ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified															12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Drilling rig	Dec. 31, 2011 Drilling rig	Dec. 31, 2012 Equipment	Dec. 31, 2011 Equipment	Dec. 31, 2012 Automobiles and trucks	Dec. 31, 2011 Automobiles and trucks	Dec. 31, 2012 Furniture and fixtures	Dec. 31, 2011 Furniture and fixtures	Dec. 31, 2012 Land and buildings	Dec. 31, 2011 Land and buildings	Dec. 31, 2012 Office equipment	Dec. 31, 2011 Office equipment	Dec. 31, 2012 Minimum	Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful lives of assets except land															3 years	25 years
Cost	$ 23,888	$ 21,550	$ 18,318	$ 16,627	$ 1,542	$ 1,543	$ 876	$ 662	$ 461	$ 422	$ 905	$ 872	$ 1,786	$ 1,424
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	5,947	4,624
Property and equipment, net	$ 17,941	$ 16,926