<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.7.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>150</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>227</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>61</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/Restructuring</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - CREDIT CONCENTRATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/CreditConcentration</Role>
      <ShortName>CREDIT CONCENTRATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DetailOfSelectedBalanceSheetAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/RevolvingCreditFacility</Role>
      <ShortName>REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - SENIOR LOAN FACILITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/SeniorLoanFacility</Role>
      <ShortName>SENIOR LOAN FACILITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/NotesPayable</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/VariableInterestEntities</Role>
      <ShortName>VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DetailOfSelectedBalanceSheetAccountsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DetailOfSelectedBalanceSheetAccounts</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/NotesPayableTables</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/NotesPayable</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402401 - Disclosure - RESTRUCTURING (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/RestructuringDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRUCTURING (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/Restructuring</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403401 - Disclosure - CREDIT CONCENTRATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/CreditConcentrationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CREDIT CONCENTRATION (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/CreditConcentration</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/EarningsPerShareAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - EARNINGS PER SHARE - Computation of Earnings per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/EarningsPerShareComputationOfEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>EARNINGS PER SHARE - Computation of Earnings per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DetailOfSelectedBalanceSheetAccountsCashCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCashDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Accounts Receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DetailOfSelectedBalanceSheetAccountsAccountsReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Accounts Receivable (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Property and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DetailOfSelectedBalanceSheetAccountsPropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Property and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405405 - Disclosure - DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DetailOfSelectedBalanceSheetAccountsIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405406 - Disclosure - DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/DetailOfSelectedBalanceSheetAccountsAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DETAIL OF SELECTED BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS - Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406401 - Disclosure - REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/RevolvingCreditFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/RevolvingCreditFacility</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407401 - Disclosure - SENIOR LOAN FACILITY (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/SeniorLoanFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SENIOR LOAN FACILITY (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/SeniorLoanFacility</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - Schedule of Senior Secured Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/NotesPayableScheduleOfSeniorSecuredNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - Schedule of Senior Secured Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/NotesPayableAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409401 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410401 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Preferred Stock and Common Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/StockholdersEquityPreferredStockAndCommonStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Preferred Stock and Common Stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Warrants (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/StockholdersEquityWarrantsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Warrants (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Common Stock Held in Escrow in Connection with Merger (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/StockholdersEquityCommonStockHeldInEscrowInConnectionWithMergerDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Common Stock Held in Escrow in Connection with Merger (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411401 - Disclosure - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412401 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413401 - Disclosure - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/VariableInterestEntities</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="saex-20170630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414401 - Disclosure - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.saexploration.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.saexploration.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>saex-20170630.xml</File>
    <File>saex-20170630.xsd</File>
    <File>saex-20170630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>saex-20170630_def.xml</File>
    <File>saex-20170630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>saex-20170630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
