Business Segments - Summary of Operations in Different Segments (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 2,896,077	$ 3,665,937	$ 5,392,379	$ 8,095,467
Income (Loss) from operations	(4,010,976)	(4,908,092)	(12,158,566)	(6,499,408)
Interest expense	7,129,564	3,047,743	14,022,172	6,163,480
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion	3,263,283	2,588,627	10,526,104	4,391,457
Property and equipment acquisitions, including oil and gas properties	235,898	(6,911,516)	(736,395)	198,765
Total assets, net of intercompany accounts	79,286,970		79,286,970		$ 93,312,907
Operating Segments [Member] | Exploration and Production [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	2,871,513	3,620,627	5,348,220	8,005,664
Income (Loss) from operations	(2,904,890)	(3,110,429)	(10,220,341)	(3,532,005)
Interest expense	7,129,332	3,046,382	14,020,124	6,161,740
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion	3,254,529	2,568,920	10,506,986	4,351,233
Property and equipment acquisitions, including oil and gas properties	235,898	(6,914,445)	(736,395)	193,597
Total assets, net of intercompany accounts	79,208,705		79,208,705		93,265,585
Operating Segments [Member] | Pipeline Transmission [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	24,564	41,173	44,026	83,889
Income (Loss) from operations	10,299	22,557	16,905	52,137
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion	250	250	500	500
Total assets, net of intercompany accounts	78,265		78,265		$ 47,322
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		4,137	133	5,914
Income (Loss) from operations	(1,116,385)	(1,820,220)	(1,955,130)	(3,019,540)
Interest expense	232	1,361	2,048	1,740
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion	$ 8,504	19,457	$ 18,618	39,724
Property and equipment acquisitions, including oil and gas properties		$ 2,929		$ 5,168