CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,316,000	$ 8,845,000
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of: $44,000 at March 31, 2013; $45,000 at September 30, 2012	4,363,000	3,600,000
Prepaid expenses	496,000	361,000
Real estate held for sale	5,448,000	5,309,000
Other current assets	649,000	770,000
Total current assets	19,272,000	18,885,000
Investments	2,381,000	2,381,000
Property and equipment	252,009,000	256,153,000
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization	(210,580,000)	(207,529,000)
Property and equipment, net	41,429,000	48,624,000
Total assets	63,082,000	69,890,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	2,965,000	2,680,000
Accrued capital expenditures	1,757,000	341,000
Accrued incentive and other compensation	1,469,000	1,593,000
Payable to joint interest owners	682,000	854,000
Income taxes payable	78,000
Current portion of long-term debt	4,903,000	5,764,000
Other current liabilities	3,381,000	3,083,000
Total current liabilities	15,235,000	14,315,000
Long-term debt	12,000,000	11,400,000
Liability for retirement benefits	5,039,000	5,114,000
Asset retirement obligation	5,554,000	5,629,000
Deferred income taxes	1,563,000	3,307,000
Total liabilities	39,391,000	39,765,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.50 per share; authorized, 20,000,000 shares: 8,445,060 issued at March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2012	4,223,000	4,223,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,289,000	1,289,000
Retained earnings	18,405,000	24,095,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	1,482,000	2,322,000
Treasury stock, at cost: 167,900 shares at March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2012	(2,286,000)	(2,286,000)
Total stockholders' equity	23,113,000	29,643,000
Non-controlling interests	578,000	482,000
Total equity	23,691,000	30,125,000
Total liabilities and equity	$ 63,082,000	$ 69,890,000