SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	$ 5,756,000	$ 5,216,000	$ 11,896,000	$ 12,698,000
Interest income	18,000	23,000	33,000	52,000
Total revenues	5,774,000	5,239,000	11,929,000	12,750,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	1,392,000	761,000	2,903,000	1,601,000
Asset Impairment Charges
Impairment of assets	1,677,000	0	1,677,000	0
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	(1,030,000)	787,000	(361,000)	3,679,000
Equity in income of affiliates:
Equity in income of affiliates	1,071,000	0	1,071,000	538,000
General and administrative expenses	(1,381,000)	(2,050,000)	(2,785,000)	(4,299,000)
Foreign currency (loss) gain	(128,000)	2,000	(2,000)	80,000
Interest expense	0	0	(2,000)	0
Interest income	18,000	23,000	33,000	52,000
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	(1,450,000)	(1,238,000)	(2,046,000)	50,000
Intersegment eliminations | External Customer
Revenues:
Total revenues			0
Oil and natural gas
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	4,144,000	3,686,000	9,274,000	8,912,000
Total revenues	4,144,000	3,686,000	9,274,000	8,912,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	1,342,000	718,000	2,800,000	1,514,000
Asset Impairment Charges
Impairment of assets	1,677,000	0	1,677,000	0
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	(1,205,000)	701,000	(324,000)	2,687,000
Contract drilling
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	1,070,000	1,501,000	2,063,000	3,449,000
Total revenues	1,070,000	1,501,000	2,063,000	3,449,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	50,000	43,000	102,000	86,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	(367,000)	57,000	(595,000)	105,000
Land investment
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	500,000	0	500,000	265,000
Total revenues	500,000	0	500,000	265,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	500,000	0	500,000	265,000
Other
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	42,000	29,000	59,000	72,000
Total revenues	60,000	52,000	92,000	124,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	0	0	1,000	1,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	42,000	29,000	58,000	71,000
Gain on sale of asset
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 551,000