SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Intersegment sales or transfers	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Revenues:
Total before interest income	6,768,000	7,163,000	13,291,000	15,653,000
Interest income	1,000	3,000	29,000	15,000
Total revenues	6,769,000	7,166,000	13,320,000	15,668,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	2,332,000	2,806,000	5,011,000	5,715,000
Reduction of carrying value of assets:
Total reduction of carrying value of assets	2,179,000	1,854,000	4,506,000	1,854,000
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating (loss) profit	(1,445,000)	(749,000)	(2,529,000)	1,454,000
General and administrative expenses	(2,107,000)	(2,367,000)	(4,249,000)	(4,213,000)
Interest expense	(144,000)	(219,000)	(296,000)	(438,000)
Interest income	1,000	3,000	29,000	15,000
Loss before income taxes	(3,695,000)	(3,332,000)	(7,045,000)	(3,182,000)
Oil and natural gas
Revenues:
Total before interest income	5,605,000	6,408,000	11,245,000	14,197,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	2,195,000	2,649,000	4,730,000	5,402,000
Reduction of carrying value of assets:
Total reduction of carrying value of assets	2,179,000		4,506,000
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating (loss) profit	(1,818,000)	967,000	(3,033,000)	3,262,000
Land investment
Revenues:
Total before interest income	282,000	353,000	282,000	353,000
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating (loss) profit	282,000	353,000	282,000	353,000
Contract drilling
Revenues:
Total before interest income	703,000	281,000	1,420,000	706,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	108,000	128,000	223,000	257,000
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating (loss) profit	(58,000)	(307,000)	(64,000)	(648,000)
Residential real estate
Reduction of carrying value of assets:
Total reduction of carrying value of assets		1,854,000		1,854,000
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating (loss) profit		(1,854,000)		(1,854,000)
Other
Revenues:
Total before interest income	178,000	121,000	344,000	397,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	29,000	29,000	58,000	56,000
Operating (loss) profit (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating (loss) profit	$ 149,000	$ 92,000	$ 286,000	$ 341,000