Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Segment	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments			2
Segment Reporting Information, Results of operations [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 8,582	$ 7,639	$ 24,376	$ 24,496
Total operating expenses	6,886	6,933	26,096	21,839
Total interest expense	68	51	222	121
Operating income (loss) from identified segments	359	(2,709)	(5,683)	(4,412)
General and administrative expenses	(1,337)	(3,415)	(3,963)	(7,069)
Add back Interest expenses	68	51	222	121
Other revenues and expenses:	(1,065)	(446)	(786)	1,048
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	(706)	(3,155)	(6,469)	(3,364)
Depreciation depletion and amortization expense [Abstract]
Total depreciation expense	3,272	3,562	10,086	11,542
Assets by segment [Abstract]
Total Assets	125,356		125,356		140,827
Oil and Gas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Results of operations [Abstract]
Total revenues	8,582	7,639	24,376	24,496
Total operating expenses	6,082	5,924	23,948	19,569
Total interest expense	65	45	213	103
Operating income (loss) from identified segments	2,435	1,670	215	4,824
Add back Interest expenses	65	45	213	103
Depreciation depletion and amortization expense [Abstract]
Total depreciation expense	3,205	3,410	9,879	11,081
Assets by segment [Abstract]
Total Assets	93,710		93,710		93,839
Mineral properties [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Results of operations [Abstract]
Total operating expenses	804	1,009	2,148	2,270
Total interest expense	3	6	9	18
Operating income (loss) from identified segments	(807)	(1,015)	(2,157)	(2,288)
Add back Interest expenses	3	6	9	18
Depreciation depletion and amortization expense [Abstract]
Total depreciation expense	31	31	95	95
Assets by segment [Abstract]
Total Assets	20,746		20,746		20,747
Corporate [Member]
Depreciation depletion and amortization expense [Abstract]
Total depreciation expense	36	121	112	366
Assets by segment [Abstract]
Total Assets	10,900		10,900		26,241
Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Results of operations [Abstract]
Operating income (loss) from identified segments	$ 1,628	$ 655	$ (1,942)	$ 2,536