Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Award Type [Axis] Accounts payable Accrued expenses Accrued legal fees Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Additional paid-in capital Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations: Stock-based compensation Stock compensation amortized expense Share-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expense Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Weighted average shares excluded from diluted earning per share calculation (in shares) Accretion of asset retirement obligation Reserve for plugging and abandonment costs TOTAL ASSETS Assets CURRENT ASSETS ASSETS Assets [Abstract] TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS Assets, Current Cash, end of period Cash, beginning of period Cash Decrease in cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Current insured limit on interest bearing accounts Cash deposits in excess of the FDIC's current insured limit COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common stock, $0.001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 52,169,945 shares issued and outstanding Common stock, issued (in shares) Common stock, authorized (in shares) Common stock, outstanding (in shares) Concentration of Credit Risk Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block] Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cost incurred in development of oil and gas properties Depreciation and depletion Depreciation and depletion Director [Member] STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE [Abstract] Basic and diluted loss per common share (in dollars per share) Loss per Common Share Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Loss per Share [Abstract] Effective tax rate for US purposes (in hundredths) Options [Member] Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock Weighted average period for recognition of compensation expense Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Escrow receivable - Current Escrow receivable Escrow Deposit General and administrative expense General and administrative expense [Member] Long Lived Assets, Net [Abstract] Revenues [Abstract] Impairment of oil and gas properties Impairment of oil and gas properties CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract] Income Statement Location [Axis] Net loss before taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest TAXES [Abstract] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Taxes paid Decrease in accrued legal fees Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Preparation and evaluation costs Decrease in insurance receivable Increase (Decrease) in Insurance Settlements Receivable Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense Insurance claim receivable Insurance claim receivable Increase in insurance receivable Insurance Settlements Receivable Interest paid Interest income Lease expiration date Lease operating expense and severance tax Lease Commitment [Abstract] TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES Liabilities, Current TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL LIABILITIES Liabilities LONG-TERM LIABILITIES LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Litigation Case [Domain] Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation settlement payable Litigation settlement payable recorded as contingent liability Litigation settlement payable Administrative penalty payments Litigation settlement payable Loss Contingencies [Table] Contingent liability Loss Contingency, Accrual, Current Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Contingent liability Loss Contingency, Loss in Period Additional class action lawsuits Office equipment Net loss Net loss CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Recent Accounting Pronouncements Total other income Nonoperating Income (Expense) OTHER INCOME Number of geographical areas Officer [Member] Revenues OIL AND GAS REVENUE Oil and gas properties - full cost method OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES [Abstract] OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES Oil and Gas Properties [Text Block] Future payments under lease agreement [Abstract] EXPENSES OF OPERATIONS Total operating expenses Operating Expenses 2017 Total rental expense 2016 Loss from operations Operating Income (Loss) 2015 Total Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Other assets Payments for the acquisition and development of oil and gas properties Payments to Explore and Develop Oil and Gas Properties Prepaid expenses and other current assets PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Long Lived Assets, Net PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Escrow receivables relating to oil and gas properties [Abstract] Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract] Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items] Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] Concentration of Credit Risk [Abstract] Exercisable at end of the period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Weighted average remaining contractual term of the exercisable options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Weighted average remaining contractual term of the outstanding options Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Summary of stock option activity and related information Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule of Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Table] Future payments under lease agreement Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block] Revenues and long lived assets attributable to geographical area Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Share-based compensation expense Escrow receivables relating to oil and gas properties Schedule of Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Geographical [Domain] Weighted-Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward] Restricted stock granted to officers (in shares) Granted (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Forfeited (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based compensation expense [Abstract] Share-based Compensation [Abstract] Vesting period of restricted stock award granted to officers Stock options to purchase shares of common stock (in shares) Granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Exercised (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Stock options granted, exercisable price (in dollar per share) Exercisable at end of the period (in dollars per share) Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Exercisable at end of the period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Shares available for issuance (in shares) Outstanding at beginning of the period (in dollars per share) Outstanding at end of the period (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at beginning of the period (in shares) Outstanding at end of the period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Outstanding at end of the period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Options [Roll Forward] Award Type [Domain] Geographical [Axis] CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) [Abstract] CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) [Abstract] Exercised (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Stock options grant date value SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Subsequent Events [Text Block] SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Abstract] Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Events Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Title of Individual [Axis] Relationship to Entity [Domain] Accounting Principles and Use of Estimates Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares) Colombia [Member] COLOMBIA United States [Member] UNITED STATES The capitalized cost incurred during period which is not subject to amortization. Development costs not subject to amortization The capitalized cost incurred during period which is subject to amortization. Development costs subject to amortization Capitalized leasehold cost incurred during period related to oil and gas properties. Leasehold costs on U.S. properties The capitalized cost incurred during period attributable to preparation and evaluation cost. Capitalized cost attributable to preparation and evaluation cost Revenues and Long Lived Assets by Geographical Area [Abstract] Revenues and long lived assets by geographical area [Abstract] The capitalized cost incurred during period attributable to drilling cost. Capitalized cost attributable to drilling cost The net amount paid or received by the reporting entity associated with purchase (sale or collection) of loans receivable arising from the financing of goods and services. Payments For Proceeds From Escrow Receivable Proceeds from receipt of escrow receivables First or second ranking officer of the entity that may be appointed by the board of directors, in addition, the chief executive officer (CEO) may also be the chairman of the board or president. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Member [Member] John Boylan [Member] Minimum aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of equity securities to be received by company under vesting condition. Minimum aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of equity securities under vesting condition Minimum aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of equity securities under vesting condition Expenditures for base salaries of chairman, president and chief executive officer. Annual base salary of chairman, president and chief executive officer Annual base salary of chairman, president and chief executive officer Percentage of vesting awards on first anniversary from the date of grant. Percentage of vesting awards period three Percentage of vesting awards on first anniversary (in hundredths) Term of the stock option grant during the period. Term of stock option grant Stock options term Percentage of vesting awards on nine months from date of grant. Percentage Of Vesting Awards Period Two Percentage of vesting awards on nine months from date of grant (in hundredths) Percentage of vesting awards on third anniversary from the date of grant. Percentage of vesting awards period five Percentage of vesting awards on third anniversary (in hundredths) Minimum aggregate purchase price of oil and gas properties to acquired by company under vesting condition. Minimum aggregate purchase price of oil and gas properties under vesting condition Minimum aggregate purchase price of oil and gas properties under vesting condition Percentage of vesting awards on date of grant. Percentage Of Vesting Awards Period One Percentage of vesting awards on date of grant (in hundredths) Percentage of vesting awards on second anniversary from the date of grant. Percentage of vesting awards period four Percentage of vesting awards on second anniversary (in hundredths) ESCROW RECEIVABLE [Abstract] Entire disclosure of amount due from customers or clients related to deposits made for purchase and sale of oil and gas properties. ESCROW RECEIVABLE [Text Block] ESCROW RECEIVABLE Percentage of purchase or sale price of assets deposits to customer and client. Escrow Deposits, Percentage Escrow receivables, percentage (in hundredths) Escrow deposits related to purchase and sale of entity assets to customer and clients. HC LLC 5% Contingency [Member] HC LLC 5% Contingency [Member] Escrow deposits related to contingency due from customer and clients. Hdc Llc And Hl Llc Contingency [Member] HDC LLC & HL LLC 5% Contingency [Member] Escrow deposits related to purchase and sale of entity assets to customer and clients. Tambaqui Escrow [Member] Escrow deposits related to purchase and sale of entity assets to customer and clients. HDC LLC and HL LLC Fifteen Percent Escrow [Member] HDC LLC and HL LLC 15% Escrow [Member] The fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan). Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instrument Other Than Options Grant Date Fair Value Fair market value of the shares on date of grant Option Activity [Abstract] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Intrinsic Value [Abstract] Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract] Refers to non-employee directors. Non Employee Directors [Member] Non-employee directors [Member] Refers to person serving for the entity. Employee [Member] Acquisition, evaluation, retention, drilling and completion cost capitalized on oil and gas properties subject to amortization. Costs subject to amortization Acquisition, evaluation and retention cost capitalized on oil and gas properties not subject to amortization. Costs not being amortized Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Effect of share based compensation expense on earning per share basic and diluted. Earnings per share effect of share based compensation expense basic and diluted Earnings per share effect of share-based compensation expense - basic and diluted (in dollars per share) Legal Contingencies [Abstract] Refers to amount of penalty paid by chief executive officer. Amount of Penalty Paid by Chief Executive Officer Represents the information about SEC Administrative Proceeding. SEC Administrative Proceeding [Member] Represents the information about shareholder class action suit. Silverman Shareholder Class Action Suit [Member]