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 Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share) Award Type [Axis] Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Accounts receivable: Accounts Receivable, Net, Current [Abstract] Less accumulated depletion and depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Dilutive or potentially dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent Total assets Assets CURRENT ASSETS: Assets, Current [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Total current assets Assets, Current Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of the period CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of the period Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Certificates of deposit Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (in shares) Outstanding, September 30, 2014 (in shares) Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Warrants exercise price (in dollars per share) Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items] Class of Warrant or Right [Table] Commitments Commitments [Abstract] Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, $.01 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 9,052,378 and 8,993,336 shares issued, respectively, and 8,125,378 and 8,066,336 outstanding, respectively. Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Costs Incurred in Oil and Gas Property Acquisition, Exploration, and Development Activities [Table] Drilling cost Costs Incurred, Oil and Gas Property Acquisition, Exploration, and Development Activities Net cost of well development Costs Incurred, Development Costs COSTS AND EXPENSES: Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Total costs and expenses Costs and Expenses Costs Incurred, Oil and Gas Property Acquisition, Exploration, and Development Activities [Line Items] INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) - CURRENT Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Long-Term Debt [Abstract] INCOME TAX EXPENSE - DEFERRED Deferred income tax expense Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income tax asset-current Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current DEFERRED INCOME TAXES Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Depletion and depreciation Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Table] Commodity Derivatives [Abstract] Commodity Derivatives Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Fair value of open commodity derivatives [Abstract] Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract] Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Net, Total Unrealized loss on commodity derivatives Warrant dividend record date Dividends Payable, Date of Record Earnings per share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] BASIC (in dollars per share) Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic DILUTED (in dollars per share) Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted EARNINGS PER SHARE: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Stock Option [Member] Remaining future expense related to stock grant Exploration expense Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives Unrealized (gain)/loss on commodity derivatives Gain (Loss) on Sale of Derivatives Realized loss on commodity derivative Realized loss on commodity derivatives Gain (Loss) on Sale of Commodity Contracts Gain on sale of oil and natural gas properties Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Oil and Gas Property General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Domain] UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract] INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] TOTAL INCOME TAX PROVISION Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts payable and accrued expenses Changes in current assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Other Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Income taxes receivable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Weighted average dilutive effect of stock warrants (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Call Options and Warrants Interest expense Interest Expense Cash paid during the period for interest Interest Paid Interest income Investment Income, Interest Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity CURRENT LIABILITIES: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Total liabilities Liabilities LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Amount outstanding under line of credit Borrowing base of loan agreement Long-Term Debt Long-term Debt [Text Block] LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] NET INCOME Net income Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements [Text Block] Total other expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Non-designated [Member] Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Oil and natural gas properties (successful efforts method) Oil and Gas Property, Successful Effort Method, Gross Production expense Oil and Gas Production Expense Oil and natural gas sales Oil and Gas Sales Revenue Oil and Natural Gas Properties [Abstract] Oil and gas revenues payable Oil and Gas Sales Payable, Current Oil and Natural Gas Properties Oil and Gas Properties [Text Block] OPERATING INCOME Operating Income (Loss) Nature of Business, Organization and Basis of Preparation and Presentation [Abstract] Nature of Business, Organization and Basis of Preparation and Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Other Income (Expense) [Member] Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member] Miscellaneous Cash paid during the period for income taxes Payments for Other Taxes Additions to oil and natural gas properties and other equipment Payments to Acquire Oil and Gas Property Prepaid income taxes Prepaid Taxes Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current President [Member] President [Member] Proceeds received from the exercise of warrants Proceeds from Warrant Exercises Proceeds from long term debt Proceeds from sale of oil and natural gas properties Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Gas Property and Equipment Other equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Other, Gross PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Net property and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Petroleum engineering services amount paid Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Axis] Leases rent expense paid to president Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party Related Party [Domain] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total revenue Revenues REVENUE: Revenues [Abstract] Shares vesting (in shares) Change in Fair Value of Commodity Derivatives Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block] Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Warrants Outstanding Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Warrants or Rights [Table Text Block] Geographical [Domain] Service period Stock compensation expense Expense related to shares Vesting period Shares authorized (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Vested at Six Month [Member] Vested at Eighteen Month [Member] Vested at Twelve Month [Member] Equity Award [Domain] Geographical [Axis] UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [Abstract] UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract] Fair value of stock granted Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events [Abstract] SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Title of Individual [Axis] Relationship to Entity [Domain] Treasury stock, shares (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury stock, 927,000 shares, each period, at cost Treasury Stock, Value Vesting [Axis] Vesting [Domain] Stock Warrant [Member] Warrant [Member] WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] BASIC (in shares) Weighted average common stock outstanding (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic DILUTED (in shares) Dilutive weighted average shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted President and senior executive officer responsible for overseeing the financial activities of the entity. President and Chief Financial Officer [Member] Phillip Roberson [Member] Refers number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on seventh anniversary date. Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on seventh anniversary date Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on seventh anniversary date (in shares) Refers number of shares will be received and vested at six month anniversary date. Number of shares will be received and vested at six month anniversary date Number of shares will be received and vested at six month anniversary date (in shares) Refers number of shares will be received and vested at eighteen month anniversary date. Number of shares will be received and vested at eighteen month anniversary date Number of shares will be received and vested at eighteen month anniversary date (in shares) Number of shares of common stock immediately received and vested by President and CFO. Number of shares immediately received and vested Number of shares immediately received and vested (in shares) Refers number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on fifth anniversary date. Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on fifth anniversary date Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on fifth anniversary date (in shares) This refers to the lease period for office space. Lease period for office space Lease period for office space Refers number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on each annual anniversary date thereafter. Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on each annual anniversary date thereafter Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on each annual anniversary date thereafter (in shares) Monthly rental expense incurred for leased assets including furniture and equipment. Monthly rent expense Monthly rent expense Refers number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on third anniversary date. Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on third anniversary date Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on third anniversary date (in shares) The period of term under the employment agreement with the President and Chief Financial Officer. Term of Employment Agreement Term of employment agreement Refers number of shares will be received and vested at twenty four month anniversary date. Number of shares will be received and vested at twenty four month anniversary date Number of shares will be received and vested at twenty four month anniversary date (in hundredths) The base salary of the President and Chief Financial Officer related to the computation of the maximum bonus award for any year under the Bonus Program. Base Salary Of President And Chief Financial Officer Base salary of president and chief financial officer Refers number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on sixth anniversary date. Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on sixth anniversary date Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on sixth anniversary date (in shares) Refers number of shares of common stock entitles to receive by President and CFO as signing bonus. Number of shares of common stock entitles to receive by President and CFO as signing bonus Number of shares of common stock entitles to receive by President and CFO as signing bonus (in shares) Refers number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on fourth anniversary date. Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on fourth anniversary date Number of shares entitled to receive as annual compensation on fourth anniversary date (in shares) Refers number of shares will be received and vested at twelve month anniversary date. Number of shares will be received and vested at twelve month anniversary date Number of shares will be received and vested at twelve month anniversary date (in shares) Revenue from well operational and pumping fees. Well Operational And Pumping Fees Revenue Well operational and pumping fees Revenue from disposal fees. Disposal Fees Revenue Disposal fees Well site in Lee County Ranger 11A-1H [Member] Well sites in Lee County Ranger 8A-2H and Ranger 8A3-3H [Member] The entity percentage of working interest in oil and natural gas properties. Percentage of working interest in oil and natural gas properties Percentage of working interest in well (in hundredths) Number of net Taylor sand wells in the Serbin Field assigned to Riley Exploration Group, LLC ("Riley") under exploration agreement. Number of wells assigned under exploration agreement Number of wells received in exchange in the same field under exploration agreement. Number of wells received in exchange under exploration agreement Area assigned to Riley under exploration agreement. Area assigned under exploration agreement Refers area received in exchange under exploration agreement. Area received in exchange under exploration agreement The entity percentage of net revenue interest in oil and gas properties. Percentage of net revenue interest in oil and gas properties Percentage of net revenue interest in well (in hundredths) Expenses recognized resulting from transactions leases rent expense paid for a month. Leases rent expense paid for a month Refers to company paid a relative of a Board member for petroleum engineering services. Relative to Board member [Member] The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amounts payable to vendors for oil and gas revenues received and the amount of obligations and expenses incurred but not paid. Increase Decrease In Oil And Gas Revenues Payable Oil and gas revenues payable The amount of capital items in accounts payable during the period. Capital Items in Accounts Payable Capital items in accounts payable Earnings per share basic diluted and other disclosures. Earnings Per Share Basic Diluted and Other Disclosures [Abstract] Schedule of earnings per share, basic and diluted [Abstract] Line item in the statement of financial position in which the fair value amounts of the derivative instruments are included. Current Liabilities [Member] The amount due within one year from customers for the credit sale of oil and natural gas. Oil And Natural Gas Sales Receivable Oil and natural gas sales The amount due within one year from customers for joint interest billings, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Joint Interest Billings Receivable Joint interest billings, less allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $174,000 each period Allowance for doubtful accounts of joint interest billings. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts of Joint Interest Billings Allowance for doubtful accounts of joint interest billings The maximum recall rate (in dollars per share) of warrants issued during the period. Warrants Recall Rate Maximum Warrants recall rate, maximum (in dollars per share) Number of warrants issued. Warrants issued Warrants issued (in shares) Warrants Outstanding [Abstract] Warrants Outstanding [Roll forward] Warrants, Weighted Average Expected Life [Abstract] Weighted Average Expected Life [Abstract] Number of warrants expired during the period. Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Warrants Expirations In Period Expired (in shares) Number of warrants issued during the period. Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Warrants Issued Issued (in shares) Weighted average expected life of warrant or right, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Class Of Warrant Or Right, Weighted Average Expected Life Weighted average expected life Stock warrant dividend description for each common share outstanding. Stock Warrant Dividend Rate Stock warrant dividend rate The recall rate of warrants issued during the period. Warrants Recall Rate Warrants recall rate (in hundredths) Warrants, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Weighted average exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights expired during the period. Class Of Warrant Or Right, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Expired (in dollars per share) Weighted average exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights outstanding. Class Of Warrant Or Right, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (in dollars per share) Outstanding, September 30, 2014 (in dollars per share) Weighted average exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights issued during the period. Class Of Warrant Or Right, Issued During Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Issued (in dollars per share) Weighted average exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights exercised during the period. Class Of Warrant Or Right, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised (in dollars per share) The number of warrants exercised during the period. Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Warrants Exercised During Period Exercised (in shares) The exercise duration period of warrants. Warrants Exercise Period Warrants exercise period Fourth portion of share-based compensation award differentiated by a particular vesting feature, including, but not limited to, performance measure or service period. share Based Compensation Award Tranche Four [Member] Vested at Twenty Four Month [Member] Document and Entity Information [Abstract]