CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) earnings	$ (5,070,000)	$ 980,000
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	8,171,000	7,334,000
Reduction of carrying value of assets	1,854,000	311,000
Retirement benefits expense	546,000	564,000
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	261,000	256,000
Foreign exchange gain		(119,000)
Share-based compensation payments		(130,000)
Gain on sale of drilling equipment	(40,000)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(18,000)	552,000
Asset retirement obligation payments	(313,000)	(36,000)
Share-based compensation (benefit) expense	(192,000)	972,000
Retirement plan contributions	(674,000)	(254,000)
Sale of interest in leasehold land, net	(482,000)	(1,245,000)
Sale of development rights, net		(2,497,000)
Real estate held for sale	5,578,000
Increase from changes in current assets and liabilities	1,009,000	7,166,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	10,630,000	13,854,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of development rights, net of fees paid		2,497,000
Proceeds from sale of interest in leasehold land, net of fees paid	482,000	1,245,000
Proceeds from sale of drilling equipment, net	59,000
Proceeds from gas over bitumen royalty adjustments	48,000	72,000
Capital expenditures - oil and natural gas	(5,170,000)	(7,377,000)
Capital expenditures - all other	(103,000)	(2,075,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,684,000)	(5,638,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(6,354,000)	(1,758,000)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	320,000	280,000
Payment of loan commitment fees		(63,000)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(29,000)	(740,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(6,063,000)	(2,281,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,000	160,000
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(115,000)	6,095,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,834,000	10,674,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 9,719,000	$ 16,769,000