Supplemental Disclosures (Details 1) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	$ 1,817,000	$ 226,000
Asset retirement obligations related to mineral properties	751,000	293,000
Asset retirement obligations related to support equipment and facilities	4,000	33,000
(Decrease) increase in liabilities for oil and natural gas properties capital expenditures	(6,859,000)	8,995,000
(Decrease) increase in liabilities for support equipment and facilities	(914,000)	(215,000)
(Decrease) increase in liabilities for accrued cost to issue equity	0	(331,000)
Issuance of restricted stock units for Board and advisor services	87,000	10,000
Issuance of common stock for advisor services	17,000	61,000
Stock based compensation expense recognized as liability	284,000	(491,000)
Transfer of inventory to oil and natural gas properties	$ 191,000	$ 0