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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

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|[ X ]                          |  | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
|------------------------------ |  | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|                               |  |                                                                                         
|                               |  | For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004                                           
|                               |  |                                                                                         
|                               |  | OR                                                                                      
|                               |  |                                                                                         
|[    ]                         |  | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
|                               |  |                                                                                         
|                              
|                              
|Commission File Number 0-14488





|                                                   
|---------------------------------------------------
|SEITEL, INC.                                       
|(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 
|                                                   
|                                                   
|Delaware                                           
|(State or other jurisdiction of                    
|incorporation or organization)                     
|                                                   
|                                                   
|10811 S. Westview Circle                           
|Houston, Texas                                     
|(Address of principal executive offices)           
|                                                   
|                                                   
|Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
|                                                   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.





|Yes | [ X ] |  | No | [    ]
|--- | ----- |  | -- | ------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).





Yes
[   ]

No
[ X ]








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INDEX



|         |                                                                  | Page                                         
|-------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|PART I.  | FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                            |                                              
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Item 1.                                                          | Financial Statements                         
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Consolidated Balance Sheetsas of                                 |                                              
|         | March 31, 2004 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2003                 | 3                                            
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Consolidated Statements of Operations(Unaudited) for the         |                                              
|         | Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003                       | 4                                            
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss(Unaudited) for the |                                              
|         | Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003                       | 5                                            
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity                  |                                              
|         | for the Year Ended December 31, 2003 and the                     |                                              
|         | Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 (Unaudited)                    | 6                                            
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(Unaudited)                 |                                              
|         | for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003               | 7                                            
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements               | 8                                            
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Item 2.                                                          | Management's Discussion and Analysis of      
|         |                                                                  | Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Item 3.                                                          | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures     
|         |                                                                  | about Market Risk                            
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Item 4.                                                          | Controls and Procedures                      
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION                                                | 31                                           
|         |                                                                  |                                              
|         | Signatures and Certifications                                    | 35                                           







---





Index





|PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|------------------------------







|Item 1. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|------- | --------------------



SEITEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

|                                           |                                                       | (Unaudited)                                        |          |        |   |              |         
|------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ------ | - | ------------ | --------
|                                           |                                                       | March 31,                                          |          |        |   | December 31, |         
|                                           |                                                       | 2004                                               |          |        |   | 2003         |         
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|ASSETS                                     |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           | Cash and equivalents                                  | $                                                  | 48,588   |        |   | $            | 44,362  
|                                           | Restricted cash                                       |                                                    | 161      |        |   |              | 202     
|                                           | Receivables                                           |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | Trade (net)                                        |          | 36,399 |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | Notes and other                                    |          | 11,308 |   |              |         
|                                           | Net seismic data library                              |                                                    | 253,874  |        |   |              | 247,541 
|                                           | Net property and equipment                            |                                                    | 14,091   |        |   |              | 15,431  
|                                           | Oil and gas operations held for sale                  |                                                    | 544      |        |   |              | 1,552   
|                                           | Investment in marketable securities                   |                                                    | 32       |        |   |              | 99      
|                                           | Prepaid expenses, deferred charges and other          |                                                    | 9,125    |        |   |              | 8,394   
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           | TOTAL ASSETS                                          | $                                                  | 374,122  |        |   | $            | 367,089 
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY       |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           | Liabilities not subject to compromise:                |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities           | $        | 20,679 |   |              | $       
|                                           |                                                       | Oil and gas operations held for sale               |          | 13     |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | Term Loans                                         |          | 5,417  |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | Obligations under capital leases                   |          | 6,267  |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | Deferred income taxes                              |          | 2,509  |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | Deferred revenue                                   |          | 58,635 |   |              |         
|                                           | Liabilities subject to compromise                     |                                                    | 277,980  |        |   |              | 273,119 
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|TOTAL LIABILITIES                          |                                                       | 371,500                                            |          |        |   | 363,367      |         
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES              |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                       |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           | Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | 5,000,000 shares; none issued                      |          | -      |   |              |         
|                                           | Common stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized    |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding          |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | 25,811,601 at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 |          | 258    |   |              |         
|                                           | Additional paid-in capital                            |                                                    | 166,630  |        |   |              | 166,630 
|                                           | Retained deficit                                      |                                                    | (160,348 | )      |   |              | (159,731
|                                           | Treasury stock, 435,918 shares at cost at             |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003               |          | (5,373 | ) |              |         
|                                           | Notes receivable from officers and employees          |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       | for stock purchases                                |          | (89    | ) |              |         
|                                           | Accumulated other comprehensive income                |                                                    | 1,544    |        |   |              | 2,062   
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                 |                                                       | 2,622                                              |          |        |   | 3,722        |         
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         
|TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $                                                     | 374,122                                            |          |        | $ | 367,089      |         
|                                           |                                                       |                                                    |          |        |   |              |         



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Index

SEITEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)(In thousands, except per share amounts)

|                                                             |                                              | Three Months Ended March 31, |       
|------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ------
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             |                                              | 2004                         |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|REVENUE                                                      | $                                            | 41,264                       |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|EXPENSES                                                     |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             | Depreciation and amortization                |                              | 24,083
|                                                             | Cost of sales                                |                              | 74    
|                                                             | Selling, general and administrative          |                              | 8,539 
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             |                                              | 32,696                       |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                                       |                                              | 8,568                        |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|Interest expense and other, net                              |                                              | (4,948                       | )     
|Reorganization items                                         |                                              | (3,566                       | )     
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes |                                              | 54                           |       
|Provision for income taxes                                   |                                              | 706                          |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|Loss from continuing operations                              |                                              | (652                         | )     
|Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax       |                                              | 35                           |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|NET LOSS                                                     | $                                            | (617                         | )     
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:                   |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             | Loss from continuing operations              | $                            | (.02  
|                                                             | Income (loss) from discontinued operations   |                              | -     
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             | Net loss                                     | $                            | (.02  
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|Weighted average number of common and                        |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             | common equivalent shares - basic and diluted |                              | 25,376
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       
|                                                             |                                              |                              |       





The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.









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Index

SEITEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited)(In thousands)

|                                                           |   | Three Months Ended |  
|---------------------------------------------------------- | - | ------------------ | -
|                                                           |   | March 31,          |  
|                                                           |   |                    |  
|                                                           |   | 2004               |  
|                                                           |   |                    |  
|                                                           |   |                    |  
|Net loss                                                   | $ | (617               | )
|                                                           |   |                    |  
|Unrealized losses on securities held as available for sale |   | (65                | )
|                                                           |   |                    |  
|Foreign currency translation adjustments                   |   | (453               | )
|                                                           |   |                    |  
|                                                           |   |                    |  
|Comprehensive loss                                         | $ | (1,135             | )
|                                                           |   |                    |  























The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.







---





Index



SEITEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands, except share amounts)



|                                    |                                 |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       | Accumulated |  
|----------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------ | - | - | ---------- | - | - | -------- | - | -------------- | -------- | ------- | ---------- | - | - | ------- | - | - | ---------- | - | ----- | ----------- | -
|                                    |                                 |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   | Notes      |   |       | Other       |  
|                                    |                                 |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   | Receivable |   |       | Compre-     |  
|                                    |                                 | Common Stock             |   |   | Additional |   |   |          |   | Treasury Stock |          |         | from       |   |   | hensive |  
|                                    |                                 |                          |   |   | Paid-In    |   |   | Retained |   |                |          |         | Officers & |   |   | Income  |  
|                                    |                                 | Shares                   |   |   | Amount     |   |   | Capital  |   |                | Deficit  |         | Shares     |   |   | Amount  |   |   | Employees  |   |       | (Loss)      |  
|                                    |                                 |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|                                    |                                 |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|Balance, December 31, 2002          |                                 | 25,811,601               |   | $ | 258        |   | $ | 166,630  |   | $              | (121,793 | )       | (435,918   | ) | $ | (5,373  | ) | $ | (1,178     | ) | $     | (1,508      | )
|                                    | Payments received on notes      |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|                                    |                                 | receivable from officers |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|                                    |                                 | and employees            |   | - |            |   | - |          |   | -              |          |         | -          |   | - |         |   | - |            |   | 1,054 |             |  
|                                    | Net loss                        |                          | - |   |            | - |   |          | - |                |          | (37,938 | )          | - |   |         | - |   |            | - |       |             | -
|                                    | Foreign currency translation    |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|                                    |                                 | adjustments              |   | - |            |   | - |          |   | -              |          |         | -          |   | - |         |   | - |            |   | -     |             |  
|                                    | Unrealized gain on marketable   |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|                                    |                                 | securities               |   | - |            |   | - |          |   | -              |          |         | -          |   | - |         |   | - |            |   | -     |             |  
|                                    |                                 |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|Balance, December 31, 2003          |                                 | 25,811,601               |   |   | 258        |   |   | 166,630  |   |                | (159,731 | )       | (435,918   | ) |   | (5,373  | ) |   | (124       | ) |       | 2,062       |  
|                                    | Payments received on notes      |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|                                    |                                 | receivable from officers |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|                                    |                                 | and employees            |   | - |            |   | - |          |   | -              |          |         | -          |   | - |         |   | - |            |   | 35    |             |  
|                                    | Net loss                        |                          | - |   |            | - |   |          | - |                |          | (617    | )          | - |   |         | - |   |            | - |       |             | -
|                                    | Foreign currency translation    |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|                                    |                                 | adjustments              |   | - |            |   | - |          |   | -              |          |         | -          |   | - |         |   | - |            |   | -     |             |  
|                                    | Unrealized losses on marketable |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|                                    |                                 | securities               |   | - |            |   | - |          |   | -              |          |         | -          |   | - |         |   | - |            |   | -     |             |  
|                                    |                                 |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  
|Balance, March 31, 2004 (unaudited) |                                 | 25,811,601               |   | $ | 258        |   | $ | 166,630  |   | $              | (160,348 | )       | (435,918   | ) | $ | (5,373  | ) | $ | (89        | ) | $     | 1,544       |  
|                                    |                                 |                          |   |   |            |   |   |          |   |                |          |         |            |   |   |         |   |   |            |   |       |             |  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.









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Index



SEITEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

|                                                                        |                                                               | Three Months Ended March 31,                                       |        
|----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        |                                                               | 2004                                                               |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|Cash flows from operating activities:                                   |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|Reconciliation of net loss to net cash provided by operating activities |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        | of continuing operations:                                     |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        | Net loss                                                      | $                                                                  | (617   
|                                                                        | Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax        |                                                                    | (35    
|                                                                        | Depreciation and amortization                                 |                                                                    | 24,083 
|                                                                        | Deferred income tax provision                                 |                                                                    | 584    
|                                                                        | Amortization of deferred financing costs                      |                                                                    | 177    
|                                                                        | Allowance for collection of trade receivables                 |                                                                    | 75     
|                                                                        | Non-cash sales                                                |                                                                    | (5,384 
|                                                                        | Decrease (increase) in receivables                            |                                                                    | 871    
|                                                                        | Decrease (increase) in other assets                           |                                                                    | 217    
|                                                                        | Decrease in deferred revenue                                  |                                                                    | 2,507  
|                                                                        | Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities |                                                                    | 7,060  
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        |                                                               | Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|Cash flows from investing activities:                                   |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        | Cash invested in seismic data                                 |                                                                    | (25,696
|                                                                        | Cash paid to acquire property and equipment                   |                                                                    | (300   
|                                                                        | Cash received from disposal of property and equipment         |                                                                    | -      
|                                                                        | Decrease in restricted cash                                   |                                                                    | 41     
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        |                                                               | Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations     |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|Cash flows from financing activities:                                   |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        | Principal payments on term loans                              |                                                                    | (8     
|                                                                        | Principal payments on capital lease obligations               |                                                                    | (266   
|                                                                        | Costs of debt and equity transactions                         |                                                                    | (474   
|                                                                        | Payments on notes receivable from officers and employees      |                                                                    | 40     
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        |                                                               | Net cash used in financing activities                              |        
|                                                                        |                                                               | of continuing operations                                           |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|Effect of exchange rate changes                                         |                                                               | 312                                                                |        
|Net cash provided by discontinued operations                            |                                                               | 1,039                                                              |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents                         |                                                               | 4,226                                                              |        
|Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                        |                                                               | 44,362                                                             |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|Cash and equivalents at end of period                                   | $                                                             | 48,588                                                             |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                       |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        | Cash paid during the period for:                              |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        |                                                               | Interest                                                           | $      
|                                                                        |                                                               | Income taxes                                                       | $      
|Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:                 |                                                               |                                                                    |        
|                                                                        | Additions to seismic data library                             | $                                                                  | 3,161  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



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Index

SEITEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
March 31, 2004
NOTE A-BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the amounts in the prior year's financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation.  Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004.  These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2003 contained in the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Substantial Doubt About the Company's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern:     The Company's financial statements have been prepared on a basis that assumes the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business.  On July 21, 2003, the Company filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (see "Note B-Reorganization Proceedings").  Accordingly, there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, including recovering assets and satisfying liabilities in the normal course of business.  On January 17, 2004, the Company filed with the Bankruptcy Court the third amended joint plan of reorganization (the "Plan"), which subsequently was amended on February 5, 2004.  On March 18, 2004, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan.  Under the Plan, all of the Company's outstanding allowed pre-petition claims will be fully paid, in cash, together with post-petition (non-default rate) interest, except with respect to any disputed claims and any claims that are reinstated under the Plan.  The Plan further provides that the Company will receive $75 million of new equity as a result of the exercise of the reorganized common stock purchase warrants and/or the private sale of shares under a standby purchase agreement.  Payments to creditors under the Plan will be funded utilizing (i) the net proceeds from the new equity, (ii) net proceeds of not less than $180 million from the Company's anticipated institutional offering of new senior unsecured notes, (iii) available cash and equivalents of not less than $35 million, and, if necessary, (iv) available borrowings under the Company's new revolving credit facility provided on the effective date of the Plan.  Certain conditions, as fully described in "Note B-Reorganization Proceedings", are required for the Plan to become effective. The consolidated financial statements reflect the amounts as of March 31, 2004, which the Company believes will ultimately be paid to settle liabilities and contingencies that may be allowed in bankruptcy, including interest.  There can be no assurance that the transactions will be consummated in the way contemplated under the Plan, or that the Company will emerge from its reorganization proceedings as contemplated under the Plan.

Contractual Obligations:    As of March 31, 2004, the Company had approximately $271.8 million of outstanding debt and lease obligations, with aggregate contractual cash obligations summarized as follows (in thousands):





|                                   |   |         |   | Payments due by period | 
|---------------------------------- | - | ------- | - | ---------------------- | 
|                                   |   |         |   |                        | 
|                                   |   |         |   |                        | 
|Contractual cash obligations       |   | Total   |   | 2004                   | 
|                                   |   |         |   |                        | 
|                                   |   |         |   |                        | 
|Debt obligations (1)               | $ | 260,855 | $ | 260,440                | 
|Capital lease obligations          |   | 6,267   |   | 1,209                  | 
|Operating lease obligations        |   | 4,669   |   | 751                    | 
|                                   |   |         |   |                        | 
|                                   |   |         |   |                        | 
|Total contractual cash obligations | $ | 271,791 | $ | 262,400                | 
|                                   |   |         |   |                        | 



|(1) | These debt obligations have contractual maturities ranging from 2003 to 2011.  The Company is not in compliance with certain of the covenants related to this debt and the holders of $255 million of such debt have accelerated the maturity thereof.  Pursuant to the Company's Plan of Reorganization $260.4 million of this debt will be paid in full in 2004; therefore, the maturities have been reflected as due in 2004.
|--- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





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Index



As a result of the bankruptcy filing discussed in Note B below, the rights of and ultimate payments related to certain of these contractual obligations may be substantially altered.

NOTE B-REORGANIZATION PROCEEDINGS

On July 21, 2003, (the "Petition Date"), Seitel, Inc., and its wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court") (Chapter 11 Case No. 03-12227 (PJW)).  Seitel, Inc. and its 30 U.S. subsidiaries that have filed petitions are collectively referred to herein as the "Debtors" and the Chapter 11 cases of these entities are collectively referred to herein as the "Cases."  By order of the Bankruptcy Court dated July 25, 2003, the Cases are being jointly administered.  On July 22, 2003, the Debtors filed their joint plan of reorganization.  Since the Petition Date, the Debtors have continued to operate their business and manage their properties as "debtors-in-possession" pursuant to Sections 1107(a) and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code.  No trustee has been appointed in the Cases.

None of the Company's direct or indirect subsidiaries or affiliates incorporated in Canada or other non-U.S. jurisdictions have filed Chapter 11, and none are expected to file for reorganization or protection from creditors under any insolvency or similar law in the U.S. or elsewhere.  Such non-filing, non-U.S. based subsidiaries and affiliates are called "non-Debtors".

The previously filed involuntary bankruptcy petitions which were pending against the Company were dismissed on July 25, 2003 by order of the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to a joint request for such dismissal filed by the Company and Ranch Capital L.L.C. ("Ranch").  Ranch previously purchased all of the senior unsecured notes (the "Notes") held by the entities which filed the involuntary bankruptcy petitions.  Ranch subsequently sold the Notes to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire").  An official equity committee (the "Official Equity Committee") was appointed on August 11, 2003.



By order dated September 22, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court approved a $20 million debtor-in-possession loan facility (the "DIP Facility") from Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc. ("Foothill"), subject to certain conditions.

On October 6, 2003, the Debtors filed their first amended joint plan of reorganization, which superseded the joint plan of reorganization. The disclosure statement relating to the first amended joint plan of reorganization was approved upon notice, and a hearing to consider confirmation of the first amended joint plan of reorganization was scheduled in the Bankruptcy Court for November 4, 2003.  In October 2003, the Company's stockholders voted to reject the first amended joint plan of reorganization.

On October 27, 2003, the Official Equity Committee moved to adjourn the Bankruptcy Court hearing to consider confirmation of the first amended joint plan of reorganization and to terminate the Debtors' statutory exclusivity period. Following a hearing, the Bankruptcy Court ordered the termination of the Debtors' exclusivity period, and on November 6, 2003 the Official Equity Committee filed with the Bankruptcy Court its own proposed, initial plan of reorganization (the "Committee Plan").  The Debtors and the holders of the Notes objected to the Committee Plan on the basis, among others, that the Committee Plan was not "feasible" within the meaning of Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code.

The Debtors continued to pursue confirmation of their first amended joint plan of reorganization and filed a motion in the Bankruptcy Court on December 4, 2003 to implement auction procedures in support of such confirmation. At or about that time, the Debtors, the holders of the Notes and the Official Equity Committee commenced discussions with respect to the formulation and implementation of an alternative, consensual Chapter 11 plan of reorganization intended to result in a transaction that would satisfy and address the claims and equity interests of all the Debtors' creditors and stockholders.





---





Index



On January 17, 2004, the Debtors filed with the Bankruptcy Court the Plan, which subsequently was amended on February 5, 2004. The Plan was agreed to by the Official Equity Committee, as well as Berkshire and Ranch, and was accepted by the holders of more than 99.6% of the shares of the Company's common stock who voted on the Plan.  On March 18, 2004, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan.



Under the Plan:



| | · | All of the Company's outstanding allowed pre-petition claims will be fully paid, in cash, together with post-petition (non-default rate) interest, except with respect to any disputed claims and any claims that are reinstated under the Plan.                                                                                                                                                                                       
| | - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
| | · | All 25,375,683 outstanding shares of the Company's common stock will be cancelled and such shares will be converted into the right to receive and be exchanged for:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
| |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
| |   | ·                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
| |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
| |   | ·                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
| |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
| | · | The Standby Purchasers, as defined in the Plan, will, following the expiration of the Stockholder Warrants, purchase in a private transaction up to $75 million worth of reorganized common stock (representing the maximum number of shares subject to the Stockholder Warrants) not purchased upon the exercise of the Stockholder Warrants.                                                                                         
| |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
| | · | The Standby Purchasers will receive, as compensation for their standby purchase agreement, separate warrants (the "Guarantor Warrants) to purchase up to 15,037,568 shares of reorganized common stock, representing 9.10% of the issued and outstanding shares of reorganized common stock on a fully diluted basis. The Guarantor Warrants will expire seven years after their issuance and have an exercise price of $.72 per share.



Payments to creditors under the Plan will be funded utilizing (i) the net proceeds from the exercise of the Stockholder Warrants and/or the sale of shares under the standby purchase agreement, (ii) net proceeds of not less than $180 million from the Company's anticipated institutional offering of new senior unsecured notes, (iii) available cash and equivalents of not less than $35 million and, if necessary, (iv) available borrowings under the Company's new revolving credit facility.

The effective date of the Plan is anticipated to occur in May 2004 or as soon as practicable thereafter. The Plan will not become effective unless and until the following conditions have occurred:



| | · | the contemplated institutional private placement of new senior notes is consummated resulting in net proceeds to the Company of not less than $180 million,                     
| | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |   |                                                                                                                                                                                 
| | · | the new revolving credit facility providing for a revolving loan commitment, subject to borrowing base, of not less than $25 million, is closed and is in full force and effect,
| |   |                                                                                                                                                                                 
| | · | the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC, and no stop order has been issued in respect thereof,                                                              
| |   |                                                                                                                                                                                 
| | · | the Company's initial board of directors is appointed as set forth in the Plan and each director has agreed to serve as a director of the Company,                              
| |   |                                                                                                                                                                                 
| | · | the Company has cash or cash equivalents in hand as of the effective date of the Plan and available to satisfy claims under the Plan of not less than $35 million, and          
| |   |                                                                                                                                                                                 
| | · | the effective date of the Plan has occurred on  or prior to July 31, 2004.                                                                                                      



The Company, with the consent of the Official Equity Committee and the Standby Purchasers and in certain cases, Berkshire and Ranch (which consent will not unreasonably be withheld), may waive any of the conditions set forth above, at any time, without notice, without leave or order of the bankruptcy court, and without any formal action other than proceeding to consummate the Plan.



---





Index

In addition to the conditions precedent under the Plan, Mellon HBV Alternative Strategies LLC ("Mellon HBV") has required the Company to satisfy separate conditions under the standby funding commitment entered into between the Company and Mellon HBV on January 5, 2004.  Mellon HBV has the right to terminate its standby funding commitment if any of the conditions precedent under the standby commitment letter are not met.  Mellon HBV also retains the right to terminate the standby funding commitment upon the occurrence and non-occurrence of certain events.  Mellon HBV may, at its option, waive any of the conditions or termination events.

There can be no assurance that the transactions will be consummated in the way contemplated under the Plan, that the Company will consummate the Plan by July 31, 2004, or that the Company will emerge from its reorganization proceedings as contemplated under the Plan.

Generally, pre-Petition Date claims against the Debtors fall into two categories: secured and unsecured, including certain contingent or unliquidated claims.  Under the Bankruptcy Code, a creditor's claim is treated as secured only to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such claim, with the balance of such claim being treated as unsecured.  The amount and validity of pre-Petition Date contingent or unliquidated claims ultimately may be established by the Bankruptcy Court or by agreement of the parties.  As a result of the Cases, additional pre-Petition Date claims and liabilities have been asserted, some of which are significant.  The Debtors have objected to many of the asserted claims which the Debtors believe are improper or overstated.  No provision has been included in the accompanying financial statements for such contingent or unliquidated claims that have been filed with the Bankruptcy Court except to the extent the Company believes such claims to be probable and estimable.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with AICPA Statement of Position 90-7 ("SOP 90-7"), "Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code", and on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the liquidation of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. However, as a result of the Cases, such realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities is subject to a significant number of uncertainties.

The following tables set forth certain financial information for the Debtors and non-Debtors (in thousands):



|Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
|--------------------------------------
|March 31, 2004                        
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|Cash and equivalents                  
|Receivables                           
|Investment in subsidiaries            
|Intercompany receivables (payables)   
|Net seismic data library              
|Net property and equipment            
|Other assets                          
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|Liabilities not subject to compromise:
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|Liabilities subject to compromise     
|Stockholders' equity                  
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      







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Index



|Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
|--------------------------------------
|December 31, 2003                     
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|Cash and equivalents                  
|Receivables                           
|Investment in subsidiaries            
|Intercompany receivables (payables)   
|Net seismic data library              
|Net property and equipment            
|Other assets                          
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|Liabilities not subject to compromise:
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      
|Liabilities subject to compromise     
|Stockholders' equity                  
|                                      
|                                      
|                                      





|Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
|--------------------------------------------
|For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004   
|                                            
|                                            
|                                            
|                                            
|                                            
|Revenue                                     
|Expenses:                                   
|                                            
|                                            
|                                            
|                                            
|                                            
|Income from operations                      
|                                            
|Interest expense, net                       
|Reorganization items                        
|Provision for income taxes                  
|Income from discontinued operations         
|                                            
|Net income (loss)                           
|                                            
|                                            







---





Index



|Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
|------------------------------------------------
|For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004       
|                                                
|                                                
|                                                
|                                                
|                                                
|Net cash provided (used) by:                    
|                                                
|                                                
|                                                
|Effect of exchange rate changes                 
|Net cash provided by discontinued               
|                                                
|                                                
|Net increase (decrease) in cash                 
|                                                
|Cash and equivalents at beginning of period     
|                                                
|Cash and equivalents at end of period           
|                                                





Liabilities subject to compromise refer to all other pre-Petition Date liabilities of the Debtors. The amounts of the various liabilities that are subject to compromise are set forth below. These amounts represent the Company's estimates of known or probable pre-Petition Date claims that are likely to be resolved in connection with the Cases. Such claims remain subject to future adjustments.







|                          | March 31, |         | December 31,
|------------------------- | --------- | ------- | ------------
|                          |           | 2004    |             
|                          |           |         |             
|Accounts payable          | $         | 734     |             
|Accrued interest          |           | 17,002  |             
|Other accrued liabilities |           | 4,806   |             
|Debt                      |           | 255,438 |             
|                          |           |         |             
|Total                     | $         | 277,980 |             
|                          |           |         |             







---





Index



Reorganization Items. Reorganization items under the Cases are expense or income items that are incurred or realized by the Debtors because they are in reorganization. These items include, but are not limited to, professional fees and similar types of expenses incurred directly related to the Cases, loss accruals or gains or losses resulting from activities of the reorganization process, and interest earned on cash accumulated by the Debtors because they are not paying their pre-petition liabilities. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, reorganization items were as follows (in thousands):





|Professional fees | $ | 3,324 |  
|----------------- | - | ----- | -
|Interest Income   |   | (31   | )
|Other             |   | 273   |  
|                  |   |       |  
|Total             | $ | 3,566 |  
|                  |   |       |  















NOTE C-REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue from Data Acquisition

Revenue from the creation of new seismic data is recognized using the proportional performance method based upon costs incurred and work performed to date as a percentage of total estimated costs and work required.  Management believes that this method is the most reliable and representative measure of progress for its data creation projects.  The duration of most data creation projects is generally less than one year.  Under these contracts, the Company creates new seismic data designed in conjunction with its customers and specifically suited to the geology of the area using the most appropriate technology available. The contracts typically result in one or more customers underwriting a significant portion of the direct creation costs in exchange for a license or licenses to use the resulting data. Customers make periodic payments throughout the creation period, which generally correspond to costs incurred and work performed. These payments are non-refundable.  The Company outsources the substantial majority of the work required to complete data acquisition projects to third party contractors.  The Company's payments to these third party contractors comprise the substantial majority of the total estimated costs of the project and are paid throughout the creation period.  The creation process generally occurs in the following stages: permitting, surveying, drilling, recording and processing. The stages of this work often occur concurrently.  Throughout the creation period, the customers receive legally enforceable rights and access to, and the benefits of, the results of all work performed. The customers also receive access to and use of the newly acquired and processed data. The customers may have exclusive access to the work performed and exclusive use of the newly acquired and processed data for a limited term, which is generally less than nine months, after final delivery of the processed data. The customers' access to and use of the results of the work performed and of the newly acquired, processed data is governed by a license agreement which is a separate agreement from the acquisition contract. The Company's acquisition contracts require the customer either to have a license agreement in place or to execute one at the time the acquisition contract is signed. The Company maintains sole ownership of the newly acquired data, which is added to its library, and is free to license the data to other customers when the original customers' exclusivity period ends.

Revenue from Data Licenses

The Company licenses data from its seismic data library to customers to review for a limited period of time or to hold long-term under four basic forms of contracts.

Under the first form of contract, the customer licenses and selects data from the data library at the time the contract is entered into.

Under the second form of contract, referred to as a "review and possession" contract, the customer obtains the right to review a certain quantity of data for a limited period of time. During the review period, the customer may select specific data from that available for review to hold long-term under its license agreement. Any data not selected for long-term licensing must be returned to the Company at the end of the review period.

Under the third form of contract, referred to as a "library card" contract, the customer initially receives only access to data. The customer may then select specific data, from the collection of data to which it has access, to hold long-term under its license agreement. The lengths of the selection periods under the library card contracts vary.

Under the fourth form of contract, referred to as a "review only" contract, the customer obtains rights to review a certain quantity of data for a limited period of time, but does not obtain the right to select specific data to hold long-term.



---





Index



The usage of all data delivered to the customer, whether for review only or to hold long-term, is governed by a license agreement, which is a separate agreement from the sales contracts that are described above. The Company's contracts require the customer either to have a license agreement in place or to execute one at the time the contract is signed. The license agreement governs all data delivered to the customer during the term. Payment terms under the contracts vary from 30 days to 18 months depending on the size of the transaction. All payments due are non cancelable and all payments made are non-refundable. The customer has access to all available data covered by the contracts on the date the contract is executed.  If the contract allows licensing of data that is not currently available, revenue is deferred until such time that the data is available for licensing.  The contracts permit selection of the data in its present form, and the Company is under no obligation to make any enhancements, modifications or additions to the data unless specific terms to the contrary are included, in which case revenue with respect to such data would be deferred until performance is met.  Copies of the data are available to the customer immediately upon request.





The Company recognizes revenue from licensing of seismic data when the Company has contracted with the customer for a fixed sales price; a licensing agreement is in place; the customer has selected specific data under the terms of the contract or the contract has expired without full selection having occurred; and collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured. The Company recognizes revenue for the particular data selected as each specific selection of data is made by the customer. If selections are not completed by the expiration date of the contract, the Company recognizes any remaining revenue under that contract. In each case (selection or expiration), the earnings process is complete. The Company does not recognize revenue for amounts billed in advance of being earned until the aforementioned criteria are met. For revenue that is deferred, the Company defers the direct costs (primarily commissions) related to the revenues. Revenue from licensing of seismic data is presented net of revenue shared with other entities.

Revenue from Non-Monetary Data Exchanges

In certain cases, the Company grants its customer a non-exclusive license to selected data from its library in exchange for ownership of seismic data from the customer.  Occasionally, in connection with specific data acquisition contracts, the Company receives both cash and ownership of seismic data from the customer as consideration for the underwriting of new data acquisition.  The data that the Company receives is distinct from the data that it is licensing to the customer.  Because the Company receives ownership of distinct seismic data to be added to its library, and this data may be relicensed by the Company on a continuing basis, in exchange for a data license, the exchange is not a "like-kind" exchange, which would be accounted for at historical cost.  Once data selection or creation is completed, the exchange represents the culmination of the earnings process with the customer and is not merely an exchange between two seismic companies.  These exchanges are referred to as non-monetary data exchanges.

In non-monetary exchange transactions, the Company records a data library asset for the seismic data acquired at the time the contract is entered into and recognizes revenue on the transaction in accordance with its policy on revenue from data licenses, that is, when the data is selected by the customer, or revenue from data acquisition, as applicable.  The data license to the customer is in the form of one of the four basic forms of contracts discussed above.  These transactions are valued at the fair value of the data received or delivered, whichever is more readily determinable.

The Company determines fair value of data exchanged by first determining the value of the license granted to the customer. It does so by evaluating the range of cash transactions by the Company for licenses of similar data during the prior six months for licenses in the United States and for the prior twelve months for licenses in Canada. In evaluating the range of cash transactions, the Company does not consider transactions that are disproportionately high or low. The Company then also considers the value of the data received from the customer. In determining the value of the data received, the Company considers the age, quality, current demand and future marketability of the data as well as the cost that would be required to create the data.  In the United States, the Company applies a limitation on the value it assigns per square mile on the data exchanged. In Canada, in the event of a difference greater than 2% between the value of the license granted and the value of the data received, the Company assigns the lower value to the exchange.  In significant exchanges, the Company obtains concurrence from an independent third party in order to support the Company's valuation of the data received.  The Company obtains third party concurrence on all non-monetary exchanges of $500,000 or more. The Company obtains this concurrence on an annual basis, usually in connection with the preparation of its annual financial statements. The independent third party evaluators concurred with the Company's valuations of all significant exchange transactions during 2003 and 2002.

For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded seismic data library assets of $3,080,000 and $3,109,000, respectively, from non-monetary exchanges of seismic data.  Revenue on a significant portion of the non-monetary data exchange transactions was initially deferred in accordance with the Company's accounting policy.  Because of data selections by customers and underwriting from non-monetary exchanges, the Company recognized revenue of $5,303,000 and $3,632,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, from this activity.







---





Index



Revenue from Seitel Solutions, Ltd. and Seitel Solutions Canada Ltd.

Revenue from Seitel Solutions, Ltd. and Seitel Solutions Canada Ltd., wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, (collectively, "Solutions") is recognized as the services for reproduction and delivery of seismic data are provided to customers.

NOTE D-SEISMIC DATA LIBRARY



The Company's seismic data library consists of seismic surveys that are offered for license to customers on a non-exclusive basis. Costs associated with creating, acquiring or purchasing the seismic data library are capitalized and amortized principally on the income forecast method subject to a straight-line amortization period of seven years for onshore data and five years for offshore data, applied on a quarterly basis at the individual survey level.



Costs of Seismic Data Library

For purchased seismic data, the Company capitalizes the purchase price of the acquired data.

For data acquired through a non-monetary data exchange, the Company capitalizes an amount equal to the fair value of the data received by the Company or the fair value of the license granted to the customer, whichever is more readily determinable.  In the case of any single non-monetary exchange where the fair value recorded is in excess of $500,000, the Company also obtains concurrence from a third party to support the Company's valuation.

For internally created data, the capitalized costs include costs paid to third parties for the acquisition of data and related permitting, surveying and other activities associated with the data creation activity.  In addition, the Company capitalizes certain internal costs related to processing the created data.  Such costs include salaries and benefits of the Company's processing personnel and certain other costs incurred for the benefit of the processing activity.  The Company believes that the internal processing costs capitalized are not greater than, and generally are less than, those that would be incurred and capitalized if such activity were performed by a third party.  Capitalized costs for internal data processing were $436,000 and $552,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.



Data Library Amortization



The Company amortizes its seismic data library using the greater of the amortization that would result from the application of the income forecast method or a straight-line basis over the useful life of the data.  The estimated useful life of the Company's seismic data is seven years for onshore data and five years for offshore data.  With respect to each survey in the data library, the useful life policy is applied from the time such survey is available for licensing to customers generally, since some data in the library may not be licensed until an exclusivity period (usually nine months or less) has lapsed.

The Company applies the income forecast method by forecasting the ultimate revenue expected to be derived from a particular data library component over the estimated useful life of each survey comprising part of such component.  This forecast is made by the Company annually and reviewed quarterly.  If, during any such review, the Company determines that the ultimate revenue for a library component is expected to be significantly different than the original estimate of total revenue for such library component, the Company revises the amortization rate attributable to future revenue from each survey in such component.  In addition, in connection with such reviews and updates, the Company evaluates the recoverability of its seismic data library, and if required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," records an impairment charge with respect to such data.  See discussion on "Seismic Data Library Impairment" below.

The actual rate of amortization depends on the specific seismic surveys licensed and selected by the Company's customers during the year.  The amortization rates vary by component and, effective January 1, 2004, range from a low of 47% to a high of 100% with a weighted average rate of 56% based on the net book value of each component compared with the net book value of the entire seismic data library as of such date.

The greater of the income forecast or straight-line amortization policy is applied quarterly on a cumulative basis at the individual survey level. Under this policy, the Company first records amortization using the income forecast method.  The cumulative amortization recorded for each survey is then compared with the cumulative straight-line amortization. If the cumulative straight-line amortization is higher for any specific survey, additional amortization expense is recorded, resulting in accumulated amortization being equal to the cumulative straight-line amortization for such survey.  This requirement is applied regardless of future-year revenue estimates for the library component of which the survey is a part and does not consider the existence of deferred revenue with respect to the library component or to any survey.



---





Index



Seismic Data Library Impairment

As events or conditions require, the Company evaluates the recoverability of its seismic data library in accordance with SFAS No. 144.  The Company evaluates its seismic data library for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.  The Company considers the level of sales performance in each component compared to projected sales, as well as industry conditions, among others, to be key factors in determining when its seismic data should be evaluated for impairment.

The Company evaluates its seismic data library in components based on its operations and geological and geographical trends, resulting in the following data library segments for purposes of evaluating impairments:  (I) Gulf of Mexico offshore comprised of the following components:  (a) multi-component data, (b) value-added products, (c) ocean bottom cable data, (d) shelf data, and (e) deep water data; (II)  North America onshore comprised of the following components: (a) Texas Gulf Coast, (b) northern, eastern and western Texas, (c) southern Louisiana/Mississippi, (d) northern Louisiana, (e) Rocky Mountains, (f) North Dakota, (g) other United States, (h) Canada and (i) value-added products, and (III) international data outside North America.  The Company believes that these library components constitute the lowest levels of independently identifiable cash flows.

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, the impairment evaluation is based first on a comparison of the undiscounted future cash flows over each component's remaining estimated useful life with the carrying value of each library component.  If the undiscounted cash flows are equal to or greater than the carrying value of such component, no impairment is recorded.  If undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of any component, the forecast of future cash flows related to such component is discounted to fair value and compared with such component's carrying amount. The difference between the library component's carrying amount and the discounted future value of the expected revenue stream is recorded as an impairment charge.

For purposes of evaluating potential impairment losses, the Company estimates the future cash flows attributable to a library component by evaluating, among other factors, historical and recent revenue trends, oil and gas prospectivity in particular regions, general economic conditions affecting its customer base and expected changes in technology. The cash flow estimates exclude expected future revenues attributable to non-monetary data exchanges and future data creation projects.

The estimation of future cash flows and fair value is highly subjective, inherently imprecise and can change materially from period to period based on the factors described in the preceding paragraph, among others. Accordingly, if conditions change in the future, the Company may record further impairment losses relative to its seismic data library, which could be material to any particular reporting period.

NOTE E-DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In June 2002, the Company's Board of Directors unanimously adopted a plan to dispose of the Company's oil and gas operations by sale. Accordingly, the Company's consolidated financial statements report the oil and gas operations as discontinued operations.  In 2002, the Company sold substantially all of its oil and gas assets.  In January 2004, the Company sold a portion of its remaining oil and gas assets for approximately $1,287,000.  The Company continues to market its remaining oil and gas assets for sale.

Revenue from  discontinued operations was $72,000 and $81,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Pre-tax income (loss) from  discontinued operations
was $35,000 and $(237,000) for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The Company uses the full-cost method of accounting for its oil and gas operations.







---





Index



NOTE F-DEBT



The following is a summary of the Company's debt (in thousands):







| |                                     | March 31, |         |  | December 31,
| | ----------------------------------- | --------- | ------- |  | ------------
| |                                     | 2004      |         |  | 2003        
| |                                     |           |         |  |             
| | Notes                               | $         | 255,000 |  | $           
| | Debtor-in-Possession Loan Facility  |           | -       |  |             
| | Subsidiary revolving line of credit |           | -       |  |             
| | Term loan                           |           | 5,417   |  |             
| | Note payable to former executive    |           | 438     |  |             
| |                                     |           |         |  |             
| |                                     | $         | 260,855 |  | $           
| |                                     |           |         |  |             

Notes:    The Company has outstanding Notes totaling $255 million at March 31, 2004 that were issued in various series from December 1995 through December 2001.  The Notes bear interest at rates ranging from 7.04% to 7.48% and have maturity dates ranging from June 2003 to October 2011.  The financial covenants in the Notes include, among other restrictions, maintenance of minimum net worth and limitations on total debt, interest coverage, liens, debt issuance, dividends and disposition of assets.  As a result of the non-payment of interest thereon, the Company's Chapter 11 filing and the restatement of its financial statements prior to January 1, 2002, among other factors, the Company is in default on the Notes.

On June 6, 2003, certain of the holders of the Notes filed involuntary Chapter 11 petitions against the Company and 16 of its subsidiaries that guaranteed the Notes.  On June 26, 2003, the Company announced that Ranch had purchased all $255 million of the Notes.  Subsequently, the Company and Ranch reached agreements extending the time by which the Company must respond to the involuntary bankruptcy petitions.  On July 21, 2003, the Debtors filed voluntary petitions in bankruptcy and the Company and Ranch filed motions to dismiss the involuntary petitions (see "Note B-Reorganization Proceedings"). In addition, on or before July 21, 2003, Ranch sold all of the Notes to Berkshire.

Under the terms of the Plan, the Notes will be paid in full, along with accrued interest.  As of March 31, 2004, accrued interest totaled $16.9 million and was included in liabilities subject to compromise in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Debtor-in-Possession Loan Facility:    The Bankruptcy Court approved a $20 million debtor-in-possession loan and security agreement with Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc., as lender, to support the Debtor's operations during the course of the Cases (the "DIP Facility").  The DIP Facility will terminate upon, among other events, the earlier of June 30, 2004 or the effective date of a plan of reorganization.  Advances under the DIP Facility are available pursuant to a formula based on outstanding accounts receivable and the carrying value of the seismic library of the Debtors, subject to certain limitations.  If any advance is made under the DIP Facility, the first such advance must be at least in an amount equal to and the proceeds must be used to retire the balance of the term loan payable by Seitel Data Ltd. that is described below.The DIP Facility is secured by a first priority, perfected security on substantially all of the Company's U.S. assets and a pledge of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company's U.S. subsidiaries.The Debtors have not drawn on the DIP Facility.  In connection with the application and approval by the lender of the DIP Facility, the Company paid commitment fees of $200,000 plus certain expenses.  In addition, the terms of the DIP Facility include the payment of an unused line fee of .50% per annum payable in arrears.

Subsidiary Revolving Line of Credit:    The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Olympic Seismic Ltd. ("Olympic"), has a revolving credit facility, which allows it to borrow up to $5 million (Canadian) subject to an availability formula by way of prime-based loans, bankers' acceptances or letters of credit. The rate applicable to borrowings is the bank's prime rate plus 0.35% per annum and the bankers' acceptances is 1.50% per annum.  Letter of credit fees are based on scheduled rates in effect at the time of issuance. The facility is secured by the assets of Olympic, SEIC Trust Administration Ltd. (as sole trustee of, and for and on behalf of, SEIC Business Trust) and SEIC Holdings, Ltd., but is not guaranteed by Seitel, Inc. or any of its other U.S. subsidiaries.  However, all intercompany debt owing by Olympic, SEIC Trust Administration Ltd., SEIC Business Trust or SEIC Holdings, Ltd. to Seitel, SEIC Partners' Limited Partnership or to any Seitel U.S. subsidiary (approximately $60,768,000 (Canadian) at March 31, 2004) has been subordinated to the repayment of the revolving credit facility.  Available borrowings under the facility are equivalent to a maximum of $5 million (Canadian), subject to a requirement that such borrowings may not exceed 75% of good accounts receivable (as defined in the agreement) of SEIC Trust Administration, less prior-ranking claims, if any, relating to inventory or accounts. The facility is subject to repayment upon demand and is available from time to time at the Bank's sole discretion.  A review of this demand facility is performed annually at the Bank's discretion.



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Index



Term Loan:    On August 28, 2001, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Seitel Data, Ltd., obtained a term loan totaling $10 million for the purchase of certain seismic data, some of which secures the debt. The loan matures on October 1, 2004, and bears interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.9%. Monthly principal payments total $208,000.The Company is not in compliance with the payment terms or covenants of this term loan.  Under the terms of the Plan, this term loan will be paid in full, along with accrued interest.  As of March 31, 2004, accrued interest totaled $164,000.

Note Payable to Former Executive:    In connection with the settlement of certain litigation, the Company entered into a note payable to a former executive consisting of payments of $6,417 per month for 36 months commencing June 2003 and payments of $6,000 per month for 84 months commencing June 2006.  The note is non-interest bearing.  The note is guaranteed by Olympic Seismic, Ltd., a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of the Company and a non-Debtor.  Under the terms of the Plan, this note payable will be reinstated pursuant to its original terms.

NOTE G-EARNINGS PER SHARE

In accordance with SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the periods.  Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average shares of common stock plus the assumed issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive securities.  For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company did not have any potentially dilutive securities.  A weighted average quarter-to-date number of options and warrants to purchase 2,059,000 and 5,482,000 shares of common stock were outstanding during the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted per share income because they were antidilutive.  Material dilution may occur upon consummation of the Plan, see "Note B-Reorganization Proceedings."



The Company accounts for employee stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees."  APB Opinion No. 25 generally does not require compensation costs to be recorded on options which have exercise prices at least equal to the market price of the stock on the date of grant. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the Company's stock-based plans. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock-based compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with the optional accounting method prescribed by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and expensed pro-rata over the vesting period of the awards, the Company's net loss and loss per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except per share data):



|                                  |             | Three Months Ended March 31,              |       
|--------------------------------- | ----------- | ----------------------------------------- | ------
|                                  |             |                                           |       
|                                  |             | 2004                                      |       
|                                  |             |                                           |       
|Net loss:                         |             |                                           |       
|                                  | As reported | $                                         | (617  
|                                  | Less:       | Total stock-based employee expense        |       
|                                  |             | determined under SFAS No. 123, net of tax |       
|                                  |             |                                           |       
|                                  | Pro forma   | $                                         | (1,220
|                                  |             |                                           |       
|Basic and diluted loss per share: |             |                                           |       
|                                  | As reported | $                                         | (.02  
|                                  | Pro forma   | $                                         | (.05  

NOTE H-STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION



During the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company had non-cash additions to its seismic data library totaling $3,161,000 and $3,159,000, respectively.  Of these amounts, $3,080,000 and $3,109,000 resulted from non-monetary exchanges during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  The balance of $81,000 and $50,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, resulted from certain data creation costs which were offset against amounts due from the customer for data license fees. The offset amounts are also included in non-cash sales in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

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Index

Operating cash flows resulting from reorganization items for the three months ended March 31, 2004 include the following (in thousands):





|Interest received on cash accumulated         |                                                       |   |      
|--------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | - | -----
|                                              | because of the Chapter 11 proceeding                  | $ | (31  
|Professional and other fees paid for services |                                                       |   |      
|                                              | rendered in connection with the Chapter 11 proceeding |   | 3,059
|                                              |                                                       |   |      
|                                              |                                                       | $ | 3,028
|                                              |                                                       |   |      

NOTE I-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES



Litigation

See "Note B - Reorganization Proceedings" for a detailed discussion of the Company's Chapter 11 reorganization and the Plan.

On February 3, 2003, the former holders of the Company's senior unsecured notes accelerated the senior unsecured notes and made demand upon the Company and certain of its former and current officers and directors for money damages arising from certain alleged negligent actions and/or misrepresentations of those officers and directors. The holders alleged that money damages arising from the foregoing claims were not fully quantified, but exceeded $20 million and included, without limitation, the lost value of such holders' investment in the senior unsecured notes. Notice of the demand has been provided by the Company to its insurance carriers. The holders of the senior unsecured notes did not commence suit. As of June 26, 2003, all of the former holders of senior unsecured notes had sold their senior unsecured notes to Ranch, who subsequently sold the senior unsecured notes to Berkshire. Under the Plan, all of the foregoing claims will be released and discharged.

The Company and certain of its former and current officers and directors have been named as defendants in eleven lawsuits brought as class actions alleging violations of the federal securities laws, all of which were consolidated by an Order entered August 7, 2002, under Cause No. 02-1566, styled In re Seitel, Inc. Securities Litigation, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.  The Court appointed a lead plaintiff and lead counsel for plaintiffs, who subsequently filed a consolidated amended complaint, which added the Company's auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, as a defendant.  The consolidated amended complaint alleges that during a proposed class period of May 5, 2000 through April 1, 2002, the defendants violated sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 by overstating revenues in violation of generally accepted accounting principles.  The plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of actual and exemplary damages, costs of court, pre- and post-judgment interest and attorneys' and experts' fees.  During the Chapter 11 cases, the Debtors and the representatives of the class negotiated and participated in discovery with respect to the class claim filed with the Bankruptcy Court and in connection with the class' objection to confirmation of the initial plan.  In the course thereof, the class representatives and the Debtors reached certain agreements.  These agreements included the allowance of a "class claim" to assert the rights of the class in the Chapter 11 cases and, as well, an ultimate settlement for cash to be funded out of the Debtors' cash and directors' and officers' insurance policies.  The settlement was approved upon notice and a hearing by order of the Bankruptcy Court dated December 10, 2003.  Thus, the claims of the plaintiffs in the class action against the Debtors as well as their officers and directors, and the class claim, have been settled.  The treatment of the class claim pursuant to the Plan is consistent with the settlement approved by the Bankruptcy Court.  Certain monetary obligations remain, including continuing disclosures and additional documentation.





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The Company has been named as a nominal defendant in seven stockholder derivative actions filed in various courts: Almekinder v. Frame, Valice, Pearlman, Craig, Lerner, Stieglitz, Zeidman, Hoffman, and Seitel, Inc., No. H-02-2960, In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Basser v. Frame, Valice, Kendrick, Pearlman, Fiur, Zeidman, Stieglitz, Craig, Lerner, and Seitel, Inc., No. H-02-1874, In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Berger v. Frame, Pearlman, Valice, Craig, Stieglitz, Lerner, Zeidman, Fiur, and Seitel, Inc., No. 19534-NC, In the Court of Chancery, State of Delaware, Castle County; Chemical Valley & North Central West Virginia Carpenters Pension Plan v. Frame, Valice, Hoffman, Pearlman, Craig, Lerner, Stieglitz, Zeidman, Fiur, and Seitel, Inc., No. 02-CV-3343, In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Couture v. Frame, Valice, Craig, Lerner, Stieglitz, Zeidman, Hoffman, and Seitel, Inc., No. 20002-37065, In the 80th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas; Talley v. Frame, Valice, Pearlman, Craig, Lerner, Stieglitz, Zeidman, Hoffman, and Seitel, Inc., In the 151st Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas; and Zambie v. Frame, Pearlman, Valice, Craig, Zeidman, Lerner, Stieglitz, Fiur, Ernst & Young LLP, and Seitel, Inc., In the 333rd Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas.  The plaintiffs generally allege that the defendants breached and conspired to breach fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders by failing to maintain adequate accounting controls and by using improper accounting and auditing practices and procedures. Certain of the plaintiffs also assert causes of action for mismanagement, waste of corporate assets and unjust enrichment.  The Zambie case also alleges professional negligence against Ernst & Young LLP.  The plaintiffs seek judgments for unspecified amounts of compensatory damages, including return of salaries and other payments to the defendants, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees, experts' fees and costs.  The Company's Board of Directors appointed a special litigation committee to conduct an independent investigation of the allegations asserted in the derivative lawsuits.  The special litigation committee completed its investigation and its report has been delivered to the Company.  The Company filed its motion to dismiss in Delaware Chancery court on March 20, 2003.  The parties previously agreed to stay the Texas state court cases pending the outcome of the Texas federal court derivative cases.  The federal court derivative cases have been consolidated, and the Company has moved to stay the cases pending resolution by the Delaware court.  Presently, all cases are stayed as a result of the Debtors' Chapter 11 filing.  In October 2003, a settlement of all issues in each derivative suit was reached among the parties and a stipulation and motion to approve the terms of such settlement was filed with the Bankruptcy Court.  The settlement stipulation provides for payment of $600,000, all of which is covered by insurance, and resolution of all claims against all parties to the litigation.  The settlement stipulation was approved by the Bankruptcy Court upon notice and a hearing by order dated November 17, 2003.  Pursuant to the settlement, (i) all of the Derivative Claims have been or will be dismissed, (ii) the Debtors will continue certain, and from time to time implement new, corporate governance policies and procedures, and (iii) the plaintiffs recovered certain costs incurred in prosecuting the Derivative Claims.  The cost recovery was paid solely by the Debtors' insurance carrier.

On July 18, 2002, the Company's former chief executive officer sued the Company in the 113th Judicial District Court of Harris County, No. 2002-35891. Mr. Frame alleges a breach of his employment contract by virtue of his termination and also alleges defamation. He also seeks a declaratory judgment that certain funds he received from the Company were proper and do not have to be repaid. The Company has answered and asserted various defenses. The Company also filed a counter suit to recover approximately $4,200,000 in corporate funds that the Company believes Mr. Frame inappropriately caused the Company to pay him or for his benefit plus over $800,000 due on two notes that were accelerated pursuant to their respective terms. In addition, the Company also holds a judgment against Mr. Frame in the amount of at least $590,000 relating to a loan made to Mr. Frame by Bank One N.A. ("Bank One") and guaranteed by the Company. The Company intends to seek dismissal of the complaint against it, and to pursue its causes of action. The Company also intends to pursue enforcement of its judgment against Mr. Frame. Mr. Frame has filed claims totaling $20.2 million against the Company and the other debtors in the Chapter 11 cases. The Debtors have filed objections to such claims.

The Company is a party to a suit for geophysical trespass entitled Joy Resources, Inc. v. Seitel Data, Ltd., Cause No. 01-02-00828-CV, in the 1st Court of Appeals, Houston, Texas.  The plaintiff is appealing a final judgment by the trial court holding that the plaintiff is not entitled to recover an injunction or to recover damages against the Company.  The plaintiffs assert that the Company obtained seismic data about mineral interests leased by the plaintiff by placing seismic equipment on property adjacent to the property leased by the plaintiff.  The trial court held that no cause of action exists where the seismic equipment is not located on the property leased by the plaintiff.  The briefing has been completed in this matter, and oral argument in the 1st Court of Appeals in Houston, Texas was on May 6, 2003.  The parties have reached a settlement in the matter and have executed a settlement stipulation which is pending before the Bankruptcy Court for approval.  The settlement stipulation provides that Joy Resources, Inc. ("Joy") will be granted an agreed, allowed claim in the amount of $73,000 in the Cases, and further provides that Seitel Data, Ltd. may use certain data upon the payment of additional costs and may acquire certain data owned by Joy on a right of first refusal basis.



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The Company and its subsidiary, Seitel Data, Ltd., are parties to a class action lawsuit for geophysical trespass entitled Juan O. Villarreal v. Grant Geophysical, Inc., et al., Cause No. DC-00-214, in the 229th District Court of Starr County, Texas that was initiated on April 1, 2002. The plaintiffs have sued a number of defendants, including Seitel and Seitel Data, Ltd. The plaintiffs allege that certain defendants conducted unauthorized 3-D seismic exploration of the mineral interests, and sold the information obtained to other defendants. The plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages. All of the defendants have obtained summary judgments dismissing the plaintiffs' claims, and the case is now on appeal before the San Antonio Court of Appeals under Cause No. 04-02-00674-CV. On July 22, 2003, the Texas Court of Appeals granted appellant motion to proceed against the other appellees. The appeal against Seitel remains stayed. The Company intends to vigorously represent its interests in this appeal.



The Company sued its former in-house counsel and law firm in Seitel, Inc. v. Cynthia Moulton and Franklin Cardwell & Jones, P.C., Cause No. 2003-09151 in the 127th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. The suit alleges negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract surrounding the settlement of a personal lawsuit against the former chief executive officer and other aspects of representation. The Company seeks recovery for fees paid and related expenses. Initial pleadings were filed on February 21, 2003. Discovery has not yet commenced.

On March 27, 2003, Seitel was served with a complaint filed by the General Electric Credit Corporation of Tennessee ("GE") in the District Court No. 333rd of Harris County, Texas, styled General Electric Credit Corporation of Tennessee, v. N360X, LLC and Seitel. The complaint alleged that Seitel, as guarantor, and its wholly owned subsidiary N360X, LLC, as lessee, defaulted on an agreement for the lease of a jet aircraft. GE accelerated the obligation, took possession of the aircraft and demanded payment of amounts GE claims are due pursuant to the termination of the lease. The claim was subsequently reduced to $2.055 million plus interest at 9% from November 18, 2003 and purchased by Berkshire and the amount thereof has been agreed to by the parties.  Such amounts represent unsecured claims and will be fully paid in cash in accordance with the Plan.

On September 22, 2003, Bass Enterprises Production Co. ("Bass") filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking relief from the automatic stay applicable to the Debtors and requesting permission of the Bankruptcy Court to initiate litigation against the Debtors in a Texas State Court with respect to an alleged breach of certain provisions of a contract entered into in 2001.  The Debtors have objected to the motion and a hearing on the motion was scheduled for December 3, 2003.  On February 23, 2004 the parties entered into a settlement agreement to resolve disputes which involve licensing of certain data and field tapes at a fixed rate.

The Company and its subsidiaries, Energy Venture Holdings LLC, Endeavor Exploration LLC, and DDD Energy, Inc., were sued by a former employee, Mark Stover, in Harris County District Court, 269

In addition to the lawsuits described above, the Company is involved from time to time in ordinary, routine claims and lawsuits incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, uninsured losses, if any, resulting from the ultimate resolutions of these matters should not be material to the Company's financial position or results of operation.

It is not possible to predict or determine the outcomes of the legal actions brought against it or by it, or to provide an estimate of all additional losses, if any, that may arise. At March 31, 2004, the Company had accrued $2.3 million, representing its best estimate of the amounts that are probable of being paid relative to all of the litigation and claims set forth above.  However, if one or more of the parties were to prevail against the Company in one or more of the cases described above that have not been settled, the amounts of any judgments against the Company or settlements that the Company may enter into, in addition to liabilities recorded by the Company at March 31, 2004, could be material to the Company's financial statements for any particular reporting period.



NOTE J-RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") released its Interpretation No. 46, (Revised December 2003) "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51" ("FIN 46").  FIN 46 requires a company to consolidate a variable interest entity (VIE) if the company has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) that will absorb a majority of the entity's expected losses if they occur, receive a majority of the entity's expected residual



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Index



returns if they occur, or both.  These provisions apply immediately to variable interests in VIEs created after January 31, 2003, and to variable interests in special purpose entities for periods ending after December 15, 2003.  The provisions apply for all other types of variable interests in VIEs for periods ending after March 15, 2004.  The Company does not and is not expected to own any interest in a VIE or special purpose entity; therefore, FIN 46 does not have any effect on its financial position or results of operations.



|Item 2. | MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONAND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
|------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements.  Statements contained in this report about Seitel's future outlook, prospects and plans, including those that express belief, expectation, estimates or intentions, as well as those that are not statements of historical fact, are forward looking. The words "proposed", "anticipates", "anticipated", "will", "would", "should", "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Forward looking statements represent our reasonable present belief and are based on our expectations and assumptions with respect to future events solely at or on the date such statements are made by us. While we believe our expectations and assumptions are reasonable, they involve risks and uncertainties beyond our control that could cause the actual results or outcome to differ materially from the expected results or outcome. Such factors include, without limitation:  our ability to comply with the terms of our final judgment of permanent injunction by the SEC, the impact on our results of operations of the significant amount of debt we will have after consummation of the Plan, the significant amount of debt service we will have going forward after the consummation of the Plan, any delay or inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the Plan, our ability to obtain and maintain normal terms with our vendors and service providers, our ability to maintain contracts that are critical to our operations, any significant change in the oil and gas industry or the economy generally, changes in the exploration budgets of our seismic data and related services customers, actual customer demand for our seismic data and related services, the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices for natural gas, crude oil and condensate and natural gas liquids and conditions in the capital markets and equity markets during the periods covered by the forward looking statements, and our ability to obtain alternate debt or equity financing on satisfactory terms if internally generated funds are insufficient to fund our capital needs.  The foregoing and other risk factors are identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2003.  The forward-looking statements contained in this report speak only as of the date hereof, and Seitel disclaims any duty to update these statements.

Except as required by the federal and state securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.  All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to Seitel or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in our annual report filed on Form 10-K and in our future periodic reports filed with the SEC. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this quarterly report may not occur.



OVERVIEW



We have ownership in an extensive library of onshore and offshore seismic data that we offer for license to oil and gas companies. We believe that our library of onshore seismic data is one of the largest available for licensing in the United States and Canada. We also have ownership in a library of offshore data covering parts of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shelf and certain deep water areas in the western and central U.S. Gulf of Mexico. We generate revenue primarily by licensing data from our data library and from new data acquisition substantially underwritten or paid for by clients. Our primary areas of focus are onshore U.S. and Canada and, to a lesser extent, offshore U.S. Gulf of Mexico.



Oil and gas companies consider seismic data an essential tool for finding hydrocarbons. Oil and gas companies use seismic data in oil and gas exploration and development efforts to increase the probability of drilling success. By utilizing seismic data, oil and gas companies can significantly increase drilling success rates and reduce the occurrence of dry holes. Further, seismic data analysis can increase recoveries of reserves from existing, mature oil fields by optimizing the drilling location of development wells and by revealing additional, or "step-out," locations that would not otherwise be apparent. By participating in pre-funded, nonexclusive surveys or purchasing licenses to existing data, oil and gas companies can obtain access to expensive surveys that they may not otherwise be able to afford.



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Demand for our products and services is cyclical due to the nature of the energy industry.  In particular, demand for our seismic data services depends on the level of exploration and development activity within the markets we serve and is subject to significant volatility for a variety of reasons, including the price of oil and gas and the level of capital available to our primary clients for exploration and development activities.



The North American markets we serve continue to experience major changes.  The major international oil companies are increasing their focus on exploration opportunities outside the U.S., with independent oil and gas companies responsible for the majority of current U.S. drilling activity.  Production decline rates are accelerating worldwide and are the most pronounced in mature fields of North America.  Commodity prices for oil and natural gas are at high levels and the demand for natural gas in the U.S. could exceed supply during the next two to three years unless new production is brought on line in the U.S. and Canada.  Liquid natural gas imports, while growing, cannot make up the forecasted shortfall in the supply of natural gas in the U.S. in the near term.



While the industry is experiencing these market changes, we have taken steps to eliminate non-core business activities, improve our capital discipline, and reduce operating costs.  As a result, our cost structure is now aligned with our current level of business and we believe we are well positioned for the future.



Since we filed bankruptcy in mid 2003, we have not experienced a material loss of customers or reduction in revenue.  Despite the potential for volatility inherent in seismic data library sales, our cash resales have remained relatively consistent quarter-to-quarter ranging from $18.2 million to $22.2 million since the second quarter of 2002.  Currently, barring unforeseen or unanticipated circumstances, we believe that cash resales will continue at these levels for the remainder of 2004.  Although a few customers exhibited reluctance to execute long-term contracts for new data acquisition with us while in bankruptcy, we have been able to continue the growth of our library with attractive projects and under terms beneficial to us.  We have found that this reluctance was short-lived, and the level of acquisition activity has strengthened during this period.  The uncertainty surrounding our financial stability arising out of our chapter 11 filing caused certain customers to question whether their rights to select data might be compromised and resulted in such customers accelerating selections of data.  This is evidenced by the increase of selections of data in the third quarter of 2003.  This concern, too, was short-lived and the level of selections has returned to a more normal level in the last two quarters.  The cost reduction measures implemented by us over the last 18 months have been successful in reducing our recurring/normal selling, general and administrative expenses.  However, costs and expenses associated with our restructuring efforts and bankruptcy have been significant.  Once we emerge from bankruptcy, such fees and expenses will be substantially reduced.  Additionally, once the Plan is implemented, our debt level will be reduced resulting in lower interest expense to be incurred in the future.



While there will likely be continued variability in revenues from one quarter to the next, due to seasonal factors as well as overall industry uncertainty, we are optimistic that our core businesses will see a modest improvement over 2003 and that margins will improve.



Principal Factors Affecting Our Business



Our business is dependent upon a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. The following are those that we consider to be principal factors affecting our business.

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Index

Demand for Seismic Data. Our seismic business depends upon exploration, production, development and field management spending by oil and gas companies. Capital expenditures by oil and gas companies depend upon several factors, including actual and forecasted petroleum commodity prices and the companies' own short term and strategic plans. These capital expenditures may also be affected by worldwide economic conditions. Demand for our seismic data is more likely to be influenced by natural gas prices rather than crude oil prices due to the geographic location of our seismic data.

Availability of Capital for our Customers. Many of our customers consist of independent oil and gas companies and private prospect-generating companies that rely primarily on private equity capital to fund their exploration, production, development and field management activities. Significant changes in the private equity market and the availability of private equity capital could have a material impact on the ability of such companies to obtain funding necessary to purchase our seismic data.

Merger and Acquisition Activity. In recent years, there has been an increase in the level of merger and acquisition activity within our client base. This activity could have a negative impact on seismic companies that operate in markets with a limited number of participating clients. However, we believe that, over time, this activity could have a positive impact on our business, as it could generate a re-licensing fee, result in increased vitality in the trading of mineral interests and result in the creation of new independent customers through the rationalization of staff within those companies affected by this activity.

Natural Gas Reserve Replacement. Oil and gas reserves are currently being depleted at a rate estimated by industry analysts at 5% to 10% per year for the major oil and gas operators. As a result, there is an increasing need in the oil and gas industry to replace such reserves. The need for oil and gas companies to replace depleted reserves is expected to increase the demand for our seismic data.

Government Regulation. Our operations are subject to a variety of federal, provincial, state, foreign and local laws and regulations, including environmental laws. We invest financial and managerial resources to comply with these laws and related permit requirements. Existing laws or regulations and the adoption of new laws or regulations limiting or increasing exploration or production activities by oil and gas companies may have a material effect on our business operations.

Key Performance Measures Considered By Management

Management considers a variety of performance measures in evaluating our financial condition and operating performance at various times and from time to time. Certain of these performance measures are non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, nor are they a substitute for, GAAP measures. Management uses the non-GAAP measures presented to evaluate and manage our operations internally. These non-GAAP measures are intended to supplement our presentation of our financial results that are prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The following are the key performance measures considered by management.







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Cash Resales. Cash resales result from invoicing customers for purchases of licenses to data from our library. We expect cash resales to generally follow a consistent trend from quarter to quarter while considering our normal seasonality. The volatility in this trend could indicate changing market conditions. Cash resales for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 were $18.2 million and $18.3 million, respectively. The following is a quantitative reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, total revenue (in thousands):





|                           |                        | Three Months Ended |        
|-------------------------- | ---------------------- | ------------------ | -------
|                           |                        | March 31,          |        
|                           |                        |                    |        
|                           |                        | 2004               |        
|                           |                        |                    |        
|Cash resales               | $                      | 18,229             |        
|Other revenue components:  |                        |                    |        
|                           | Acquisition revenue    |                    | 19,173 
|                           | Non-monetary exchanges |                    | 3,080  
|                           | Deferral of revenue    |                    | (14,355
|                           | Selections of data     |                    | 13,961 
|                           | Solutions and other    |                    | 1,176  
|                           |                        |                    |        
|Total revenue, as reported | $                      | 41,264             |        
|                           |                        |                    |        



Cash Operating Income.  We define cash operating income as cash revenue (derived primarily from seismic data acquisitions, cash licensing resales and Solutions) less cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses. We believe that this measure is helpful in determining the level of cash flow we have available for debt service, funding of capital expenditures and payment of taxes. Cash operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $28.2 million and $18.9 million, respectively. The following is a quantitative reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, operating income (in thousands):





|                                            |                                    | Three Months Ended                         | 
|------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | 
|                                            |                                    | March 31,                                  | 
|                                            |                                    |                                            | 
|                                            |                                    | 2004                                       | 
|                                            |                                    |                                            | 
|Cash operating income                       | $                                  | 28,153                                     | 
|Add (subtract) other revenue components not |                                    |                                            | 
|                                            | included in cash operating income: |                                            | 
|                                            |                                    | Acquisition underwriting from non-monetary | 
|                                            |                                    | exchanges                                  | 
|                                            |                                    | Non-monetary exchanges                     | 
|                                            |                                    | Deferral of revenue                        | 
|                                            |                                    | Selections of data                         | 
|Less:                                       |                                    |                                            | 
|                                            |                                    | Depreciation and amortization              | 
|                                            |                                    |                                            | 
|Operating income, as reported               | $                                  | 8,568                                      | 
|                                            |                                    |                                            | 







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Index



Growth of our Seismic Data Library. We regularly add to our seismic data library through four different methods: (1) recording new data; (2) creating new value-added products from existing data within our library; (3) buying ownership of existing data for cash; and (4) obtaining ownership of existing data sets through non-monetary exchanges. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, we completed the addition of approximately 1,000 square miles of seismic data to our library.  For the year ended December 31, 2003, we completed the addition of approximately 1,800 square miles of seismic data to our library.  As of May 5, 2004, we had approximately 300 square miles of seismic data in progress.

Loss from Continuing Operations.  Loss from continuing operations was $652,000 and $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Our results for each of the periods have been affected by a number of special items that are not necessarily indicative of our core operations or our future prospects, and impact comparability between years. The loss from continuing operations in 2004 includes $4.3 million of costs and expenses related to our restructuring efforts, bankruptcy proceedings, various litigation and severance costs.  The loss from continuing operations in 2003 includes $2.8 million of costs and expenses related to our restructuring efforts and various litigation.  Additionally, loss from continuing operations includes foreign currency transaction gains (losses) totaling $(0.1) million and $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We operate in one business segment, which is made up of seismic data acquisition, seismic data licensing, seismic data processing and seismic reproduction services.  There have not been any changes in our critical accounting policies since December 31, 2003.



Revenue Recognition



Revenue from Data Acquisition



Revenue from the creation of new seismic data is recognized using the proportional performance method based upon costs incurred and work performed to date as a percentage of total estimated costs and work required. Management believes that this method is the most reliable and representative measure of progress for its data creation projects. The duration of most data creation projects is generally less than one year. Under these projects, we create new seismic data designed in conjunction with our customers and specifically suited to the geology of the area using the most appropriate technology available. The contracts typically result in one or more customers underwriting a significant portion of the direct creation costs in exchange for a license or licenses to use the resulting data. Customers make periodic payments throughout the creation period, which generally correspond to costs incurred and work performed. These payments are non-refundable.  We outsource the substantial majority of the work required to complete data acquisition projects to third party contractors.  Our payments to these third party contactors comprise the substantial majority of the total estimated costs of the project and are paid throughout the creation period.  The creation process generally occurs in the following stages: permitting, surveying, drilling, recording and processing. The stages of this work often occur concurrently.  Throughout the creation period, the customers receive legally enforceable rights and access to, and the benefits of, the results of all work performed. The customers also receive access to and use of the newly acquired and processed data. The customers may have exclusive access to the work performed and exclusive use of the newly acquired and processed data for a limited term, which is generally nine months or less, after final delivery of the processed data. The customers' access to and use of the results of the work performed and of the newly acquired, processed data is governed by a license agreement which is a separate agreement from the acquisition contract. Our acquisition contracts require the customer either to have a license agreement in place or to execute one at the time the acquisition contract is signed. We maintain sole ownership of the newly acquired data, which is added to our library, and we are free to license the data to other customers when the original customers' exclusivity period ends.



Revenue from Data Licenses



We license data from our seismic data library to customers to review for a limited period of time or to hold long-term.



The usage of all data delivered to the customer, whether for review only or to hold long-term, is governed by a license agreement, which is a separate agreement from the sales contract. Our contracts require the customer either to have a license agreement in place or to execute one at the time the contract is signed. The license agreement governs all data delivered to the customer during the term. Payment terms under the contracts vary from 30 days to 18 months depending on the size of the transaction. All payments due are non-cancelable and all payments made are non-refundable. The customer has access to all available data covered by the contracts on the date the contract is executed. If the contract allows licensing of data that is not currently available, revenue is deferred until such time that the data is available for licensing. The contracts permit selection of the data in its present form, and we are under no obligation to make any enhancements, modifications or additions to the data unless specific terms to the contrary are included, in which case revenue with respect to such data would be deferred until performance is accomplished. Copies of the data are available to the customer immediately upon request.



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Index



We recognize revenue from licensing of seismic data when we have contracted with the customer for a fixed sales price; a licensing agreement is in place; the customer has selected specific data under the terms of the contract or the contract has expired without full selection having occurred; and collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured. We recognize revenue for the particular data selected as each specific selection of data is made by the customer. If selections are not completed by the expiration date of the contract, we then recognize any remaining revenue under that contract. In each case (selection or expiration), the earnings process is complete. We do not recognize revenue for amounts billed in advance of being earned until the aforementioned criteria are met. For revenue that is deferred, we defer the direct costs (primarily commissions) related to the revenues. Revenue from licensing of seismic data is presented net of revenue shared with other entities.



Our revenue recognition policies provide that certain types of licensing agreements result in the revenue being deferred until such time that our customer selects the specific data for license. As a result, our revenue may fluctuate depending on the size and amount of contracts requiring deferral of revenue, as well as on the timing of the selection of data by our customers.



Revenue from Non-Monetary Data Exchanges

In certain cases, we grant our customer a non-exclusive license to selected data from our library in exchange for ownership of seismic data from the customer.  Occasionally, in connection with specific data acquisition contracts, we receive both cash and ownership of seismic data from the customer as consideration for the underwriting of new data acquisition.  The data that we receive is distinct from the data that we are licensing to the customer. Because we receive ownership of distinct seismic data to be added to our library, and this data may be relicensed by us on a continuing basis, in exchange for a data license, the exchange is not a "like-kind" exchange, which would be accounted for at historical cost. Once data selection or creation is completed, the exchange represents the culmination of the earnings process with the customer and is not merely an exchange between two seismic companies. These exchanges are referred to as non-monetary data exchanges.

In non-monetary data exchange transactions, we record a data library asset for the seismic data acquired at the time the contract is entered into and recognize revenue on the transaction in accordance with our policy on revenue from data licenses, that is, when the data is selected by the customer, or revenue from data acquisition, as applicable. These transactions are valued at the fair value of the data received or delivered, whichever is more readily determinable.

We determine fair value of data exchanged by first determining the value of the license granted to the customer. We do so by evaluating the range of our cash transactions for licenses of similar data during the prior six months for licenses in the United States and for the prior twelve months for licenses in Canada. In evaluating the range of cash transactions, we do not consider transactions that are disproportionately high or low. We then consider the value of the data received from the customer. In determining the value of the data received, we consider the age, quality, current demand and future marketability of the data, as well as the cost that would be required to create the data. In the United States, we apply a limitation on the value we assign per square mile on the data exchanged. In Canada, in the event of a difference greater than 2% between the value of the license granted and the value of the data received, we assign the lower value to the exchange. In significant exchanges ($500,000 or more), we obtain concurrence from an independent third party in order to support our valuation of the data received. We obtain this concurrence on an annual basis, usually in connection with the preparation of our annual financial statements.

Revenue from our Seitel Solutions, Ltd. and Seitel Solutions Canada Ltd. Subsidiaries

Revenue from our Seitel Solutions, Ltd. and Seitel Solutions Canada Ltd. subsidiaries (collectively, "Solutions") are recognized as the services for reproduction and delivery of seismic data are provided to customers.

Seismic Data Library

Costs associated with creating, acquiring or purchasing the seismic data library are capitalized and such costs are amortized principally on the income forecast method subject to a straight-line amortization period of seven years for onshore data and five years for offshore data applied on a quarterly basis at the individual survey level.

Costs of Seismic Data Library

For purchased seismic data, we capitalize the purchase price of the acquired data.

For data acquired through a non-monetary data exchange, we capitalize an amount equal to the fair value of the data we receive or the fair value of the license granted to the customer, whichever is more readily determinable. In the case of any single non-monetary exchange where the fair value recorded is in excess of $500,000, we also obtain concurrence from a third party to support our valuation.



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For internally created data, the capitalized costs include costs paid to third parties for the acquisition of data and related permitting, surveying and other activities associated with the data creation activity. In addition, we capitalize certain internal costs related to processing the created data. Such costs include salaries and benefits of our processing personnel and certain other costs incurred for the benefit of the processing activity. We believe that the internal processing costs capitalized are not greater than, and generally are less than, those that would be incurred and capitalized if such activity were performed by a third party.

Data Library Amortization

We amortize our seismic data library using the greater of the amortization that would result from the application of the income forecast method or a straight-line basis over the useful life of the data. Due to the subjectivity inherent in the income forecast amortization method, this amortization policy ensures a minimum level of amortization will be recorded if sales of the specific data do not occur as expected and ensures that costs are fully amortized at the end of the data's useful life.  The estimated useful life of our seismic data is seven years for onshore data and five years for offshore data.  With respect to each survey in the data library, the useful life policy is applied from the time such survey is available for licensing to customers generally, since some data in the library may not be licensed until an exclusivity period (usually nine months or less) has lapsed.

We apply the income forecast method by forecasting the ultimate revenue expected to be derived from a particular data library component over the estimated useful life of each survey comprising part of such component. This forecast is made by us annually and reviewed quarterly. If, during any such review, we determine that the ultimate revenue for a library component is expected to be significantly different than the original estimate of total revenue for such library component, we revise the amortization rate attributable to future revenue from each survey in such component. In addition, in connection with such reviews and updates, we evaluate the recoverability of our seismic data library, and if required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard, or SFAS, No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," record an impairment charge with respect to such data. See discussion on "Seismic Data Library Impairment" below.

The actual rate of amortization depends on the specific seismic surveys licensed and selected by our customers during the year. The amortization rates vary by component and, effective January 1, 2004, range from a low of 47% to a high 100% with a weighted average rate of 56% based on the net book value of each component compared with the net book value of the entire seismic data library as of such date. The actual rate of amortization recorded in any period varies from the weighted average rate due to the application of straight-line amortization on a survey-by-survey basis, as well as the mix of revenue recognized by component.

The greater of the income forecast or straight-line amortization policy is applied quarterly on a cumulative basis at the individual survey level. Under this policy, we first record amortization using the income forecast method. The cumulative amortization recorded for each survey is then compared with the cumulative straight-line amortization. If the cumulative straight-line amortization would be higher for any specific survey, additional amortization expense is recorded, resulting in accumulated amortization being equal to the cumulative straight- line amortization for such survey. This requirement is applied regardless of future-year revenue estimates for the library segment of which the survey is a part and does not consider the existence of deferred revenue with respect to the library segment or to any survey.

Seismic Data Library Impairment

As events or conditions require, we evaluate the recoverability of our seismic data library in accordance with SFAS No. 144. We evaluate our seismic data library for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.  We consider the level of sales performance in each component compared to projected sales, as well as industry conditions, among others, to be key factors in determining when our seismic data should be evaluated for impairment.

We evaluate our seismic data library in components based on our operations and geological and geographical trends resulting in the following data library groupings for purposes of evaluating impairments: (1) Gulf of Mexico offshore comprised of the following components: (a) multi-component data, (b) value-added products, (c) ocean bottom cable data, (d) shelf data, and (e) deep water data; (2) North America onshore comprised of the following components: (a) Texas Gulf Coast, (b) northern, eastern and western Texas, (c) southern Louisiana/Mississippi, (d) northern Louisiana, (e) Rocky Mountains, (f) North Dakota, (g) other United States, (h) Canada and (i) value-added products; and (3) international data outside North America. We believe that these library components constitute the lowest levels of independently identifiable cash flows.



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In accordance with SFAS No. 144, the impairment evaluation is based first on a comparison of the undiscounted future cash flows over each component's remaining estimated useful life with the carrying value of each library component. If the undiscounted cash flows are equal to or greater than the carrying value of such component, no impairment is recorded. If undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of any component, the forecast of future cash flows related to such component is discounted to fair value and compared with such component's carrying amount. The difference between the library component's carrying amount and the discounted future value of the expected revenue stream is recorded as an impairment charge.

For purposes of evaluating potential impairment losses, we estimate the future cash flows attributable to a library component by evaluating, among other factors, historical and recent revenue trends, oil and gas prospectivity in particular regions, general economic conditions affecting our customer base and expected changes in technology. The cash flow estimates exclude expected future revenues attributable to non-monetary data exchanges and future data creation projects.

The estimation of future cash flows and fair value is highly subjective, inherently imprecise and can change materially from period to period based on the factors described in the preceding paragraph, among others. Accordingly, if conditions change in the future, we may record further impairment losses relative to our seismic data library, which could be material to any particular reporting period.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

In preparing our financial statements, a number of estimates and assumptions are made by management that affect the accounting for and recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions must be made because certain information that is used in the preparation of our financial statements is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision from data available or is not otherwise capable of being readily calculated based on generally accepted methodologies. In some cases, these estimates are particularly difficult to determine and we must exercise significant judgment.

The most difficult, subjective and complex estimates and assumptions that deal with the greatest amount of uncertainty are related to our accounting for our seismic data library.  Accounting for our seismic data library requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions relative to future sales and cash flows from such library. These cash flows impact future amortization rates, as well as impairment charges, and the cash flows are highly subjective. We estimate future revenue primarily by analyzing the historical revenue trends generated by our existing seismic data library. Any changes in these estimates or underlying assumptions will impact our income from operations prospectively from the date changes are made. To the extent that such estimates, or the assumptions used to make those estimates, prove to be significantly different than actual results, the carrying value of the seismic data library may be subject to higher prospective amortization rates, additional straight-line amortization or impairment losses. In addition, based on future events, we may make changes in the estimated useful life of the asset. Changes in the underlying assumptions regarding future sales and cash flows from the library or revisions to estimated useful life may cause our prospective amortization expense to decrease or increase materially and may also result in significant impairment losses being recognized. If such changes or revisions take place in the future, the effect on our reported results could be significant to any particular reporting period.



In a portion of our seismic data library activities, we engage in certain non-monetary exchanges and record a data library asset for the seismic data acquired and recognize revenue on the transaction in accordance with our policy on revenue from data licenses. These transactions are valued at the fair value of the data received by us or licenses granted by us whichever is more readily determinable. In addition, in exchanges valued at $500,000 or more, we obtain third-party concurrence to support our estimate of the fair value of the transactions. Our estimate of the value of these transactions is highly subjective and based, in large part, on data sales transactions between us and a limited number of customers over a limited time period, and appraisals of the value of such transactions based on a relatively small market of private transactions over a limited period of time.

Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that we use in the preparation of our financial statements. To the extent management's estimates and assumptions change in the future, our future profitability may improve or decline significantly based on such changes.



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SEASONALITY AND TIMING FACTORS



Our results of operations fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors. Our results are influenced by oil and gas industry capital expenditure budgets and spending patterns. These budgets are not necessarily spent in equal or progressive increments during the year, with spending patterns affected by individual oil and gas company requirements as well as industry-wide conditions. In addition, under our revenue recognition policy, revenue recognition from data licensing contracts is dependent, among other things, upon when the customer selects the data. As a result, our seismic data revenue does not necessarily flow evenly or progressively during a year or from year to year. Although the majority of our data licensing transactions provide for fees to us of under $500,000 per transaction, occasionally a single data license transaction from our library, including those resulting from the merger and acquisition of our oil and gas company customers, may be substantially larger. Such large license transactions or an unusually large number of, or reduction in, data selections by customers can materially impact our results during a quarter, creating an impression of a revenue trend that may not be repeated in subsequent periods. In our data creation activities, weather-related or other events outside our control may impact or delay surveys during any given quarter.



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS



The accompanying financial information and related discussions of financial condition and results of operations are based on the assumption that we will continue as a "going concern" which contemplates the realization of assets and the liquidation of liabilities in the ordinary course of business.  On January 17, 2004, we filed with the Bankruptcy Court the third amended joint plan of reorganization (the "Plan"), which subsequently was amended on February 5, 2004.  On March 18, 2004, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan.  Under the Plan, all of our outstanding allowed pre-petition claims will be fully paid, in cash, together with post-petition (non-default rate) interest, except with respect to any disputed claims and any claims that are reinstated under the Plan.  The Plan further provides that we will receive gross proceeds of $75 million as a result of the exercise of the Stockholder Warrants and/or the sale of shares under the standby purchase agreement.  Payments to creditors under the Plan will be funded utilizing (i) the net proceeds from the new equity, (ii) net proceeds of not less than $180 million from our anticipated institutional offering of new senior unsecured notes, (iii) available cash and equivalents of not less than $35 million, and, if necessary, (iv) available borrowings under our new revolving credit facility provided on the effective date of the Plan.  Certain conditions, as fully described in "Note B-Reorganization Proceedings", are required for the Plan to become effective. The consolidated financial statements reflect the amounts as of March 31, 2004, which we believe will ultimately be paid to settle liabilities and contingencies that may be allowed in bankruptcy.



The following table summarizes the components of our revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands):



|                     |                                          | Three Months Ended |        
|-------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------ | -------
|                     |                                          | March 31,          |        
|                     |                                          |                    |        
|                     |                                          | 2004               |        
|                     |                                          |                    |        
|                     |                                          |                    |        
|Acquisition revenue: |                                          |                    |        
|                     | Cash underwriting                        | $                  | 17,361 
|                     | Underwriting from non-monetary exchanges |                    | 1,812  
|Licensing revenue:   |                                          |                    |        
|                     | New resales for cash                     |                    | 18,229 
|                     | Non-monetary exchanges                   |                    | 3,080  
|                     | Deferral of revenue                      |                    | (14,355
|                     | Selections of data                       |                    | 13,961 
|Solutions and other  |                                          | 1,176              |        
|                     |                                          |                    |        
|Total revenue        | $                                        | 41,264             |        
|                     |                                          |                    |        







The increase in total revenue was primarily due to an increase in acquisition revenue.  We planned a more active program to add new data to our library in 2004, the majority of which was concentrated in the first quarter.  We do not anticipate our acquisition revenue to continue at this level in the subsequent quarters of 2004.  The majority of the first quarter increase was for programs located in Canada, a growth area for us. Operational considerations render the winter months the optimal time to acquire new data in Canada.  Revenue recognized from resales of data in the first quarter of 2004 maintained a consistent level as compared to the first quarter of 2003.

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Index

At March 31, 2004, we had a deferred revenue balance of $58,635,000, of which $15,269,000 resulted from non-monetary exchanges.  The deferred revenue will be recognized when selection of the data is made by the customer or upon expiration of the selection period, whichever occurs first.

Seismic data library amortization amounted to
$22,621,000 in the first quarter of 2004 compared to $16,436,000 in the first
quarter of 2003. The amount of seismic data library amortization fluctuates
based on the level and location of specific seismic surveys licensed (including
licensing resulting from new data acquisition) and selected by our customers
during any period as well as the amount of straight-line amortization required
under our accounting policy. As a percentage of revenue from licensing seismic
data, seismic data library amortization was 56% for the first quarters of 2004
and 2003.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $8,539,000 in the first quarter of 2004 compared to $8,893,000 in the first quarter of 2003.  First quarter 2004 SG&A expenses included $321,000 of legal fees and other costs associated with litigation with several parties, $478,000 of severance costs paid to our former chief executive officer pursuant to his retention and change of control agreement, and $85,000 related to foreign currency transaction losses related to our Canadian operations.  First quarter 2003 SG&A expenses include $3.1 million of legal and professional fees related to our ongoing restructuring efforts and costs associated with litigation with several parties, including certain of our former officers and directors.  Offsetting a portion of these expenses in the first quarter of 2003 were foreign currency transaction gains (reducing SG&A expense) totaling $1.4 million related to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar for U.S. denominated transactions of our Canadian subsidiaries.  Taking into consideration these items, first quarter 2004 SG&A was approximately 6% higher than first quarter 2003 SG&A primarily due to variable expenses (i.e., commissions) tied to revenue.  As a percentage of revenue, SG&A was 21% for the first quarter of 2004 and 29% for the first quarter of 2003.

During the three months ended March 31, 2004, we incurred expenses associated with reorganization totaling $3,566,000.  Reorganization items are expense or income items that are incurred or realized by Debtors because they are in reorganization. These items include, but are not limited to, professional fees and similar types of expenses incurred directly related to the Chapter 11 Cases, loss accruals or gains or losses resulting from activities of the reorganization process, and interest earned on cash accumulated by Debtors because they are not paying their pre-petition liabilities. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, reorganization items were as follows (in thousands):





|Professional Fees | $ | 3,324 |  
|----------------- | - | ----- | -
|Interest Income   |   | (31   | )
|Other             |   | 273   |  
|                  |   |       |  
|Total             | $ | 3,566 |  
|                  |   |       |  



As a result of our recording a loss for the first three months of 2004, along with the Chapter 11 filing and the fact that there exists substantial doubt about our ability to continue to recover assets and satisfy liabilities in the normal course of business, our U.S. income tax benefit was offset by a valuation allowance since such benefit is not assured of realization.  Tax expense of $706,000 and $35,000 was recorded in the first quarters of 2004 and 2003, respectively, and related to earnings on certain Canadian subsidiaries.

Discontinued Operations

In June 2002, our Board of Directors unanimously adopted a plan to dispose of our oil and gas operations by sale.  Accordingly, our consolidated financial statements report the oil and gas operations as discontinued operations.   In 2002, we sold substantially all of our oil and gas assets.  In January 2004, we sold a portion of our remaining oil and gas assets for approximately $1,287,000 of which $1 million was paid in cash and the balance is due in four equal quarterly installments beginning April 30, 2004 pursuant to a promissory note.  Our remaining oil and gas assets are not material and we continue to seek buyers.

Revenue from the discontinued operations was $72,000 and $81,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Pre-tax income (loss) from discontinued operations was $35,000 and $(237,000) for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  The increase in the pre-tax income from discontinued operations between 2004 and 2003 was primarily a result of 2003 including a charge of $277,000 to reduce the carrying value of such properties to their estimated fair value.



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Liquidity and Capital Resources



As of May 5, 2004, we had approximately $50.7 million in consolidated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.  In addition, we have in place and approved by the bankruptcy court, the DIP Facility for up to $20 million.  Advances under the DIP Facility are available pursuant to a formula based on the carrying value of certain accounts receivable and components of the seismic data library.  If an advance is made under the DIP Facility, the first such advance must be in an amount not less than, and must be used to retire our term loan presently outstanding in the amount of, $5.4 million and secured by certain seismic data.  The DIP Facility is secured by a first priority, perfected security interest in substantially all of our U.S. assets and a pledge of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of our U.S. subsidiaries.  At May 5, 2004, there was no outstanding balance under the DIP Facility and there was $20 million of availability.  On the effective date of the Plan, the DIP facility will be terminated and replaced with a new revolving credit facility, providing a revolving loan commitment of $30 million, subject to borrowing base limitations.  For a discussion of a number of factors that may impact our liquidity and the sufficiency of our capital resources, see "Overview" above.



Operating Activities.  Cash flows provided by operating activities from continuing operations were $29,538,000 and $12,366,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  The significant increase from 2003 to 2004 was primarily due to an increase in collection on licensing invoices and non-payment of interest expense on the Debtors' debt due to the bankruptcy proceedings.  Absent any adverse factors outside our control such as a significant decrease in oil and gas prices or a decline in availability of capital for our customers, we believe that our liquidity and access to cash will be sufficient to fund our current operations through 2004 if we are successful in completing all of the financing transactions contemplated by the Plan.  See "Financing Activities" below.



Investing Activities.  Cash flows used by investing activities from continuing operations were $25,955,000 and $11,488,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  Cash expenditures for seismic data were $25,696,000 and $15,811,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, reflecting the increase in new seismic data acquisition programs in 2004.



Our capital budget for the remainder of 2004 is presently estimated to be $55.6 million, substantially all of which is allocated for additions to our seismic data library.  Of the amount budgeted, approximately $31.7 million of these additions will come from data acquisition projects for which we anticipate receiving approximately $20.9 million in cash underwriting.  In addition, the budget anticipates potential cash data purchases of approximately $11.7 million, and the execution of approximately $10.9 million in non-monetary exchanges.  In addition to the above described seismic data library additions, we plan to spend approximately $1.3 million on other property and equipment.  Assuming the capital budget is executed as planned, it would require approximately $23.8 million to be funded from operating cash flow.  As of May 5, 2004, we had capital expenditure commitments related to data acquisition projects of approximately $17.9 million of which approximately $13.3 million of cash underwriting has been obtained.



We also have operating lease and facility rental obligations.  Payments due for the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2004 are approximately $0.8 million.



Financing Activities.  Cash flows used in financing activities were $708,000 and $2,166,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  During the three months ended March 31, 2004 payments on term loans and capital leases equaled $274,000 and payments related to professional fees incurred in connection with our debt and equity transactions were $474,000.



As of March 31, 2004, we had approximately $271.8 million of outstanding debt and lease obligations, with aggregate contractual cash obligations summarized as follows (in thousands):





|                                   |   |         |  |   | Payments due by period | 
|---------------------------------- | - | ------- |  | - | ---------------------- | 
|                                   |   |         |  |   |                        | 
|                                   |   |         |  |   |                        | 
|Contractual cash obligations       |   | Total   |  |   | 2004                   | 
|                                   |   |         |  |   |                        | 
|Debt obligations(1)                | $ | 260,855 |  | $ | 260,440                | 
|Capital lease obligations          |   | 6,267   |  |   | 1,209                  | 
|Operating lease obligations        |   | 4,669   |  |   | 751                    | 
|                                   |   |         |  |   |                        | 
|                                   |   |         |  |   |                        | 
|Total contractual cash obligations | $ | 271,791 |  | $ | 262,400                | 
|                                   |   |         |  |   |                        | 



|(1) | These debt obligations have contractual maturities ranging from 2003 to 2011.  We are  not in compliance with certain of the covenants related to this debt and the holders of $255 million of such debt have accelerated the maturity thereof.  Pursuant to our Plan, $260.4 million of this debt will be paid in full in 2004; therefore, the maturities have been reflected as due in 2004.
|--- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





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Under the Plan, the rights of and ultimate payments related to certain of these contractual obligations may be substantially altered.

We have outstanding $255 million principal amount of senior unsecured notes that were issued in various series from December 1995 through December 2001. The senior unsecured notes bear interest at rates ranging from 7.04% to 7.48% and have maturity dates ranging from June 2003 to October 2011.  As a result of the non-payment of interest thereon, our Chapter 11 filing and the restatement of our financial statements prior to January 1, 2002, among other factors, we are currently in default on the senior unsecured notes.  No principal or interest payments have been made on the senior unsecured notes since May 2, 2003.

On August 28, 2001, our wholly owned subsidiary, Seitel Data, Ltd., obtained a term loan for the purchase of certain seismic data, some of which data secures the debt.  We are not in compliance with payment terms or covenants of this term loan.  At May 5, 2004, the term loan had an outstanding principal balance of approximately $5.4 million and a maturity date of October 1, 2004, when a balloon payment of $2.5 million is due.  No principal or interest payments have been made on this loan since we filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 on July 21, 2003.

On March 18, 2004, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan, under which all of our pre-petition creditors, including the senior unsecured notes and term loan discussed above, will be paid in full, in cash, together with post-petition (non-default rate) interest, except with respect to any disputed claims and any claims that are reinstated under the Plan.  We have estimated that the total amount of pre-petition claims, administrative costs and other fees and expenses related to the Plan is $304.2 million.

The Plan will be funded from (1) the net proceeds to us from the exercise of Stockholder Warrants, the purchase of shares of reorganized common stock under the standby purchase agreements, or any combination thereof, (2) the net proceeds from our anticipated institutional private placement of new senior unsecured notes resulting in net proceeds to us of not less than $180 million, (3) available cash and cash equivalents of not less than $35 million and, if necessary, (4) available borrowings under our new revolving credit facility providing on the effective date of the Plan a maximum revolving loan commitment, subject to borrowing base limitations, of $30 million.  Summarized as follows, are the sources and uses of funds expected as of July 13, 2004 related to the Plan, assuming the aggregate principal amount of new senior notes totals $190 million (in millions):

Sources and Uses of Funds





($ in millions)Sources



UsesCash Required(1)
$
39.2

Outstanding Senior Unsecured Notes
$
255.0New Senior Notes

190.0

Accrued Interest on Senior Unsecured Notes
(4)

22.2New Equity Issue to be Raised(2)

75.0

Other Secured & Unsecured Claims(5)

11.6Administrative Costs(6)

6.5Fees & Other Expenses(7)

8.9Total Sources
$
304.2
(3)
Total Uses
$
304.2




| | 1. | The Plan requires that we have at least $35 million in cash at the effective date.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
| | -- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| | 2. | $75.0 million warrant offering to existing shareholders; guaranteed by Mellon HBV.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
| | 3. | The amount of our net cash flow during the period between April 1, 2004 and July 13, 2004 will determine whether we will be required to draw down on our new revolving credit facility to partially fund payments of allowed creditors' claims required under the Plan and, if so, how much we will be required to draw down.
| | 4. | Includes interest accrued on outstanding senior unsecured notes through July 13, 2004.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
| | 5. | Includes $5.7 million of secured claims, $5.4 million of unsecured claims and $0.5 million of priority claims.                                                                                                                                                                                                               
| | 6. | Includes administrative costs related to the Plan expected to be incurred from April 1, 2004 to July 13, 2004.                                                                                                                                                                                                               
| | 7. | Includes new senior notes issuance fees, fees related to rights offering, and legal and other fees expected to be incurred from April 1, 2004 to July 13, 2004.                                                                                                                                                              





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Our principal sources of funds in 2004 after the consummation and effectiveness of the Plan are expected to be operating revenues, cash and cash equivalents on hand, and funds available for borrowing under the new revolving credit facility.  Our principal uses of funds are expected to be the payment of operating expenses, debt-service requirements as a result of the implementation of the Plan, and capital expenditures as described above in "Investing Activities".  After giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Plan, including the completion of the issuance of stock, our institutional private placement of new senior notes and the funding of our new revolving credit facility, we expect that operating revenues, cash and cash equivalents on hand, and the funds available for borrowing under the new revolving credit facility will be sufficient to enable us to satisfy our operating expenses, debt service requirements, and the cash requirements in connection with our investments in seismic data for the 12-month period following the effective date of the Plan.





Other Debt



On January 12, 2004, our wholly owned subsidiary, Olympic Seismic Ltd. ("Olympic"), entered into a new revolving credit facility. The facility allows it to borrow up to $5 million (Canadian), subject to an availability formula, by way of prime-based loans, bankers' acceptances or letters of credit. The rate applicable to borrowings is the bank's prime rate plus 0.35% per annum and to bankers' acceptances is 1.50% per annum. Letter of credit fees are based on scheduled rates in effect at the time of issuance. The facility is secured by the assets of Olympic, SEIC Trust Administration Ltd. (as sole trustee of, and for and on behalf of, SEIC Business Trust) and SEIC Holdings, Ltd., but is not guaranteed by us or any of our other U.S. subsidiaries. However, all intercompany debt owing by Olympic, SEIC Trust Administration Ltd., SEIC Business Trust or SEIC Holdings, Ltd. to us, SEIC Partners Limited Partnership or to any of our U.S. subsidiaries (approximately $60,768,000 (Canadian) at March 31, 2004) has been subordinated to the repayment of the revolving credit facility. Available borrowings under the facility are equivalent to a maximum of $5 million (Canadian), subject to a requirement that such borrowings may not exceed 75% of good accounts receivable (as defined in the agreement) of SEIC Trust Administration, less prior-ranking claims, if any, relating to inventory or accounts. The facility is subject to repayment upon demand and is available from time to time at the Bank's sole discretion. A review of this demand facility is performed annually at the Bank's discretion. As of May 5, 2004, no amounts were outstanding on this revolving line of credit and $4 million (Canadian) was available on the line of credit. Olympic is not a party to any of the debt issued by us other than the note payable to a former executive.



During 2001 and 2002, we entered into capital leases for the purchase of computer and data center furniture and equipment. The lease agreement originally was for a term of approximately two years. On February 18, 2003, we and the lessor entered into a restructuring of this lease effective as of January 1, 2003. Under the restructured obligation, on February 18, 2003, we made a one time payment of $1,580,000, plus applicable taxes, in consideration of past due lease payments and agreed to make 33 additional monthly payments of principal and interest of $165,000, plus applicable taxes. At the conclusion of the lease, we may purchase the leased equipment, in whole but not in part, for $810,000, less a credit of $309,910 in respect of a cash deposit held by the lessor. The outstanding balance on the capital lease as of May 5, 2004 was $3,322,000. We assumed the lease pursuant to an order of the bankruptcy court dated December 29, 2003.



On April 30, 2002, Olympic entered into a sale leaseback agreement on a building and land located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Proceeds of the sale were $3.6 million (Canadian). The proceeds were used to pay off Olympic's revolving line of credit and for general corporate purposes. The term of the lease is a 20-year capital lease with lease payments of: $336,000 (Canadian) in years 1-5; $370,860 (Canadian) in years 6-10; $409,500 (Canadian) in years 11-15; and $452,340 (Canadian) in years 16-20. The transaction resulted in a gain on the sale of $737,000, which has been deferred and is being recognized into income over the term of the lease.



In connection with the settlement of certain litigation, we entered into a note payable to a former executive consisting of payments of $6,417 per month for 36 months commencing June 2003 and payments of $6,000 per month for 84 months commencing June 2006. The note is non-interest bearing. The note is guaranteed by Olympic. The outstanding balance on this note as of May 5, 2004 was $435,000. Since the date we filed our voluntary Chapter 11 petition with the bankruptcy court, Olympic has made the monthly payments on this note. Under the Plan, the note will be assumed by Seitel.



Under the terms of a separation agreement with one of our former officers, we have guaranteed a bank loan with an outstanding balance of $193,000 as of May 5, 2004. The balance is due in annual installments of $60,000 with a maturity date of November 13, 2006.



Deferred Taxes.We have not paid Federal income taxes in the last two years. As of March 31, 2004, in Canada we had a net deferred tax liability of approximately $2.5 million, net of a valuation allowance of $0.5 million.  In the U.S., we had a net deferred tax asset of $65.8 million, all of which was fully offset by a valuation allowance. We anticipate receiving a refund of Federal income tax of approximately $9.9 million related to the carryback
of our expected taxable loss for the year ended December 31, 2003. Following the 
implementation  of  the  Plan,  remaining  tax  credit  carry  forwards
and certain other
of our
tax attributes applicable to periods



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Index



prior to the effective date of the Plan
(collectively, "pre-change losses") may be subject to limitation under Section
382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as a result of the change
in our ownership. Under Section 382, if a corporation undergoes an "ownership
change" and the corporation does not qualify for (or elects out of) Section
382(l)(5)(H), the amount of its pre-change losses that may be utilized to offset
future taxable income is subject to an annual limitation. The amount of the
annual limitation is generally based on the value of the company immediately
before the ownership change multiplied by a percentage rate published by the
Internal Revenue Service. Such limitation also may apply to certain losses or
deductions that are economically accrued but not recognized as of the date of
the ownership change and that are subsequently recognized during the five year
period beginning with the date of the ownership change.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions. Other than operating leases, we do not maintain any off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or others that are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenue or expense, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Capital Expenditures

During the first three months of 2004, capital expenditures for seismic data and other property and equipment amounted to $29.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Of the $29.6 million of seismic data additions, $26.4 million were cash additions, $3.1 million were for non-monetary exchanges and $0.1 million were other non-cash additions. These capital expenditures, as well as taxes, interest expense, cost of sales and general and administrative expenses, were funded by operations and current cash balances.

Our capital budget for the remainder of 2004 is presently estimated to be $55.6 million, substantially all of which is allocated for additions to our seismic data library.  Of the amount budgeted, approximately $31.7 million of these additions will come from data acquisition projects for which we anticipate receiving approximately $20.9 million in cash underwriting.  In addition, the budget anticipates potential cash data purchases of approximately $11.7 million, and the execution of approximately $10.9 million in non-monetary exchanges.  In addition to the above described seismic data library additions, we plan to spend approximately $1.3 million on other property and equipment.  Assuming the capital budget is executed as planned, it would require approximately $23.8 million to be funded from operating cash flow.  As of May 5, 2004, we had capital expenditure commitments related to data acquisition projects of approximately $17.9 million of which approximately $13.3 million of cash underwriting has been obtained.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2003, the FASB released its Interpretation No. 46, (Revised December 2003) "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51" ("FIN 46").  FIN 46 requires a company to consolidate a variable interest entity (VIE) if the company has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) that will absorb a majority of the entity's expected losses if they occur, receive a majority of the entity's expected residual returns if they occur, or both.  These provisions apply immediately to variable interests in VIEs created after January 31, 2003, and to variable interest in special purpose entities for periods ending after December 15, 2003.  The provisions apply for all other types of variable interests in VIEs for periods ending after March 15, 2004.  We do not and do not expect to own any interest in a VIE or special purpose entities; therefore, FIN 46 does not have any effect on our financial position or results of operations.



|Item 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
|------- | ----------------------------------------------------------



We are exposed to market risk, including adverse changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

Interest Rate Risk

We may enter into various financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps, to manage the impact of changes in interest rates.  As of March 31, 2004, we did not have any open interest rate swap or interest rate lock agreements.  Therefore, our exposure to changes in interest rates primarily results from our short-term and long-term debt with both fixed and floating interest rates.



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Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Our Canadian subsidiaries conduct business in the Canadian dollar, therefore, we are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk on cash flows related to sales, expenses, financing and investing transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  As of March 31, 2004, we did not have any open forward exchange contracts.

We have not had any significant changes in the market risk exposures since December 31, 2003.



|Item 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
|------- | -----------------------



|(a) | Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
|--- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|    | The Company's management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2004, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer along with the Company's Acting Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2004 are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company's periodic filings under the Exchange Act.
|    |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
|(b) | Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
|    | No changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting have come to management's attention during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  







|PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
|---------------------------





|Item 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
|------- | -----------------



On February 3, 2003, the former holders of Seitel's senior unsecured notes accelerated the senior unsecured notes and made demand upon Seitel and certain of its former and current officers and directors for money damages arising from certain alleged negligent actions and/or misrepresentations of those officers and directors. The holders alleged that money damages arising from the foregoing claims were not fully quantified, but exceeded $20 million and included, without limitation, the lost value of such holders' investment in the senior unsecured notes. Notice of the demand has been provided by us to our insurance carriers. The holders of the senior unsecured notes did not commence suit. As of June 26, 2003, all of the former holders of senior unsecured notes had sold their senior unsecured notes to Ranch, who subsequently sold the senior unsecured notes to Berkshire. Under the Plan, all of the foregoing claims will be released and discharged.



Seitel and certain of its former and current officers and directors have been named as defendants in eleven lawsuits brought as class actions alleging violations of the federal securities laws, all of which were consolidated by an Order entered August 7, 2002, under Cause No. 02-1566, styled In re Seitel, Inc. Securities Litigation, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.  The Court appointed a lead plaintiff and lead counsel for plaintiffs, who subsequently filed a consolidated amended complaint, which added the Seitel's auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, as a defendant.  The consolidated amended complaint alleges that during a proposed class period of May 5, 2000 through April 1, 2002, the defendants violated sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 by overstating revenues in violation of generally accepted accounting principles.  The plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of actual and exemplary damages, costs of court, pre- and post-judgment interest and attorneys' and experts' fees.  During the Chapter 11 cases, the Debtors and the representatives of the class negotiated and participated in discovery with respect to the Class Claim filed with the Bankruptcy Court and in connection with the class' objection to confirmation of the Initial Plan.  In the course thereof, the class representatives and the Debtors reached certain agreements.  These agreements included the allowance of a "class claim" to assert the rights of the class in the Chapter 11 cases and, as well, an ultimate settlement for cash to be funded out of the Debtors' cash and directors' and officers' insurance policies.  The settlement was approved upon notice and a hearing by order of the Bankruptcy Court dated December 10, 2003.  Thus, the claims of the plaintiffs in the Class Action against the Debtors as well as their officers and directors, and the Class Claim, have been settled.  The treatment of the Class Claim pursuant to the Plan is consistent with the settlement approved by the Bankruptcy Court.  Certain monetary obligations remain, including continuing disclosures and additional documentation.

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Seitel has been named as a nominal defendant in seven stockholder derivative actions filed in various courts: Almekinder v. Frame, Valice, Pearlman, Craig, Lerner, Stieglitz, Zeidman, Hoffman, and Seitel, Inc., No. H-02-2960, In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Basser v. Frame, Valice, Kendrick, Pearlman, Fiur, Zeidman, Stieglitz, Craig, Lerner, and Seitel, Inc., No. H-02-1874, In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Berger v. Frame, Pearlman, Valice, Craig, Stieglitz, Lerner, Zeidman, Fiur, and Seitel, Inc., No. 19534-NC, In the Court of Chancery, State of Delaware, Castle County; Chemical Valley & North Central West Virginia Carpenters Pension Plan v. Frame, Valice, Hoffman, Pearlman, Craig, Lerner, Stieglitz, Zeidman, Fiur, and Seitel, Inc., No. 02-CV-3343, In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Couture v. Frame, Valice, Craig, Lerner, Stieglitz, Zeidman, Hoffman, and Seitel, Inc., No. 20002-37065, In the 80th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas; Talley v. Frame, Valice, Pearlman, Craig, Lerner, Stieglitz, Zeidman, Hoffman, and Seitel, Inc., In the 151st Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas; and Zambie v. Frame, Pearlman, Valice, Craig, Zeidman, Lerner, Stieglitz, Fiur, Ernst & Young LLP, and Seitel, Inc., In the 333rd Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas.  The plaintiffs generally allege that the defendants breached and conspired to breach fiduciary duties to Seitel's shareholders by failing to maintain adequate accounting controls and by using improper accounting and auditing practices and procedures. Certain of the plaintiffs also assert causes of action for mismanagement, waste of corporate assets and unjust enrichment.  The Zambie case also alleges professional negligence against Ernst & Young LLP.  The plaintiffs seek judgments for unspecified amounts of compensatory damages, including return of salaries and other payments to the defendants, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees, experts' fees and costs.  Seitel's Board of Directors appointed a special litigation committee to conduct an independent investigation of the allegations asserted in the derivative lawsuits.  The special litigation committee completed its investigation and its report has been delivered to Seitel.  Seitel filed its motion to dismiss in Delaware Chancery court on March 20, 2003.  The parties previously agreed to stay the Texas state court cases pending the outcome of the Texas federal court derivative cases.  The federal court derivative cases have been consolidated, and Seitel has moved to stay the cases pending resolution by the Delaware court.  Presently, all cases are stayed as a result of the Debtors' Chapter 11 filing.  In October 2003, a settlement of all issues in each derivative suit was reached among the parties and a stipulation and motion to approve the terms of such settlement was filed with the Bankruptcy Court.  The settlement stipulation provides for payment of $600,000, all of which is covered by insurance, and resolution of all claims against all parties to the litigation.  The settlement stipulation was approved by the Bankruptcy Court upon notice and a hearing by order dated November 17, 2003.  Pursuant to the settlement, (i) all of the Derivative Claims have been or will be dismissed, (ii) the Debtors will continue certain, and from time to time implement new, corporate governance policies and procedures, and (iii) the plaintiffs recovered certain costs incurred in prosecuting the Derivative Claims.  The cost recovery was paid solely by the Debtors' insurance carrier.

On July 18, 2002, Seitel's former chief executive officer sued Seitel in the 113th Judicial District Court of Harris County, No. 2002-35891. Mr. Frame alleges a breach of his employment contract by virtue of his termination and also alleges defamation. He also seeks a declaratory judgment that certain funds he received from us were proper and do not have to be repaid. We have answered and asserted various defenses. We also filed a counter suit to recover approximately $4,200,000 in corporate funds that Seitel believes Mr. Frame inappropriately caused Seitel to pay him or for his benefit plus over $800,000 due on two notes that were accelerated pursuant to their respective terms. In addition, Seitel also holds a judgment against Mr. Frame in the amount of at least $590,000 relating to a loan made to Mr. Frame by Bank One N.A. ("Bank One") and guaranteed by Seitel. Seitel intends to seek dismissal of the complaint against it, and to pursue its causes of action. Seitel also intends to pursue enforcement of its judgment against Mr. Frame. Mr. Frame has filed claims totaling $20.2 million against Seitel and the other debtors in the Chapter 11 cases. The debtors have filed objections to such claims.



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Seitel is a party to a suit for geophysical trespass entitled Joy Resources, Inc. v. Seitel Data, Ltd., Cause No. 01-02-00828-CV, in the 1st Court of Appeals, Houston, Texas.  The plaintiff is appealing a final judgment by the trial court holding that the plaintiff is not entitled to recover an injunction or to recover damages against Seitel.  The plaintiffs assert that Seitel obtained seismic data about mineral interests leased by the plaintiff by placing seismic equipment on property adjacent to the property leased by the plaintiff.  The trial court held that no cause of action exists where the seismic equipment is not located on the property leased by the plaintiff.  The briefing has been completed in this matter, and oral argument in the 1st Court of Appeals in Houston, Texas was on May 6, 2003.  The parties have reached a settlement in the matter and have executed a settlement stipulation which is pending before the Bankruptcy Court for approval.  The settlement stipulation provides that Joy Resources, Inc. ("Joy") will be granted an agreed, allowed claim in the amount of $73,000 in the Cases, and further provides that Seitel Data, Ltd. may use certain data upon the payment of additional costs and may acquire certain data owned by Joy on a right of first refusal basis.

Seitel and its subsidiary, Seitel Data, Ltd., are parties to a class action lawsuit for geophysical trespass entitled Juan O. Villarreal v. Grant Geophysical, Inc., et al., Cause No. DC-00-214, in the 229th District Court of Starr County, Texas that was initiated on April 1, 2002. The plaintiffs have sued a number of defendants, including Seitel and Seitel Data, Ltd. The plaintiffs allege that certain defendants conducted unauthorized 3-D seismic exploration of the mineral interests, and sold the information obtained to other defendants. The plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages. All of the defendants have obtained summary judgments dismissing the plaintiffs' claims, and the case is now on appeal before the San Antonio Court of Appeals under Cause No. 04-02-00674-CV. On July 22, 2003, the Texas Court of Appeals granted appellant motion to proceed against the other appellees. The appeal against Seitel remains stayed. We intend to vigorously represent our interests in this appeal.

Seitel sued its former in-house counsel and law firm in Seitel, Inc. v. Cynthia Moulton and Franklin Cardwell & Jones, P.C., Cause No. 2003-09151 in the 127th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. The suit alleges negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract surrounding the settlement of a personal lawsuit against the former chief executive officer and other aspects of representation. Seitel seeks recovery for fees paid and related expenses. Initial pleadings were filed on February 21, 2003. Discovery has not yet commenced.

On March 27, 2003, Seitel was served with a complaint filed by the General Electric Credit Corporation of Tennessee ("GE") in the District Court No. 333rd of Harris County, Texas, styled General Electric Credit Corporation of Tennessee, v. N360X, LLC and Seitel. The complaint alleged that Seitel, as guarantor, and its wholly owned subsidiary N360X, LLC, as lessee, defaulted on an agreement for the lease of a jet aircraft. GE accelerated the obligation, took possession of the aircraft and demanded payment of amounts GE claims are due pursuant to the termination of the lease. The claim was subsequently reduced to $2.055 million plus interest at 9% from November 18, 2003 and purchased by Berkshire and the amount thereof has been agreed to by the parties.  Such amounts represent unsecured claims and will be fully paid in cash in accordance with the Plan.

On September 22, 2003, Bass Enterprises Production Co. ("Bass") filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking relief from the automatic stay applicable to the Debtors and requesting permission of the Bankruptcy Court to initiate litigation against the Debtors in a Texas State Court with respect to an alleged breach of certain provisions of a contract entered into in 2001.  The Debtors have objected to the motion and a hearing on the motion was scheduled for December 3, 2003.  On February 23, 2004 the parties entered into a settlement agreement to resolve disputes which involve licensing of certain data and field tapes at a fixed rate.

Seitel and its subsidiaries, Energy Venture Holdings LLC, Endeavor Exploration LLC, and DDD Energy, Inc., were sued by a former employee, Mark Stover, in Harris County District Court, 269

In addition to the lawsuits described above, we are involved from time to time in ordinary, routine claims and lawsuits incidental to our business. In the opinion of management, uninsured losses, if any, resulting from the ultimate resolutions of these matters should not be material to our financial position or results of operation.



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Index



Items 2., 4. and 5.  Not applicable.



|Item 3.  Defaults upon Senior Securities                                                                                                      
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|                                                                                                                                              
|Please read Item 2. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources."
|                                                                                                                                              
|Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                                                                                     
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|SIGNATURES                                                                                                               
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|                                                                                                                         
|                                                                                                                         
|Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be
|                                                                                                                         
|signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.                                                       
|                                                                                                                         
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|                                                                                                                         
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|                                                                                                                         
|Dated:    May                                                                                                            
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|Dated:    May                                                                                                            
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|        |  | EXHIBIT
INDEX                                                                    |  |       
|------- |  | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |  | ------
|       
|        |  |                                                                                  |  | Page  
|Exhibit |  | Title                                                                            |  | Number
|       
|        |  |                                                                                  |  |       
|31.1    |  | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, |  | 42    
|        |  | As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002             |  |       
|        |  |                                                                                  |  |       
|31.2    |  | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, |  | 44    
|        |  | As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002             |  |       
|        |  |                                                                                  |  |       
|32.1    |  | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, |  | 46    
|        |  | As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002             |  |       
|        |  |                                                                                  |  |       
|32.2    |  | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, |  | 48    
|        |  | As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002             |  |       
|        |  |                                                                                  |  |       







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