Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net loss	$ (9,548,000)	$ (6,637,000)	$ (90,896,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred tax (benefit) expense	152,000	(949,000)	543,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	22,667,000	32,053,000	28,720,000
Ceiling test write-down	0	0	40,304,000
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	322,000	2,252,000	2,515,000
Share based compensation expense	966,000	1,447,000	1,444,000
Amortization costs and other	1,138,000	554,000	2,106,000
Non-cash PIK interest	2,961,000	22,895,000	5,722,000
Non-cash reorganization items	534,000	0	0
Gain on asset sale	(863,000)	(3,364,000)	(3,169,000)
Costs incurred to issue 2021 Notes and 2021 PIK Notes	0	0	10,139,000
Gain on extinguishment of debt	0	(403,000)	0
Changes in working capital accounts:
Revenue receivable	8,976,000	(5,046,000)	(3,818,000)
Joint interest billing receivable	2,653,000	610,000	41,400,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(14,458,000)	2,970,000	(72,760,000)
Advances from co-owners	290,000	(600,000)	(13,788,000)
Net refund (deposit) of surety bonds	4,488,000	(2,037,000)	(6,162,000)
Other	(1,429,000)	408,000	1,102,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	18,849,000	44,153,000	(56,598,000)
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Investment in oil and gas properties	(20,559,000)	(64,613,000)	(30,366,000)
Investment in other property and equipment	28,000	(54,000)	(24,000)
Sale of oil and gas properties	(6,478,000)	10,707,000	25,482,000
Sale of unevaluated oil and gas properties	7,750,000	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(19,259,000)	(53,960,000)	(4,908,000)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Net payments for share based compensation	43,000	(26,000)	11,000
Deferred financing costs	(386,000)	(174,000)	(3,156,000)
Payment of preferred stock dividend	0	0	(1,285,000)
Proceeds from borrowings	52,500,000	20,000,000	10,000,000
Repayment of borrowings	(32,500,000)	0	0
Redemption of 2017 Notes	0	(22,650,000)	(53,626,000)
Costs incurred to issue 2021 Notes and 2021 PIK Notes	0	0	(10,139,000)
Costs incurred to redeem 2021 Notes	(11,000)	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	19,646,000	(2,850,000)	(58,195,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	19,236,000	(12,657,000)	(119,701,000)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	15,655,000	28,312,000	148,013,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	34,891,000	15,655,000	28,312,000
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	5,341,000	7,432,000	33,206,000
Income taxes	38,000	(94,000)	(18,000)
Reorganization items	$ 980,000	$ 0	$ 0