SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - REPORTING SEGMENTS (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	$ 21,636,000	$ 25,182,000
Interest income	88,000	87,000
Total revenues	21,724,000	25,269,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	5,106,000	4,457,000
Impairment:
Impairment of assets	2,885,000	0
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	(687,000)	5,173,000
Equity in income of affiliates:
Equity in income of affiliates	1,071,000	758,000
General and administrative expenses	(5,598,000)	(6,956,000)
Foreign currency gain	10,000	76,000
Interest expense	(2,000)	(2,000)
Interest income	88,000	87,000
Loss before income taxes	(5,118,000)	(864,000)
Intersegment eliminations | External Customer
Revenues:
Total revenues	0	0
Oil and natural gas
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	17,396,000	19,376,000
Total revenues	17,396,000	19,376,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	4,947,000	4,269,000
Impairment:
Impairment of assets	2,885,000	0
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	(285,000)	4,673,000
Contract drilling
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	3,612,000	5,427,000
Total revenues	3,612,000	5,427,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	156,000	186,000
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	(1,027,000)	(428,000)
Land investment
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	500,000	265,000
Total revenues	500,000	265,000
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	500,000	265,000
Other
Revenues:
Revenue before interest income	128,000	114,000
Total revenues	216,000	201,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	3,000	2,000
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	125,000	112,000
Gain on sale of assets
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses)	$ 0	$ 551,000