Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$ (5,962,513)	$ (21,529,661)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	4,840,987	12,452,899
Accretion expense	393,535	583,792
Write down/impairment and abandonment of crude oil and natural gas properties	88,329	9,575,275
Gain on sale of property and equipment		(13,298)
Gain on sale of other assets		(239,652)
Deferred income taxes		(120,000)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(441,659)	892,004
Other current assets	(6,993)	10,600
Other assets	(116)	860
Accounts payable	(136,375)	19,884
Accrued expenses	(41,091)	(458,779)
Joint venture partner advances	48,629	48,881
Total adjustments	4,745,246	22,752,466
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,217,267)	1,222,805
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of investments	(10,080,608)
Payments received on notes receivables from employees	37,392	30,283
Advances disbursed to employees		(14,171)
Purchase of property and equipment	(248,699)	(101,084)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		17,355
Proceeds from sale of other assets		249,652
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(10,291,915)	182,035
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Distributions		(3,963,328)
Repurchase of Units		(122,089)
Proceeds from options exercised		61,045
Net cash used in financing activities		(4,024,372)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS	(11,509,182)	(2,619,532)
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR	22,734,047	25,353,579
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	11,224,865	22,734,047
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes	$ 390	$ 12,270