CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Oil and natural gas	$ 5,640,000	$ 7,789,000
Contract drilling	717,000	425,000
Gas processing and other	194,000	288,000
Total revenues	6,551,000	8,502,000
Costs and expenses:
Oil and natural gas operating	1,993,000	2,741,000
Contract drilling operating	608,000	637,000
General and administrative	2,142,000	1,846,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	2,679,000	2,909,000
Reduction of carrying value of assets	2,327,000
Interest expense	152,000	219,000
Total costs and expenses	9,901,000	8,352,000
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	(3,350,000)	150,000
Income tax (benefit) provision	(564,000)	490,000
Net loss	(2,786,000)	(340,000)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(40,000)	(58,000)
Net loss attributable to Barnwell Industries, Inc.	$ (2,746,000)	$ (282,000)
Basic net loss per common share attributable to Barnwell Industries, Inc. stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.03)
Diluted net loss per common share attributable to Barnwell Industries, Inc. stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.03)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	8,277,160	8,277,160
Diluted (in shares)	8,277,160	8,277,160