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INVESTMENT IN STANDARD STEAM TRUST, LLC (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]      
Equity gain (loss) in unconsolidated investment $ 0us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments $ (104,000)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments $ (359,000)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Impairment of equity investment 0us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment 2,160,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment 0us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment
Standard Steam Trust LLC [Member]      
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]      
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)   19.54%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= useg_StandardSteamTrustLlcMember
 
Equity gain (loss) in unconsolidated investment   (104,000)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= useg_StandardSteamTrustLlcMember
 
Impairment of equity investment   $ 2,200,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= useg_StandardSteamTrustLlcMember