CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (8,672,000)	$ (10,962,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization	8,542,000	10,990,000
Reduction of carrying value of assets	4,506,000	6,647,000
Retirement benefits expense	617,000	728,000
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	499,000	363,000
Gain on sale of drilling equipment		(40,000)
Deferred income tax benefit	(1,460,000)	(1,297,000)
Asset retirement obligation payments	(222,000)	(324,000)
Share-based compensation benefit	(73,000)	(103,000)
Retirement plan contributions	(606,000)	(676,000)
Sale of interest in leasehold land, net	(282,000)	(482,000)
Real estate held for sale	(139,000)	5,477,000
Increase from changes in current assets and liabilities	481,000	1,145,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,191,000	11,466,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of interest in leasehold land, net of fees paid	282,000	482,000
Proceeds from gas over bitumen royalty adjustments	62,000	61,000
Proceeds from sale of drilling equipment, net		59,000
Capital expenditures	(4,122,000)	(6,879,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,778,000)	(6,277,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings	503,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,020,000)	(6,550,000)
Contributions from non-controlling interests	198,000	370,000
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(29,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(319,000)	(6,209,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(111,000)	31,000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,017,000)	(989,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	8,845,000	9,834,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 7,828,000	$ 8,845,000