OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Individually insignificant acreage	Dec. 31, 2012 Individually insignificant acreage
Impairment and abandonment expenses
Impairment and abandonment of unproved properties	$ 817,738	$ 676,474	$ 800,000	$ 700,000
Impairment and abandonment of proved properties	$ 0	$ 0