PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
Liability for uncertain tax positions	$ 0
Deferred tax assets - noncurrent:
NOL carryover	2,109,423	$ 4,287,567
Stock based compensation	727,631	576,808
Asset retirement obligation	277,015	350,333
Charitable contribution	814
Total deferred tax assets	3,114,883	5,214,708
Deferred tax liabilities - current:
Property and equipment	(15,251)	(1,990)
Impairment, intangible drilling costs and other exploration costs capitalized	(935,482)	(1,796,102)
Debt discount - Beneficial conversion feature	(337,518)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(1,288,251)	(1,798,092)
Net deferred tax assets	1,826,632	3,416,616
Valuation allowance	$ (1,826,632)	$ (3,416,616)