SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Barnwell Industries, Inc. and all majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to herein as “Barnwell,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”), including a 77.6%-owned land investment general partnership (Kaupulehu Developments), a 75%-owned land investment partnership (KD Kona 2013 LLLP) and two 80%-owned joint ventures (Kaupulehu 2007, LLLP and Kaupulehu Investors, LLC). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Barnwell’s investments in both unconsolidated entities in which a significant, but less than controlling, interest is held and in variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which the Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary are accounted for by the equity method. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “dollars” in this Form 10-Q are to U.S. dollars. Unaudited Interim Financial Information The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared by Barnwell in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Barnwell’s September 30, 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position at December 31, 2015, results of operations, comprehensive loss, cash flows and equity for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, have been made. The results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year. Use of Estimates The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management of Barnwell to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Significant Accounting Policies There have been no changes to Barnwell’s significant accounting policies as described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” This ASU relates to discontinued operations reporting for disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have, or will have, a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The standard expands the disclosures for discontinued operations and requires new disclosures related to individually material disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The Company adopted the provisions of this ASU effective October 1, 2015. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on Barnwell’s consolidated financial statements.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Barnwell Industries, Inc. and all majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to herein as “Barnwell,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”), including a 77.6%-owned land investment general partnership (Kaupulehu Developments), a 75%-owned land investment partnership (KD Kona 2013 LLLP) and two 80%-owned joint ventures (Kaupulehu 2007, LLLP and Kaupulehu Investors, LLC). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Barnwell’s investments in both unconsolidated entities in which a significant, but less than controlling, interest is held and in variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which the Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary are accounted for by the equity method.

Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “dollars” in this Form 10-Q are to U.S. dollars.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared by Barnwell in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Barnwell’s September 30, 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position at December 31, 2015, results of operations, comprehensive loss, cash flows and equity for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, have been made. The results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management of Barnwell to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Significant Accounting Policies

There have been no changes to Barnwell’s significant accounting policies as described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” This ASU relates to discontinued operations reporting for disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have, or will have, a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The standard expands the disclosures for discontinued operations and requires new disclosures related to individually material disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The Company adopted the provisions of this ASU effective October 1, 2015. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on Barnwell’s consolidated financial statements.