INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current income tax expense (benefit) [Abstract]
Federal	$ 0	$ 0	$ (104,000)
State	0	0	0
Total current income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	(104,000)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Federal	(1,093,000)	(3,316,000)	(1,543,000)
State	(64,000)	(195,000)	(91,000)
Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(1,157,000)	(3,511,000)	(1,634,000)
Effective income tax reconciliation [Abstract]
Federal statutory income tax rate	(4,164,000)	(2,828,000)	(853,000)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	(245,000)	(166,000)	(50,000)
Incentive stock options	12,000	246,000	258,000
Percent depletion carryover	(177,000)	(807,000)	(1,067,000)
Valuation allowance	3,512,000	0	0
Other	(95,000)	44,000	(26,000)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,157,000)	(3,511,000)	(1,738,000)
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]
Net operating loss	2,899,000	2,547,000
Derivative instruments	(170,000)	215,000
Asset retirement obligation	247,000	184,000
Stock based compensation	313,000	288,000
Deferred compensation	382,000	357,000
Alternative minimum tax credit	706,000	706,000
Contribution carryover	37,000	28,000
Equity investments	(91,000)	37,000
Percentage depletion carryover	2,100,000	1,924,000
Total deferred tax assets	6,423,000	6,286,000
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Property and equipment	(2,854,000)	(7,385,000)
Marketable securities	(57,000)	(44,000)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(2,911,000)	(7,429,000)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	3,512,000	(1,143,000)
Less: Valuation Allowance	(3,512,000)	0
Deferred tax liability	0	(1,143,000)
Increase in deferred tax assets	137,000
Decrease in deferred tax liability	4,500,000
Decrease in net deferred tax liabilities	4,700,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryovers	6,900,000
Tax deductions for compensation expense		2,600,000
Net operating loss carry back period	2 years
Net operating loss carry forward period	20 years
Adjustments for uncertain tax positions		0
Penalties and interest accrued related to uncertain tax positions		0
Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryovers		$ 9,500,000

The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts of income taxes paid or payable (or refundable) for the period for all income tax obligations as determined by applying the provisions of relevant enacted tax laws to relevant amounts of taxable Income or Loss from continuing and discontinued operations.

No definition available.