COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 sqft	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES.
Face amount of U.S. Treasury Bonds	$ 1,600,000	$ 1,600,000
Market value of U.S. Treasury Bonds	1,314,000	1,415,000
Leases
Area of oil and gas administrative office in Casper, Wyoming (in square feet)	1,174
Future minimum annual rental payments, which are subject to escalation and include utility charges
2014	771,000
2015	758,000
2016	773,000
2017	790,000
2018	802,000
Thereafter	2,526,000
Total	6,420,000
Rent expense	$ 881,000	$ 698,000	$ 718,000