Note 13 - Segment Information (Detail) - Segment Reporting Information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Oil and gas revenues	$ 394
Oil and gas expenses	(49)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(4,453)	(4,331)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	(469)	(286)
Interest and other income - related party	1,917	528
Interest and other income	37	50
Income tax benefit	80	573
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations	(2,543)	(3,466)
Capital Expenditures	3,047	596
Total Assets	73,977	78,198
HKN [Member]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(2,989)	(3,372)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	(41)	(58)
Interest and other income - related party	2,220	685
Interest and other income	39	50
Income tax benefit	80	573
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations	(691)	(2,122)
Capital Expenditures	70	20
Total Assets	65,183	69,382
BWI [Member]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(1,372)	(959)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	(216)	(228)
Interest and other expenses	(303)	(157)
Interest and other income	(2)
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations	(1,893)	(1,344)
Capital Expenditures	1,098	576
Total Assets	4,670	8,816
Gerrity Oil, LLC [Member]
Oil and gas revenues	394
Oil and gas expenses	(49)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(92)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	(212)
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations	41
Capital Expenditures	1,879
Total Assets	4,124
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Interest and other expenses	303	157
Interest and other income - related party	$ (303)	$ (157)