Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ROYALE ENERGY INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	10,762,099
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000864839
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2