Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (19,629,467)	$ (12,540,261)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion	8,781,939	9,702,192
Amortization of deferred financing cost and debt discount	3,503,906	8,426,119
Share-based compensation	993,149	959,823
Professional fees paid by common stock issuance	322,500
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	12,221	(6,902,322)
Interest and legal expense added to principal	10,111,837	1,818,240
Total gain on commodity derivative assets	(12,356,168)	(7,639,441)
Cash settlements of commodity derivate assets	15,756,161	(949,094)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade	2,536,226	835,263
Noncurrent other assets	(2,044)	(84,994)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(144,507)	246,632
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(4,685,526)	5,495,034
Accounts payable drilling operator	(5,298,677)
Environmental settlement and related costs	(1,600,000)	6,600,000
Revenue payable	(16,441)	(39,577)
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(1,714,891)	5,927,614
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Sale of partial interest in unproved properties	6,978,469	19,332,078	$ 230,064
Expenditures for oil and gas properties	(7,159,356)	(32,709,147)
Expenditures for property and equipment	(5,168)	(8,470)
Net cash used for investing activities	(186,055)	(13,385,539)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Stock options exercised	327,015	808,195
Financing costs paid	(1,436,218)	(4,806,656)
Proceeds from notes payable	3,078,304	113,093,750
Payments on notes payable	(948,688)	(102,779,666)
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,020,413	6,315,623
NET CHANGE IN CASH	(880,533)	(1,142,302)
CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR	1,585,530	2,727,832
CASH, END OF YEAR	704,997	1,585,530	$ 2,727,832
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES FOR CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest	6,349,831	11,623,165
Income Taxes	0	0
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Accrued expenditures for oil and gas properties		3,079,681
(Decrease) increase in asset retirement obligation	$ (51,259)	$ 49,488