CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (2,786,000)	$ (340,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	2,679,000	2,909,000
Reduction of carrying value of assets	2,327,000
Retirement benefits expense	154,000	182,000
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	96,000	86,000
Gain on sale of drilling equipment		(40,000)
Deferred income tax benefit	(1,122,000)	(68,000)
Asset retirement obligation payments	(17,000)	(109,000)
Share-based compensation benefit	(32,000)	(295,000)
Retirement plan contributions	(251,000)	(672,000)
Real estate held for sale	(122,000)
Increase from changes in current assets and liabilities	817,000	150,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,743,000	1,803,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from gas over bitumen royalty adjustments	8,000	15,000
Proceeds from sale of drilling equipment, net		59,000
Capital expenditures - oil and natural gas	(973,000)	(2,249,000)
Capital expenditures - all other	(2,000)	(6,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(967,000)	(2,181,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings	502,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(129,000)	(267,000)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	55,000	120,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	428,000	(147,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(22,000)	10,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,182,000	(515,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	8,845,000	9,834,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 10,027,000	$ 9,319,000