SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 4,843,000	$ 2,574,000
Interest income	7,000	21,000
Total revenues	4,850,000	2,595,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	705,000	819,000
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Impairment of assets	0	2,170,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):	1,111,000	(3,068,000)
Equity in income (loss) of affiliates:
Equity in loss of affiliates	(43,000)	(79,000)
General and administrative expenses	(1,496,000)	(1,548,000)
Interest expense	0	(4,000)
Interest income	7,000	21,000
Loss before income taxes	(421,000)	(4,678,000)
Oil and natural gas
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer	2,141,000	1,232,000
Total revenues	2,141,000	1,232,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	606,000	749,000
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Impairment of assets	0	2,170,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):	322,000	(3,024,000)
Contract drilling
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer	2,646,000	1,163,000
Total revenues	2,646,000	1,163,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	85,000	57,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):	747,000	(210,000)
Land investment
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer	0	165,000
Total revenues	0	165,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):	0	165,000
Other
Revenues:
Revenue from contract with customer	56,000	14,000
Total revenues	63,000	35,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	14,000	13,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):	42,000	$ 1,000
Intersegment eliminations
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 0