CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 10,614	$ 11,092
Accounts receivable-trade, net	13,660	12,512
Restricted investments in U.S. Treasury bonds-available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $89 in 2011 and $84 in 2010)	135	110
Derivative financial instruments	309
Other current assets	948	1,040
Total current assets	25,666	24,754
Other Assets
Oil and gas properties-at cost, based on full cost method of accounting, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization (includes unproved properties excluded from amortization of $22,963 and $25,732 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010)	275,443	231,746
Property and equipment-at cost, net	16,926	10,817
Restricted investments in U.S. Treasury bonds-available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $804 in 2011 and $756 in 2010)	1,214	987
Derivative financial instruments		392
Other assets	4,383	3,900
Total other assets	297,966	247,842
Total Assets	323,632	272,596
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of debentures and other long-term liabilities	2,831	3,631
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	38,234	24,414
Derivative financial instruments	980	9,625
Total current liabilities	42,045	37,670
Long-Term Liabilities
Debentures, less current portion	1,486	1,486
Other long-term liabilities, less current portion	16,510	12,663
Derivative financial instruments		603
Line of credit	89,500	69,500
Total noncurrent liabilities	107,496	84,252
Commitments and contingencies (Note F)
Stockholders' Equity
8% convertible preferred stock-$.0001 par value; authorized, 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 10,703 shares in 2011 and 2010 respectively (aggregate liquidation preference $128 in 2011 and 2010)	128	128
Common stock-$.0001 par value; authorized, 100,000,000 shares; issued, 71,518,810 shares in 2011 and 71,338,149 shares in 2010	7	7
Additional paid-in capital	464,985	463,326
Accumulated deficit	(290,578)	(312,217)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes of $181 in 2011 and $103 in 2010	277	158
Total stockholders' equity excluding common stock in Treasury	174,819	151,402
Less common stock in Treasury-at cost; 632,250 shares in 2011 and 2010	728	728
Total Stockholders' Equity	174,091	150,674
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 323,632	$ 272,596