Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Williston Exploration LLC [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Williston Exploration LLC [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Williston Exploration LLC [Member]	Slawson Exploration Company, LLC [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Slawson Exploration Company, LLC [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Slawson Exploration Company, LLC [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Non-controlling Interest In Subsidiary [Member]	Total
Balance at Jan. 31, 2011							$ 225	$ 159,788,323	$ (83,981,842)		$ 75,806,706
Balance, shares at Jan. 31, 2011							22,525,672				22,525,672
Common stock issued, value	4	3,134,201	3,134,205	10	8,646,143	8,646,153	190	142,312,310			142,312,500
Common stock issued, shares	433,500			1,004,199			18,975,000
Common stock offering costs								(7,569,527)			(7,569,527)
Exercise of stock options							1	110,650			110,651
Exercise of stock options, shares							82,501
Common stock issued pursuant to termination agreements								155,400			155,400
Common stock issued pursuant to termination agreements, shares							20,000
Vesting of restricted stock units							2	(2)
Vesting of restricted stock, shares							224,667
Stock-based compensation								5,472,977			5,472,977
Minority equity contribution in subsidiary										4,000,000	4,000,000
Net loss for the period									(9,309,984)	(28,936)	(9,338,920)
Balance at Oct. 31, 2011							$ 432	$ 312,050,475	$ (93,291,826)	$ 3,971,064	$ 222,730,145
Balance, shares at Oct. 31, 2011							43,265,539				43,265,539