ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Fair market value of cash held in escrow that is legally restricted for potential plugging and abandonment liability	$ 3,200,000
Reconciliation of asset retirement obligations
Balance at beginning of year	15,507,000	10,217,000
Liabilities incurred in current year	261,000	113,000
Obligations on properties acquired	3,499,000
Liabilities settled in current year	(1,287,000)	(965,000)
Accretion expense	1,525,000	995,000
Revisions in estimated cash flows	5,731,000	5,147,000
Carrying amount	$ 25,236,000	$ 15,507,000