DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Effect of derivative contracts on Consolidated Statements of Operations
Realized (loss) gain	$ (62,944)	$ 1,373,863
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments	(1,882,990)	(525,633)
Crude oil contract
Effect of derivative contracts on Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments	(809,413)	(1,532,130)
Crude oil contract | Crude oil sales
Effect of derivative contracts on Consolidated Statements of Operations
Realized (loss) gain	(207,269)	(161,597)
Natural gas reserves contract
Effect of derivative contracts on Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments	(1,073,577)	1,006,497
Natural gas reserves contract | Natural gas reserves sales
Effect of derivative contracts on Consolidated Statements of Operations
Realized (loss) gain	$ 144,325	$ 1,535,460