment of multi-client data library	1,167		9,072	0
Gross profit	41,657		60,022	59,620
Operating expenses:
Research, development and engineering	12,965		19,025	18,182
Marketing and sales	11,675		23,207	21,793
General, administrative and other operating expenses	27,456		42,249	37,364
Impairment of long-lived assets	0		0	36,553
Impairment of goodwill	4,150		0	0
Total operating expenses	56,246		84,481	113,892
Loss from operations	(14,589)		(24,459)	(54,272)
Interest expense, net	(13,805)		(13,074)	(12,972)
Other income (expense), net	6,898	[1]	(1,617)	(436)
Loss before income taxes	(21,496)		(39,150)	(67,680)
Income tax expense	15,616		8,064	2,718
Net loss	(37,112)		(47,214)	(70,398)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(113)		(985)	(773)
Net loss attributable to ION	$ (37,225)		$ (48,199)	$ (71,171)
Net loss per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (2.61)		$ (3.41)	$ (5.20)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (2.61)		$ (3.41)	$ (5.20)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	14,272		14,131	13,692
Diluted (in shares)	14,272		14,131	13,692
Service [Member]
Net revenues	$ 93,347		$ 131,280	$ 139,038
Cost of services and products	63,055		83,519	100,557
Product [Member]
Net revenues	29,327		43,399	41,007
Cost of services and products	$ 16,795		$ 22,066	$ 19,868
[1]	Includes amortization of the government relief funding expected to be forgiven of $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Net loss	$ (37,112)	$ (47,214)	$ (70,398)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, as appropriate:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,067)	1,124	(1,563)
Comprehensive net loss	(38,179)	(46,090)	(71,961)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	359	(985)	(773)
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION	$ (37,820)	$ (47,075)	$ (72,734)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (37,112)	$ (47,214)	$ (70,398)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (other than multi-client library)	3,997	3,657	8,763
Amortization of multi-client data library	22,299	39,541	48,988
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	0	36,553
Impairment of multi-client data library	1,167	9,072	0
Impairment of goodwill	4,150	0	0
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense, Total	2,043	4,701	3,337
Amortization of government relief funding expected to be forgiven	(6,923)	0	0
Provision for expected credit losses	2,413	0	0
Write-down of excess and obsolete inventory	378	517	665
Deferred income taxes	8,547	(1,940)	(6,252)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	19,608	(3,265)	(7,024)
Unbilled receivables	(383)	32,055	(5,245)
Inventories	280	1,067	(353)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued royalties	(12,584)	(2,492)	(7,600)
Deferred revenue	(793)	(3,207)	(1,112)
Other assets and liabilities	2,072	1,658	6,776
Net cash provided by operating activities	9,159	34,150	7,098
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in multi-client data library	(27,247)	(28,804)	(28,276)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(1,121)	(2,411)	(1,514)
Net cash used in investing activities	(28,368)	(31,215)	(29,790)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	27,250	40,000	0
Repayments under revolving line of credit	(4,750)	(40,000)	(10,000)
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(2,409)	(2,553)	(30,807)
Receipt of Paycheck Protection Program loan	6,923	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of stocks	0	0	46,999
Costs associated with debt issuance	(924)	0	(1,247)
Other financing activities	(322)	(993)	(1,137)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	25,768	(3,546)	3,808
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	136	(125)	319
Net increase (decrease) decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	6,695	(736)	(18,565)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	33,118	33,854	52,419
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 39,813	$ 33,118	$ 33,854

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	12,019,701
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 120	$ 903,247	$ (854,921)	$ (18,879)	$ 1,239	$ 30,806
Net (loss) income	0	0	(71,171)	0	773	(70,398)
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	(1,563)	(220)	(1,783)
Dividend payment to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	(200)	(200)
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 0	3,337	0	0	0	$ 3,337
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	70,086					70,086
Exercise of stock options	$ 1	213	0	0	0	$ 214
Vesting of restricted stock units/awards (in shares)	151,852
Vesting of restricted stock units/awards	$ 1	(1)	0	0	0	$ 0
Vested restricted stock cancelled for employee minimum income taxes (in shares)	(46,024)					(48,524)
Vested restricted stock cancelled for employee minimum income taxes	$ 0	(1,151)	0	0	0	$ (1,151)
Public equity offering (in shares)	1,820,000
Public equity offering	$ 18	46,981	0	0	0	46,999
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	14,015,615
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 140	952,626	(926,092)	(20,442)	1,592	7,824
Net (loss) income	0	0	(48,199)	0	985	(47,214)
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	1,124	(74)	1,050
Dividend payment to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	(315)	(315)
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 0	4,701	0	0	0	$ 4,701
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	86,900					86,900
Exercise of stock options	$ 1	140	0	0	0	$ 141
Vesting of restricted stock units/awards (in shares)	225,860
Vesting of restricted stock units/awards	$ 2	(2)	0	0	0	$ 0
Vested restricted stock cancelled for employee minimum income taxes (in shares)	(103,588)					(170,254)
Vested restricted stock cancelled for employee minimum income taxes	$ (1)	(818)	0	0	0	$ (819)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019	14,224,787
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 142	956,647	(974,291)	(19,318)	2,188	(34,632)
Net (loss) income	0	0	(37,225)	0	113	(37,112)
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	(595)	(472)	(1,067)
Dividend payment to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	(217)	(217)
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 0	2,043	0	0	0	$ 2,043
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	5,000					5,000
Exercise of stock options	$ 0	15	0	0	0	$ 15
Vesting of restricted stock units/awards (in shares)	151,346
Vesting of restricted stock units/awards	$ 2	(2)	0	0	0	$ 0
Vested restricted stock cancelled for employee minimum income taxes (in shares)	(48,032)					(139,700)
Vested restricted stock cancelled for employee minimum income taxes	$ (1)	(119)	0	0	0	$ (120)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020	14,333,101
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 143	$ 958,584	$ (1,011,516)	$ (19,913)	$ 1,612	$ (71,090)

Note 1 - Summary of Significant

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	( 1 General Description and Principles of Consolidation ION Geophysical Corporation and its subsidiaries offer a full suite of services and products for seismic data acquisition and processing. The Company's offerings are focused on improving subsurface knowledge to enhance E&P decision-making and enhancing situational awareness to optimize offshore operations. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ION Geophysical Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “ION”). Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications were made to previously reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto particularly the presentation of revenue by geographic area to make them consistent with the current period presentation. Going Concern As of December 31, 2020, December 15, 2021. twelve may not The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity GAAP") on a going concern basis of accounting, which contemplate continuity of operations exclude certain adjustments that might result if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern. Existing Second Lien Notes Restructuring To address the upcoming maturity of the $120.6 9.125% 2021 imately 92% aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Existing Second Lien Notes (the “Supporting Noteholders”), pursuant to which the Company committed to use its reasonable efforts to effect the following transactions (collectively, the “Restructuring Transactions”): (i) an offer to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) all outstanding Existing Second Lien Notes, with each $1,000 (ii) the granting of the right to all holders of the Company's common stock to participate in a rights offering (the “Rights Offering”) to subscribe for a pro rata share (with over-subscription rights) of up to $50.0 million of New Second Lien Notes issued at par, or common stock issued at the Deal Price. In connection with the Rights Offering, the Company intends to enter into backstop agreements (the “Backstop Agreements”) with one The “New Second Lien Notes” will accrue interest at the rate of 8.0% per annum, mature on December 15, 2025, second may no no 18 two If the Restructuring Transactions are consummated, the Company could issue up to $151.7 million aggregate principal amount of New Second Lien Notes, which could be converted into 50.6 million shares of common stock, representing approximately 77.1% of the total shares of common stock outstanding following the Restructuring Transactions. This excludes the shares of common stock subject to issuance pursuant to the Company's Long-term Incentive Plan. The actual number of shares of common stock that could be issued as a result of the Restructuring Transactions may March 2021. The Company also entered into a restructuring support agreement with (the "PNC Restructuring Support Agreement") that will allo The Restructuring Transactions are also subject to stockholder approval to be voted at a special meeting of stockholders scheduled for February 23, 2021 ( While the Company believes it will be successful in obtaining stockholders' approval and executing the Restructuring Transactions, there can be no no may may not COVID- 19 The COVID- 19 may 2020, 19 first January 1, 2020 March 31, 2020. second fourth ar at $51 per $60 February 2021, 2020 March 2021. While commodity prices can be volatile, the sharp decline throughout 2020 25%. second 2020, 2021. The Company expects continued portfolio rationalization and high grading as E&P companies seek to find the best return on investment opportunities to meet oil and gas demand in the next decade. Near-term, due to the impact of the COVID- 19, 19 While 2020 2020 19 10 March 31, 2020. 19 • Scaled down personnel costs and operating expenses in April 2020 nine 2020, January 2020. • Reduced capital expenditures to approximately $28.0 million (a portion of which were pre-funded or underwritten by the customers), down from the original budget of $35.0 million to $50.0 million, to reflect both reduced seismic demand and travel/border restrictions impacting new data acquisition offshore. This provides flexibility to aggressively reduce cash outflows while shifting to significantly lower cost reimaging programs. • Applied for and continue to explore various government assistance programs, of which approximately $6.9 million was received and applied against qualifying expenditures during the second • Re-negotiated existing lease agreements for its significant locations to obtain rent relief of approximately $4.0 million. The majority of the cash savings from the rent relief benefit the Company from July 2020 March 2021. 14 Lease Obligations" • Announced the sale of its 49% ownership interest in INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited for $12.0 million, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Closing of the transaction is expected in 2021. • Entered into a settlement agreement with WesternGeco ending the decade-long patent litigation. See Footnote 9 Litigations" Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are made at discrete points in time based on relevant market information. These estimates may not Foreign Currency Transactions Assets and liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries operating outside the United States that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar have been translated to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of foreign operations have been translated using the average exchange rate during the periods of operation. Resulting translation adjustments have been recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The foreign currency transaction losses are primarily due to the currency rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Brazilian real related to the Company’s operations in Brazil. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, as they occur, are included in “Other income (expense), net” on the consolidated statements of operations. Total foreign currency transaction losses were $1.6 million, $1.3 million and $0.4 million for 2020 2019 2018 Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three may December 31, 2020 2019 Accounts and Unbilled Receivables Accounts and unbilled receivables are recorded at cost, less the related allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company considers current information and events regarding the customers’ ability to repay their obligations, such as the length of time the receivable balance is outstanding, the customers’ credit worthiness and historical experience. Unbilled receivables relate to revenues recognized on multi-client surveys, imaging and reservoir services and devices equipment repairs on a proportionate basis, and on licensing of multi-client data library for which invoices have not Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (primarily first first Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation expense is provided straight-line over the following estimated useful lives: Years Machinery and equipment 3 - 7 Buildings 5 - 25 Seismic rental equipment 3 - 5 Leased equipment and other 3 - 10 Expenditures for major renewals and betterment, that increase the value or extend the economic useful life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The cost and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in “Other income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of operations. Long-lived Asset Impairment The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, when indicators of impairment exist, relying on a number of factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. Impairment is recognized whenever anticipated future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate are estimated to be less than its carrying value. The amount of the impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair value. No 2020 2019 no 2018, Multi-Client Data Library The multi-client data library consists of seismic surveys that are offered for licensing to customers on a non-exclusive basis. The capitalized costs include costs paid to third 2020 2019 2018 brary, million, The Company’s method of amortizing the costs of an in-process multi-client data library (the period during which the seismic data is being acquired and/or processed, referred to as the New Venture phase) consists of determining the percentage of actual revenue recognized to the total estimated revenues (which includes both revenues estimated to be realized during the New Venture phase and estimated revenues from the licensing of the resulting on-the-shelf data survey) and multiplying that percentage by the total cost of the project (the sales forecast method). The Company considers a multi-client data survey to be complete when all work on the creation of the seismic data is finished and that data survey is available for licensing. Once a multi-client data survey is complete, the data survey is considered on-the-shelf and the Company’s method of amortization is then the greater of (i) the sales forecast method or (ii) the straight-line basis over a four first four four four The Company estimates the ultimate revenue expected to be derived from a particular seismic data survey over its estimated useful economic life to determine the costs to amortize, if greater than straight-line amortization. That estimate is made by the Company at the project’s initiation. For a completed multi-client survey, the Company reviews the estimate quarterly. If during any such review, the Company determines that the ultimate revenue for a survey is expected to be materially more or less than the original estimate of ultimate revenue for such survey, the Company decreases or increases (as the case may 2020 2019 Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of costs over the fair value of the net assets acquired in connection with a business combination. Goodwill is allocated to reporting units, which are either the operating segment or one not December 31, may not not 3 15 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” three December 31, 2020 No December 31, 2020 11 Goodwill Equity Method Investment The Company determined that INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited ("INOVA Geophysical" or "INOVA") is a variable interest entity because the Company’s voting rights with respect to INOVA Geophysical are not not not not In 2014, December 31, 2020 zero no no In March 2020, 2021. Noncontrolling Interests The Company has non-redeemable noncontrolling interests. Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests in majority-owned affiliates are reported as a separate component of equity in “Noncontrolling interests” in the consolidated balance sheets. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is stated separately in the consolidated statements of operations. The activity for this noncontrolling interest relates to proprietary processing projects in Brazil. Revenue From Contracts With Customers The Company derives revenue from the sale or license of (i) multi-client and proprietary data, imaging and reservoir services within its E&P Technology & Services segment; (ii) sale, license and repair of seismic data acquisition systems and other equipment; and (iii) sale or license of seismic command and control software systems and software solutions for operations management within its Operations Optimization segment. All E&P Technology & Services’ revenues and the services component of Optimization Software & Services’ revenues under Operations Optimization segment are classified as services revenues. All other revenues are classified as product revenues. The Company uses a five not one 4 Revenue from Contracts with Customers Research, Development and Engineering Research, development and engineering costs primarily relate to activities that are designed to improve the quality of the subsurface image and overall acquisition economics of the Company’s customers. The costs associated with these activities are expensed as incurred. These costs include prototype material and field testing expenses, along with the related salaries and stock-based compensation, facility costs, consulting fees, tools and equipment usage and other miscellaneous expenses associated with these activities. Stock-Based Compensation The Company issues stock-based payment awards to employees and directors, including employee stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stocks and stock appreciation rights. The Company estimates the value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option pricing model such as Black-Scholes or Monte Carlo simulation. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, including operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not not 8 Income Taxes

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pron

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Text Block]	( 2 Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted On January 1, 2020, No. 2016 13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” no On January 1, 2020, 2017 04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350 2 no not December 31, 2020 No December 31, 2020 11 Goodwill On December 31, 2020, 2020 04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848 not not one January 1, 2020. December 31, 2022. no The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has adopted new rules for registered debt securities that make it easier for entities to qualify for an exception to the requirement that it file separate financial statements for subsidiary issuers and guarantors. The rules also significantly streamline, and in some cases eliminate, the disclosures an entity must provide in lieu of the subsidiary’s audited financial statements. The rules require certain enhanced narrative disclosures, including the terms and conditions of the guarantees and how the legal obligations of the issuer and guarantor, as well as other factors, may January 4, 2021 December 31, 2020, 7. Liquidity and Capital Resources

Note 3 - Segment and Geographic

Note 3 - Segment and Geographic Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	( 3 The Company evaluates and reviews its results based on two The segments represent components of the Company for which separate financial information is available that is utilized on a regular basis by the Chief Operating Decision Maker in determining how to allocate resources and evaluate performance. The Company measures segment operating results based on income (loss) from operations. A summary of segment information follows (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Net revenues: E&P Technology & Services: New Venture $ 10,798 $ 31,188 $ 69,685 Data Library 65,790 71,847 47,095 Total multi-client revenues 76,588 103,035 116,780 Imaging and Reservoir Services 15,179 22,543 19,740 Total $ 91,767 $ 125,578 $ 136,520 Operations Optimization: Optimization Software & Services $ 14,137 $ 23,140 $ 21,129 Devices 16,770 25,961 22,396 Total $ 30,907 $ 49,101 $ 43,525 Total net revenues $ 122,674 $ 174,679 $ 180,045 Gross profit (loss): E&P Technology & Services $ 29,243 $ 35,699 $ 43,369 Operations Optimization 12,414 24,323 22,293 Segment gross profit 41,657 60,022 65,662 Other — — (6,042 ) (d) Total gross profit $ 41,657 $ 60,022 $ 59,620 Gross margin: E&P Technology & Services 32 % 28 % 32 % Operations Optimization 40 % 50 % 51 % Segment gross margin 34 % 34 % 36 % Other — % — % (3 )% Total 34 % 34 % 33 % Income (loss) from operations: E&P Technology & Services $ 13,134 (a) $ 8,833 (a) $ 21,758 Operations Optimization (4,556 ) (b) 8,189 7,295 Support and other (23,167 ) (41,481 ) (83,325 ) (e) Loss from operations (14,589 ) (24,459 ) (54,272 ) Interest expense, net (13,805 ) (13,074 ) (12,972 ) Other income (expense), net 6,898 (c) (1,617 ) (436 ) Loss before income taxes $ (21,496 ) $ (39,150 ) $ (67,680 ) (a) December 31, 2020 2019 (b) December 31, 2020 (c) December 31, 2020 (d) (e) December 31, 2018 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2018 Intersegment sales are insignificant for all periods presented. Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Depreciation and amortization expense (including multi-client data library) : E&P Technology & Services $ 24,581 $ 41,813 $ 51,673 Operations Optimization 1,234 940 995 Support and other 481 445 5,083 (a) Total $ 26,296 $ 43,198 $ 57,751 (a) Depreciation and amortization expense recorded within cost of services and operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations is allocated to segments based upon use of the underlying assets. December 31, 2020 2019 Total assets: E&P Technology & Services $ 92,075 $ 133,787 Operations Optimization 45,109 56,927 Support and other 56,409 42,480 Total $ 193,593 $ 233,194 A summary of total assets by geographic area follows (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 North America $ 94,923 $ 104,808 Middle East 45,823 48,932 Europe 28,738 37,946 Latin America 19,771 34,633 Other 4,338 6,875 Total $ 193,593 $ 233,194 A summary of property, plant and equipment and multi-client data library, net of accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment, by geographic area follows (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 North America 44,188 56,566 Latin America 14,301 14,826 Europe 1,862 2,095 Middle East 62 73 Other 12 12 Total $ 60,425 $ 73,572 A summary of net revenues by geographic area follows (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Latin America $ 43,389 $ 64,627 $ 91,833 Africa 27,132 28,203 21,482 Europe 17,950 22,102 18,509 Asia Pacific 16,696 18,321 21,587 North America 9,521 27,953 19,029 Middle East 3,187 7,347 3,728 Other 4,799 6,126 3,877 Total $ 122,674 $ 174,679 $ 180,045 Product revenues are allocated to geographic locations on the basis of the ultimate destination of the equipment, if known. If the ultimate destination of such equipment is not

Note 4 - Revenue from Contracts

Note 4 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]	( 4 Multi-client and Proprietary Surveys, Imaging and Reservoir Services The Company also performs seismic surveys, imaging and other services under contracts with specific customers, whereby the seismic data is owned by those customers. The Company recognizes revenue as the seismic data is acquired and/or processed on a proportionate basis as work is performed. The Company uses quantifiable measures of progress consistent with its multi-client seismic surveys. Acquisition Systems and Other Seismic Equipment Software two five These arrangements generally include the Company providing related services, such as training courses, engineering services and annual software maintenance. The Company allocates consideration to each element of the arrangement based upon directly observable or estimated standalone selling prices. Revenue is recognized for these services as control transfers to the customer over time. The Company does not one Revenue by Segment and Geographic Area See Footnote 3 “Segment and Geographic Information” 2020 2019 2018 Unbilled Receivables Unbilled receivables balances relate to revenues recognized on multi-client surveys, imaging and reservoir services and devices equipment repairs on a proportionate basis, and on licensing of multi-client data libraries for which invoices have not December 31, 2020 2019 New Venture $ 9,158 $ 5,222 Imaging and Reservoir Services 680 6,539 Devices 1,424 54 Total $ 11,262 $ 11,815 The changes in unbilled receivables were as follows (in thousands): Unbilled receivables at December 31, 2019 $ 11,815 Recognition of unbilled receivables (a) 117,528 Revenues billed to customers (a) (118,081 ) Unbilled receivables at December 31, 2020 $ 11,262 (a) Deferred Revenue Billing practices are governed by the terms of each contract based upon achievement of milestones or pre-agreed schedules. Billing does not not December 31, 2020 2019 New Venture $ 2,169 $ 1,956 Imaging and Reservoir Services 665 1,501 Devices 48 452 Optimization Software & Services 766 642 Total $ 3,648 $ 4,551 The changes in deferred revenues were as follows (in thousands): Deferred revenue at December 31, 2019 $ 4,551 Cash collected in excess of revenue recognized 4,243 Recognition of deferred revenue (a) (5,146 ) Deferred revenue at December 31, 2020 $ 3,648 (a) The Company expects to recognize a majority of deferred revenue within the next twelve Credit Risks In 2020 two 10% 2019 one 10% 2018 two 10% At December 31, 2020 three December 31, 2019 two The Company routinely evaluates the financial stability and creditworthiness of its customers. The Company has a corporate credit policy that is intended to minimize the risk of financial loss due to a customer’s inability to pay. Credit coverage decisions for customers are based on references, payment histories, financial and other data. The Company utilizes a third not Concentration of Foreign Sales Risk The majority of the Company’s foreign sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. For 2020 2019 2018 19 2020.

Note 5 - Long-term Debt

Note 5 - Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	( 5 The following is a summary of long-term debt and lease obligation (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 Senior secured second-priority lien notes (maturing December 15, 2021) $ 120,569 $ 120,569 Revolving credit facility (maturing August 16, 2023) (a) 22,500 — Equipment finance leases (see Footnote 14) 734 1,869 Other debt 905 972 Costs associated with issuances of debt (977 ) (1,951 ) Total 143,731 121,459 Current maturities of long-term debt (143,731 ) (2,107 ) Long-term debt, net of current maturities $ — $ 119,352 (a) Revolving Credit Facility Existing Second Lien Notes At December 31, 2020, December 15, 2021 ( second June 15 December 15 June 15, 2021 December 15, 2021. The April 2016 At December 31, 2020 On or after December 15, 2019, may, one twelve December 15th Date Percentage 2020 103.5 % 2021 100.0 % The Company entered into a Restructuring Support Agreem ent with ho 92% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Existing Second Lien Notes, 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Revolving Credit Facility On August 16, 2018, August 22, 2014 ( August 4, 2015 April 28, 2016, The Credit Facility is available to provide for the Borrowers’ general corporate needs, including working capital requirements, capital expenditures, surety deposits and acquisition financing. The Credit Facility matures on August 16, 2023 September 15, 2021 not 1 2 not October 31, 2023, 3 September 15, 2021, October 31, 2021, The Company also entered into the PNC Restructuring Support Agreement that will allo The maximum interest rate in the Credit Facility is 3% per annum for domestic rate loans and 4% per annum for LIBOR rate loans with a minimum interest rate of 2% for domestic rate loans and 3% for LIBOR rate loans based on a leverage ratio for the preceding four five The maximum amount available under the Credit Facility is the lesser of $50.0 million or a monthly borrowing base. The borrowing base under the Credit Facility will increase or decrease monthly using a formula based on certain eligible receivables, eligible inventory and other amounts, including a percentage of the net orderly liquidation value of the Borrowers’ multi-client data library ( not December 31, 2020, The obligations of Borrowers under the Credit Facility are secured by a first first The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, limit or prohibit the Borrowers, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, from incurring additional indebtedness in excess of permitted indebtedness (including finance lease obligations), repurchasing equity, paying dividends or distributions, granting or incurring additional liens on the Borrowers’ properties, pledging shares of the Borrowers’ subsidiaries, entering into certain merger transactions, entering into transactions with the Company’s affiliates, making certain sales or other dispositions of the Borrowers’ assets, making certain investments, acquiring other businesses and entering into sale-leaseback transactions with respect to the Borrowers’ property. The Credit Facility contains customary event of default provisions (including a “change of control” event affecting ION Geophysical Corporation), the occurrence of which could lead to an acceleration of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility requires that the Borrowers maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 two five At December 31, 2020

Note 6 - Government Relief Fund

Note 6 - Government Relief Funding	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Short-term Debt [Text Block]	( 6 On April 11, 2020, 360 two During fourth 2020, 24 first first first may 1106 not The Company recognized the PPP Loan following the government grant accounting by analogy to International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) 20, 20” 20, not $6.9 second April 2020 June 2020. not may

Note 7 - Net Loss per Common Sh

Note 7 - Net Loss per Common Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	( 7 Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to ION by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. In computing diluted net income per share, basic net loss per share is adjusted 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 issuable pursuant to outstanding stock options at December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 December 31, 2020, 2019 2018

Note 8 - Income Taxes

Note 8 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	( 8 The sources of income (loss) before income taxes are as follows (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Domestic $ (32,705 ) $ (85,278 ) $ (59,212 ) Foreign 11,209 46,128 (8,468 ) Total $ (21,496 ) $ (39,150 ) $ (67,680 ) Components of income taxes are as follows (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Current: Federal $ (8 ) $ — $ — State and local (36 ) 2 65 Foreign 7,113 10,002 8,905 Deferred: Federal — — (346 ) Foreign 8,547 (1,940 ) (5,906 ) Total income tax expense $ 15,616 $ 8,064 $ 2,718 A reconciliation of the expected income tax expense on income (loss) before income taxes using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% to income tax expense follows (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Expected income tax expense at 21% $ (4,514 ) $ (8,222 ) $ (14,213 ) Foreign tax rate differential (307 ) (1,996 ) 74 Foreign tax differences 2,128 (327 ) 4,703 Global intangible low tax income inclusion 1,296 7,310 3,443 State and local taxes (36 ) 2 65 Nondeductible expenses 134 865 1,604 Nontaxable PPP loan forgiveness (1,454 ) — — Valuation allowance on operations 18,369 10,432 7,042 Total income tax expense $ 15,616 $ 8,064 $ 2,718 The tax effects of the cumulative temporary differences resulting in the net deferred income tax asset (liability) are as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 Deferred income tax assets: Accrued expenses $ 1,326 $ 1,588 Allowance accounts 6,560 6,161 Net operating loss carryforward 115,254 105,844 Equity method investment 35,292 35,292 Original issue discount 3,287 6,000 Interest limitation 14,645 10,132 Basis in identified intangibles 5,499 7,090 Tax credit carryforwards 4,733 5,070 Other 3,585 4,443 Total deferred income tax asset 190,181 181,620 Valuation allowance (189,306 ) (170,937 ) Net deferred income tax asset 875 10,683 Deferred income tax liabilities: Unbilled receivables (875 ) (1,949 ) Total deferred income tax asset, net $ — $ 8,734 A valuation allowance is established or maintained when it is “more likely than not” not not not twelve December 31, 2020 In response to the global pandemic related to COVID- 19, March 27, 2020. 163 December 31, 2020, no 19 December 31, 2020 At December 31, 2020 2034 2025. At December 31, 2020 not twelve 2020 2019 2018 Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Beginning balance $ 447 $ 447 $ 447 Increases in unrecognized tax benefits – current year positions — — — Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits – prior year position — — — Ending balance $ 447 $ 447 $ 447 The Company’s U.S. federal tax returns for 2017 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. The Company is no 2017, 2017 may At December 31, 2020 no No

Note 9 - Litigations

Note 9 - Litigations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]	( 9 WesternGeco Settlement On April 7, 2020, Pursuant to the settlement agreement, WesternGeco granted the Company a license to the underlying patents, lifted the injunction that prevented the Company from manufacturing DigiFIN ® April 13, 2020, In exchange, the Company agreed to pay WesternGeco a settlement based on future revenues from the Company’s multi-client data library, consisting of ( 1 2D ten - 2 Background In June 2009, WesternGeco L.L.C. v. ION Geophysical Corporation Trial began in July 2012, August 2012. four one In May 2014, As of 2018, The balance of the judgment against the Company ($98.0 million ), five As noted above, the lawsuit has been dismissed in accordance with the parties’ settlement agreement. Other Litigation In July 2018, December 9, 2019, March 2020 $4.5 2020 19 not 19 March 5, 2021. not December 31, 2020.

Note 10 - Details of Selected B

Note 10 - Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block]	( 10 Accounts Receivable A summary of accounts receivable follows (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 Accounts receivable, principally trade $ 10,458 $ 29,548 Less: allowance for expected credit losses (a) (2,413 ) — Accounts receivable, net $ 8,045 $ 29,548 (a) two fourth 2020. Inventories A summary of inventories follows (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 Raw materials and purchased subassemblies $ 18,638 $ 18,509 Work-in-process 1,218 2,079 Finished goods 4,417 4,932 Less: reserve for excess and obsolete inventories (13,006 ) (13,333 ) Inventories, net $ 11,267 $ 12,187 Total excess and obsolete inventory expense for 2020 2019 2018 Property, Plant and Equipment A summary of property, plant and equipment follows (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 Buildings $ 15,675 $ 15,486 Machinery and equipment 120,949 133,048 Seismic rental equipment 2,003 1,669 Furniture and fixtures 3,172 3,347 Other (a) 30,287 31,142 Total 172,086 184,692 Less: accumulated depreciation (126,022 ) (134,951 ) Less: impairment of long-lived assets (36,553 ) (36,553 ) Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net $ 9,511 $ 13,188 (a) Total depreciation expense, including amortization of assets recorded under equipment finance leases, for 2020 2019 2018 For 2020 2019 not Multi-Client Data Library At December 31, 2020 2019 December 31, 2020 2019 Gross costs of multi-client data creation $ 1,021,758 $ 1,007,762 Less: accumulated amortization (838,700 ) (816,401 ) Less: impairments to multi-client data library (132,144 ) (130,977 ) Multi-client data library, net $ 50,914 $ 60,384 Total amortization expense for 2020 2019 2018 For 2020 2019 Accrued Expenses A summary of accrued expenses follows (in thousands): December 31, 2020 2019 Compensation, including compensation-related taxes and commissions $ 8,923 $ 15,218 Accrued multi-client data library acquisition costs 1,622 4,219 Income tax payable 3,512 5,367 Other 2,306 5,524 Total $ 16,363 $ 30,328

Note 11 - Goodwill

Note 11 - Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]	( 11 Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for 2020 2019 E&P Technology & Services Optimization Software & Services Total Balance at January 1, 2019 $ 2,943 $ 19,972 $ 22,915 Impact of foreign currency translation adjustments — 670 670 Balance at December 31, 2019 2,943 20,642 23,585 Impairment of goodwill — (4,150 ) (4,150 ) Impact of foreign currency translation adjustments — 130 130 Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 2,943 $ 16,622 $ 19,565 The Company, following the qualitative consideration, assessed the relevant events and circumstances in evaluating whether it is more likely than not first 2020, 19 March 31, 2020 not The Company, following the quantitative consideration, compared the fair value of each reporting unit against its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The fair value of each reporting unit at March 31, 2020 may As a result of this assessment, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 December 31, 2020

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]	( 12 Stock Option Plans The Company has adopted stock option plans for eligible employees, directors and consultants, which provide for the granting of options to purchase shares of common stock. The options under these plans generally vest in equal annual installments over a four ten Transactions under the stock option plans are summarized as follows: Option Price Available per Share Outstanding Vested for Grant January 1, 2018 3.100 -245.8585 890,341 435,278 488,403 Increase in shares authorized — — — 1,200,000 Granted 24.50 10,000 — (10,000 ) Vested — — 153,944 — Exercised 3.10 (70,086 ) (70,086 ) — Cancelled/forfeited 3.10 - 245.85 (44,365 ) (44,231 ) 2,568 Restricted stock granted out of option plans — — — (996,775 ) Vested restricted stock forfeited or cancelled for employee minimum income taxes and returned to the plans — — — 48,524 December 31, 2018 3.100 -151.3535 785,890 474,905 732,720 Granted 6.79 20,000 — (20,000 ) Vested — — 167,991 — Exercised 3.10 (86,900 ) (86,900 ) — Cancelled/forfeited 13.15 - 107.85 (29,781 ) (22,281 ) 10,799 Restricted stock granted out of option plans — — — (157,155 ) Vested restricted stock forfeited or cancelled for employee minimum income taxes and returned to the plans — — — 170,254 December 31, 2019 3.100 -151.3535 689,209 533,715 736,618 Granted — — — — Vested — — 96,497 — Exercised 3.10 (5,000 ) (5,000 ) — Cancelled/forfeited 3.10-107.85 (150,889 ) (140,889 ) 76,460 Restricted stock granted out of option plans — — — (67,500 ) Vested restricted stock forfeited or cancelled for employee minimum income taxes and returned to the plans — — — 139,700 December 31, 2020 3.100 -151.3535 533,320 484,323 885,278 Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2020 Option Price per Share Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options Weighted Average Remaining Contract Life (years) Vested Weighted Average Exercise Price of Vested Options 3.10 57.90 386,123 $ 17.70 6.3 337,126 $ 18.30 61.05 71.85 53,835 $ 61.19 2.9 53,835 $ 61.19 81.60 99.60 75,030 $ 89.31 1.8 75,030 $ 89.31 106.05 151.35 18,332 $ 110.17 0.4 18,332 $ 110.17 Totals 533,320 $ 35.34 4.8 484,323 $ 37.54 Additional information related to the Company’s stock options follows: Number of Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000’s) Total outstanding at January 1, 2020 689,209 $ 37.78 5.5 $ 1,071 Options granted — $ — $ — Options exercised (5,000 ) $ 3.10 Options cancelled (10,000 ) $ 6.79 Options forfeited (140,889 ) $ 50.43 Total outstanding at December 31, 2020 533,320 $ 35.34 4.8 $ — Options exercisable and vested at December 31, 2020 484,323 $ 37.54 4.8 $ — The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 The Company calculated the fair value of each stock option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following assumptions were used for each respective period: Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Risk-free interest rates — % 2.78 % 2.78 % Expected lives (in years) 0.0 5.0 5.0 Expected dividend yield — % — % — % Expected volatility — % 73.67 % 73.67 % The computation of expected volatility was based on an equally weighted combination of historical volatility and market-based implied volatility. Historical volatility was calculated from historical data for a period of time approximately equal to the expected term of the option award, starting from the date of grant. Market-based implied volatility was derived from traded options on the Company’s common stock having a term of six Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Plans On November 30, 2018, 2013 “2013 2013 2013 162 The Company has issued restricted stock and restricted stock units under the Company’s 2013 three may not On December 1, 2018, three 20 first 1/3 second 1/3 1/3 no 1/3 may first no 2/3 may second may third The status of the Company’s restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards for 2020 Number of Shares/Units Total nonvested at January 1, 2020 908,754 Granted 67,500 Vested (151,346 ) Forfeited (92,201 ) Total nonvested at December 31, 2020 732,707 At December 31, 2020, 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan The Company has adopted a stock appreciation rights plan which provides for the award of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to directors and selected key employees and consultants. The awards under this plan are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in agreements between the Company and the holders. The exercise price per SAR is not one hundred not ten no On December 1, 2018, “2018 None 2018 2018 December 1, 2018, 2018 December 31, 2020 2018 The 2018 2018 Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Risk-free interest rates 0.7 % 1.9 % Expected lives (in years) 5.31 5.31 Expected dividend yield — % — % Expected volatility 94.7 % 79.0 % On March 1, 2016, 15 “2016 None 2016 2016 four 20 first 1/3 second 1/3 1/3 no 1/3 may first no 2/3 may second may third 2016 December 31, 2020 2016 On December 13, 2017, December 13, 2017 second 2016 second 2016 March 1, 2018. second 2016 2016 2016 first 2018, 2016 2016 The 2016 2016 2016 Additional information related to the Company's SARs follows: Weighted Average Weighted Average Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Aggregate Intrinsic Number of Shares Exercise Price Grant Date Fair Value Life (years) Value (000’s) Total outstanding at January 1, 2018 565,864 $ 13.49 SARs granted 960,009 $ 8.85 $ 8.85 SARs exercised (34,999 ) $ 3.10 SARs forfeited (9,333 ) $ 45.00 Total outstanding at December 31, 2018 1,481,541 $ 10.53 SARs exercised (158,334 ) $ 3.10 SARs cancelled (368,528 ) $ 20.99 Total outstanding at December 31, 2019 954,679 $ 7.73 SARs exercised — $ — SARs cancelled (150,097 ) $ 8.85 SARs forfeited (50,000 ) $ 3.10 Total outstanding at December 31, 2020 754,582 $ 7.81 6.6 $ — SARs exercisable and vested at December 31, 2020 177,665 $ 4.43 6.6 $ — Stock-based Compensation Expense The following tables summarizes stock-based compensation expense for 2020 2019 2018 Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Stock-based compensation expense $ 2,043 $ 4,701 $ 3,337 Tax benefit related thereto (421 ) (972 ) (698 ) Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax $ 1,622 $ 3,729 $ 2,639 Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Stock appreciation rights (credit) expense $ (2,493 ) $ 2,910 $ 822 Tax (benefit) expense related thereto 523 (611 ) (173 ) Stock appreciation rights (credit) expense, net of tax $ (1,970 ) $ 2,299 $ 649

Note 13 - Supplemental Cash Flo

Note 13 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	( 13 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information follows (in thousands): Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 12,520 $ 12,381 $ 12,463 Income taxes 8,156 11,065 3,260 Non-cash items from investing and financing activities: Purchase of computer equipment financed through capital leases — — 3,297 Investment in multi-client data library financed through trade payables and accruals — 6,649 4,956 The following table is a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalent and restricted cash: December 31, 2020 2019 2018 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 37,486 $ 33,065 $ 33,551 Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,327 53 — Restricted cash included in other long-term assets — — 303 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in consolidated statements of cash flows $ 39,813 $ 33,118 $ 33,854

Note 14 - Lease Obligations

Note 14 - Lease Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Lessee, Finance and Operating Leases [Text Block]	( 14 The Company leases offices, processing centers, warehouse spaces and, to a lesser extent, certain equipment. These leases have remaining terms of 1 year to 10 years, some of which have options to extend for up to 10 years and/or options to terminate within 1 year. The options to renew are not not In January 2020, September 30, 2023 June 30, 2029 July 2020, October 2023 February 2024 July 2020 March 2021. In May 2020, three December 2025. Total operating lease expense, including short-term lease expense was $11.0 million, $11.6 million and $12.3 million for 2020 2019 2018 Future maturities of lease obligations follows (in thousands): Years Ending December 31, Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2021 $ 8,956 $ 756 $ 9,712 2022 9,956 — 9,956 2023 9,723 — 9,723 2024 9,361 — 9,361 2025 9,612 — 9,612 Thereafter 14,119 — 14,119 Total lease payments $ 61,727 $ 756 $ 62,483 Less imputed interest (15,785 ) (22 ) (15,807 ) Total $ 45,942 $ 734 $ 46,676 The weighted average remaining lease term at December 31, 2020 2019 December 31, 2020 2019 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases follows: Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating leases $ 8,530 $ 12,284 Equipment finance leases 1,135 1,069 Equipment Finance Leases The Company has entered into capital leases that are due in installments for the purpose of financing the purchase of computer equipment through August 2021.

Note 15 - Fair Value of Financi

Note 15 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	( 15 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 three Level 1—Quoted Level 2—Other Level 3—Significant no Due to their highly liquid nature, the amount of the Company’s other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and unbilled receivables, accounts payable and accrued multi-client data library royalties, represent their approximate fair value. The carrying amounts of the Company’s Existing Second Lien Notes at December 31, 2020 2019 December 31, 2020 2019 Market conditions could cause an instrument to be reclassified from Level 1 2, 2 3. 1 2 December 31, 2020 2 The carrying amount of any borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility approximate fair value, as the interest rate is variable and reflective of market rates. Fair value measurements are applied with respect to non-financial assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis, which would consist of measurements primarily of goodwill, multi-client data library and property, plant and equipment.

Note 16 - Benefit Plans

Note 16 - Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Retirement Benefits [Text Block]	( 16 The Company has a 401 may first 2020 2019 2018

Note 17 - Selected Quarterly In

Note 17 - Selected Quarterly Information - (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	( 17 A summary of selected quarterly information follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 June 30, 2020 September 30, 2020 December 31, 2020 Service revenues $ 47,485 $ 15,547 $ 10,202 $ 20,113 Product revenues 8,929 7,184 6,032 7,182 Total net revenues 56,414 22,731 16,234 27,295 Gross profit 28,344 4,584 1,289 7,440 Income (loss) from operations 6,326 (5,472 ) (11,164 ) (4,279 ) Interest expense, net (3,221 ) (3,414 ) (3,669 ) (3,501 ) Other income (expense), net 429 6,771 (525 ) 223 Income tax expense 5,874 3,052 1,056 5,634 Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 77 (52 ) (193 ) 55 Net loss attributable to ION $ (2,263 ) $ (5,219 ) $ (16,607 ) $ (13,136 ) Net loss per share: Basic $ 0.16 $ 0.37 $ (1.16 ) $ (0.92 ) Diluted $ 0.16 $ 0.37 $ (1.16 ) $ (0.92 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2019 Service revenues $ 28,128 $ 30,407 $ 41,990 $ 30,755 Product revenues 8,828 11,368 11,249 11,954 Total net revenues 36,956 41,775 53,239 42,709 Gross profit 9,912 19,583 25,288 5,239 Income (loss) from operations (15,937 ) (2,553 ) 3,858 (9,827 ) Interest expense, net (3,112 ) (3,111 ) (3,155 ) (3,696 ) Other income (expense), net (792 ) 96 (242 ) (679 ) Income tax expense 1,407 2,719 3,790 148 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (112 ) (335 ) (394 ) (144 ) Net Loss attributable to ION $ (21,360 ) $ (8,622 ) $ (3,723 ) $ (14,494 ) Net loss per share: Basic $ (1.52 ) $ (0.61 ) $ (0.26 ) $ (1.02 ) Diluted $ (1.52 ) $ (0.61 ) $ (0.26 ) $ (1.02 ) The sum of the quarterly per share information may not

Note 18 - Certain Relationships

Note 18 - Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	( 18 BGP owned approximately 10.6% of the Company’s outstanding common stock at December 31, 2020 2020 2019 2018 December 31, 2020 2019 December 31, 2020 2019 Mr. James M. Lapeyre, Jr. is the Chairman of the Board on ION’s board of directors and a significant equity owner of Laitram, L.L.C. (Laitram), and he has served as president of Laitram and its predecessors since 1989. December 31, 2020 The Company acquired DigiCourse, Inc., the Company’s marine positioning products business, from Laitram in 1998. September 2001, 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 In the opinion of the Company’s management, the terms of these services are fair and reasonable and as favorable to the Company as those that could have been obtained from unrelated third For 2020 2019 2018

Schedule II - Valuation and Qua

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Year Ended December 31, 2018 Balance at Charged (Credited) to Balance at Beginning of Year Costs and Expenses Deductions End of Year (In thousands) Allowances for expected credit losses $ 572 $ 222 $ (364 ) $ 430 Allowances for doubtful notes receivables 4,000 — — 4,000 Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets 153,463 7,042 — 160,505 Excess and obsolete inventory 15,039 665 (680 ) 15,024 Year Ended December 31, 2019 Balance at Charged (Credited) to Balance at Beginning of Year Costs and Expenses Deductions End of Year (In thousands) Allowances for expected credit losses $ 430 $ — $ (430 ) $ — Allowances for doubtful notes receivables 4,000 — — 4,000 Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets 160,505 10,432 — 170,937 Excess and obsolete inventory 15,024 517 (2,208 ) 13,333 Year Ended December 31, 2020 Balance at Charged (Credited) to Balance at Beginning of Year Costs and Expenses Deductions End of Year (In thousands) Allowances for expected credit losses $ — $ 2,413 $ — $ 2,413 Allowances for doubtful notes receivables 4,000 — — 4,000 Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets 170,937 18,369 — 189,306 Excess and obsolete inventory 13,333 378 (705 ) 13,006

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	General Description and Principles of Consolidation ION Geophysical Corporation and its subsidiaries offer a full suite of services and products for seismic data acquisition and processing. The Company's offerings are focused on improving subsurface knowledge to enhance E&P decision-making and enhancing situational awareness to optimize offshore operations. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ION Geophysical Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “ION”). Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications were made to previously reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto particularly the presentation of revenue by geographic area to make them consistent with the current period presentation.
Going Concern [Policy Text Block]	Going Concern As of December 31, 2020, December 15, 2021. twelve may not The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity GAAP") on a going concern basis of accounting, which contemplate continuity of operations exclude certain adjustments that might result if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
Debt, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Existing Second Lien Notes Restructuring To address the upcoming maturity of the $120.6 9.125% 2021 imately 92% aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Existing Second Lien Notes (the “Supporting Noteholders”), pursuant to which the Company committed to use its reasonable efforts to effect the following transactions (collectively, the “Restructuring Transactions”): (i) an offer to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) all outstanding Existing Second Lien Notes, with each $1,000 (ii) the granting of the right to all holders of the Company's common stock to participate in a rights offering (the “Rights Offering”) to subscribe for a pro rata share (with over-subscription rights) of up to $50.0 million of New Second Lien Notes issued at par, or common stock issued at the Deal Price. In connection with the Rights Offering, the Company intends to enter into backstop agreements (the “Backstop Agreements”) with one The “New Second Lien Notes” will accrue interest at the rate of 8.0% per annum, mature on December 15, 2025, second may no no 18 two If the Restructuring Transactions are consummated, the Company could issue up to $151.7 million aggregate principal amount of New Second Lien Notes, which could be converted into 50.6 million shares of common stock, representing approximately 77.1% of the total shares of common stock outstanding following the Restructuring Transactions. This excludes the shares of common stock subject to issuance pursuant to the Company's Long-term Incentive Plan. The actual number of shares of common stock that could be issued as a result of the Restructuring Transactions may March 2021. The Company also entered into a restructuring support agreement with (the "PNC Restructuring Support Agreement") that will allo The Restructuring Transactions are also subject to stockholder approval to be voted at a special meeting of stockholders scheduled for February 23, 2021 ( While the Company believes it will be successful in obtaining stockholders' approval and executing the Restructuring Transactions, there can be no no may may not
COVID-19 Pandemic [Policy Text Block]	COVID- 19 The COVID- 19 may 2020, 19 first January 1, 2020 March 31, 2020. second fourth ar at $51 per $60 February 2021, 2020 March 2021. While commodity prices can be volatile, the sharp decline throughout 2020 25%. second 2020, 2021. The Company expects continued portfolio rationalization and high grading as E&P companies seek to find the best return on investment opportunities to meet oil and gas demand in the next decade. Near-term, due to the impact of the COVID- 19, 19 While 2020 2020 19 10 March 31, 2020. 19 • Scaled down personnel costs and operating expenses in April 2020 nine 2020, January 2020. • Reduced capital expenditures to approximately $28.0 million (a portion of which were pre-funded or underwritten by the customers), down from the original budget of $35.0 million to $50.0 million, to reflect both reduced seismic demand and travel/border restrictions impacting new data acquisition offshore. This provides flexibility to aggressively reduce cash outflows while shifting to significantly lower cost reimaging programs. • Applied for and continue to explore various government assistance programs, of which approximately $6.9 million was received and applied against qualifying expenditures during the second • Re-negotiated existing lease agreements for its significant locations to obtain rent relief of approximately $4.0 million. The majority of the cash savings from the rent relief benefit the Company from July 2020 March 2021. 14 Lease Obligations" • Announced the sale of its 49% ownership interest in INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited for $12.0 million, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Closing of the transaction is expected in 2021. • Entered into a settlement agreement with WesternGeco ending the decade-long patent litigation. See Footnote 9 Litigations"
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are made at discrete points in time based on relevant market information. These estimates may not
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency Transactions Assets and liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries operating outside the United States that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar have been translated to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of foreign operations have been translated using the average exchange rate during the periods of operation. Resulting translation adjustments have been recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The foreign currency transaction losses are primarily due to the currency rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Brazilian real related to the Company’s operations in Brazil. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, as they occur, are included in “Other income (expense), net” on the consolidated statements of operations. Total foreign currency transaction losses were $1.6 million, $1.3 million and $0.4 million for 2020 2019 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three may December 31, 2020 2019
Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block]	Accounts and Unbilled Receivables Accounts and unbilled receivables are recorded at cost, less the related allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company considers current information and events regarding the customers’ ability to repay their obligations, such as the length of time the receivable balance is outstanding, the customers’ credit worthiness and historical experience. Unbilled receivables relate to revenues recognized on multi-client surveys, imaging and reservoir services and devices equipment repairs on a proportionate basis, and on licensing of multi-client data library for which invoices have not
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (primarily first first
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation expense is provided straight-line over the following estimated useful lives: Years Machinery and equipment 3 - 7 Buildings 5 - 25 Seismic rental equipment 3 - 5 Leased equipment and other 3 - 10 Expenditures for major renewals and betterment, that increase the value or extend the economic useful life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The cost and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in “Other income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Long-lived Asset Impairment The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, when indicators of impairment exist, relying on a number of factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. Impairment is recognized whenever anticipated future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate are estimated to be less than its carrying value. The amount of the impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair value. No 2020 2019 no 2018,
Multi-client Data Library [Policy Text Block]	Multi-Client Data Library The multi-client data library consists of seismic surveys that are offered for licensing to customers on a non-exclusive basis. The capitalized costs include costs paid to third 2020 2019 2018 brary, million, The Company’s method of amortizing the costs of an in-process multi-client data library (the period during which the seismic data is being acquired and/or processed, referred to as the New Venture phase) consists of determining the percentage of actual revenue recognized to the total estimated revenues (which includes both revenues estimated to be realized during the New Venture phase and estimated revenues from the licensing of the resulting on-the-shelf data survey) and multiplying that percentage by the total cost of the project (the sales forecast method). The Company considers a multi-client data survey to be complete when all work on the creation of the seismic data is finished and that data survey is available for licensing. Once a multi-client data survey is complete, the data survey is considered on-the-shelf and the Company’s method of amortization is then the greater of (i) the sales forecast method or (ii) the straight-line basis over a four first four four four The Company estimates the ultimate revenue expected to be derived from a particular seismic data survey over its estimated useful economic life to determine the costs to amortize, if greater than straight-line amortization. That estimate is made by the Company at the project’s initiation. For a completed multi-client survey, the Company reviews the estimate quarterly. If during any such review, the Company determines that the ultimate revenue for a survey is expected to be materially more or less than the original estimate of ultimate revenue for such survey, the Company decreases or increases (as the case may 2020 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of costs over the fair value of the net assets acquired in connection with a business combination. Goodwill is allocated to reporting units, which are either the operating segment or one not December 31, may not not 3 15 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” three December 31, 2020 No December 31, 2020 11 Goodwill
Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]	Equity Method Investment The Company determined that INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited ("INOVA Geophysical" or "INOVA") is a variable interest entity because the Company’s voting rights with respect to INOVA Geophysical are not not not not In 2014, December 31, 2020 zero no no In March 2020, 2021.
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Noncontrolling Interests The Company has non-redeemable noncontrolling interests. Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests in majority-owned affiliates are reported as a separate component of equity in “Noncontrolling interests” in the consolidated balance sheets. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is stated separately in the consolidated statements of operations. The activity for this noncontrolling interest relates to proprietary processing projects in Brazil.
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block]	Revenue From Contracts With Customers The Company derives revenue from the sale or license of (i) multi-client and proprietary data, imaging and reservoir services within its E&P Technology & Services segment; (ii) sale, license and repair of seismic data acquisition systems and other equipment; and (iii) sale or license of seismic command and control software systems and software solutions for operations management within its Operations Optimization segment. All E&P Technology & Services’ revenues and the services component of Optimization Software & Services’ revenues under Operations Optimization segment are classified as services revenues. All other revenues are classified as product revenues. The Company uses a five not one 4 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research, Development and Engineering Research, development and engineering costs primarily relate to activities that are designed to improve the quality of the subsurface image and overall acquisition economics of the Company’s customers. The costs associated with these activities are expensed as incurred. These costs include prototype material and field testing expenses, along with the related salaries and stock-based compensation, facility costs, consulting fees, tools and equipment usage and other miscellaneous expenses associated with these activities.
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]	Stock-Based Compensation The Company issues stock-based payment awards to employees and directors, including employee stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stocks and stock appreciation rights. The Company estimates the value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option pricing model such as Black-Scholes or Monte Carlo simulation. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, including operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not not 8 Income Taxes

Note 1 - Summary of Significa_2

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life [Table Text Block]	Years Machinery and equipment 3 - 7 Buildings 5 - 25 Seismic rental equipment 3 - 5 Leased equipment and other 3 - 10

Note 3 - Segment and Geograph_2

Note 3 - Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Net revenues: E&P Technology & Services: New Venture $ 10,798 $ 31,188 $ 69,685 Data Library 65,790 71,847 47,095 Total multi-client revenues 76,588 103,035 116,780 Imaging and Reservoir Services 15,179 22,543 19,740 Total $ 91,767 $ 125,578 $ 136,520 Operations Optimization: Optimization Software & Services $ 14,137 $ 23,140 $ 21,129 Devices 16,770 25,961 22,396 Total $ 30,907 $ 49,101 $ 43,525 Total net revenues $ 122,674 $ 174,679 $ 180,045 Gross profit (loss): E&P Technology & Services $ 29,243 $ 35,699 $ 43,369 Operations Optimization 12,414 24,323 22,293 Segment gross profit 41,657 60,022 65,662 Other — — (6,042 ) (d) Total gross profit $ 41,657 $ 60,022 $ 59,620 Gross margin: E&P Technology & Services 32 % 28 % 32 % Operations Optimization 40 % 50 % 51 % Segment gross margin 34 % 34 % 36 % Other — % — % (3 )% Total 34 % 34 % 33 % Income (loss) from operations: E&P Technology & Services $ 13,134 (a) $ 8,833 (a) $ 21,758 Operations Optimization (4,556 ) (b) 8,189 7,295 Support and other (23,167 ) (41,481 ) (83,325 ) (e) Loss from operations (14,589 ) (24,459 ) (54,272 ) Interest expense, net (13,805 ) (13,074 ) (12,972 ) Other income (expense), net 6,898 (c) (1,617 ) (436 ) Loss before income taxes $ (21,496 ) $ (39,150 ) $ (67,680 )
Schedule of Depreciation and Amortization by Segments [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Depreciation and amortization expense (including multi-client data library) : E&P Technology & Services $ 24,581 $ 41,813 $ 51,673 Operations Optimization 1,234 940 995 Support and other 481 445 5,083 (a) Total $ 26,296 $ 43,198 $ 57,751
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Total assets: E&P Technology & Services $ 92,075 $ 133,787 Operations Optimization 45,109 56,927 Support and other 56,409 42,480 Total $ 193,593 $ 233,194
Total Assets by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 North America $ 94,923 $ 104,808 Middle East 45,823 48,932 Europe 28,738 37,946 Latin America 19,771 34,633 Other 4,338 6,875 Total $ 193,593 $ 233,194
Long-lived Assets by Geographic Areas [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 North America 44,188 56,566 Latin America 14,301 14,826 Europe 1,862 2,095 Middle East 62 73 Other 12 12 Total $ 60,425 $ 73,572
Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Latin America $ 43,389 $ 64,627 $ 91,833 Africa 27,132 28,203 21,482 Europe 17,950 22,102 18,509 Asia Pacific 16,696 18,321 21,587 North America 9,521 27,953 19,029 Middle East 3,187 7,347 3,728 Other 4,799 6,126 3,877 Total $ 122,674 $ 174,679 $ 180,045

Note 4 - Revenue from Contrac_2

Note 4 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Contract with Customer, Contract Asset, Contract Liability, and Receivable [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 New Venture $ 9,158 $ 5,222 Imaging and Reservoir Services 680 6,539 Devices 1,424 54 Total $ 11,262 $ 11,815 Unbilled receivables at December 31, 2019 $ 11,815 Recognition of unbilled receivables (a) 117,528 Revenues billed to customers (a) (118,081 ) Unbilled receivables at December 31, 2020 $ 11,262 December 31, 2020 2019 New Venture $ 2,169 $ 1,956 Imaging and Reservoir Services 665 1,501 Devices 48 452 Optimization Software & Services 766 642 Total $ 3,648 $ 4,551 Deferred revenue at December 31, 2019 $ 4,551 Cash collected in excess of revenue recognized 4,243 Recognition of deferred revenue (a) (5,146 ) Deferred revenue at December 31, 2020 $ 3,648

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Tables

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Senior secured second-priority lien notes (maturing December 15, 2021) $ 120,569 $ 120,569 Revolving credit facility (maturing August 16, 2023) (a) 22,500 — Equipment finance leases (see Footnote 14) 734 1,869 Other debt 905 972 Costs associated with issuances of debt (977 ) (1,951 ) Total 143,731 121,459 Current maturities of long-term debt (143,731 ) (2,107 ) Long-term debt, net of current maturities $ — $ 119,352
Debt Instrument Redemption [Table Text Block]	Date Percentage 2020 103.5 % 2021 100.0 %

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Domestic $ (32,705 ) $ (85,278 ) $ (59,212 ) Foreign 11,209 46,128 (8,468 ) Total $ (21,496 ) $ (39,150 ) $ (67,680 )
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Current: Federal $ (8 ) $ — $ — State and local (36 ) 2 65 Foreign 7,113 10,002 8,905 Deferred: Federal — — (346 ) Foreign 8,547 (1,940 ) (5,906 ) Total income tax expense $ 15,616 $ 8,064 $ 2,718
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Expected income tax expense at 21% $ (4,514 ) $ (8,222 ) $ (14,213 ) Foreign tax rate differential (307 ) (1,996 ) 74 Foreign tax differences 2,128 (327 ) 4,703 Global intangible low tax income inclusion 1,296 7,310 3,443 State and local taxes (36 ) 2 65 Nondeductible expenses 134 865 1,604 Nontaxable PPP loan forgiveness (1,454 ) — — Valuation allowance on operations 18,369 10,432 7,042 Total income tax expense $ 15,616 $ 8,064 $ 2,718
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Deferred income tax assets: Accrued expenses $ 1,326 $ 1,588 Allowance accounts 6,560 6,161 Net operating loss carryforward 115,254 105,844 Equity method investment 35,292 35,292 Original issue discount 3,287 6,000 Interest limitation 14,645 10,132 Basis in identified intangibles 5,499 7,090 Tax credit carryforwards 4,733 5,070 Other 3,585 4,443 Total deferred income tax asset 190,181 181,620 Valuation allowance (189,306 ) (170,937 ) Net deferred income tax asset 875 10,683 Deferred income tax liabilities: Unbilled receivables (875 ) (1,949 ) Total deferred income tax asset, net $ — $ 8,734
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Beginning balance $ 447 $ 447 $ 447 Increases in unrecognized tax benefits – current year positions — — — Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits – prior year position — — — Ending balance $ 447 $ 447 $ 447

Note 10 - Details of Selected_2

Note 10 - Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Accounts receivable, principally trade $ 10,458 $ 29,548 Less: allowance for expected credit losses (a) (2,413 ) — Accounts receivable, net $ 8,045 $ 29,548
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Raw materials and purchased subassemblies $ 18,638 $ 18,509 Work-in-process 1,218 2,079 Finished goods 4,417 4,932 Less: reserve for excess and obsolete inventories (13,006 ) (13,333 ) Inventories, net $ 11,267 $ 12,187
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Buildings $ 15,675 $ 15,486 Machinery and equipment 120,949 133,048 Seismic rental equipment 2,003 1,669 Furniture and fixtures 3,172 3,347 Other (a) 30,287 31,142 Total 172,086 184,692 Less: accumulated depreciation (126,022 ) (134,951 ) Less: impairment of long-lived assets (36,553 ) (36,553 ) Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net $ 9,511 $ 13,188
Schedule of Multi-client Data Library [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Gross costs of multi-client data creation $ 1,021,758 $ 1,007,762 Less: accumulated amortization (838,700 ) (816,401 ) Less: impairments to multi-client data library (132,144 ) (130,977 ) Multi-client data library, net $ 50,914 $ 60,384
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 Compensation, including compensation-related taxes and commissions $ 8,923 $ 15,218 Accrued multi-client data library acquisition costs 1,622 4,219 Income tax payable 3,512 5,367 Other 2,306 5,524 Total $ 16,363 $ 30,328

Note 11 - Goodwill (Tables)

Note 11 - Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	E&P Technology & Services Optimization Software & Services Total Balance at January 1, 2019 $ 2,943 $ 19,972 $ 22,915 Impact of foreign currency translation adjustments — 670 670 Balance at December 31, 2019 2,943 20,642 23,585 Impairment of goodwill — (4,150 ) (4,150 ) Impact of foreign currency translation adjustments — 130 130 Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 2,943 $ 16,622 $ 19,565

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equit_2

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Transactions under Stock Option Plans [Table Text Block]	Option Price Available per Share Outstanding Vested for Grant January 1, 2018 3.100 -245.8585 890,341 435,278 488,403 Increase in shares authorized — — — 1,200,000 Granted 24.50 10,000 — (10,000 ) Vested — — 153,944 — Exercised 3.10 (70,086 ) (70,086 ) — Cancelled/forfeited 3.10 - 245.85 (44,365 ) (44,231 ) 2,568 Restricted stock granted out of option plans — — — (996,775 ) Vested restricted stock forfeited or cancelled for employee minimum income taxes and returned to the plans — — — 48,524 December 31, 2018 3.100 -151.3535 785,890 474,905 732,720 Granted 6.79 20,000 — (20,000 ) Vested — — 167,991 — Exercised 3.10 (86,900 ) (86,900 ) — Cancelled/forfeited 13.15 - 107.85 (29,781 ) (22,281 ) 10,799 Restricted stock granted out of option plans — — — (157,155 ) Vested restricted stock forfeited or cancelled for employee minimum income taxes and returned to the plans — — — 170,254 December 31, 2019 3.100 -151.3535 689,209 533,715 736,618 Granted — — — — Vested — — 96,497 — Exercised 3.10 (5,000 ) (5,000 ) — Cancelled/forfeited 3.10-107.85 (150,889 ) (140,889 ) 76,460 Restricted stock granted out of option plans — — — (67,500 ) Vested restricted stock forfeited or cancelled for employee minimum income taxes and returned to the plans — — — 139,700 December 31, 2020 3.100 -151.3535 533,320 484,323 885,278
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]	Option Price per Share Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options Weighted Average Remaining Contract Life (years) Vested Weighted Average Exercise Price of Vested Options 3.10 57.90 386,123 $ 17.70 6.3 337,126 $ 18.30 61.05 71.85 53,835 $ 61.19 2.9 53,835 $ 61.19 81.60 99.60 75,030 $ 89.31 1.8 75,030 $ 89.31 106.05 151.35 18,332 $ 110.17 0.4 18,332 $ 110.17 Totals 533,320 $ 35.34 4.8 484,323 $ 37.54
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block]	Number of Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000’s) Total outstanding at January 1, 2020 689,209 $ 37.78 5.5 $ 1,071 Options granted — $ — $ — Options exercised (5,000 ) $ 3.10 Options cancelled (10,000 ) $ 6.79 Options forfeited (140,889 ) $ 50.43 Total outstanding at December 31, 2020 533,320 $ 35.34 4.8 $ — Options exercisable and vested at December 31, 2020 484,323 $ 37.54 4.8 $ —
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Risk-free interest rates — % 2.78 % 2.78 % Expected lives (in years) 0.0 5.0 5.0 Expected dividend yield — % — % — % Expected volatility — % 73.67 % 73.67 % Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Risk-free interest rates 0.7 % 1.9 % Expected lives (in years) 5.31 5.31 Expected dividend yield — % — % Expected volatility 94.7 % 79.0 %
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block]	Number of Shares/Units Total nonvested at January 1, 2020 908,754 Granted 67,500 Vested (151,346 ) Forfeited (92,201 ) Total nonvested at December 31, 2020 732,707
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Stock Appreciation Right, Activity [Table Text Block]	Weighted Average Weighted Average Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Aggregate Intrinsic Number of Shares Exercise Price Grant Date Fair Value Life (years) Value (000’s) Total outstanding at January 1, 2018 565,864 $ 13.49 SARs granted 960,009 $ 8.85 $ 8.85 SARs exercised (34,999 ) $ 3.10 SARs forfeited (9,333 ) $ 45.00 Total outstanding at December 31, 2018 1,481,541 $ 10.53 SARs exercised (158,334 ) $ 3.10 SARs cancelled (368,528 ) $ 20.99 Total outstanding at December 31, 2019 954,679 $ 7.73 SARs exercised — $ — SARs cancelled (150,097 ) $ 8.85 SARs forfeited (50,000 ) $ 3.10 Total outstanding at December 31, 2020 754,582 $ 7.81 6.6 $ — SARs exercisable and vested at December 31, 2020 177,665 $ 4.43 6.6 $ —
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Stock-based compensation expense $ 2,043 $ 4,701 $ 3,337 Tax benefit related thereto (421 ) (972 ) (698 ) Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax $ 1,622 $ 3,729 $ 2,639 Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Stock appreciation rights (credit) expense $ (2,493 ) $ 2,910 $ 822 Tax (benefit) expense related thereto 523 (611 ) (173 ) Stock appreciation rights (credit) expense, net of tax $ (1,970 ) $ 2,299 $ 649

Note 13 - Supplemental Cash F_2

Note 13 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2018 Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 12,520 $ 12,381 $ 12,463 Income taxes 8,156 11,065 3,260 Non-cash items from investing and financing activities: Purchase of computer equipment financed through capital leases — — 3,297 Investment in multi-client data library financed through trade payables and accruals — 6,649 4,956
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table Text Block]	December 31, 2020 2019 2018 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 37,486 $ 33,065 $ 33,551 Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,327 53 — Restricted cash included in other long-term assets — — 303 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in consolidated statements of cash flows $ 39,813 $ 33,118 $ 33,854

Note 14 - Lease Obligations (Ta

Note 14 - Lease Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Lessee, Lease Liability Maturity [Table Text Block]	Years Ending December 31, Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2021 $ 8,956 $ 756 $ 9,712 2022 9,956 — 9,956 2023 9,723 — 9,723 2024 9,361 — 9,361 2025 9,612 — 9,612 Thereafter 14,119 — 14,119 Total lease payments $ 61,727 $ 756 $ 62,483 Less imputed interest (15,785 ) (22 ) (15,807 ) Total $ 45,942 $ 734 $ 46,676
Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]	Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating leases $ 8,530 $ 12,284 Equipment finance leases 1,135 1,069

Note 17 - Selected Quarterly _2

Note 17 - Selected Quarterly Information - (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 June 30, 2020 September 30, 2020 December 31, 2020 Service revenues $ 47,485 $ 15,547 $ 10,202 $ 20,113 Product revenues 8,929 7,184 6,032 7,182 Total net revenues 56,414 22,731 16,234 27,295 Gross profit 28,344 4,584 1,289 7,440 Income (loss) from operations 6,326 (5,472 ) (11,164 ) (4,279 ) Interest expense, net (3,221 ) (3,414 ) (3,669 ) (3,501 ) Other income (expense), net 429 6,771 (525 ) 223 Income tax expense 5,874 3,052 1,056 5,634 Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 77 (52 ) (193 ) 55 Net loss attributable to ION $ (2,263 ) $ (5,219 ) $ (16,607 ) $ (13,136 ) Net loss per share: Basic $ 0.16 $ 0.37 $ (1.16 ) $ (0.92 ) Diluted $ 0.16 $ 0.37 $ (1.16 ) $ (0.92 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2019 Service revenues $ 28,128 $ 30,407 $ 41,990 $ 30,755 Product revenues 8,828 11,368 11,249 11,954 Total net revenues 36,956 41,775 53,239 42,709 Gross profit 9,912 19,583 25,288 5,239 Income (loss) from operations (15,937 ) (2,553 ) 3,858 (9,827 ) Interest expense, net (3,112 ) (3,111 ) (3,155 ) (3,696 ) Other income (expense), net (792 ) 96 (242 ) (679 ) Income tax expense 1,407 2,719 3,790 148 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (112 ) (335 ) (394 ) (144 ) Net Loss attributable to ION $ (21,360 ) $ (8,622 ) $ (3,723 ) $ (14,494 ) Net loss per share: Basic $ (1.52 ) $ (0.61 ) $ (0.26 ) $ (1.02 ) Diluted $ (1.52 ) $ (0.61 ) $ (0.26 ) $ (1.02 )

Schedule II - Valuation and Q_2

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Notes Tables
Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 2018 Balance at Charged (Credited) to Balance at Beginning of Year Costs and Expenses Deductions End of Year (In thousands) Allowances for expected credit losses $ 572 $ 222 $ (364 ) $ 430 Allowances for doubtful notes receivables 4,000 — — 4,000 Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets 153,463 7,042 — 160,505 Excess and obsolete inventory 15,039 665 (680 ) 15,024 Year Ended December 31, 2019 Balance at Charged (Credited) to Balance at Beginning of Year Costs and Expenses Deductions End of Year (In thousands) Allowances for expected credit losses $ 430 $ — $ (430 ) $ — Allowances for doubtful notes receivables 4,000 — — 4,000 Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets 160,505 10,432 — 170,937 Excess and obsolete inventory 15,024 517 (2,208 ) 13,333 Year Ended December 31, 2020 Balance at Charged (Credited) to Balance at Beginning of Year Costs and Expenses Deductions End of Year (In thousands) Allowances for expected credit losses $ — $ 2,413 $ — $ 2,413 Allowances for doubtful notes receivables 4,000 — — 4,000 Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets 170,937 18,369 — 189,306 Excess and obsolete inventory 13,333 378 (705 ) 13,006

Note 1 - Summary of Significa_3

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2020USD ($)
Increase (Decrease) in Crude Oil Price				66.00%
Crude Oil Price	$ 23		$ 41	$ 23	$ 51			$ 66
Loss Contingency, Plan to Decrease Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year					$ 18,000,000
Loss Contingency, Decrease in Expense From Scaling Down Operations		$ 20,000,000
Loss Contingency, Executive Base Salary Reduction					20.00%
Loss Contingency, Decrease in Board of Director Fees					20.00%
Capital Expenditure Estimate					$ 28,000,000
Proceeds From Government Relief Funding			$ 6,900,000		6,923,000	$ 0	$ 0
Leases, Lessee, Rent Expense Relief					4,000,000
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax, Total					(1,600,000)	(1,300,000)	(400,000)
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current, Total					2,300,000	100,000
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges, Total					0	0	36,553,000
Multi-client Data Library, Capitalized Costs					$ 6,700,000	9,300,000	11,900,000
Multi-client Data Library, Straight-line Amortization Period (Year)					4 years
Multi-client Data Library Impairment Charges					$ 1,167,000	9,072,000	0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss					4,150,000	0	$ 0
Operations Optimization [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss					4,150,000
E and P Technology and Services [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss					0
INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	49.00%			49.00%
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments	$ 12,000,000
Equity Method Investments					0
Minimum [Member]
Capital Expenditure Estimate						35,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Capital Expenditure Estimate						50,000,000
Second Lien Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Long-term Debt, Gross					$ 120,569,000	$ 120,569,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					9.125%
Debt Instrument, Percent of Note Holders Supprting Restructuring					92.00%
New Second Lien Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					8.00%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Amount of Cash to be Paid Per $1000					$ 150,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Amount of New Debt to be Issued Per $1000					850,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Amount of Options to be Issued Per $1000					$ 35,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares					$ 2.57
Debt Instrument, Rights Offering Amount to Common Stock Holders					$ 50,000,000
Debt Conversion Feature, Conversion Price Premium, Percent					25.00%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Threshold Trading Days					20
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Threshold Percentage of Stock Price Trigger					175.00%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Stock Price Trigger (in dollars per share) | $ / shares					$ 5.25
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 151,700,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments					50,600,000
Debt Conversion Feature, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued, Percent of Shares Outstanding					77.10%
New Second Lien Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares					$ 1.80
New Second Lien Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares					$ 3

Note 1 - Summary of Significa_4

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property, Plant and Equipment Useful Lives (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (Year)	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (Year)		7 years
Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (Year)	5 years
Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (Year)		25 years
Seismic Rental Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (Year)	3 years
Seismic Rental Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (Year)		5 years
Leased Equipment and Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (Year)	3 years
Leased Equipment and Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life (Year)		10 years

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pr_2

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 4,150	$ 0	$ 0
Operations Optimization [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	4,150
E and P Technology and Services [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0

Note 3 - Segment and Geograph_3

Note 3 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Number of Operating Segments									2
Multi-client Data Library Impairment Charges									$ 1,167	$ 9,072	$ 0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss									4,150	0	0
Amortization of Government Relief Funding Estimated to be Forgiven									6,923	0	0
Operating Income (Loss), Total	$ (4,279)	$ (11,164)	$ (5,472)	$ 6,326	$ (9,827)	$ 3,858	$ (2,553)	$ (15,937)	(14,589)	(24,459)	(54,272)
Operating Expenses, Total									56,246	84,481	113,892
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense, Total									2,043	4,701	3,337
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges, Total									0	0	36,553
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Including Data Library Amortization									26,296	43,198	57,751
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Operating Income (Loss), Total									(23,167)	(41,481)	(83,325)	[1]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Including Data Library Amortization									$ 481	$ 445	5,083	[2]
Ocean Bottom Integrated Technologies [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Operating Income (Loss), Total											(11,100)
Operating Expenses, Total											5,100
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense, Total											2,100
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges, Total											36,600
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Including Data Library Amortization											$ 4,200
[1]	Includes loss from operations of previously reported Ocean Bottom Integrated Technologies segment of $11.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, which includes Other's gross profit above, operating expenses of $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, stock appreciation right awards and related expenses $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and impairment charge of $36.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
[2]	Includes depreciation and amortization of previously reported Ocean Bottom Integrated Technologies segment of $4.2 million.

Note 3 - Segment and Geograph_4

Note 3 - Segment and Geographic Information - Summary of Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
Net revenues	$ 27,295	$ 16,234	$ 22,731	$ 56,414	$ 42,709	$ 53,239	$ 41,775	$ 36,956	$ 122,674		$ 174,679		$ 180,045
Gross profit (loss)	7,440	1,289	4,584	28,344	5,239	25,288	19,583	9,912	$ 41,657		$ 60,022		$ 59,620
Gross margin									34.00%		34.00%		33.00%
Income (loss) from operations	(4,279)	(11,164)	(5,472)	6,326	(9,827)	3,858	(2,553)	(15,937)	$ (14,589)		$ (24,459)		$ (54,272)
Interest expense, net	(3,501)	(3,669)	(3,414)	(3,221)	(3,696)	(3,155)	(3,111)	(3,112)	(13,805)		(13,074)		(12,972)
Other income (expense), net	$ 223	$ (525)	$ 6,771	$ 429	$ (679)	$ (242)	$ 96	$ (792)	6,898	[1]	(1,617)		(436)
Loss before income taxes									(21,496)		(39,150)		(67,680)
Operating Segments [Member]
Gross profit (loss)									$ 41,657		$ 60,022		$ 65,662
Gross margin									34.00%		34.00%		36.00%
Operating Segments [Member] | E and P Technology and Services [Member]
Net revenues									$ 91,767		$ 125,578		$ 136,520
Gross profit (loss)									$ 29,243		$ 35,699		$ 43,369
Gross margin									32.00%		28.00%		32.00%
Income (loss) from operations									$ 13,134	[2]	$ 8,833	[2]	$ 21,758
Operating Segments [Member] | E and P Technology and Services [Member] | New Venture [Member]
Net revenues									10,798		31,188		69,685
Operating Segments [Member] | E and P Technology and Services [Member] | Data Library [Member]
Net revenues									65,790		71,847		47,095
Operating Segments [Member] | E and P Technology and Services [Member] | Multi-client [Member]
Net revenues									76,588		103,035		116,780
Operating Segments [Member] | E and P Technology and Services [Member] | Imaging and Resevoir Services [Member]
Net revenues									15,179		22,543		19,740
Operating Segments [Member] | Operations Optimization [Member]
Net revenues									30,907		49,101		43,525
Gross profit (loss)									$ 12,414		$ 24,323		$ 22,293
Gross margin									40.00%		50.00%		51.00%
Income (loss) from operations									$ (4,556)	[3]	$ 8,189		$ 7,295
Operating Segments [Member] | Operations Optimization [Member] | Optimization Software and Services [Member]
Net revenues									14,137		23,140		21,129
Operating Segments [Member] | Operations Optimization [Member] | Devices [Member]
Net revenues									16,770		25,961		22,396
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Gross profit (loss)									$ 0		$ 0		$ (6,042)	[4]
Gross margin									0.00%		0.00%		(3.00%)
Income (loss) from operations									$ (23,167)		$ (41,481)		$ (83,325)	[5]
[1]	Includes amortization of the government relief funding expected to be forgiven of $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
[2]	Includes impairment of multi-client data library of $1.2 million and $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
[3]	Includes impairment of goodwill of $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
[4]	Relates to gross loss primarily related to depreciation expense of previously reported Ocean Bottom Integrated Technologies segment.
[5]	Includes loss from operations of previously reported Ocean Bottom Integrated Technologies segment of $11.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, which includes Other's gross profit above, operating expenses of $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, stock appreciation right awards and related expenses $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and impairment charge of $36.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Note 3 - Segment and Geograph_5

Note 3 - Segment and Geographic Information - Depreciation and Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Depreciation and amortization expense (including multi-client data library)	$ 26,296	$ 43,198	$ 57,751
Operating Segments [Member] | E and P Technology and Services [Member]
Depreciation and amortization expense (including multi-client data library)	24,581	41,813	51,673
Operating Segments [Member] | Operations Optimization [Member]
Depreciation and amortization expense (including multi-client data library)	1,234	940	995
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Depreciation and amortization expense (including multi-client data library)	$ 481	$ 445	$ 5,083	[1]
[1]	Includes depreciation and amortization of previously reported Ocean Bottom Integrated Technologies segment of $4.2 million.

Note 3 - Segment and Geograph_6

Note 3 - Segment and Geographic Information - Total Assets by Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Total assets	$ 193,593	$ 233,194
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Total assets	56,409	42,480
E and P Technology and Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Total assets	92,075	133,787
Operations Optimization [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Total assets	$ 45,109	$ 56,927

Note 3 - Segment and Geograph_7

Note 3 - Segment and Geographic Information - Summary of Total Assets by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Total assets	$ 193,593	$ 233,194
North America [Member]
Total assets	94,923	104,808
Middle East [Member]
Total assets	45,823	48,932
Europe [Member]
Total assets	28,738	37,946
Latin America [Member]
Total assets	19,771	34,633
Other [Member]
Total assets	$ 4,338	$ 6,875

Note 3 - Segment and Geograph_8

Note 3 - Segment and Geographic Information - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment and Multi-client Data Library by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property, plant and equipment and multi-client data library, net	$ 60,425	$ 73,572
North America [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and multi-client data library, net	44,188	56,566
Latin America [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and multi-client data library, net	14,301	14,826
Middle East [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and multi-client data library, net	1,862	2,095
Europe [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and multi-client data library, net	62	73
Other [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and multi-client data library, net	$ 12	$ 12

Note 3 - Segment and Geograph_9

Note 3 - Segment and Geographical Information - Summary of Net Revenues by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Net revenues	$ 27,295	$ 16,234	$ 22,731	$ 56,414	$ 42,709	$ 53,239	$ 41,775	$ 36,956	$ 122,674	$ 174,679	$ 180,045
Latin America [Member]
Net revenues									43,389	64,627	91,833
Africa [Member]
Net revenues									27,132	28,203	21,482
Europe [Member]
Net revenues									17,950	22,102	18,509
Asia Pacific [Member]
Net revenues									16,696	18,321	21,587
North America [Member]
Net revenues									9,521	27,953	19,029
Middle East [Member]
Net revenues									3,187	7,347	3,728
Other [Member]
Net revenues									$ 4,799	$ 6,126	$ 3,877

Note 4 - Revenue from Contrac_3

Note 4 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark [Member]
Number of Major Customers	2	1	2
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]
Number of Major Customers	3	2
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Three Customers [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	51.00%
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Two Customers [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage		29.00%
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	92.00%	84.00%	89.00%
Minimum [Member] | Software [Member]
Revenue, Performance Obligation, Contract Term (Year)	2 years
Maximum [Member] | Software [Member]
Revenue, Performance Obligation, Contract Term (Year)	5 years

Note 4 - Revenue from Contrac_4

Note 4 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Summary of Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Unbilled receivables	$ 11,262
Unbilled receivables	11,815
Recognition of unbilled receivables (a)	117,528	[1]
Revenues billed to customers (a)	(118,081)	[1]
Deferred revenue	3,648
Deferred revenue	4,551
Cash collected in excess of revenue recognized	4,243
Recognition of deferred revenue (a)	(5,146)	[2]
New Venture [Member]
Unbilled receivables	9,158
Unbilled receivables	5,222
Deferred revenue	2,169
Deferred revenue	1,956
Imaging and Resevoir Services [Member]
Unbilled receivables	680
Unbilled receivables	6,539
Deferred revenue	665
Deferred revenue	1,501
Devices [Member]
Unbilled receivables	1,424
Unbilled receivables	54
Deferred revenue	48
Deferred revenue	452
Optimization Software and Services [Member]
Deferred revenue	766
Deferred revenue	$ 642
[1]	Includes all gross revenue recognition and related billing activity of the Company. As a matter of process, all net revenue recognized is initially reflected as an unbilled receivable and subsequently billed to customers, as applicable, including net revenue for all of software and a portion of devices within the Operations Optimization segment, although they are billed at the time of recognition.
[2]	The majority of deferred revenue recognized relates to Company’s Ventures group.

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Detail

Note 5 - Long-term Debt (Details Textual) $ in Thousands		Aug. 16, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt, Gross	[1]		$ 22,500	$ 0
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association [Member]
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Minimum Excess Borrowing Availability for Five Consecutive Business Days		$ 6,250
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Minimum Excess Borrowing Availability on Any Given Business Day		5,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		50,000
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maximum Borrowing Base Percentage of Net Orderly Liquidation Value, Multi-client Data Library		$ 28,500
Long-term Line of Credit, Total			22,500
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity			7,400
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Minimum Fixed Cover Charge Ratio		1.1
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association [Member] | Subsidiary Borrowers [Member]
Debt Instrument, Percentage of Ownership Interest in Subsidiaries Subject to First Priority Security Interest		100.00%
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association [Member] | ION International Holdings L.P. [Member]
Debt Instrument, Percentage of Ownership Interest in Subsidiaries Subject to First Priority Security Interest		65.00%
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association [Member] | GX Geoscience Corporation, S. De R.L. De C.V. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			5,000
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Borrowing Base, Maximum Eligible Billed Receivables		$ 5,000
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		3.00%
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association [Member] | Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		4.00%
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.00%
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association [Member] | Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		3.00%
Second Lien Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Long-term Debt, Gross			$ 120,569	$ 120,569
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			9.125%
Debt Instrument, Percent of Note Holders Supprting Restructuring			92.00%
[1]	The maturity of the revolving credit facility will accelerate if the Company is unable to repay or extend the maturity of the Existing Second Lien Notes (see detailed discussion below in "Revolving Credit Facility").

Note 5 - Long-term Debt - Summa

Note 5 - Long-term Debt - Summary of Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Total, finance leases		$ 734	$ 1,869
Costs associated with issuances of debt		(977)	(1,951)
Total		143,731	121,459
Current maturities of long-term debt		(143,731)	(2,107)
Long-term debt, net of current maturities		0	119,352
Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term debt	[1]	22,500	0
Other Debt [Member]
Long-term debt		905	972
Second Lien Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Long-term debt		$ 120,569	$ 120,569
[1]	The maturity of the revolving credit facility will accelerate if the Company is unable to repay or extend the maturity of the Existing Second Lien Notes (see detailed discussion below in "Revolving Credit Facility").

Note 5 - Long-term Debt - Redem

Note 5 - Long-term Debt - Redemption Percentages (Details) - Senior Notes [Member] - Second Lien Notes [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Redemption percentage	103.50%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Redemption percentage	100.00%

Note 6 - Government Relief Fu_2

Note 6 - Government Relief Funding (Details Textual) - Payroll Protection Program Term Note [Member] $ in Millions	Apr. 11, 2020USD ($)
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 6.9
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.00%

Note 7 - Net Loss per Common _2

Note 7 - Net Loss per Common Share (Details Textual) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount (in shares)	533,320	689,209	785,890
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount (in shares)	732,707	908,754	1,044,125

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	21.00%	21.00%
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Total	$ 189,306	$ 170,937
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Refund	800
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	447	$ 447	$ 447	$ 447
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Total	8,500
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total	$ 169,500
Open Tax Year	2015
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total	$ 346,000
Open Tax Year	2017

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Sources

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Sources of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Domestic	$ (32,705)	$ (85,278)	$ (59,212)
Foreign	11,209	46,128	(8,468)
Loss before income taxes	$ (21,496)	$ (39,150)	$ (67,680)

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Compone

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Components of Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Federal									$ (8)	$ 0	$ 0
State and local									(36)	2	65
Foreign									7,113	10,002	8,905
Federal									0	0	(346)
Foreign									8,547	(1,940)	(5,906)
Total income tax expense	$ 5,634	$ 1,056	$ 3,052	$ 5,874	$ 148	$ 3,790	$ 2,719	$ 1,407	$ 15,616	$ 8,064	$ 2,718

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Reconci

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Expected Income Tax Expense on Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes Using the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Expected income tax expense at 21%									$ (4,514)	$ (8,222)	$ (14,213)
Foreign tax rate differential									(307)	(1,996)	74
Foreign tax differences									2,128	(327)	4,703
Global intangible low tax income inclusion									1,296	7,310	3,443
State and local taxes									(36)	2	65
Nondeductible expenses									134	865	1,604
Nontaxable PPP loan forgiveness									(1,454)	0	0
Valuation allowance on operations									18,369	10,432	7,042
Total income tax expense	$ 5,634	$ 1,056	$ 3,052	$ 5,874	$ 148	$ 3,790	$ 2,719	$ 1,407	$ 15,616	$ 8,064	$ 2,718

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Recon_2

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Expected Income Tax Expense on Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes Using the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate (Details) (Parentheticals)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Federal income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Tax Eff

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Tax Effects of the Cumulative Temporary Differences Resulting in the Net Deferred Income Tax Asset (Liability) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accrued expenses	$ 1,326	$ 1,588
Allowance accounts	6,560	6,161
Net operating loss carryforward	115,254	105,844
Equity method investment	35,292	35,292
Original issue discount	3,287	6,000
Interest limitation	14,645	10,132
Basis in identified intangibles	5,499	7,090
Tax credit carryforwards	4,733	5,070
Other	3,585	4,443
Total deferred income tax asset	190,181	181,620
Valuation allowance	(189,306)	(170,937)
Net deferred income tax asset	875	10,683
Unbilled receivables	(875)	(1,949)
Total deferred income tax asset, net	$ 0	$ 8,734

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Unrecog

Note 8 - Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Beginning balance	$ 447	$ 447	$ 447
Increases in unrecognized tax benefits – current year positions	0	0	0
Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits – prior year position	0	0	0
Ending balance	$ 447	$ 447	$ 447

Note 9 - Litigations (Details T

Note 9 - Litigations (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Aug. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2009	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2020USD ($)	May 31, 2014USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2012
WesternGeco [Member[ | Pending Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingency, New Claims Filed, Number		4
WesternGeco [Member[ | Settled Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number, Ending Balance						6
Loss Contingency Accrual, Ending Balance					$ 123.8
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value			$ 25.8
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value	$ 98
Loss Contingency, Claims Dismissed, Number	4
DGH Appeal [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss				$ 4.5

Note 10 - Details of Selected_3

Note 10 - Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Inventory Write-down	$ 378	$ 517	$ 665
Depreciation Expense, Including Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization	3,800	3,100	7,600
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges, Total	0	0	36,553
Amortization of Multi-client Library	22,299	39,541	48,988
Multi-client Data Library Impairment Charges	$ 1,167	$ 9,072	$ 0

Note 10 - Details of Selected_4

Note 10 - Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Summary of Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts receivable, principally trade		$ 10,458	$ 29,548
Less: allowance for expected credit losses (a)	[1]	(2,413)	0
Accounts receivable, net		$ 8,045	$ 29,548
[1]	Allowance for expected credit losses primarily relates to two customers with outstanding receivable balance determined to be uncollectible in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Note 10 - Details of Selected_5

Note 10 - Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Summary of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Raw materials and purchased subassemblies	$ 18,638	$ 18,509
Work-in-process	1,218	2,079
Finished goods	4,417	4,932
Less: reserve for excess and obsolete inventories	(13,006)	(13,333)
Inventories, net	$ 11,267	$ 12,187

Note 10 - Details of Selected_6

Note 10 - Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, gross	$ 172,086	$ 184,692
Less: accumulated depreciation	126,022	134,951
Less: impairment of long-lived assets	36,553	36,553
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	9,511	13,188
Building [Member]
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, gross	15,675	15,486
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, gross	120,949	133,048
Seismic Rental Equipment [Member]
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, gross	2,003	1,669
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, gross	3,172	3,347
Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member]
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, gross	$ 30,287	$ 31,142

Note 10 - Details of Selected_7

Note 10 - Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Multi-client Library Costs and Accumulated Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Gross costs of multi-client data creation	$ 1,021,758	$ 1,007,762
Less: accumulated amortization	(838,700)	(816,401)
Less: impairments to multi-client data library	(132,144)	(130,977)
Multi-client data library, net	$ 50,914	$ 60,384

Note 10 - Details of Selected_8

Note 10 - Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Summary of Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Compensation, including compensation-related taxes and commissions	$ 8,923	$ 15,218
Accrued multi-client data library acquisition costs	1,622	4,219
Income tax payable	3,512	5,367
Other	2,306	5,524
Total	$ 16,363	$ 30,328

Note 11 - Goodwill (Details Tex

Note 11 - Goodwill (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 4,150	$ 0	$ 0
Operations Optimization [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	4,150
E and P Technology and Services [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member]
Goodwill, Measurement Input				19

Note 11 - Goodwill - Changes in

Note 11 - Goodwill - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Balance	$ 23,585	$ 22,915
Impact of foreign currency translation adjustments	130	670
Impairment of goodwill	(4,150)	0	$ 0
Balance	19,565	23,585	22,915
E and P Technology and Services [Member]
Balance	2,943	2,943
Impact of foreign currency translation adjustments	0	0
Impairment of goodwill	0
Balance	2,943	2,943	2,943
Operations Optimization [Member]
Balance	20,642	19,972
Impact of foreign currency translation adjustments	130	670
Impairment of goodwill	(4,150)
Balance	$ 16,622	$ 20,642	$ 19,972

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equit_3

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Dec. 01, 2018	Nov. 30, 2018	Dec. 13, 2017	Mar. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value					$ 0.1	$ 0.6	$ 1.4
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised					$ 0.1	$ 0.1	$ 0.2
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)					$ 0	$ 4.91	$ 15.23
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Volatility, Term of Common Stock (Month)					6 months	6 months	6 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized (in shares)						1,200,000
The 2013 LTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized (in shares)		1,200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in shares)		1,700,000
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)					4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)					10 years
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)					3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)					67,500
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)					$ 3.27	$ 7.98	$ 10.60
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Nonvested					$ 1.8	$ 7.9	$ 5.4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value					$ 0.4	$ 2.1	$ 3.8
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance (in shares)					732,707	908,754
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)	3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)	900,002
Restricted Stock [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 7.19
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Minimum Weighted Average Price to Vest (in dollars per share)	$ 17.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	33.33%
Restricted Stock [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 6.51
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Minimum Weighted Average Price to Vest (in dollars per share)	$ 22.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	33.33%
Restricted Stock [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 5.89
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Minimum Weighted Average Price to Vest (in dollars per share)	$ 27.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	33.33%
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period (Year)				4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period (Year)					10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)							$ 8.85
Share Based Compensation By Share Bases Payment Arrangement, Exercise Price Range, Maximum Value (in dollars per share)	$ 18.65			$ 19.40
Share Based Compensation By Share Bases Payment Arrangement, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit (in dollars per share)	27.50			22.50
Share Based Compensation By Share Bases Payment Arrangement, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit (in dollars per share)	$ 8.85			$ 3.10
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Exercisable and Vested, Number (in shares)					177,665
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Exercised (in shares)					0	158,334	34,999
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | December 1, 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance (in shares)					617,912
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | March 1, 2016 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Exercisable and Vested, Number (in shares)					136,670
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Exercised (in shares)			663,330
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Participants Gain on Exercise (in dollars per share)			$ 9.95
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)	960,009			1,210,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 8.85			$ 3.10
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonemployee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period (in shares)	0			0
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent					100.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				33.33%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage, Weighted Average Stock Price Greater Than Exercise Price				120.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				33.33%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage, Weighted Average Stock Price Greater Than Exercise Price				125.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage				33.33%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage, Weighted Average Stock Price Greater Than Exercise Price				130.00%

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equit_4

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Transactions Under the Stock Option Plans (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Option price per share, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$ 3.10	$ 3.10	$ 3.10	$ 3.10
Option price per share, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 151.35	$ 151.35	$ 151.35	$ 245.85
Balance, outstanding (in shares)	689,209	785,890	890,341
Balance, vested (in shares)	533,715	474,905	435,278
Balance, available for grant (in shares)	736,618	732,720	488,403
Increase in shares authorized (in shares)		1,200,000
Granted, option price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0		$ 24.50
Granted (in shares)	0	20,000	10,000
Vested (in shares)	96,497	167,991	153,944
Exercised, option price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.10	$ 3.10	$ 3.10
Exercised (in shares)	5,000	86,900	70,086
Cancelled/forfeited, option price per share, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$ 3.10	$ 13.15	$ 3.10
Cancelled/forfeited, option price per share, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 107.85	$ 107.85	$ 245.85
Cancelled/forfeited (in shares)	150,889	29,781	44,365
Cancelled/forfeited (in shares)	140,889	22,281	44,231
Cancelled/forfeited (in shares)	76,460	10,799	2,568
Restricted stock granted out of option plans (in shares)	67,500	157,155	996,775
Vested restricted stock forfeited or cancelled for employee minimum income taxes and returned to the plans (in shares)	139,700	170,254	48,524
Granted, option price per share, lower limit (in dollars per share)		$ 6.79
Granted, option price per share, upper limit (in dollars per share)		$ 8.43
Balance, outstanding (in shares)	533,320	689,209	785,890	890,341
Balance, vested (in shares)	484,323	533,715	474,905	435,278
Balance, available for grant (in shares)	885,278	736,618	732,720	488,403

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equit_5

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation - Stock Options Outstanding (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Option price per share, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$ 3.10	$ 3.10	$ 3.10	$ 3.10
Option price per share, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 151.35	$ 151.35	$ 151.35	$ 245.85
Outstanding (in shares)	533,320
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share)	$ 35.34
Weighted average remaining contractual life (Year) (Year)	4 years 9 months 18 days
Vested (in shares)	484,323
Weighted average exercise price of vested options (in dollars per share)	$ 37.54
Range One [Member]
Option price per share, lower limit (in dollars per share)	3.10
Option price per share, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 57.90
Outstanding (in shares)	386,123
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share)	$ 17.70
Weighted average remaining contractual life (Year) (Year)	6 years 3 months 18 days
Vested (in shares)	337,126
Weighted average exercise price of vested options (in dollars per share)	$ 18.30
Range Two [Member]
Option price per share, lower limit (in dollars per share)	61.05
Option price per share, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 71.85
Outstanding (in shares)	53,835
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share)	$ 61.19
Weighted average remaining contractual life (Year) (Year)	2 years 10 months 24 days
Vested (in shares)	53,835
Weighted average exercise price of vested options (in dollars per share)	$ 61.19
Range Three [Member]
Option price per share, lower limit (in dollars per share)	81.60
Option price per share, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 99.60
Outstanding (in shares)	75,030
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share)	$ 89.31
Weighted average remaining contractual life (Year) (Year)	1 year 9 months 18 days
Vested (in shares)	75,030
Weighted average exercise price of vested options (in dollars per share)	$ 89.31
Range Four [Member]
Option price per share, lower limit (in dollars per share)	106.05
Option price per share, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 151.35
Outstanding (in shares)	18,332
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share)	$ 110.17
Weighted average remaining contractual life (Year) (Year)	4 months 24 days
Vested (in shares)	18,332
Weighted average exercise price of vested options (in dollars per share)	$ 110.17

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equit_6

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information Related to Stock Options (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Balance, outstanding (in shares)	689,209	785,890	890,341
Total outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 37.78
Total outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	4 years 9 months 18 days	5 years 6 months
Total outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 0	$ 1,071
Options granted, number of shares (in shares)	0	20,000	10,000
Granted, option price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0		$ 24.50
Options granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 4.91	$ 15.23
Options exercised, number of shares (in shares)	(5,000)	(86,900)	(70,086)
Exercised, option price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.10	$ 3.10	$ 3.10
Options cancelled, number of shares (in shares)	(10,000)
Options cancelled, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 6.79
Options forfeited, number of shares (in shares)	(140,889)
Options forfeited, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 50.43
Balance, outstanding (in shares)	533,320	689,209	785,890
Total outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 35.34	$ 37.78
Options exercisable and vested, number of shares (in shares)	484,323
Options exercisable and vested, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 37.54
Options exercisable and vested, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	4 years 9 months 18 days
Options exercisable and vested, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 0

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equit_7

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation - Assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Risk-free interest rates	0.00%	2.78%	2.78%
Expected lives (in years) (Year)	0 years	5 years	5 years
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	0.00%	73.67%	73.67%
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Risk-free interest rates	0.70%	1.90%
Expected lives (in years) (Year)	5 years 3 months 21 days	5 years 3 months 21 days
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	94.70%	79.00%

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equit_8

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards (Details) - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020shares
Total nonvested, number of shares/units (in shares)	908,754
Granted, number of shares/units (in shares)	67,500
Vested, number of shares/units (in shares)	(151,346)
Forfeited, number of shares/units (in shares)	(92,201)
Total nonvested, number of shares/units (in shares)	732,707

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equit_9

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information Related to SARs (Details) - Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Total outstanding, number of shares (in shares)	954,679	1,481,541	565,864
Total outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 7.73	$ 10.53	$ 13.49
SARs granted, number of shares (in shares)			960,009
SARs granted, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)			$ 8.85
SARs granted, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)			$ 8.85
SARs exercised, number of shares (in shares)	0	(158,334)	(34,999)
SARs exercised, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 3.10	$ 3.10
SARs forfeited, number of shares (in shares)	(50,000)		(9,333)
SARs forfeited, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 3.10		$ 45
SARs cancelled, number of shares (in shares)	(150,097)	(368,528)
SARs cancelled, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 8.85	$ 20.99
Total outstanding, number of shares (in shares)	754,582	954,679	1,481,541
Total outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 7.81	$ 7.73	$ 10.53
Total outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	6 years 7 months 6 days
Total outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 0
SARs exercisable and vested, number of shares (in shares)	177,665
SARs exercisable and vested, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 4.43
SARs exercisable and vested, weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)	6 years 7 months 6 days
SARs exercisable and vested, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 0

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equi_10

Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation - Stock-bases Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 2,043	$ 4,701	$ 3,337
Tax benefit related thereto	(421)	(972)	(698)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	1,622	3,729	2,639
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	(2,493)	2,910	822
Tax benefit related thereto	523	(611)	(173)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$ (1,970)	$ 2,299	$ 649

Note 13 - Supplemental Cash F_3

Note 13 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$ 12,520	$ 12,381	$ 12,463
Income taxes	8,156	11,065	3,260
Non-cash items from investing and financing activities:
Purchase of computer equipment financed through capital leases	0	0	3,297
Investment in multi-client data library financed through trade payables and accruals	$ 0	$ 6,649	$ 4,956

Note 13 - Supplemental Cash F_4

Note 13 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity - Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalent, and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 37,486	$ 33,065	$ 33,551
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in consolidated statements of cash flows	39,813	33,118	33,854	$ 52,419
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Restricted cash	2,327	53	0
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Restricted cash	$ 0	$ 0	$ 303

Note 14 - Lease Obligations (De

Note 14 - Lease Obligations (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Lessee, Lease, Renewal Term (Year)		10 years
Lessee, Lease, Termination Period (Year)		1 year
Leases, Lessee, Rent Expense Relief		$ 4
Operating Lease, Expense		$ 11	$ 11.6	$ 12.3
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (Year)		4 years 3 months 21 days	4 years 8 months 15 days
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent		6.34%	6.47%
Houston Data Center Lease [Member]
Leases, Lessee, Rent Expense Relief	$ 4
Minimum [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Remaining Lease Term (Year)		1 year
Maximum [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Remaining Lease Term (Year)		10 years
Lessee, Finance Lease, Interest Rate, Percent		8.70%

Note 14 - Lease Obligations - F

Note 14 - Lease Obligations - Future Maturities of Lease Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
2021, operating leases	$ 8,956
2021, finance leases	756
2021	9,712
2022, operating leases	9,956
2022, finance leases	0
2022	9,956
2023, operating leases	9,723
2023, finance leases	0
2023	9,723
2024, operating leases	9,361
2024, finance leases	0
2024	9,361
2025, operating leases	9,612
2025, finance leases	0
2025	9,612
Thereafter, operating leases	14,119
Thereafter, finance leases	0
Thereafter	14,119
Total lease payments, operating leases	61,727
Total lease payments, finance leases	756
Total lease payments	62,483
Less imputed interest, operating leases	(15,785)
Less imputed interest, finance leases	(22)
Less imputed interest	(15,807)
Total, operating leases	45,942
Total, finance leases	734	$ 1,869
Total	$ 46,676

Note 14 - Lease Obligations - S

Note 14 - Lease Obligations - Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating leases	$ 8,530	$ 12,284
Equipment finance leases	$ 1,135	$ 1,069

Note 15 - Fair Value of Finan_2

Note 15 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt and Lease Obligation, Total	$ 120.6	$ 120.6
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 106.3	$ 113.8

Note 16 - Benefit Plans (Detail

Note 16 - Benefit Plans (Details Textual) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Defined Contribution Plan, Minimum Age of Employee	18
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	90.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	50.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees Contribution	6.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay	3.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost	$ 0.7	$ 0.9	$ 0.9

Note 17 - Selected Quarterly _3

Note 17 - Selected Quarterly Information - (Unaudited) - Summary of Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Net revenues	$ 27,295	$ 16,234	$ 22,731	$ 56,414	$ 42,709	$ 53,239	$ 41,775	$ 36,956	$ 122,674		$ 174,679	$ 180,045
Gross profit	7,440	1,289	4,584	28,344	5,239	25,288	19,583	9,912	41,657		60,022	59,620
Income (loss) from operations	(4,279)	(11,164)	(5,472)	6,326	(9,827)	3,858	(2,553)	(15,937)	(14,589)		(24,459)	(54,272)
Interest expense, net	(3,501)	(3,669)	(3,414)	(3,221)	(3,696)	(3,155)	(3,111)	(3,112)	(13,805)		(13,074)	(12,972)
Other income (expense), net	223	(525)	6,771	429	(679)	(242)	96	(792)	6,898	[1]	(1,617)	(436)
Income tax expense	5,634	1,056	3,052	5,874	148	3,790	2,719	1,407	15,616		8,064	2,718
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	55	(193)	(52)	77	(144)	(394)	(335)	(112)	(113)		(985)	(773)
Net loss attributable to ION	$ (13,136)	$ (16,607)	$ (5,219)	$ (2,263)	$ (14,494)	$ (3,723)	$ (8,622)	$ (21,360)	$ (37,225)		$ (48,199)	$ (71,171)
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.92)	$ (1.16)	$ 0.37	$ 0.16	$ (1.02)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.61)	$ (1.52)	$ (2.61)		$ (3.41)	$ (5.20)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.92)	$ (1.16)	$ 0.37	$ 0.16	$ (1.02)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.61)	$ (1.52)	$ (2.61)		$ (3.41)	$ (5.20)
Service [Member]
Net revenues	$ 20,113	$ 10,202	$ 15,547	$ 47,485	$ 30,755	$ 41,990	$ 30,407	$ 28,128	$ 93,347		$ 131,280	$ 139,038
Product [Member]
Net revenues	$ 7,182	$ 6,032	$ 7,184	$ 8,929	$ 11,954	$ 11,249	$ 11,368	$ 8,828	$ 29,327		$ 43,399	$ 41,007
[1]	Includes amortization of the government relief funding expected to be forgiven of $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Note 18 - Certain Relationshi_2

Note 18 - Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)ft²	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
INOVA Geophysical Equipment Limited [Member]
Revenue from Related Parties	$ 1,100	$ 500	$ 0
BGP Inc. [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Ownership Percentage	10.60%
Revenue from Related Parties	$ 2,700	2,200	4,900
Due from Related Parties, Total	800	1,500
Due to Related Parties, Total	$ 3,400	3,100
Chairman of the Board and Laitram, L.L.C. [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Ownership Percentage	10.20%
Laitram, L.L.C. [Member]
Sublease Income	$ 400	400
Laitram, L.L.C. [Member] | Manufacturing Services and Reimbursements of Costs [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 700	$ 700	$ 400
Laitram, L.L.C. [Member] | Sublease of Office and Warehouse Space [Member]
Area of Real Estate Property (Square Foot) | ft²	47,800

Schedule II - Valuation and Q_3

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Credit Loss [Member]
Balance	$ 0	$ 430	$ 572
Charged (credited) to costs and expenses	2,413	0	222
Deductions	0	(430)	(364)
Balance	2,413	0	430
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Notes Receivable [Member]
Balance	4,000	4,000	4,000
Charged (credited) to costs and expenses	0	0	0
Deductions	0	0	0
Balance	4,000	4,000	4,000
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset [Member]
Balance	170,937	160,505	153,463
Charged (credited) to costs and expenses	18,369	10,432	7,042
Deductions	0	0	0
Balance	189,306	170,937	160,505
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Reserve, Inventory [Member]
Balance	13,333	15,024	15,039
Charged (credited) to costs and expenses	378	517	665
Deductions	(705)	(2,208)	(680)
Balance	$ 13,006	$ 13,333	$ 15,024