SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	$ 4,387,000	$ 4,843,000
Interest income	0	7,000
Total revenues	4,387,000	4,850,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	276,000	705,000
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Impairment of assets	630,000	0
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):	938,000	1,111,000
Equity in income (loss) of affiliates:
Equity in income (loss) of affiliates	1,054,000	(43,000)
General and administrative expenses	(1,185,000)	(1,496,000)
Interest expense	(1,000)	0
Interest income	0	7,000
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	806,000	(421,000)
Intersegment eliminations
Revenues:
Total revenues	0
Oil and natural gas
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	1,887,000	2,141,000
Total revenues	1,887,000	2,141,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	195,000	606,000
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Impairment of assets	630,000	0
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):	(373,000)	322,000
Contract drilling
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	1,942,000	2,646,000
Total revenues	1,942,000	2,646,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	76,000	85,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):	758,000	747,000
Land investment
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	485,000	0
Total revenues	485,000	0
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):	485,000	0
Other
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	73,000	56,000
Total revenues	73,000	63,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	5,000	14,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):	$ 68,000	$ 42,000