Ion Geophysical (IOGPQ) 10-Q 4 May 17 2017 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	May 01, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ION GEOPHYSICAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	866,609
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,871,647

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 49,640	$ 52,652	$ 76,670	$ 84,933
Accounts receivable, net	16,173	20,770
Unbilled receivables	17,423	13,415
Inventories	15,220	15,241
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,262	9,559
Total current assets	105,718	111,637
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	63,173	67,488
Multi-client data library, net	101,493	105,935
Goodwill	22,542	22,208
Intangible assets, net	2,745	3,103
Other assets	2,457	2,845
Total assets	298,128	313,216
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	12,966	14,581
Accounts payable	26,662	26,889
Accrued expenses	29,878	26,240
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	23,613	23,663
Deferred revenue	10,834	3,709
Total current liabilities	103,953	95,082
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	144,373	144,209
Other long-term liabilities	18,026	20,527
Total liabilities	266,352	259,818
Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 26,666,667 shares; outstanding 11,871,647 and 11,792,447 shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	119	118
Additional paid-in capital	900,056	899,198
Accumulated deficit	(848,021)	(824,679)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(21,231)	(21,748)
Total stockholders’ equity	30,923	52,889
Noncontrolling interest	853	509
Total equity	31,776	53,398
Total liabilities and equity	$ 298,128	$ 313,216

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	26,666,667	26,666,667
Common stock, shares outstanding	11,871,647	11,792,447

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Service revenues	$ 23,828	$ 13,156
Product revenues	8,728	9,509
Total net revenues	32,556	22,665
Cost of services	22,299	25,837
Cost of products	4,156	5,758
Gross profit (loss)	6,101	(8,930)
Operating expenses:
Research, development and engineering	3,495	5,609
Marketing and sales	4,486	4,010
General, administrative and other operating expenses	12,032	11,580
Total operating expenses	20,013	21,199
Loss from operations	(13,912)	(30,129)
Interest expense, net	(4,464)	(4,734)
Other income (expense), net	(5,068)	120
Loss before income taxes	(23,444)	(34,743)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(418)	293
Net loss	(23,026)	(35,036)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(316)	22
Net loss attributable to ION	$ (23,342)	$ (35,014)
Net loss per share:
Basic, in dollars per share	$ (1.98)	$ (3.30)
Diluted, in dollars per share	$ (1.98)	$ (3.30)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic, in shares	11,818	10,600
Diluted, in shares	11,818	10,600

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (23,026)	$ (35,036)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, as appropriate:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	517	(1,462)
Comprehensive net loss	(22,509)	(36,498)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(316)	22
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION	$ (22,825)	$ (36,476)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (23,026)	$ (35,036)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (other than multi-client data library)	4,677	5,672
Amortization of multi-client data library	9,258	7,139
Stock-based compensation expense	634	743
Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings	5,000	0
Deferred income taxes	(1,909)	54
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	4,756	29,211
Unbilled receivables	(5,348)	2,212
Inventories	(274)	350
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued royalties	(2,488)	(10,558)
Deferred revenue	7,193	(527)
Other assets and liabilities	3,510	3,219
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,983	2,479
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	(3,363)	(6,327)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental assets	(49)	(266)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,412)	(6,593)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock	0	(964)
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(1,706)	(2,212)
Costs associated with issuance of debt	0	(1,315)
Costs associated with issuance of equity	(123)
Other financing activities	(163)	13
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,992)	(4,478)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	409	329
Net decrease in cash, and cash equivalents	(3,012)	(8,263)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	52,652	84,933
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 49,640	$ 76,670

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated balance sheet of ION Geophysical Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company” or “ION,” unless the context otherwise requires) at December 31, 2016 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2017, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or of future operations. 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. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable rules of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company evaluates and reviews its results based on three business segments: E&P Technology & Services, E&P Operations Optimization, and Ocean Bottom Seismic Services. The Company measures segment operating results based on income (loss) from operations. The following table is a summary of segment information (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 Net revenues: E&P Technology & Services: New Venture $ 6,949 $ 3,306 Data Library 10,606 4,272 Total multi-client revenues 17,555 7,578 Imaging Services 5,755 5,440 Total 23,310 13,018 E&P Operations Optimization: Devices 4,990 5,359 Optimization Software & Services 4,256 4,288 Total 9,246 9,647 Ocean Bottom Seismic Services — — Total $ 32,556 $ 22,665 Gross profit (loss): E&P Technology & Services $ 4,010 $ (9,773 ) E&P Operations Optimization 4,787 4,719 Ocean Bottom Seismic Services (2,696 ) (3,876 ) Total $ 6,101 $ (8,930 ) Gross margin: E&P Technology & Services 17 % (75 )% E&P Operations Optimization 52 % 49 % Ocean Bottom Seismic Services — % — % Total 19 % (39 )% Income (loss) from operations: E&P Technology & Services $ (1,096 ) $ (14,714 ) E&P Operations Optimization 1,549 1,601 Ocean Bottom Seismic Services (4,008 ) (7,631 ) Support and other (10,357 ) (9,385 ) Loss from operations (13,912 ) (30,129 ) Interest expense, net (4,464 ) (4,734 ) Other income (expense), net (5,068 ) 120 Loss before income taxes $ (23,444 ) $ (34,743 )

Long-term Debt

Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term Debt The following table is a summary of long-term debt obligations, net (in thousands): Obligations (in thousands) March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Senior secured second-priority lien notes (maturing December 15, 2021) $ 120,569 $ 120,569 Senior secured third-priority lien notes (maturing May 15, 2018) 28,497 28,497 Revolving line of credit (maturing August 22, 2019) 10,000 10,000 Equipment capital leases 2,304 3,446 Other debt 852 1,415 Costs associated with issuances of debt (1) (4,883 ) (5,137 ) Total 157,339 158,790 Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations (12,966 ) (14,581 ) Non-current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations $ 144,373 $ 144,209 (1) Represents debt issuance costs presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability associated with the Senior Secured Second-Priority and Senior Secured Third-Priority Lien Notes. These amounts do not include $0.9 million and $1.2 million of debt issuance costs associated with the Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively, which are included within other assets on the balance sheet. Revolving Credit Facility In August 2014, ION and its material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc., I/O Marine Systems, Inc. and (collectively, the “ Subsidiary Borrowers ”), and together with the Company, (collectively, the “Borrowers”) entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as agent (the “Original Credit Agreement”), which was amended by the First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement in August 2015 (the “First Amendment”) and the Second Amendment (as defined below) (the Original Credit Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment, and the Second Amendment, the “ Credit Facility ”). For a complete discussion of the terms, available credit and security of this Credit Facility , prior to the effectiveness of the Second Amendment, see Footnote 4 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 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 maximum amount of the revolving line of credit under the Credit Facility is the lesser of $40.0 million or a monthly borrowing base. On April 28, 2016, the Borrowers and PNC entered into a second amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Credit Facility. The Second Amendment, among other things: • increased the applicable margin for loans by 0.50% per annum (from 2.50% per annum to 3.00% per annum for alternate base rate loans and from 3.50% per annum to 4.00% per annum for LIBOR-based loans); • increased the minimum excess availability threshold to avoid triggering the agent’s rights to exercise dominion over cash and deposit accounts and increases certain of the thresholds upon which such dominion ceases; • increased the minimum liquidity threshold to avoid triggering the Company’s obligation to calculate and comply with the existing fixed charge coverage ratio and increased certain of the thresholds upon which such required calculation and compliance cease; • establish a reserve that will reduce the amount available to be borrowed by the aggregate amount owing under all Third Lien Notes that remain outstanding (if any) on or after February 14, 2018 (i.e., 90 days prior to the stated maturity of the Third Lien Notes); • increased the maximum amount of certain permitted junior indebtedness to $200.0 million (from $ 175.0 million ); • incorporated technical and conforming changes to reflect that the Second Lien Notes and the remaining Third Lien Notes (and any permitted refinancing thereof or subsequently incurred replacement indebtedness meeting certain requirements) constitute permitted indebtedness; • clarified the circumstances and mechanics under which the Company may prepay, repurchase or redeem the Second Lien Notes, the remaining Third Lien Notes and certain other junior indebtedness; • modified the cross-default provisions to incorporated defaults under the Second Lien Notes, the remaining Third Lien Notes and certain other junior indebtedness; and • eliminated the potential early commitment termination date and early maturity date that would otherwise have occurred ninety ( 90 ) days prior to the maturity date of the Third Lien Notes if any of the Third Lien Notes then remained outstanding. 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 library (not to exceed $15.0 million for the multi-client data library data component). As of March 31, 2017, the borrowing base under the Credit Facility was $19.5 million , and there was $10.0 million of indebtedness under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on August 22, 2019. The obligations of Borrowers under the Credit Facility are secured by a first-priority security interest in 100% of the stock of the Subsidiary Borrowers and 65% of the equity interest in ION International Holdings L.P. and by substantially all other assets of the Borrowers. The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, limit or prohibit the Borrowers, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, from incurring additional indebtedness (including capital 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, requires that ION and the Subsidiary Borrowers maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 as of the end of each fiscal quarter during the existence of a covenant testing trigger event. The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined as the ratio of (i) ION’s EBITDA, minus unfunded capital expenditures made during the relevant period, minus distributions (including tax distributions) and dividends made during the relevant period, minus cash taxes paid during the relevant period, to (ii) certain debt payments made during the relevant period. A covenant testing trigger event occurs upon (a) the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Credit Facility or (b) the failure to maintain a measure of liquidity greater than (i) $7.5 million for five consecutive business days or (ii) $6.5 million on any given business day. Liquidity, as defined in the Credit Facility, is the Company’s excess availability to borrow ( $9.5 million at March 31, 2017) plus the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash held by ION, the Subsidiary Borrowers and their domestic subsidiaries. At March 31, 2017 , the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility contains customary event of default provisions (including a “change of control” event affecting ION), the occurrence of which could lead to an acceleration of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility as amended. Senior Secured Notes In May 2013, the Company sold $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes due 2018 ( the “Third Lien Notes ”) in a private offering pursuant to an Indenture dated as of May 13, 2013 (the “Third Lien Notes Indenture”). On April 28, 2016, the Company successfully completed an exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) and consent solicitation (the “Consent Solicitation”) related to the Third Lien Notes. For a complete discussion of the terms of the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation, see Footnote 4 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Prior to the completion of the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation the Third Lien Notes were senior secured second-priority obligations of the Company. After giving effect to the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation, the remaining aggregate principal amount of approximately $28.5 million of outstanding Third Lien Notes became senior secured third-priority obligations of the Company subordinated to the liens securing all senior and second priority indebtedness of the Company, including under the Credit Facility and Second-Priority Lien Notes (defined below). Pursuant to the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation, the Company (i) issued approximately $120.6 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s new 9.125% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due 2021 (the “Second Lien Notes,” and collectively with the Third Lien Notes, the “Notes”) and 1,205,477 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for approximately $120.6 million in aggregate principal amount of Third Lien Notes, and (ii) purchased approximately $25.9 million in aggregate principal amount of Third Lien Notes in exchange for aggregate cash consideration totaling approximately $15.0 million , plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Third Lien Notes from the applicable last interest payment date to, but not including, April 28, 2016. After giving effect to the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation, the aggregate principal amount of the Third Lien Notes remaining outstanding was approximately $28.5 million and the aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes outstanding was approximately $120.6 million . The Third Lien Notes are guaranteed by the Company’s material U.S. subsidiaries, GX Technology Corporation, ION Exploration Products (U.S.A.), Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. (the “Guarantors”), and mature on May 15, 2018. Interest on the Third Lien Notes accrues at the rate of 8.125% per annum and will be payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year during their term. Prior to the completion of the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation, the Third Lien Notes Indenture contained certain covenants that, among other things, limited or prohibited the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to take certain actions or permit certain conditions to exist during the term of the Third Lien Notes, including among other things, incurring additional indebtedness, creating liens, paying dividends and making other distributions in respect of the Company’s capital stock, redeeming the Company’s capital stock, making investments or certain other restricted payments, selling certain kinds of assets, entering into transactions with affiliates, and effecting mergers or consolidations. These and other restrictive covenants contained in the Third Lien Notes Indenture are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. After giving effect to the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation, the Third Lien Notes Indenture was amended to, among other things, provide for the release of the second priority security interest in the collateral securing the remaining Third Lien Notes and the grant of a third priority security interest in the collateral, subordinate to liens securing all senior and second priority indebtedness of the Company, including the Credit Facility and the Second Lien Notes, and eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default pertaining to the remaining Third Lien Notes. As of March 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with the covenants with respect to the Third Lien Notes. On or after May 15, 2015, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Third Lien Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Third Lien Notes redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on May 15th of the years indicated below: Date Percentage 2015 104.063% 2016 102.031% 2017 and thereafter 100.000% The Second Lien Notes are senior secured second-priority obligations guaranteed by the Guarantors. The Second Lien Notes mature on December 15, 2021. Interest on the Second Lien Notes accrues at the rate of 9.125% per annum and is payable semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year during their term, except that the interest payment otherwise payable on June 15, 2021 will be payable on December 15, 2021. The indenture dated April 28, 2016, governing the Second Lien Notes (the “Second Lien Notes Indenture”) contains certain covenants that, among other things, limits or prohibits the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to take certain actions or permit certain conditions to exist during the term of the Second Lien Notes, including among other things, incurring additional indebtedness, creating liens, paying dividends and making other distributions in respect of the Company’s capital stock, redeeming the Company’s capital stock, making investments or certain other restricted payments, selling certain kinds of assets, entering into transactions with affiliates, and effecting mergers or consolidations. These and other restrictive covenants contained in the Second Lien Notes Indenture are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. All of the Company’s subsidiaries are currently restricted subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with the covenants with respect to the Second Lien Notes. On or after December 15, 2019, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Second Lien Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Second Lien Notes redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on December 15th of the years indicated below: Date Percentage 2019 105.500% 2020 103.500% 2021 and thereafter 100.000%

Net Loss per Share

Net Loss per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss per Share	Net Loss per Share Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common share is determined based on the assumption that dilutive restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards have vested and outstanding dilutive stock options have been exercised and the aggregate proceeds were used to reacquire common stock using the average price of such common stock for the period. The outstanding stock options were anti-dilutive for all periods presented.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company maintains a valuation allowance for substantially all of its deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance is calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 “Income Taxes,” which requires that a valuation allowance be established or maintained when it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. In the event the Company’s expectations of future operating results change, the valuation allowance may need to be adjusted downward. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company has no unreserved U.S. deferred tax assets. The provision for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , has been calculated based on the actual tax expense incurred for the period. Given the current uncertainty in expected income generated in various foreign jurisdictions, where tax rates can vary greatly, the Company’s actual tax rate is the best estimate of year-to-date tax expense. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were 1.8% and (0.8)% , respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were impacted by the change in valuation allowance related to operating losses for which the Company cannot currently recognize a tax benefit. The Company’s income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2017 of $(0.4) million primarily relates to results from the Company’s non-U.S. businesses. The Company cannot currently benefit from U.S. losses which negatively impacted the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company has approximately $1.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits and does not expect to recognize significant increases in unrecognized tax benefits during the next 12-month period. Interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in income tax expense. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company’s U.S. federal tax returns for 2013 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination for periods prior to 2013, although carryforward attributes related to losses generated prior to 2013 may still be adjusted upon examination by the IRS if they either have been or will be used in an open year. In the Company’s foreign tax jurisdictions, tax returns for 2010 and subsequent years generally remain open to examination.

Litigation

Litigation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Litigation	Litigation WesternGeco In June 2009, WesternGeco L.L.C. (“WesternGeco”) filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. In the lawsuit, styled WesternGeco L.L.C. v. ION Geophysical Corporation , WesternGeco alleged that the Company had infringed several method and apparatus claims contained in four of its United States patents regarding marine seismic streamer steering devices. The trial began in July 2012. A verdict was returned by the jury in August 2012, finding that the Company infringed the claims contained in the four patents by supplying its DigiFIN ® lateral streamer control units and the related software from the United States and awarded WesternGeco the sum of $105.9 million in damages, consisting of $12.5 million in reasonable royalty and $93.4 million in lost profits. In June 2013, the presiding judge entered a Memorandum and Order, ruling that WesternGeco is entitled to be awarded supplemental damages for the additional DigiFIN units that were supplied from the United States before and after the trial that were not included in the jury verdict due to the timing of the trial. In October 2013, the judge entered another Memorandum and Order, ruling on the number of DigiFIN units that are subject to supplemental damages and also ruling that the supplemental damages applicable to the additional units should be calculated by adding together the jury’s previous reasonable royalty and lost profits damages awards per unit, resulting in supplemental damages of $73.1 million . In April 2014, the judge entered another Order, ruling that lost profits should not have been included in the calculation of supplemental damages in the October 2013 Memorandum and Order and reduced the supplemental damages award in the case from $73.1 million to $9.4 million . In the Order, the judge also further reduced the damages award in the case by $3.0 million to reflect a settlement and license that WesternGeco entered into with a customer of the Company that had purchased and used DigiFIN units that were also included in the damage amounts awarded against the Company. In May 2014, the judge signed and entered a Final Judgment in the amount of $123.8 million related to the case. The Final Judgment also included an injunction that enjoins the Company, its agents and anyone acting in concert with it, from supplying in or from the United States the DigiFIN product or any parts unique to the DigiFIN product, or any instrumentality no more than colorably different from any of these products or parts, for combination outside of the United States. The Company has conducted its business in compliance with the district court’s orders in the case, and the Company has reorganized its operations such that it no longer supplies the DigiFIN product or any parts unique to the DigiFIN product in or from the United States. The Company and WesternGeco each appealed the Final Judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. On July 2, 2015, the Court of Appeals reversed in part the judgment, holding the district court erred by including lost profits in the Final Judgment. Lost profits were $93.4 million and prejudgment interest was approximately $10.9 million of the $123.8 million Final Judgment. Pre-judgment interest on the lost profits portion will be treated in the same way as the lost profits. Post-judgment interest will likewise be treated in the same fashion. On July 29, 2015, WesternGeco filed a petition for rehearing en banc before the Court of Appeals. On October 30, 2015 the Court of Appeals denied WesternGeco’s petition for rehearing en banc. On February 26, 2016, WesternGeco filed a petition for writ of certiorari by the Supreme Court. The Company filed its response on April 27, 2016. Subsequently, on June 20, 2016, the Supreme Court refused to disturb the Court of Appeals ruling finding no lost profits as a matter of law. Separately, in light of the changes in case law regarding the standard of proof for willfulness in the Halo and Stryker cases, the Supreme Court indicated that the case should be remanded to the Federal Circuit for a determination of whether or not the willfulness determination by the District Court was appropriate. On November 14, 2016, the District Court issued an order reducing the amount of the appeal bond from $120.0 million to $65.0 million , ordered the sureties to pay principal and interest on the royalty previously awarded and declined to issue a final judgment until after consideration of whether enhanced damages related to willfulness should be awarded in the case. While the Company does not agree with the unusual decision by the District Court ordering payment of the royalty damages and interest without a final judgment, the Company paid the $20.8 million due pursuant to the order to WesternGeco on November 25, 2016. On March 14, 2017, the District Court held a hearing on whether or not additional damages for willfulness would be payable. In a ruling from the bench, the District Court stated that additional damages in the amount of $5.0 million would be awarded by the court. The District Court has not yet issued a final order to memorialize the ruling, but it is anticipated that the final order will be consistent with the ruling from the bench. After a final order is issued, ION will decide whether to appeal the $5.0 million or pay the award without further appeal. WesternGeco filed a second petition for writ of certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court on February 17, 2017, appealing the lost profits issue again. The Company filed its response to WesternGeco’s second attempt to appeal to the Supreme Court the lost profits issue, raising both the substantive matters addressed by ION in opposing WesternGeco’s first petition, and also raising a procedural argument that WesternGeco cannot raise the same issue for a second time in a second petition for certiorari. At present, the only remaining issues in the litigation are payment or appeal of the $5.0 million in enhanced damages and WesternGeco’s second appeal of the same issue to the Supreme Court on lost profits. Pending issuance of the final order for $5.0 million from the District Court, ION has taken a loss contingency accrual of $5.0 million . The Company’s assessment of the need for and amount of its potential loss contingency may change in the future. Any such reassessment could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Prior to the reduction in damages by the Court of Appeals, the Company arranged with sureties to post an appeal bond at the District Court. The appeal bond is uncollateralized. The sureties have a new motion to release the bond that is currently pending. In light of the payment of the $20.8 million in royalty damages by the Company, the only liquidated exposure to the sureties under the bond is the $5.0 million , when the order is issued. Other The Company has been named in various other lawsuits or threatened actions that are incidental to its ordinary business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against the Company, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, cause the Company to incur costs and expenses, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. The results of these lawsuits and actions cannot be predicted with certainty. Management currently believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other Income (Expense), Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income (Expense), Net	Other Income (Expense), Net The following table is a summary of other income (expense) , net (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 6) $ (5,000 ) $ — Other income (expense), net (68 ) 120 Total other income (expense), net $ (5,068 ) $ 120

Details of Selected Balance She

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts	Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts Inventories The following table is a summary of inventories (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Raw materials and subassemblies $ 20,609 $ 21,454 Work-in-process 1,999 2,255 Finished goods 7,634 6,581 Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories (15,022 ) (15,049 ) Total $ 15,220 $ 15,241 Other Long-term Liabilities The following table is a summary of other long-term liabilities (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Deferred rents 13,684 13,955 Facility restructuring accrual 1,434 1,765 Deferred income tax liability 1,774 3,679 Other long-term liabilities 1,134 1,128 Total $ 18,026 $ 20,527

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following table is a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in thousands): Foreign currency translation adjustments Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2016 $ (21,748 ) $ (21,748 ) Net current-period other comprehensive loss 517 517 Accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2017 $ (21,231 ) $ (21,231 )

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity	Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity The following table is a summary of cash paid for Interest and Income taxes and non-cash items from investing and financing activities (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 206 $ 154 Income taxes (refunds) 819 (762 ) Non-cash items from investing and financing activities: Investment in multi-client data library financed through accounts payable 1,654 3,885 Purchases of property, plant, and equipment financed through accounts payable 730 179

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Authoritative guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and stipulates the related disclosure requirements. The Company follows a three-level hierarchy, prioritizing and defining the types of inputs used to measure fair value. The carrying amounts of the Company’s long-term debt as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were $162.2 million and $163.9 million , respectively, compared to its fair values of $114.7 million and $114.8 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The fair value of the long-term debt was calculated using a readily observable price (Level 1). Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments. Due to their highly liquid nature, the amount of the Company’s other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts and unbilled receivables, notes receivable, accounts payable, and accrued multi-client data library royalties, represent their approximate fair value.

Stockholder's Equity, Stock-Bas

Stockholder's Equity, Stock-Based Compensation Expense and Repurchase Plan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stockholder's Equity, Stock-Based Compensation Expense and Repurchase Plan	Stockholder's Equity, Stock-Based Compensation Expense and Repurchase Plan At-The-Market Equity Offering Program On December 22, 2016 the Company announced that it has filed a prospectus supplement under which it may sell up to $20 million of its common stock through an "at-the-market" equity offering program (the "ATM Program"). ION would intend to use the net proceeds from sales under the ATM Program to be positioned to capitalize on opportunities such as acquiring complementary distressed assets, or other value-added transactions. The timing of any sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by ION. Effective May 2, 2017, the Company terminated and canceled the ATM Program. No shares were sold pursuant to the ATM Program. Stock-Based Compensation The total number of shares issued or reserved for future issuance under outstanding stock options at March 31, 2017 and 2016 was 838,582 and 938,606 , respectively, and the total number of shares of restricted stock and shares reserved for restricted stock units outstanding at March 31, 2017 and 2016 was 203,622 and 253,738 , respectively. The following table presents a summary of the activity related to stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards for the three months ended March 31, 2017 : Stock Options Restricted Stock and Unit Awards Number of Shares Outstanding at December 31, 2016 847,635 285,308 Granted — 17,500 Stock options exercised/restricted stock/unit awards vested — (99,186 ) Cancelled/forfeited (9,053 ) — Outstanding at March 31, 2017 838,582 203,622 Stock-based compensation expense recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, totaled $0.6 million and $0.7 million , respectively. In the first quarter 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," that changed how the Company accounts for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The Company is required to recognize the income tax effects of awards in the statement of income when the awards vest or are settled. The guidance on employers’ accounting for an employee’s use of shares to satisfy the employer’s statutory income tax withholding obligation and for forfeitures is changing and the update requires companies to present excess tax benefits as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows rather than as a financing activity. There was no impact of adoption of ASU 2016-09 on net income, basic and diluted earnings per share, deferred tax assets or net cash from operations. Stock Repurchase Program On November 4, 2015, the Company’s board of directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing a Company stock repurchase, from time to time from November 10, 2015, through November 10, 2017, up to $25 million in shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The stock repurchase program may be implemented through open market repurchases or privately negotiated transactions, at management’s discretion. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the program will be determined by management at its discretion and will depend on a number of factors including the market price of the shares of our common stock and general market and economic conditions, applicable legal requirements and compliance with the terms of our outstanding indebtedness. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be modified or suspended at any time and could be terminated prior to completion. As of March 31, 2017, the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $25 million through November 17, 2017, and had repurchased $3.0 million or 451,792 shares of its common stock under the repurchase program at an average price per share of $6.41 .

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Revenue Recognition — In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) jointly issued new accounting guidance for recognition of revenue. In August 2015, the FASB issued guidance deferring the effective date to years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. This new guidance replaces virtually all existing U.S. GAAP and IFRS guidance on revenue recognition. The underlying principle is that the entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods and services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in the exchange of goods and services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. In December 2016, the FASB issued amendments to Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments allow entities not to make quantitative disclosures about remaining performance obligations in certain cases and require entities that use any of the new or previously existing optional exemptions to expand their qualitative disclosures. It also makes additional technical corrections and improvements to the new revenue standard. The guidance will be effective with the same date and transition requirements as those in ASC 606. While the Company continues to evaluate the two allowed adoption methods (either the full retrospective method or the modified retrospective method) to determine which method it plans to use, the Company currently expects to use the modified retrospective method. The Company also continues to assess whether the implementation of this new guidance will have a material impact on the Company’s New Venture and Devices groups’ consolidated financial position or results of operations for the periods presented. While the Company continues to evaluate the impact on its consolidated financial statements for all of its business segments, the Company does not currently expect the adoption of ASC 606 to have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statement of operations for its Imaging Services group, Optimization Software & Services group or its Ocean Bottom Services segment. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “ Leases (Topic 842)” which introduces the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. The guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. The Company currently expects that the adoption of ASU 2016-002 may have a material impact related to its facility operating leases on its consolidated financial statements, and continues to evaluate the impact of vessel leases in the Company’s Ocean Bottom Services segment. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” that will change how companies measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that aren’t measured at fair value through net income. The standard will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. For available-for-sale debt securities, entities will be required to record allowances rather than reduce the carrying amount. The amendments in this update will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is evaluating the effect of ASU 2016-13 on our consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) (ASU 2016-18),” that will require entities to show changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet is required. The guidance will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not currently expect the adoption of ASU 2016-18 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidating Financi

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	Condensed Consolidating Financial Information The Notes were issued by ION Geophysical Corporation and are guaranteed by the Guarantors, all of which are 100-percent-owned subsidiaries. The Guarantors have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment obligations of ION Geophysical Corporation with respect to the Notes. The following condensed consolidating financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for: • ION Geophysical Corporation and the Guarantors (in each case, reflecting investments in subsidiaries utilizing the equity method of accounting). • All other subsidiaries of ION Geophysical Corporation that are not Guarantors. • The consolidating adjustments necessary to present ION Geophysical Corporation’s results on a consolidated basis. This condensed consolidating financial information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes. For additional information pertaining to the Notes, See Item 2. “ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ” in Part II of this Form 10-Q. March 31, 2017 Balance Sheet ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,366 $ — $ 21,274 $ — $ 49,640 Accounts receivable, net — 5,489 10,684 — 16,173 Unbilled receivables — 6,250 11,173 — 17,423 Inventories — 8,583 6,637 — 15,220 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,591 2,219 2,452 — 7,262 Total current assets 30,957 22,541 52,220 — 105,718 Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net 1,576 11,216 50,381 — 63,173 Multi-client data library, net — 91,474 10,019 — 101,493 Investment in subsidiaries 660,937 261,565 — (922,502 ) — Goodwill — — 22,542 — 22,542 Intangible assets, net — 2,673 72 — 2,745 Intercompany receivables — 193,054 46,606 (239,660 ) — Other assets 2,049 145 263 — 2,457 Total assets $ 695,519 $ 582,668 $ 182,103 $ (1,162,162 ) $ 298,128 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $ 10,852 $ 2,114 $ — $ — $ 12,966 Accounts payable 3,123 19,887 3,652 — 26,662 Accrued expenses 14,525 7,782 7,571 — 29,878 Accrued multi-client data library royalties — 23,613 — — 23,613 Deferred revenue — 2,199 8,635 — 10,834 Total current liabilities 28,500 55,595 19,858 — 103,953 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 144,183 190 — — 144,373 Intercompany payables 491,440 — — (491,440 ) — Other long-term liabilities 473 11,744 5,809 — 18,026 Total liabilities 664,596 67,529 25,667 (491,440 ) 266,352 Equity: Common stock 119 290,460 49,394 (339,854 ) 119 Additional paid-in capital 900,056 180,699 202,291 (382,990 ) 900,056 Accumulated earnings (deficit) (848,021 ) 212,973 3,850 (216,823 ) (848,021 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (21,231 ) 4,372 (21,537 ) 17,165 (21,231 ) Due from ION Geophysical Corporation — (173,365 ) (78,415 ) 251,780 — Total stockholders’ equity 30,923 515,139 155,583 (670,722 ) 30,923 Noncontrolling interests — — 853 — 853 Total equity 30,923 515,139 156,436 (670,722 ) 31,776 Total liabilities and equity $ 695,519 $ 582,668 $ 182,103 $ (1,162,162 ) $ 298,128 December 31, 2016 Balance Sheet ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,042 $ — $ 29,610 $ — $ 52,652 Accounts receivable, net — 12,775 7,995 — 20,770 Unbilled receivables — 5,275 8,140 — 13,415 Inventories — 8,610 6,631 — 15,241 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,387 4,624 1,548 — 9,559 Total current assets 26,429 31,284 53,924 — 111,637 Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net 1,745 12,369 53,374 — 67,488 Multi-client data library, net — 97,369 8,566 — 105,935 Investment in subsidiaries 660,880 257,732 — (918,612 ) — Goodwill — — 22,208 — 22,208 Intangible assets, net — 3,008 95 — 3,103 Intercompany receivables — — 32,174 (32,174 ) — Other assets 2,469 145 231 — 2,845 Total assets $ 691,523 $ 401,907 $ 170,572 $ (950,786 ) $ 313,216 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $ 11,281 $ 3,166 $ 134 $ — $ 14,581 Accounts payable 2,101 19,720 5,068 — 26,889 Accrued expenses 8,579 10,016 7,645 — 26,240 Accrued multi-client data library royalties — 23,663 — — 23,663 Deferred revenue — 2,667 1,042 — 3,709 Total current liabilities 21,961 59,232 13,889 — 95,082 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 143,930 279 — — 144,209 Intercompany payables 472,276 10,155 — (482,431 ) — Other long-term liabilities 467 12,117 7,943 — 20,527 Total liabilities 638,634 81,783 21,832 (482,431 ) 259,818 Equity: Common stock 118 290,460 19,138 (309,598 ) 118 Additional paid-in capital 899,198 180,700 232,590 (413,290 ) 899,198 Accumulated earnings (deficit) (824,679 ) 216,730 (3,639 ) (213,091 ) (824,679 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (21,748 ) 4,420 (21,787 ) 17,367 (21,748 ) Due from ION Geophysical Corporation — (372,186 ) (78,071 ) 450,257 — Total stockholders’ equity 52,889 320,124 148,231 (468,355 ) 52,889 Noncontrolling interests — — 509 — 509 Total equity 52,889 320,124 148,740 (468,355 ) 53,398 Total liabilities and equity $ 691,523 $ 401,907 $ 170,572 $ (950,786 ) $ 313,216 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Income Statement ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) Net revenues $ — $ 13,034 $ 19,522 $ — $ 32,556 Cost of sales — 17,587 8,868 — 26,455 Gross profit (loss) — (4,553 ) 10,654 — 6,101 Total operating expenses 9,340 6,159 4,514 — 20,013 Income (loss) from operations (9,340 ) (10,712 ) 6,140 — (13,912 ) Interest expense, net (4,460 ) (27 ) 23 — (4,464 ) Intercompany interest, net 328 (1,497 ) 1,169 — — Equity in earnings (losses) of investments (5,044 ) 8,776 — (3,732 ) — Other income (expense) (4,759 ) (339 ) 30 — (5,068 ) Net income (loss) before income taxes (23,275 ) (3,799 ) 7,362 (3,732 ) (23,444 ) Income tax expense (benefit) 67 (42 ) (443 ) — (418 ) Net income (loss) (23,342 ) (3,757 ) 7,805 (3,732 ) (23,026 ) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (316 ) — (316 ) Net income (loss) attributable to ION $ (23,342 ) $ (3,757 ) $ 7,489 (3,732 ) $ (23,342 ) Comprehensive net loss $ (22,825 ) $ (3,805 ) $ 8,054 $ (3,933 ) $ (22,509 ) Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — (316 ) — (316 ) Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION $ (22,825 ) $ (3,805 ) $ 7,738 $ (3,933 ) $ (22,825 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Income Statement ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) Net revenues $ — $ 11,162 $ 11,501 $ 2 $ 22,665 Cost of sales — 21,427 10,166 2 31,595 Gross profit (loss) — (10,265 ) 1,335 — (8,930 ) Total operating expenses 7,411 7,816 5,972 — 21,199 Loss from operations (7,411 ) (18,081 ) (4,637 ) — (30,129 ) Interest expense, net (4,693 ) (70 ) 29 — (4,734 ) Intercompany interest, net 232 (1,017 ) 785 — — Equity in losses of investments (23,135 ) (1,808 ) — 24,943 — Other income (expense) 26 (359 ) 453 — 120 Net loss before income taxes (34,981 ) (21,335 ) (3,370 ) 24,943 (34,743 ) Income tax expense 33 253 7 — 293 Net loss (35,014 ) (21,588 ) (3,377 ) 24,943 (35,036 ) Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 22 — 22 Net loss attributable to ION $ (35,014 ) $ (21,588 ) $ (3,355 ) 24,943 $ (35,014 ) Comprehensive net loss $ (36,498 ) $ (21,588 ) $ (4,839 ) $ 26,427 $ (36,498 ) Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest — — 22 — 22 Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION $ (36,498 ) $ (21,588 ) $ (4,817 ) $ 26,427 $ (36,476 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Income Statement ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Income Statement ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Statement of Cash Flows ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Total Consolidated (In thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 7,690 $ 3,373 $ (9,080 ) $ 1,983 Cash flows from investing activities: Cash invested in multi-client data library — (1,527 ) (1,836 ) (3,363 ) Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment — — (49 ) (49 ) Net cash used in investing activities — (1,527 ) (1,885 ) (3,412 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Payments on notes payable and long-term debt (506 ) (1,142 ) (58 ) (1,706 ) Intercompany lending (1,574 ) (704 ) 2,278 — Costs associated with issuance of equity (123 ) — — (123 ) Other financing activities (163 ) — — (163 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (2,366 ) (1,846 ) 2,220 (1,992 ) Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents — — 409 409 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 5,324 — (8,336 ) (3,012 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 23,042 — 29,610 52,652 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 28,366 $ — $ 21,274 $ 49,640 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Statement of Cash Flows ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Total Consolidated (In thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ (8,953 ) $ (3,804 ) $ 15,236 $ 2,479 Cash flows from investing activities: Investment in multi-client data library — (6,327 ) — (6,327 ) Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment — (266 ) — (266 ) Net cash used in investing activities — (6,593 ) — (6,593 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Repurchase of common stock (964 ) — — (964 ) Payments on notes payable and long-term debt (167 ) (1,859 ) (186 ) (2,212 ) Cost associated with issuance of notes (1,315 ) — — (1,315 ) Intercompany lending 4,749 12,256 (17,005 ) — Other financing activities 13 — — 13 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 2,316 10,397 (17,191 ) (4,478 ) Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents — — 329 329 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (6,637 ) — (1,626 ) (8,263 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 33,734 — 51,199 84,933 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 27,097 $ — $ 49,573 $ 76,670

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Segment Information	The following table is a summary of segment information (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 Net revenues: E&P Technology & Services: New Venture $ 6,949 $ 3,306 Data Library 10,606 4,272 Total multi-client revenues 17,555 7,578 Imaging Services 5,755 5,440 Total 23,310 13,018 E&P Operations Optimization: Devices 4,990 5,359 Optimization Software & Services 4,256 4,288 Total 9,246 9,647 Ocean Bottom Seismic Services — — Total $ 32,556 $ 22,665 Gross profit (loss): E&P Technology & Services $ 4,010 $ (9,773 ) E&P Operations Optimization 4,787 4,719 Ocean Bottom Seismic Services (2,696 ) (3,876 ) Total $ 6,101 $ (8,930 ) Gross margin: E&P Technology & Services 17 % (75 )% E&P Operations Optimization 52 % 49 % Ocean Bottom Seismic Services — % — % Total 19 % (39 )% Income (loss) from operations: E&P Technology & Services $ (1,096 ) $ (14,714 ) E&P Operations Optimization 1,549 1,601 Ocean Bottom Seismic Services (4,008 ) (7,631 ) Support and other (10,357 ) (9,385 ) Loss from operations (13,912 ) (30,129 ) Interest expense, net (4,464 ) (4,734 ) Other income (expense), net (5,068 ) 120 Loss before income taxes $ (23,444 ) $ (34,743 )

Long-term Debt (Tables)

Long-term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Obligations	The following table is a summary of long-term debt obligations, net (in thousands): Obligations (in thousands) March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Senior secured second-priority lien notes (maturing December 15, 2021) $ 120,569 $ 120,569 Senior secured third-priority lien notes (maturing May 15, 2018) 28,497 28,497 Revolving line of credit (maturing August 22, 2019) 10,000 10,000 Equipment capital leases 2,304 3,446 Other debt 852 1,415 Costs associated with issuances of debt (1) (4,883 ) (5,137 ) Total 157,339 158,790 Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations (12,966 ) (14,581 ) Non-current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations $ 144,373 $ 144,209 (1) Represents debt issuance costs presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability associated with the Senior Secured Second-Priority and Senior Secured Third-Priority Lien Notes. These amounts do not include $0.9 million and $1.2 million of debt issuance costs associated with the Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively, which are included within other assets on the balance sheet.
Debt Instrument Redemption	On or after May 15, 2015, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Third Lien Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Third Lien Notes redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on May 15th of the years indicated below: Date Percentage 2015 104.063% 2016 102.031% 2017 and thereafter 100.000% On or after December 15, 2019, the Company may on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Second Lien Notes at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on the Second Lien Notes redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on December 15th of the years indicated below: Date Percentage 2019 105.500% 2020 103.500% 2021 and thereafter 100.000%

Other Income (Expense), Net (Ta

Other Income (Expense), Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	The following table is a summary of other income (expense) , net (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 6) $ (5,000 ) $ — Other income (expense), net (68 ) 120 Total other income (expense), net $ (5,068 ) $ 120

Details of Selected Balance S24

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Summary of Inventories	Inventories The following table is a summary of inventories (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Raw materials and subassemblies $ 20,609 $ 21,454 Work-in-process 1,999 2,255 Finished goods 7,634 6,581 Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories (15,022 ) (15,049 ) Total $ 15,220 $ 15,241
Summary of Other Long-term Liabilities	Other Long-term Liabilities The following table is a summary of other long-term liabilities (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Deferred rents 13,684 13,955 Facility restructuring accrual 1,434 1,765 Deferred income tax liability 1,774 3,679 Other long-term liabilities 1,134 1,128 Total $ 18,026 $ 20,527

Accumulated Other Comprehensi25

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The following table is a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in thousands): Foreign currency translation adjustments Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2016 $ (21,748 ) $ (21,748 ) Net current-period other comprehensive loss 517 517 Accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2017 $ (21,231 ) $ (21,231 )

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform26

Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Summary of Non-cash Items from Investing and Financing Activities	The following table is a summary of cash paid for Interest and Income taxes and non-cash items from investing and financing activities (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 206 $ 154 Income taxes (refunds) 819 (762 ) Non-cash items from investing and financing activities: Investment in multi-client data library financed through accounts payable 1,654 3,885 Purchases of property, plant, and equipment financed through accounts payable 730 179

Stockholder's Equity, Stock-B27

Stockholder's Equity, Stock-Based Compensation Expense and Repurchase Plan (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	The following table presents a summary of the activity related to stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards for the three months ended March 31, 2017 : Stock Options Restricted Stock and Unit Awards Number of Shares Outstanding at December 31, 2016 847,635 285,308 Granted — 17,500 Stock options exercised/restricted stock/unit awards vested — (99,186 ) Cancelled/forfeited (9,053 ) — Outstanding at March 31, 2017 838,582 203,622
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	The following table presents a summary of the activity related to stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards for the three months ended March 31, 2017 : Stock Options Restricted Stock and Unit Awards Number of Shares Outstanding at December 31, 2016 847,635 285,308 Granted — 17,500 Stock options exercised/restricted stock/unit awards vested — (99,186 ) Cancelled/forfeited (9,053 ) — Outstanding at March 31, 2017 838,582 203,622

Condensed Consolidating Finan28

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Balance Sheet	March 31, 2017 Balance Sheet ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,366 $ — $ 21,274 $ — $ 49,640 Accounts receivable, net — 5,489 10,684 — 16,173 Unbilled receivables — 6,250 11,173 — 17,423 Inventories — 8,583 6,637 — 15,220 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,591 2,219 2,452 — 7,262 Total current assets 30,957 22,541 52,220 — 105,718 Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net 1,576 11,216 50,381 — 63,173 Multi-client data library, net — 91,474 10,019 — 101,493 Investment in subsidiaries 660,937 261,565 — (922,502 ) — Goodwill — — 22,542 — 22,542 Intangible assets, net — 2,673 72 — 2,745 Intercompany receivables — 193,054 46,606 (239,660 ) — Other assets 2,049 145 263 — 2,457 Total assets $ 695,519 $ 582,668 $ 182,103 $ (1,162,162 ) $ 298,128 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $ 10,852 $ 2,114 $ — $ — $ 12,966 Accounts payable 3,123 19,887 3,652 — 26,662 Accrued expenses 14,525 7,782 7,571 — 29,878 Accrued multi-client data library royalties — 23,613 — — 23,613 Deferred revenue — 2,199 8,635 — 10,834 Total current liabilities 28,500 55,595 19,858 — 103,953 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 144,183 190 — — 144,373 Intercompany payables 491,440 — — (491,440 ) — Other long-term liabilities 473 11,744 5,809 — 18,026 Total liabilities 664,596 67,529 25,667 (491,440 ) 266,352 Equity: Common stock 119 290,460 49,394 (339,854 ) 119 Additional paid-in capital 900,056 180,699 202,291 (382,990 ) 900,056 Accumulated earnings (deficit) (848,021 ) 212,973 3,850 (216,823 ) (848,021 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (21,231 ) 4,372 (21,537 ) 17,165 (21,231 ) Due from ION Geophysical Corporation — (173,365 ) (78,415 ) 251,780 — Total stockholders’ equity 30,923 515,139 155,583 (670,722 ) 30,923 Noncontrolling interests — — 853 — 853 Total equity 30,923 515,139 156,436 (670,722 ) 31,776 Total liabilities and equity $ 695,519 $ 582,668 $ 182,103 $ (1,162,162 ) $ 298,128 December 31, 2016 Balance Sheet ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,042 $ — $ 29,610 $ — $ 52,652 Accounts receivable, net — 12,775 7,995 — 20,770 Unbilled receivables — 5,275 8,140 — 13,415 Inventories — 8,610 6,631 — 15,241 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,387 4,624 1,548 — 9,559 Total current assets 26,429 31,284 53,924 — 111,637 Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net 1,745 12,369 53,374 — 67,488 Multi-client data library, net — 97,369 8,566 — 105,935 Investment in subsidiaries 660,880 257,732 — (918,612 ) — Goodwill — — 22,208 — 22,208 Intangible assets, net — 3,008 95 — 3,103 Intercompany receivables — — 32,174 (32,174 ) — Other assets 2,469 145 231 — 2,845 Total assets $ 691,523 $ 401,907 $ 170,572 $ (950,786 ) $ 313,216 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $ 11,281 $ 3,166 $ 134 $ — $ 14,581 Accounts payable 2,101 19,720 5,068 — 26,889 Accrued expenses 8,579 10,016 7,645 — 26,240 Accrued multi-client data library royalties — 23,663 — — 23,663 Deferred revenue — 2,667 1,042 — 3,709 Total current liabilities 21,961 59,232 13,889 — 95,082 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 143,930 279 — — 144,209 Intercompany payables 472,276 10,155 — (482,431 ) — Other long-term liabilities 467 12,117 7,943 — 20,527 Total liabilities 638,634 81,783 21,832 (482,431 ) 259,818 Equity: Common stock 118 290,460 19,138 (309,598 ) 118 Additional paid-in capital 899,198 180,700 232,590 (413,290 ) 899,198 Accumulated earnings (deficit) (824,679 ) 216,730 (3,639 ) (213,091 ) (824,679 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (21,748 ) 4,420 (21,787 ) 17,367 (21,748 ) Due from ION Geophysical Corporation — (372,186 ) (78,071 ) 450,257 — Total stockholders’ equity 52,889 320,124 148,231 (468,355 ) 52,889 Noncontrolling interests — — 509 — 509 Total equity 52,889 320,124 148,740 (468,355 ) 53,398 Total liabilities and equity $ 691,523 $ 401,907 $ 170,572 $ (950,786 ) $ 313,216
Condensed Income Statement	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Income Statement ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) Net revenues $ — $ 13,034 $ 19,522 $ — $ 32,556 Cost of sales — 17,587 8,868 — 26,455 Gross profit (loss) — (4,553 ) 10,654 — 6,101 Total operating expenses 9,340 6,159 4,514 — 20,013 Income (loss) from operations (9,340 ) (10,712 ) 6,140 — (13,912 ) Interest expense, net (4,460 ) (27 ) 23 — (4,464 ) Intercompany interest, net 328 (1,497 ) 1,169 — — Equity in earnings (losses) of investments (5,044 ) 8,776 — (3,732 ) — Other income (expense) (4,759 ) (339 ) 30 — (5,068 ) Net income (loss) before income taxes (23,275 ) (3,799 ) 7,362 (3,732 ) (23,444 ) Income tax expense (benefit) 67 (42 ) (443 ) — (418 ) Net income (loss) (23,342 ) (3,757 ) 7,805 (3,732 ) (23,026 ) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (316 ) — (316 ) Net income (loss) attributable to ION $ (23,342 ) $ (3,757 ) $ 7,489 (3,732 ) $ (23,342 ) Comprehensive net loss $ (22,825 ) $ (3,805 ) $ 8,054 $ (3,933 ) $ (22,509 ) Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — (316 ) — (316 ) Comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to ION $ (22,825 ) $ (3,805 ) $ 7,738 $ (3,933 ) $ (22,825 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Income Statement ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) Net revenues $ — $ 11,162 $ 11,501 $ 2 $ 22,665 Cost of sales — 21,427 10,166 2 31,595 Gross profit (loss) — (10,265 ) 1,335 — (8,930 ) Total operating expenses 7,411 7,816 5,972 — 21,199 Loss from operations (7,411 ) (18,081 ) (4,637 ) — (30,129 ) Interest expense, net (4,693 ) (70 ) 29 — (4,734 ) Intercompany interest, net 232 (1,017 ) 785 — — Equity in losses of investments (23,135 ) (1,808 ) — 24,943 — Other income (expense) 26 (359 ) 453 — 120 Net loss before income taxes (34,981 ) (21,335 ) (3,370 ) 24,943 (34,743 ) Income tax expense 33 253 7 — 293 Net loss (35,014 ) (21,588 ) (3,377 ) 24,943 (35,036 ) Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 22 — 22 Net loss attributable to ION $ (35,014 ) $ (21,588 ) $ (3,355 ) 24,943 $ (35,014 ) Comprehensive net loss $ (36,498 ) $ (21,588 ) $ (4,839 ) $ 26,427 $ (36,498 ) Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest — — 22 — 22 Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION $ (36,498 ) $ (21,588 ) $ (4,817 ) $ 26,427 $ (36,476 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Income Statement ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Income Statement ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Consolidating Adjustments Total Consolidated (In thousands)
Condensed Cash Flow Statement	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Statement of Cash Flows ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Total Consolidated (In thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 7,690 $ 3,373 $ (9,080 ) $ 1,983 Cash flows from investing activities: Cash invested in multi-client data library — (1,527 ) (1,836 ) (3,363 ) Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment — — (49 ) (49 ) Net cash used in investing activities — (1,527 ) (1,885 ) (3,412 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Payments on notes payable and long-term debt (506 ) (1,142 ) (58 ) (1,706 ) Intercompany lending (1,574 ) (704 ) 2,278 — Costs associated with issuance of equity (123 ) — — (123 ) Other financing activities (163 ) — — (163 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (2,366 ) (1,846 ) 2,220 (1,992 ) Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents — — 409 409 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 5,324 — (8,336 ) (3,012 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 23,042 — 29,610 52,652 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 28,366 $ — $ 21,274 $ 49,640 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Statement of Cash Flows ION Geophysical Corporation The Guarantors All Other Subsidiaries Total Consolidated (In thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ (8,953 ) $ (3,804 ) $ 15,236 $ 2,479 Cash flows from investing activities: Investment in multi-client data library — (6,327 ) — (6,327 ) Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment — (266 ) — (266 ) Net cash used in investing activities — (6,593 ) — (6,593 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Repurchase of common stock (964 ) — — (964 ) Payments on notes payable and long-term debt (167 ) (1,859 ) (186 ) (2,212 ) Cost associated with issuance of notes (1,315 ) — — (1,315 ) Intercompany lending 4,749 12,256 (17,005 ) — Other financing activities 13 — — 13 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 2,316 10,397 (17,191 ) (4,478 ) Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents — — 329 329 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (6,637 ) — (1,626 ) (8,263 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 33,734 — 51,199 84,933 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 27,097 $ — $ 49,573 $ 76,670

Segment Information (Details)

Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)segment	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of segments | segment	3
Summary of segment information
Revenues	$ 32,556	$ 22,665
Gross profit (loss)	6,101	(8,930)
Income (loss) from operations	(13,912)	(30,129)
Interest expense, net	(4,464)	(4,734)
Other income (expense), net	(5,068)	120
Loss before income taxes	(23,444)	(34,743)
Operating segments [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	32,556	22,665
Gross profit (loss)	$ 6,101	$ (8,930)
Gross margin	19.00%	(39.00%)
Operating segments [Member] | Devices And Optimization Software And Services [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	$ 9,246	$ 9,647
Operating segments [Member] | E & P Technology & Services [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	23,310	13,018
Gross profit (loss)	$ 4,010	$ (9,773)
Gross margin	17.00%	(75.00%)
Income (loss) from operations	$ (1,096)	$ (14,714)
Operating segments [Member] | E & P Technology & Services [Member] | New Venture and Data Library [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	17,555	7,578
Operating segments [Member] | E & P Technology & Services [Member] | New Venture [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	6,949	3,306
Operating segments [Member] | E & P Technology & Services [Member] | Data Library [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	10,606	4,272
Operating segments [Member] | E & P Technology & Services [Member] | Imaging Services [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	5,755	5,440
Operating segments [Member] | E & P Operations Optimization [Member]
Summary of segment information
Gross profit (loss)	$ 4,787	$ 4,719
Gross margin	52.00%	49.00%
Income (loss) from operations	$ 1,549	$ 1,601
Operating segments [Member] | E & P Operations Optimization [Member] | Devices [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	4,990	5,359
Operating segments [Member] | E & P Operations Optimization [Member] | Optimization Software and Services [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	4,256	4,288
Operating segments [Member] | Ocean Bottom Services Segment [Member]
Summary of segment information
Revenues	0	0
Gross profit (loss)	$ (2,696)	$ (3,876)
Gross margin	0.00%	0.00%
Income (loss) from operations	$ (4,008)	$ (7,631)
Corporate and other [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Summary of segment information
Income (loss) from operations	$ (10,357)	$ (9,385)

Long-term Debt - Obligations (D

Long-term Debt - Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Apr. 28, 2016
Obligations
Total debt	$ 157,339	$ 158,790
Costs associated with issuances of debt	(4,883)	(5,137)
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	(12,966)	(14,581)
Non-current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	144,373	144,209
Senior secured second-priority notes [Member] | Senior secured second-priority lien notes (maturing December 15, 2021) [Member]
Obligations
Total debt	120,569	120,569	$ 120,600
Senior secured second-priority notes [Member] | Senior secured third-priority lien notes (maturing May 15, 2018) [Member]
Obligations
Total debt	28,497	28,497	$ 28,500
Revolving credit facility [Member]
Obligations
Total debt	10,000	10,000
Equipment capital leases [Member]
Obligations
Total debt	2,304	3,446
Other debt [Member]
Obligations
Total debt	$ 852	$ 1,415

Long-term Debt - Obligations Ad

Long-term Debt - Obligations Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs	$ 4,883	$ 5,137
Other assets [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs	$ 900	$ 1,200

Long-term Debt - Narrative (Det

Long-term Debt - Narrative (Details)	Apr. 28, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Apr. 27, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	May 31, 2013USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debt			$ 157,339,000		$ 158,790,000
Principal purchased for cash			1,706,000	$ 2,212,000
Line of credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum amount of certain indebtedness			40,000,000
Increase in applicable margin due to amendment to Credit Facility	0.50%
Number of days prior to stated maturity borrowing capacity reduced by reserve	90 days
Maximum amount of certain permitted junior indebtedness	$ 200,000,000	$ 175,000,000
Number of days early commitment termination date and early maturity date, eliminated by amendment	90 days
Limit for multi-client liquidation component			15,000,000
Current borrowing capacity			19,500,000
Indebtedness under the Credit Facility			10,000,000
Required liquidity maintained five consecutive business days			7,500,000
Required liquidity maintained any business day			6,500,000
Excess availability to borrow			$ 9,500,000
Line of credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member] | Conversion Of Third Lien Notes For Second Lien Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt exchange conversion ratio	1
Line of credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member] | Debt Conversion, Prior To Extended Early Tender Deadline [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt exchange, ratio of principal to common stock shares (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 100
Line of credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member] | Debt Conversion, After Extended Early Tender Deadline [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt exchange, ratio of principal to common stock shares (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 142.86
Line of credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed charge coverage ratio			1.1
Line of credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of obligations secured by stock of Subsidiary Borrowers	100.00%
Line of credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member] | ION International Holdings L.P. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of obligations secured by stock of Subsidiary Borrowers	65.00%
Line of credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate for debt	3.00%	2.50%
Line of credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate for debt	4.00%	3.50%
Senior notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated rate on debt			8.125%
Senior notes [Member] | Senior secured third-priority lien notes (maturing May 15, 2018) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt						$ 175,000,000
Stated rate on debt						8.125%
Aggregate principal amount of debt	$ 28,500,000		$ 28,497,000		28,497,000
Amount of debt purchased	25,900,000
Principal purchased for cash	$ 15,000,000
Senior notes [Member] | Senior secured second-priority lien notes (maturing December 15, 2021) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated rate on debt	9.125%
Aggregate principal amount of debt	$ 120,600,000		$ 120,569,000		$ 120,569,000
Senior notes [Member] | Senior secured second-priority lien notes (maturing December 15, 2021) [Member] | Conversion Of Common Stock For Second Lien Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt converted for shares, issued shares | shares	1,205,477

Long-term Debt - Debt Instrumen

Long-term Debt - Debt Instrument Redemption Percentages (Details) - Senior notes [Member]	Dec. 15, 2019	May 15, 2015
Redemption Period 1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentages		104.063%
Redemption Period 1 [Member] | Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentages	105.50%
Redemption Period 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentages		102.031%
Redemption Period 2 [Member] | Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentages	103.50%
Redemption Period 3 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentages		100.00%
Redemption Period 3 [Member] | Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentages	100.00%

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Effective income tax rates	1.80%	(0.80%)
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (418,000)	$ 293,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	1,300,000
United States Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net deferred tax assets	$ 0

Litigation (Details)

Litigation (Details) - WesternGeco [Member] $ in Millions	Mar. 14, 2017USD ($)	Nov. 25, 2016USD ($)	May 31, 2014USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2014USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2013USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2012USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2009Patent	Jul. 02, 2015USD ($)	Nov. 14, 2016USD ($)	Nov. 13, 2016USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of patent apparatus claims contained | Patent							4
Pending Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded	$ 5		$ 123.8	$ 9.4	$ 73.1	$ 105.9
Reduction in damages award in the case				$ (3)
Prejudgment interest expense accrued								$ 10.9
Amount of appeal bond									$ 65	$ 120
Amount of royalty damages paid		$ 20.8
Pending Litigation [Member] | Lost Royalties [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded						$ 12.5
Pending Litigation [Member] | Lost Profits [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded								$ 93.4

Other Income (Expense), Net (De

Other Income (Expense), Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Accrual for loss contingency related to legal proceedings (Footnote 6)	$ (5,000)	$ 0
Other income (expense), net	(68)	120
Total other income (expense), net	$ (5,068)	$ 120

Details of Selected Balance S37

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Raw materials and subassemblies	$ 20,609	$ 21,454
Work-in-process	1,999	2,255
Finished goods	7,634	6,581
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories	(15,022)	(15,049)
Total	$ 15,220	$ 15,241

Details of Selected Balance S38

Details of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts - Other Long-term Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Deferred rents	$ 13,684	$ 13,955
Facility restructuring accrual	1,434	1,765
Deferred income tax liability	1,774	3,679
Other long-term liabilities	1,134	1,128
Total	$ 18,026	$ 20,527

Accumulated Other Comprehensi39

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2016	$ 53,398
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2017	31,776
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2016	(21,748)
Net current-period other comprehensive loss	517
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2017	(21,231)
AOCI including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2016	(21,748)
Net current-period other comprehensive loss	517
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2017	$ (21,231)

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform40

Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$ 206	$ 154
Income taxes (refunds)	819	(762)
Non-cash items from investing and financing activities:
Investment in multi-client data library financed through accounts payable	1,654	3,885
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment financed through accounts payable	$ 730	$ 179

Fair Value of Financial Instr41

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Long-term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations, Current And Noncurrent	$ 162.2	$ 163.9
Fair value of long-term debt	$ 114.7	$ 114.8

Stockholder's Equity, Stock-B42

Stockholder's Equity, Stock-Based Compensation Expense and Repurchase Plan - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		14 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 22, 2016	Nov. 04, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Maximum number of shares available for sale through the ATM Program				20,000,000
Number of shares issued or committed for issuance under outstanding stock options	838,582	938,606
Number of shares of restricted stock and shares reserved for restricted stock units outstanding	203,622	253,738
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 634,000	$ 743,000
Stock repurchase amount, authorized amount					$ 25,000,000
Shares repurchased, value			$ 3,000,000
Number of shares repurchased			451,792
Repurchased shares, average price per share (usd per share)			$ 6.41

Stockholder's Equity, Stock-B43

Stockholder's Equity, Stock-Based Compensation Expense and Repurchase Plan - Activity Related to Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017shares
Stock Options, Number of Shares
Ending balance	838,582
Stock Options [Member]
Stock Options, Number of Shares
Beginning balance	847,635,000
Cancelled/forfeited	(9,053,000)
Ending balance	838,582,000
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit [Member]
Restricted Stock and Unit Awards, Number of Shares
Beginning balance	285,308,000
Granted	17,500,000
Stock options exercised/restricted stock/unit awards vested	(99,186,000)
Ending balance	203,622,000

Condensed Consolidating Finan44

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 49,640	$ 52,652	$ 76,670	$ 84,933
Accounts receivable, net	16,173	20,770
Unbilled receivables	17,423	13,415
Inventories	15,220	15,241
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,262	9,559
Total current assets	105,718	111,637
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	63,173	67,488
Multi-client data library, net	101,493	105,935
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Goodwill	22,542	22,208
Intangible assets, net	2,745	3,103
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Other assets	2,457	2,845
Total assets	298,128	313,216
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	12,966	14,581
Accounts payable	26,662	26,889
Accrued expenses	29,878	26,240
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	23,613	23,663
Deferred revenue	10,834	3,709
Total current liabilities	103,953	95,082
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	144,373	144,209
Intercompany payables	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	18,026	20,527
Total liabilities	266,352	259,818
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	119	118
Additional paid-in capital	900,056	899,198
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(848,021)	(824,679)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(21,231)	(21,748)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	0	0
Total stockholders’ equity	30,923	52,889
Noncontrolling interests	853	509
Total equity	31,776	53,398
Total liabilities and equity	298,128	313,216
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | ION Geophysical Corporation [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	28,366	23,042	27,097	33,734
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Unbilled receivables	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,591	3,387
Total current assets	30,957	26,429
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	1,576	1,745
Multi-client data library, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	660,937	660,880
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Other assets	2,049	2,469
Total assets	695,519	691,523
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	10,852	11,281
Accounts payable	3,123	2,101
Accrued expenses	14,525	8,579
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	0	0
Deferred revenue	0	0
Total current liabilities	28,500	21,961
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	144,183	143,930
Intercompany payables	491,440	472,276
Other long-term liabilities	473	467
Total liabilities	664,596	638,634
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	119	118
Additional paid-in capital	900,056	899,198
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(848,021)	(824,679)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(21,231)	(21,748)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	0	0
Total stockholders’ equity	30,923	52,889
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	30,923	52,889
Total liabilities and equity	695,519	691,523
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | The Guarantors [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	5,489	12,775
Unbilled receivables	6,250	5,275
Inventories	8,583	8,610
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,219	4,624
Total current assets	22,541	31,284
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	11,216	12,369
Multi-client data library, net	91,474	97,369
Investment in subsidiaries	261,565	257,732
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible assets, net	2,673	3,008
Intercompany receivables	193,054	0
Other assets	145	145
Total assets	582,668	401,907
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,114	3,166
Accounts payable	19,887	19,720
Accrued expenses	7,782	10,016
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	23,613	23,663
Deferred revenue	2,199	2,667
Total current liabilities	55,595	59,232
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	190	279
Intercompany payables	0	10,155
Other long-term liabilities	11,744	12,117
Total liabilities	67,529	81,783
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	290,460	290,460
Additional paid-in capital	180,699	180,700
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	212,973	216,730
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	4,372	4,420
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	(173,365)	(372,186)
Total stockholders’ equity	515,139	320,124
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	515,139	320,124
Total liabilities and equity	582,668	401,907
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | All Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	21,274	29,610	$ 49,573	$ 51,199
Accounts receivable, net	10,684	7,995
Unbilled receivables	11,173	8,140
Inventories	6,637	6,631
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,452	1,548
Total current assets	52,220	53,924
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	50,381	53,374
Multi-client data library, net	10,019	8,566
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Goodwill	22,542	22,208
Intangible assets, net	72	95
Intercompany receivables	46,606	32,174
Other assets	263	231
Total assets	182,103	170,572
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	134
Accounts payable	3,652	5,068
Accrued expenses	7,571	7,645
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	0	0
Deferred revenue	8,635	1,042
Total current liabilities	19,858	13,889
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	0	0
Intercompany payables	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	5,809	7,943
Total liabilities	25,667	21,832
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	49,394	19,138
Additional paid-in capital	202,291	232,590
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	3,850	(3,639)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(21,537)	(21,787)
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	(78,415)	(78,071)
Total stockholders’ equity	155,583	148,231
Noncontrolling interests	853	509
Total equity	156,436	148,740
Total liabilities and equity	182,103	170,572
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Unbilled receivables	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	0	0
Property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment, net	0	0
Multi-client data library, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	(922,502)	(918,612)
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Intercompany receivables	(239,660)	(32,174)
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	(1,162,162)	(950,786)
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	0	0
Accrued multi-client data library royalties	0	0
Deferred revenue	0	0
Total current liabilities	0	0
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	0	0
Intercompany payables	(491,440)	(482,431)
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	(491,440)	(482,431)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	(339,854)	(309,598)
Additional paid-in capital	(382,990)	(413,290)
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(216,823)	(213,091)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	17,165	17,367
Due from ION Geophysical Corporation	251,780	450,257
Total stockholders’ equity	(670,722)	(468,355)
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	(670,722)	(468,355)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (1,162,162)	$ (950,786)

Condensed Consolidating Finan45

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 32,556	$ 22,665
Cost of sales	26,455	31,595
Gross profit (loss)	6,101	(8,930)
Total operating expenses	20,013	21,199
Loss from operations	(13,912)	(30,129)
Interest expense, net	(4,464)	(4,734)
Intercompany interest, net	0	0
Equity in losses of investments	0	0
Other income (expense)	(5,068)	120
Loss before income taxes	(23,444)	(34,743)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(418)	293
Net loss	(23,026)	(35,036)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(316)	22
Net loss attributable to ION	(23,342)	(35,014)
Comprehensive net loss	(22,509)	(36,498)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(316)	22
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION	(22,825)	(36,476)
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | ION Geophysical Corporation [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	0	0
Cost of sales	0	0
Gross profit (loss)	0	0
Total operating expenses	9,340	7,411
Loss from operations	(9,340)	(7,411)
Interest expense, net	(4,460)	(4,693)
Intercompany interest, net	328	232
Equity in losses of investments	(5,044)	(23,135)
Other income (expense)	(4,759)	26
Loss before income taxes	(23,275)	(34,981)
Income tax expense (benefit)	67	33
Net loss	(23,342)	(35,014)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net loss attributable to ION	(23,342)	(35,014)
Comprehensive net loss	(22,825)	(36,498)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION	(22,825)	(36,498)
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | The Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	13,034	11,162
Cost of sales	17,587	21,427
Gross profit (loss)	(4,553)	(10,265)
Total operating expenses	6,159	7,816
Loss from operations	(10,712)	(18,081)
Interest expense, net	(27)	(70)
Intercompany interest, net	(1,497)	(1,017)
Equity in losses of investments	8,776	(1,808)
Other income (expense)	(339)	(359)
Loss before income taxes	(3,799)	(21,335)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(42)	253
Net loss	(3,757)	(21,588)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net loss attributable to ION	(3,757)	(21,588)
Comprehensive net loss	(3,805)	(21,588)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION	(3,805)	(21,588)
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | All Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	19,522	11,501
Cost of sales	8,868	10,166
Gross profit (loss)	10,654	1,335
Total operating expenses	4,514	5,972
Loss from operations	6,140	(4,637)
Interest expense, net	23	29
Intercompany interest, net	1,169	785
Equity in losses of investments	0	0
Other income (expense)	30	453
Loss before income taxes	7,362	(3,370)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(443)	7
Net loss	7,805	(3,377)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(316)	22
Net loss attributable to ION	7,489	(3,355)
Comprehensive net loss	8,054	(4,839)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(316)	22
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION	7,738	(4,817)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	0	2
Cost of sales	0	2
Gross profit (loss)	0	0
Total operating expenses	0	0
Loss from operations	0	0
Interest expense, net	0	0
Intercompany interest, net	0	0
Equity in losses of investments	(3,732)	24,943
Other income (expense)	0	0
Loss before income taxes	(3,732)	24,943
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0
Net loss	(3,732)	24,943
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net loss attributable to ION	(3,732)	24,943
Comprehensive net loss	(3,933)	26,427
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Comprehensive net loss attributable to ION	$ (3,933)	$ 26,427

Condensed Consolidating Finan46

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Cash Flow Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 1,983	$ 2,479
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	(3,363)	(6,327)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(49)	(266)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,412)	(6,593)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock	0	(964)
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(1,706)	(2,212)
Cost associated with issuance of notes	0	1,315
Intercompany lending	0	0
Costs associated with issuance of equity	(123)
Other financing activities	(163)	13
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,992)	(4,478)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	409	329
Net decrease in cash, and cash equivalents	(3,012)	(8,263)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	52,652	84,933
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	49,640	76,670
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | ION Geophysical Corporation [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	7,690	(8,953)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	0	0
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock		(964)
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(506)	(167)
Cost associated with issuance of notes		1,315
Intercompany lending	(1,574)	4,749
Costs associated with issuance of equity	(123)
Other financing activities	(163)	13
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,366)	2,316
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net decrease in cash, and cash equivalents	5,324	(6,637)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	23,042	33,734
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	28,366	27,097
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | The Guarantors [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,373	(3,804)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	(1,527)	(6,327)
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	0	(266)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,527)	(6,593)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock		0
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(1,142)	(1,859)
Cost associated with issuance of notes		0
Intercompany lending	(704)	12,256
Costs associated with issuance of equity	0	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,846)	10,397
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net decrease in cash, and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | All Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(9,080)	15,236
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in multi-client data library	(1,836)	0
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and seismic rental equipment	(49)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,885)	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock		0
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(58)	(186)
Cost associated with issuance of notes		0
Intercompany lending	2,278	(17,005)
Costs associated with issuance of equity	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	2,220	(17,191)
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	409	329
Net decrease in cash, and cash equivalents	(8,336)	(1,626)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	29,610	51,199
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	21,274	$ 49,573
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 0