Discontinued Operations: (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Discontinued operations
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations		$ 29,603,000
Income statement and other disclosures
Gain on sale of business, net of taxes		2,454,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		3,849,000	2,106,000
CCWC
Discontinued operations
Total purchase price	35,200,000
Long debt assumed as part of purchase price	5,600,000
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	29,600,000
Income statement and other disclosures
Operating revenues		3,492,000	8,745,000
Supply costs and other operating expenses		1,420,000	4,237,000
Gain on settlement for removal of a well		(760,000)
Operating income		2,832,000	4,508,000
Interest expense, net		(142,000)	(356,000)
Income before income taxes		2,690,000	4,152,000
Income tax expense		1,078,000	1,620,000
Income from the operations of discontinued operations, net of tax		1,612,000	2,532,000
Gain on sale of business, net of taxes		2,454,000
Transaction costs, net of taxes		(217,000)	(426,000)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		3,849,000	2,106,000
Direct transaction costs, before tax		449,000	708,000
Corporate overhead costs		$ 356,000	$ 1,103,000