CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,475	$ 10,614
Accounts receivable-trade, net	18,110	13,660
Restricted investments in U.S. Treasury bonds-available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $94 in 2012 and $89 in 2011)	142	135
Derivative financial instruments		309
Other current assets	1,096	948
Total current assets	27,823	25,666
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 $20,507 and $22,963 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011)	301,599	275,443
Property and equipment-at cost, net	17,941	16,926
Restricted investments in U.S. Treasury bonds-available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $849 in 2012 and $804 in 2011)	1,273	1,214
Other assets	4,108	4,383
Total other assets	324,921	297,966
Total Assets	352,744	323,632
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of debentures and other long-term liabilities	1,790	2,831
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	29,278	38,234
Derivative financial instruments	385	980
Total current liabilities	31,453	42,045
Long-Term Liabilities
Debentures, less current portion	1,472	1,486
Other long-term liabilities, less current portion	26,710	16,510
Derivative financial instruments	567
Line of credit	99,500	89,500
Total noncurrent liabilities	128,249	107,496
Commitments and contingencies (Note F)
Stockholders' Equity
8% convertible preferred stock-$.0001 par value; authorized, 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 10,703 shares in 2012 and 2011 (aggregate liquidation preference $128 in 2012 and 2011)	128	128
Common stock-$.0001 par value; authorized, 100,000,000 shares; issued, 72,440,898 shares in 2012 and 71,518,810 shares in 2011	7	7
Additional paid-in capital	468,406	464,985
Accumulated deficit	(275,058)	(290,578)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes of $188 in 2012 and $181 in 2011	287	277
Total stockholders' equity excluding common stock in Treasury	193,770	174,819
Less common stock in Treasury-at cost; 632,250 shares in 2012 and 2011	728	728
Total Stockholders' Equity	193,042	174,091
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 352,744	$ 323,632