Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts receivable:
Allowance for doubtful accounts of joint interest billings	$ 99,000	$ 99,000
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,910,175	8,910,175
Common stock, shares outstanding	7,997,175	8,077,175
Treasury stock, shares	913,000	833,000