Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues [Abstract]
Oil and gas production	$ 21,163	$ 16,379
Other	33	14
Total revenue	21,196	16,393
Expenses (income) [Abstract]
Lease operating	6,462	5,934
Production taxes	1,927	1,496
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	6,509	4,838
General and administrative	2,530	1,901
Net interest	1,207	1,194
Amortization of deferred financing fees	333	30
Equity in gain of joint venture	0	(783)
Loss on derivative contracts	1,546	924
Other	87	42
Net income	595	817
Segment Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	258,161		240,607
U.S [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Oil and gas production	20,558	15,875
Other	0	0
Total revenue	20,558	15,875
Expenses (income) [Abstract]
Lease operating	5,804	5,709
Production taxes	1,927	1,496
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	6,214	4,558
General and administrative	475	326
Net interest	166	112
Amortization of deferred financing fees	0	0
Equity in gain of joint venture		0
Loss on derivative contracts	0	0
Other	0	0
Net income	5,972	3,674
Segment Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	237,480		223,253
Canada [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Oil and gas production	605	504
Other	0	0
Total revenue	605	504
Expenses (income) [Abstract]
Lease operating	658	225
Production taxes	0	0
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	233	218
General and administrative	155	121
Net interest	6	4
Amortization of deferred financing fees	0	0
Equity in gain of joint venture		0
Loss on derivative contracts	0	0
Other	0	0
Net income	(447)	(64)
Segment Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	8,198		7,053
Corporate [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Oil and gas production	0	0
Other	33	14
Total revenue	33	14
Expenses (income) [Abstract]
Lease operating	0	0
Production taxes	0	0
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	62	62
General and administrative	1,900	1,454
Net interest	1,035	1,078
Amortization of deferred financing fees	333	30
Equity in gain of joint venture		(783)
Loss on derivative contracts	1,546	924
Other	87	42
Net income	(4,930)	(2,793)
Segment Assets [Abstract]
Total assets	$ 12,483		$ 10,301