Condensed Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 1,232,041	$ (10,237,279)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	8,939,918	13,003,535
Impairment	10,788	11,849,064
Provision for deferred income taxes	(76,000)	(7,405,000)
Gain from leasing fee mineral acreage	(3,171,490)	(2,906,480)
Proceeds from leasing fee mineral acreage	3,191,075	3,193,775
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	87,161	(271,080)
Directors' deferred compensation expense	176,368	168,402
Restricted stock awards	317,633	508,095
Other	(835)	70,289
Cash provided (used) by changes in assets and liabilities:
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales receivables	136,669	3,644,841
Fair value of derivative contracts	(384,566)	3,880,013
Refundable production taxes		21,983
Other current assets	81,325	(79,829)
Accounts payable	(203,053)	(510,114)
Income taxes receivable	(792,488)	(775,806)
Accrued liabilities	(195,981)	(393,984)
Total adjustments	8,116,524	23,997,704
Net cash provided by operating activities	9,348,565	13,760,425
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures, including dry hole costs	(7,721,254)	(2,554,543)
Investments in partnerships	(17,220)	48,462
Proceeds from sales of assets	718,700	627,547
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(7,019,774)	(1,878,534)
Financing Activities
Borrowings under debt agreement	7,038,699	6,078,919
Payments of loan principal	(7,538,699)	(16,578,919)
Purchases of treasury stock	(407,677)	(117,165)
Payments of dividends	(1,340,656)	(1,338,011)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation		(44,000)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(2,248,333)	(11,999,176)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	80,458	(117,285)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	471,213	603,915
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	551,671	486,630
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
Additions to asset retirement obligations	32,236	7,160
Gross additions to properties and equipment	10,867,308	2,483,225
Net (increase) decrease in accounts payable for properties and equipment additions	(3,146,054)	71,318
Capital expenditures and acquisitions, including dry hole costs	$ 7,721,254	$ 2,554,543