SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:
Total before interest income	$ 6,802,000	$ 5,179,000	$ 21,874,000	$ 18,470,000
Interest income	8,000	3,000	18,000	32,000
Total revenues	6,810,000	5,182,000	21,892,000	18,502,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	1,296,000	1,372,000	5,364,000	6,383,000
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)	2,127,000	1,034,000	6,067,000	(1,495,000)
Equity in loss of affiliates:
Equity in loss of affiliates	(113,000)		(376,000)
General and administrative expenses	(1,844,000)	(2,105,000)	(6,049,000)	(6,354,000)
Interest expense	(165,000)	(146,000)	(520,000)	(442,000)
Interest income	8,000	3,000	18,000	32,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	13,000	(1,214,000)	(860,000)	(8,259,000)
Assets By Segment:
Assets	56,356,000		56,356,000		62,714,000
Intersegment elimination
Revenues:
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets By Segment:
Assets	10,255,000		10,255,000		7,828,000
Restricted cash
Assets By Segment:
Assets	1,892,000		1,892,000
Oil and natural gas
Revenues:
Total before interest income	4,619,000	4,774,000	16,343,000	16,019,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	1,187,000	1,253,000	5,043,000	5,983,000
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)	1,321,000	1,115,000	4,526,000	(1,918,000)
Assets By Segment:
Assets	26,244,000		26,244,000		40,559,000
Land investment
Revenues:
Total before interest income	258,000		378,000	282,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating profit (loss)	258,000		378,000	282,000
Equity in loss of affiliates:
Equity in loss of affiliates	(113,000)		(376,000)
Assets By Segment:
Assets	7,145,000		7,145,000		2,381,000
Contract drilling
Revenues:
Total before interest income	1,548,000	248,000	4,475,000	1,668,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	79,000	91,000	235,000	314,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating profit (loss)	201,000	(210,000)	571,000	(274,000)
Assets By Segment:
Assets	2,088,000		2,088,000		2,905,000
Residential real estate
Assets By Segment:
Assets	5,448,000		5,448,000		5,448,000
Other
Revenues:
Total before interest income	377,000	157,000	678,000	501,000
Depletion, depreciation, and amortization:
Total depletion, depreciation, and amortization	30,000	28,000	86,000	86,000
Operating profit (loss) (before general and administrative expenses):
Total operating profit (loss)	347,000	129,000	592,000	415,000
Corporate and other
Assets By Segment:
Assets	$ 3,284,000		$ 3,284,000		$ 3,593,000