Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Segment	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments			2
Segment Reporting Information, Results of operations [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 7,915	$ 8,522	$ 15,794	$ 16,857
Total operating expenses	6,478	7,753	19,210	14,906
Total interest expense	72	34	172	70
Operating income (loss) from identified segments	118	(991)	(6,042)	(1,703)
General and administrative expenses	(1,319)	(1,760)	(2,626)	(3,654)
Add back Interest expenses	72	34	172	70
Other revenues and expenses:	249	1,615	279	1,494
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	367	624	(5,763)	(209)
Depreciation depletion and amortization expense [Abstract]
Total depreciation expense	3,282	4,182	6,814	7,980
Assets by segment [Abstract]
Total Assets	135,616		135,616		140,827
Oil and Gas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Results of operations [Abstract]
Total revenues	7,915	8,522	15,794	16,857
Total operating expenses	5,778	7,111	17,866	13,645
Total interest expense	72	28	148	58
Operating income (loss) from identified segments	2,065	1,383	(2,220)	3,154
Add back Interest expenses	72	28	148	58
Depreciation depletion and amortization expense [Abstract]
Total depreciation expense	3,213	4,030	6,674	7,671
Assets by segment [Abstract]
Total Assets	90,400		90,400		93,839
Mineral properties [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Results of operations [Abstract]
Total operating expenses	700	642	1,344	1,261
Total interest expense	0	6	24	12
Operating income (loss) from identified segments	(700)	(648)	(1,368)	(1,273)
Add back Interest expenses	0	6	24	12
Depreciation depletion and amortization expense [Abstract]
Total depreciation expense	32	32	64	64
Assets by segment [Abstract]
Total Assets	20,746		20,746		20,747
Corporate [Member]
Depreciation depletion and amortization expense [Abstract]
Total depreciation expense	37	120	76	245
Assets by segment [Abstract]
Total Assets	24,313		24,313		26,241
Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Results of operations [Abstract]
Operating income (loss) from identified segments	$ 1,365	$ 735	$ (3,588)	$ 1,881