CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 205,000	$ 4,297,000
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	10,127,000	9,302,000
Reduction of carrying value of assets	1,228,000	2,149,000
Retirement benefits expense	718,000	802,000
Deferred income tax expense	675,000	978,000
Share-based compensation expense	404,000	72,000
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	341,000	312,000
Asset retirement obligation payments	(36,000)	(182,000)
Foreign exchange gain	(119,000)
Share-based compensation payments	(130,000)
Retirement plan contributions	(256,000)	(255,000)
Sale of interest in leasehold land, net	(1,245,000)	(3,347,000)
Sale of development rights, net	(2,497,000)	(2,497,000)
Additions to real estate held for sale		(44,000)
Increase (decrease) from changes in current assets and liabilities	3,848,000	(4,119,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	13,263,000	7,468,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of development rights, net of fees paid	2,497,000	2,497,000
Proceeds from sale of interest in leasehold land, net of fees paid	1,245,000	3,347,000
Proceeds from gas over bitumen royalty adjustments	98,000	124,000
Proceeds from sale of oil and natural gas properties		853,000
Return of capital distribution from joint venture		45,000
Capital expenditures	(15,313,000)	(5,055,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(11,473,000)	1,811,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(2,286,000)	(5,000,000)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	400,000	881,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		59,000
Payment of loan commitment fees	(63,000)	(104,000)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(740,000)	(1,247,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,689,000)	(5,411,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	59,000	(73,000)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(840,000)	3,795,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	10,674,000	6,879,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 9,834,000	$ 10,674,000