CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 1,046,000	$ (1,488,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity in income of affiliates	(2,125,000)	(2,616,000)
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	942,000	1,201,000
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties	0	1,154,000
Gain on sale of asset	527,000	0
Gain on sale of oil and natural gas properties	0	472,000
Distribution of income from equity investees	2,164,000	3,714,000
Retirement benefits expense	404,000	389,000
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	296,000	345,000
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	64,000	(2,000)
Asset retirement obligation payments	(713,000)	(217,000)
Share-based compensation expense (benefit)	23,000	(33,000)
Retirement plan contributions and payments	(359,000)	(1,104,000)
Sale of interest in leasehold land, net of fees paid	(1,418,000)	(1,915,000)
Real estate held for sale	0	5,132,000
Decrease from changes in current assets and liabilities	(1,627,000)	(1,044,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(1,830,000)	3,044,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of certificates of deposit	(2,480,000)	0
Decrease in restricted cash	0	7,089,000
Distribution from equity investees in excess of earnings	652,000	1,646,000
Proceeds from sale of interest in leasehold land, net of fees paid	1,418,000	1,915,000
Proceeds from the sale of assets, net of closing costs	2,360,000	0
Proceeds from the sale of oil and natural gas properties	1,238,000	0
Capital expenditures - oil and natural gas	(498,000)	(673,000)
Capital expenditures - all other	(120,000)	(45,000)
Net cash provided by investing activities	2,570,000	9,932,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	0	(3,440,000)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(617,000)	(866,000)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	6,000	0
Decrease in restricted cash	372,000	54,000
Net cash used in financing activities	(239,000)	(4,252,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	73,000	238,000
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	574,000	8,962,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	15,550,000	8,471,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 16,124,000	$ 17,433,000