SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Intersegment sales or transfers	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Revenues:
Total before interest income	5,179,000	12,352,000	18,470,000	28,005,000
Interest income	3,000	6,000	32,000	21,000
Total revenues	5,182,000	12,358,000	18,502,000	28,026,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	1,372,000	2,456,000	6,383,000	8,171,000
Reduction of carrying value of assets:
Total reduction of carrying value of assets			4,506,000	1,854,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating profit (loss)	1,034,000	408,000	(1,495,000)	1,862,000
General and administrative expenses	(2,105,000)	(1,877,000)	(6,354,000)	(6,090,000)
Interest expense	(146,000)	(200,000)	(442,000)	(638,000)
Interest income	3,000	6,000	32,000	21,000
Loss before income taxes	(1,214,000)	(1,663,000)	(8,259,000)	(4,845,000)
Oil and natural gas
Revenues:
Total before interest income	4,774,000	4,940,000	16,019,000	19,137,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	1,253,000	2,299,000	5,983,000	7,701,000
Reduction of carrying value of assets:
Total reduction of carrying value of assets			4,506,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating profit (loss)	1,115,000	199,000	(1,918,000)	3,461,000
Land investment
Revenues:
Total before interest income		129,000	282,000	482,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating profit (loss)		129,000	282,000	482,000
Contract drilling
Revenues:
Total before interest income	248,000	1,212,000	1,668,000	1,918,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	91,000	128,000	314,000	385,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating profit (loss)	(210,000)	28,000	(274,000)	(620,000)
Residential real estate
Revenues:
Total before interest income		5,975,000		5,975,000
Reduction of carrying value of assets:
Total reduction of carrying value of assets				1,854,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating profit (loss)		(15,000)		(1,869,000)
Other
Revenues:
Total before interest income	157,000	96,000	501,000	493,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	28,000	29,000	86,000	85,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating profit (loss)	$ 129,000	$ 67,000	$ 415,000	$ 408,000