Gas Natural 10-Q 15 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	9-May-13
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Trading Symbol	'EGAS	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Gas Natural Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000043350	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	10,487,511

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$11,133,563	$13,147,381
Marketable securities	403,884	406,134
Accounts receivable	'	'
Trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,009,461 and $1,986,531, respectively	17,632,969	13,440,565
Related parties	174,636	146,225
Unbilled gas	7,125,801	7,729,560
Note receivable - related parties, current portion	1,938	1,938
Inventory	'	'
Natural gas	843,404	5,464,744
Materials and supplies	2,543,815	2,413,745
Prepaid income taxes	675,928	727,427
Prepayments and other	1,675,645	1,064,845
Recoverable cost of gas purchases	8,411,607	1,298,299
Deferred tax asset	1,233,624	1,225,032
Discontinued operations	7,667	34,151
Total current assets	51,864,481	47,100,046
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	190,268,774	185,816,790
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	-53,863,451	-52,296,504
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET	136,405,323	133,520,286
OTHER ASSETS	'	'
Notes receivable - related parties, less current portion	91,671	93,727
Regulatory assets	'	'
Property taxes	18,750	25,000
Income taxes	452,645	452,645
Rate case costs	119,397	130,228
Debt issuance costs, net of amortization	1,284,978	1,388,124
Goodwill	16,267,377	16,267,377
Customer relationships	3,154,625	3,230,333
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	350,751	351,724
Restricted cash	2,087,574	1,137,442
Other assets	49,528	46,683
Total other assets	23,877,296	23,123,283
TOTAL ASSETS	212,147,100	203,743,615
CURRENT LIABILITIES	'	'
Checks in excess of amounts on deposit	1,112,132	843,634
Line of credit	23,629,799	24,529,799
Accounts payable	'	'
Trade	15,785,559	12,418,701
Related parties	253,906	559,933
Notes payable, current portion	3,500,000	3,502,190
Contingent consideration, current portion	671,638	671,638
Accrued liabilities	'	'
Taxes other than income	2,899,047	3,173,640
Vacation	110,254	95,806
Employee benefit plans	231,073	178,789
Interest	373,573	169,581
Deferred payments received from levelized billing	1,157,406	2,469,665
Customer deposits	773,040	761,022
Related parties	233,681	'
Capital lease obligation, current portion	177,570	177,570
Over-recovered gas purchases	177,228	793,184
Other current liabilities	1,403,781	1,482,375
Discontinued operations	9,181	45,855
Total current liabilities	52,498,868	51,873,382
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	'	'
Deferred investment tax credits	128,989	134,255
Deferred tax liability	12,052,261	9,055,166
Asset retirement obligation	2,072,931	2,026,353
Customer advances for construction	1,016,803	1,016,671
Regulatory liability for income taxes	83,161	83,161
Long-term customer deposits	949,540	'
Capital lease obligation, less current portion	1,862,938	1,862,938
Contingent consideration, less current portion	13,362	13,362
Total long-term liabilities	18,179,985	14,191,906
NOTES PAYABLE, less current portion	40,073,552	40,198,552
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (see Note 11)	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Preferred stock; $0.15 par value, 1,500,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding	'	'
Common stock; $0.15 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized, 10,451,678 and 10,451,678 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	1,567,752	1,567,752
Capital in excess of par value	63,777,299	63,468,969
Accumulated other comprehensive income	103,986	104,909
Retained earnings	35,945,658	32,338,145
Total stockholders' equity	101,394,695	97,479,775
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION	141,468,247	137,678,327
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION	$212,147,100	$203,743,615

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$2,009,461	$1,986,531
Preferred stock, par value	$0.15	$0.15
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,500,000	1,500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.15	$0.15
Common stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	10,451,678	10,451,678
Common stock, shares outstanding	10,451,678	10,451,678

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
REVENUES	'	'
Natural gas operations	$60,253,810	$39,944,662
Marketing and production	4,689,356	3,571,779
Pipeline operations	99,014	98,287
Total revenues	65,042,180	43,614,728
COST OF SALES	'	'
Natural gas purchased	41,955,435	24,116,421
Marketing and production	4,240,965	2,860,035
Total cost of sales	46,196,400	26,976,456
GROSS MARGIN	18,845,780	16,638,272
OPERATING EXPENSES	'	'
Distribution, general, and administrative	6,846,678	5,322,700
Maintenance	346,403	329,413
Depreciation and amortization	1,821,178	1,421,570
Accretion	46,578	42,607
Taxes other than income	996,732	910,907
Total operating expenses	10,057,569	8,027,197
OPERATING INCOME	8,788,211	8,611,075
Loss from unconsolidated affiliate	-973	-1,080
Other income, net	106,108	35,403
Acquisition expense	-5,328	-175,879
Interest expense	-809,381	-802,017
Income before income taxes	8,078,637	7,667,502
Income tax expense	-3,044,585	-2,897,892
Income from continuing operations	5,034,052	4,769,610
Discontinued operations, net of tax	-15,561	18,113
NET INCOME	5,018,491	4,787,723
Basic weighted shares outstanding	10,451,678	8,384,863
Dilutive effect of stock options	572	781
Diluted weighted shares outstanding	10,452,250	8,385,644
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'
Continuing operations	$0.48	$0.57
Discontinued operations	'	'
Net income per share	$0.48	$0.57
Weighted average dividends declared per common share	$0.14	$0.14
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:	'	'
Net income	5,018,491	4,787,723
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities, net of tax of $(1,327), and $1,894, respectively	-923	2,565
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$5,017,568	$4,790,288

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities, tax portion	($1,327)	$1,894

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Net income	$5,018,491	$4,787,723
Less gain (loss) from discontinued operations	-15,561	18,113
Income from continuing operations	5,034,052	4,769,610
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	1,821,178	1,421,570
Accretion	46,578	42,607
Amortization of debt issuance costs	103,145	104,065
Stock based compensation	308,330	807
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	-22,356	28,268
Loss from unconsolidated affiliate	973	1,080
Investment tax credit	-5,265	-5,265
Deferred income taxes	2,989,830	2,886,713
Changes in assets and liabilities	'	'
Accounts receivable, including related parties	-4,220,815	-665,538
Unbilled gas	603,759	154,058
Restricted cash	-949,540	'
Natural gas inventory	4,621,340	4,238,526
Accounts payable, including related parties	4,031,673	908,681
Recoverable/refundable cost of gas purchases	-7,729,264	-2,276,426
Prepayments and other	-611,420	207,860
Other assets	122,081	67,218
Other liabilities	-187,612	-864,062
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations	5,956,667	11,019,772
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Capital expenditures	-5,718,202	-5,066,920
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	22,356	8,100
Proceeds from related party notes receivable	2,056	2,968
Restricted cash - capital expenditures fund	-59	325,421
Customer advances for construction	132	20,668
Contributions in aid of construction	211,004	52,410
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	-5,482,713	-4,657,353
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Proceeds from lines of credit	7,000,000	3,750,000
Repayments of lines of credit	-7,900,000	-9,690,000
Repayments of notes payable	-127,190	-127,042
Debt issuance costs	'	-6,652
Exercise of stock options	'	159,500
Restricted cash - debt service fund	-533	-883
Dividends paid	-1,410,978	-1,131,717
Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations	-2,438,701	-7,046,794
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'	'
Operating cash flows	-40,444	31,402
Investing cash flows	'	595
Financing cash flows	-8,627	9,000
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	-49,071	40,997
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-2,013,818	-643,378
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	13,147,381	3,435,117
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	11,133,563	2,791,739
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION	'	'
Cash paid for interest	502,812	543,906
Cash refunded for income taxes, net	325	-21,450
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	1,095,671	707,846
Capital assets acquired through trade-in	30,068	'
Accrued dividends	470,326	377,539
Capitalized interest	$3,964	$1,760

Summary_of_Business_and_Basis_

Summary of Business and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Business and Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 1 – Summary of Business and Basis of Presentation
	Nature of Business
	Gas Natural Inc. (the “Company”) is a natural gas company with operations in seven states. The Company’s primary operations are natural gas utility companies located throughout these states. The Company’s operations also include marketing and production of natural gas, gas pipeline transmission, and gathering operations. Along with its corporate level operations, these areas of operation represent the Company’s four main operating segments and are described below.
	•     Natural Gas Operations	Annually distributes approximately 36 Bcf of natural gas to approximately 73,000 customers. The Company’s natural gas utility subsidiaries are Public Gas Company (Kentucky), Bangor Gas (Maine), Cut Bank Gas Company (Montana), Energy West Montana (Montana), Frontier Natural Gas (North Carolina), Brainard Gas Corp. (Ohio), Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Corporation (Ohio), Orwell Natural Gas Company (Ohio and Pennsylvania) and Energy West Wyoming (Wyoming).
	•     Marketing and Production Operations	Annually markets approximately 1.5 Bcf of natural gas to commercial and industrial customers in Montana, Wyoming, Ohio, and Pennsylvania through the Company’s EWR and GNR subsidiaries. The EWR subsidiary also manages midstream supply and production assets for transportation customers and utilities. EWR owns an average 51% gross working interest (average 43% net revenue interest) in 160 natural gas producing wells and gas gathering assets located in Glacier and Toole Counties in Montana.
	•     Pipeline Operations	The Shoshone interstate and Glacier gathering natural gas pipelines located in Montana and Wyoming are owned through the subsidiary, EWD. Certain natural gas producing wells owned by EWD are being managed and reported under the marketing and production operations.
	•     Corporate and Other	Encompasses costs associated with business development and acquisitions, dispositions of subsidiary entities, results of discontinued operations, dividend income, recognized gains or losses from the sale of marketable securities, and activity from Lone Wolfe which serves as an insurance agent for the Company and other businesses in the energy industry.
	Energy West was originally incorporated in Montana in 1909 and was reorganized as a holding company in 2009 to facilitate future acquisitions and corporate-level financing to support the Company’s growth strategy. On July 9, 2010, the Company changed its name to Gas Natural Inc. and reincorporated from Montana to Ohio. Moving the incorporation to Ohio enhanced the Company’s flexibility and provided a more efficient platform from which to operate and grow.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Gas Natural Inc. have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not contain all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of the Company, all normal recurring adjustments have been made, that are necessary to fairly present the results of operations for the interim periods. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation. Such reclassifications have no effect on net income as previously reported.
	Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. A majority of the Company’s revenues are derived from its natural gas utility operations, making its revenue seasonal in nature. Therefore, the largest portion of the Company’s operating revenue is generated during the colder months when its sales volume increases considerably. Reference should be made to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities	'
	Note 2 – Marketable Securities
	The Company’s marketable securities as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted only of common stock classified as available-for-sale securities. The Company did not sell any available-for-sale securities during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. All unrealized gains and losses on these securities are included in Other comprehensive income (loss) on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income net of tax. No unrealized gains or losses have been reclassified from Other comprehensive income to a component of Net income.
	The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities owned by the Company:
		March 31, 2014
		Investment		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
		at cost		gains		losses		fair value
	Common stock	$	238,504		165,380	$	—	$	403,884
		31-Dec-13
		Investment		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
		at cost		gains		losses		fair value
	Common stock	$	238,504	$	167,630	$	—	$	406,134

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements
	The Company follows a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to measurements involving unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
	Level 1 inputs -	observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
	Level 2 inputs -	other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
	Level 3 inputs -	unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.
	The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
	The following table presents the placement in the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		March 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
	ASSETS:
	Common stock		403,884	$	—		$	—		403,884
	LIABILITIES:
	Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—			685,000		685,000
		31-Dec-13
		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
	ASSETS:
	Common stock	$	406,134	$	—		$	—	$	406,134
	LIABILITIES:
	Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—		$	685,000	$	685,000
	The fair value of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, notes and accounts receivable and notes and accounts payable are not materially different from their carrying amounts. The fair values of marketable securities are estimated based on closing share price on the quoted market price for those investments. Cost basis is determined by specific identification of securities sold. Under the fair value hierarchy, the fair value of cash and cash equivalents is classified as a Level 1 measurement and the fair value of notes payable are classified as Level 2 measurements.
	The contingent consideration liability categorized in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy arose as a result of the JDOG Marketing acquisition in June 2013. The purchase agreement for the transaction provided for contingent “earn-out” payments in the form of validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Company’s common stock for a period of five years after the closing of the transaction if the acquired business achieved a minimum annual EBITDA target of $810,432. This amount was JDOG Marketing’s EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2011. If the acquired business’s actual EBITDA for a given year is less than the target EBITDA, then no earn-out payment is due and payable for that particular period. If the acquired business’s actual EBITDA for a given year meets or exceeds the target EBITDA, then an earn-out payment in an amount equal to actual EBITDA divided by target EBITDA multiplied by $575,000 will have been earned for that year. Due to the earn-out structure, the maximum amount that could be earned over the five year period is unlimited.
	Valuation of the contingent consideration liability categorized under level 3 of the fair value hierarchy was conducted by an independent third-party valuation firm. Inputs and assumptions used in the valuation were reviewed for reasonableness by the Company in the course of the valuation process and have been updated to reflect changes in the Company’s business environment.
	The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the contingent consideration liability categorized under level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
		Contingent
		Consideration
	Opening balance December 31, 2013	$	685,000
	Transfers into level 3		—
	Transfers out of level 3		—
	Total (gains) losses for period:
	Included in net income		—
	Included in other comprehensive income		—
	Purchases		—
	Sales		—
	Settlements		—
	Issuances		—
	Closing balance March 31, 2014	$	685,000
	The following table summarizes quantitative information used in determining the fair value of the Company’s liabilities categorized in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measures
		Fair Value at		Valuation		Unobservable Input	Range
		March 31, 2014		Techniques
	Contingent Consideration	$	685,000	Monte Carlo analysis		Forecasted annual EBITDA	$0.3 - $0.6 million
						Weighted avg cost of capital	15.0% - 15.0%
						U.S. Treasury yields	0.1% - 1.2%
				Discounted cash flow		U.S. Treasury yields	0.1% - 1.2%
						Credit spread	1.0% - 1.7%
	The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measure of the Company’s contingent consideration liability are its weighted average cost of capital, various U.S. Treasury yields, and the Company’s credit spread above the risk free rate. Significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measure. An additional significant unobservable input for this fair value measure is the Company’s forecasted annual EBITDA related to its GNR subsidiary. A significant increase (decrease) in this input would result in a significant increase (decrease) in the fair value measure.

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Restricted Cash	'
	Note 4 – Restricted Cash
	At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company maintained a restricted cash balance of $1.1 million and $1.1 million related to the Company’s Sun Life debt covenants. See the Sun Life Debt Covenant section of Note 5 - Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt for more information regarding these restricted funds.
	At March 31, 2014, the Company has an additional restricted cash balance of $0.9 million. This balance represents a deposit paid to Bangor Gas, a subsidiary of the Company, by Verso Bucksport Power LLC (“Verso”) as a condition of transferring to Verso a gas transportation service agreement previously between Bangor Gas and H.Q. Energy Services (U.S.) Inc. (“HQUS”). Bangor Gas is restricted from using these funds unless and until a default under this agreement has occurred. This deposit will be refunded to Verso at the termination of the gas transportation service agreement.

Credit_Facilities_and_LongTerm

Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt	'
	Note 5 – Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt
	Line of Credit
	The Company has a revolving credit facility with the Bank of America with a maximum borrowing capacity of $30.0 million due April 1, 2017. This revolving credit facility includes an annual commitment fee ranging from 25 to 45 basis points of the unused portion of the facility and interest on the amounts outstanding at LIBOR plus 175 to 225 basis points. The Company had outstanding borrowings under this facility of $23.6 million and $24.5 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, interest expense related to the line of credit was $145,000 and $131,000, respectively. The weighted average interest rate for the revolving credit facility was 2.39% and 2.43%, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2014, respectively.
	Notes Payable
	The following table details the Company’s outstanding long-term debt balances at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	LIBOR plus 1.75 to 2.25%, Bank of America amortizing term loan, due April 1, 2017	$	9,250,000	$	9,375,000
	6.16%, Allstate/CUNA Senior unsecured note, due June 29, 2017		13,000,000		13,000,000
	5.38%, Sun Life fixed rate note, due June 1, 2017		15,334,000		15,334,000
	LIBOR plus 3.85%, Sun Life floating rate note, due May 3, 2014		3,000,000		3,000,000
	4.15% Sun Life senior secured guaranteed note, due June 1, 2017		2,989,552		2,989,552
	Vehicle loan		—		2,190
	Total notes payable		43,573,552		43,700,742
	Less: current portion		3,500,000		3,502,190
	Notes payable, long-term portion	$	40,073,552	$	40,198,552
	Debt Covenants
	Bank of America
	The Bank of America revolving credit agreement and term loan contain various covenants, which require that Energy West and its subsidiaries maintain compliance with a number of financial covenants, including a limitation on investments in another entity by acquisition of any debt or equity securities or assets or by making loans or advances to such entity. In addition, Energy West must maintain a total debt to total capital ratio of not more than .55-to-1.00 and an interest coverage ratio of no less than 2.0-to-1.0. The credit facility restricts Energy West’s ability to create, incur or assume indebtedness except (i) indebtedness under the credit facility (ii) indebtedness incurred under certain capitalized leases including the capital lease related to the Loring pipeline, and purchase money obligations not to exceed $500,000, (iii) certain indebtedness of Energy West’s subsidiaries, (iv) certain subordinated indebtedness, (v) certain hedging obligations and (vi) other indebtedness not to exceed $1.0 million.
	In addition, the Bank of America revolving credit agreement and term loan also restricts Energy West’s ability to pay dividends and make distributions, redemptions and repurchases of stock during any 60-month period to 80% of its net income over that period. In addition, no event of default may exist at the time such dividend, distribution, redemption or repurchase is made. Energy West is also prohibited from consummating a merger or consolidation or selling all or substantially all of its assets or stock except for (i) any merger consolidation or sale by or with certain of its subsidiaries, (ii) any such purchase or other acquisition by Energy West or certain of its subsidiaries and (iii) sales and dispositions of assets for at least fair market value so long as the net book value of all assets sold or otherwise disposed of in any fiscal year does not exceed 5% of the net book value of Energy West’s assets as of the last day of the preceding fiscal year.
	Allstate/CUNA
	The Allstate/CUNA senior unsecured notes contain various covenants, including a limitation on Energy West’s total dividends and distributions made in the immediately preceding 60-month period to 100% of aggregate consolidated net income for such period. The notes restrict Energy West from incurring additional senior indebtedness in excess of 65% of capitalization at any time and require Energy West to maintain an interest coverage ratio of more than 150% of the pro forma annual interest charges on a consolidated basis in two of the three preceding fiscal years.
	Sun Life
	The Sun Life covenants restrict certain cash balances and require two main types of debt service reserve accounts to be maintained to cover approximately one year of interest payments. The total balance in the debt service reserve accounts was $1.1 million and $1.1 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and is included in restricted cash on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The debt service reserve accounts cannot be used for operating cash needs.
	The covenants also provide that any cash dividends, distributions, redemptions or repurchases of common stock may be made by the obligors to the holding company only if (i) the aggregate amount of all such dividends, distributions, redemptions and repurchases for the fiscal year do not exceed 70% of net income of the obligors for the four fiscal quarters then ending determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter, and (ii) there exists no other event of default at the time the dividend, distribution, redemption or repurchase is made. The inability of the obligors to pay a dividend to the holding company may impact the Company’s ability to pay a dividend to shareholders.
	The obligors (NEO, Orwell, Brainard, and the Company’s unregulated Ohio subsidiaries) are also prohibited from creating, assuming or incurring additional indebtedness except for (i) obligations under certain financing agreements, (ii) indebtedness incurred under certain capitalized leases and purchase money obligations not to exceed $500,000 at any one time outstanding, (iii) indebtedness outstanding as of March 31, 2011, (iv) certain unsecured intercompany indebtedness and (v) certain other indebtedness permitted under the notes.
	The covenants require, on a consolidated basis, an interest coverage ratio of at least 2.0 to 1.0, measured quarterly on a trailing four quarter basis. The notes generally define the interest coverage ratio as the ratio of EBITDA to gross interest expense. The note defines EBITDA as net income plus the sum of interest expense, any provision for federal, state, and local taxes, depreciation, and amortization determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding any extraordinary non-operating income or loss and any gain or loss from non-operating transactions. The interest coverage ratio is measured with respect to the obligors on a consolidated basis and also with respect to the Company and all of its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The notes also require that the Company does not permit indebtedness to exceed 60% of capitalization at any time. Like the interest coverage ratio, the ratio of debt to capitalization is measured on a consolidated basis for the Obligors and again on a consolidated basis with respect to the Company and all of its subsidiaries.
	The notes prohibit the Company from selling or otherwise transferring assets except in the ordinary course of business and to the extent such sales or transfers, in the aggregate, over each rolling twelve month period, do not exceed 1% of total assets. The Company received consent from Sun Life, under its covenant restrictions, approving the sale of Independence prior to the finalization of the transaction. Generally, the Company may consummate a merger or consolidation if there is no event of default and the provisions of the notes are assumed by the surviving or continuing corporation. The Company is also generally limited in making acquisitions in excess of 10% of total assets.
	An event of default, if not cured or waived, would require the Company to immediately pay the outstanding principal balance of the notes as well as any and all interest and other payments due. An event of default would also entitle Sun Life to exercise certain rights with respect to any collateral that secures the indebtedness incurred under the notes.
	The Company believes it is in compliance with the financial covenants under its debt agreements.

Stock_Compensation

Stock Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Compensation	'
	Note 6 – Stock Compensation
	2012 Incentive and Equity Award Plan
	The 2012 Incentive and Equity Award Plan provides for the grant of options, restricted stock, performance awards, other stock-based awards and cash awards to certain eligible employees and directors. The number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan is 500,000.
	On March 26, 2014, in order to further align the directors’ interests with those of the Company’s shareholders, the board granted an award of the Company’s common stock to each current director of Gas Natural. The total number of shares awarded was 30,833 with a grant date fair value of $0.3 million. The award was not conditional on any future performance or event and as such, the award was fully expensed on the grant date. These shares were subsequently issued on April 3, 2014.
	2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Award Plan
	The 2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Award Plan allows each non-employee director to receive his or her fees in shares of the Company’s common stock by providing written notice to the Company. The number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan is 250,000. As of March 31, 2014, no awards had been granted under the plan.
	2002 Stock Option Plan
	The Energy West Incorporated 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”) expired on October 4, 2012 and provided for the issuance of up to 300,000 options to purchase the Company’s common stock to be issued to certain key employees. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were 5,000 and 5,000 options outstanding, respectively. Pursuant to the Option Plan, the options vest over four to five years and are exercisable over a five to ten-year period from date of issuance. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. No options were granted under this plan during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	A summary of the status of outstanding stock options is as follows:
		Number of		Weighted		Aggregate
		Shares		Average		Intrinsic Value
				Exercise Price
	Outstanding December 31, 2013		5,000	$	8.44	$	—
	Granted		—	$	—
	Exercised		—	$	—
	Expired		—	$	—
	Outstanding March 31, 2014		5,000	$	8.44	$	8,100
	Exercisable March 31, 2014		5,000	$	8.44	$	8,100
	The following additional information applies to options outstanding at March 31, 2014:
	Grant Date	Exercise Price		Number		Weighted		Weighted		Number		Weighted
				Outstanding		Average		Average		Exercisable		Average
						Exercise Price		Remaining				Exercise Price
								Contractual
								Life (Years)
	6/3/09	$	8.44		5,000	$	8.44		0.18		5,000	$	8.44
					5,000						5,000

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	Note 7 – Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company has a defined contribution plan (the “401k Plan”) which covers substantially all of its employees. The plan provides for an annual contribution of 3% of salaries, with a discretionary contribution of up to an additional 3%. The expense related to the 401k Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $85,840 and $91,617, respectively.
	The Company makes matching contributions in the form of Company common stock equal to 10% of each participant’s elective deferrals in the 401k Plan. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company contributed shares of common stock valued at $7,515 and $14,177, respectively. In addition, a portion of the 401k Plan consists of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) that covers most employees. The ESOP receives contributions of common stock from the Company each year as determined by the Board of Directors. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company made no contributions.
	The Company has sponsored a defined postretirement health plan (the “Retiree Health Plan”) providing health and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees. The Retiree Health Plan pays eligible retirees (post-65 years of age) up to $125 per month in lieu of contracting for health and life insurance benefits. The amount of this payment is fixed and will not increase with medical trends or inflation. In addition, the Retiree Health Plan allows retirees between the ages of 60 and 65 and their spouses to remain on the same medical plan as active employees by contributing 125% of the current COBRA rate to retain this coverage. The amounts paid in excess of the current COBRA rate is held in a VEBA trust account, and benefits for this plan are paid from assets held in the VEBA Trust account. The Company discontinued contributions in 2006 and is no longer required to fund the Retiree Health Plan. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the value of plan assets was $143,477 and $155,750, respectively. The assets remaining in the trust will be used to fund the plan until the assets are exhausted.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 8 – Income Taxes
	Income tax position differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory rate to pre-tax income or loss as demonstrated in the table below:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Tax expense at statutory rate of 34%	$	2,737,798		$	2,616,860
	State income tax, net of Federal tax expense		272,491			296,676
	Amortization of deferred investment tax credits		(5,265	)		(5,265	)
	Adjustment to tax return filed		40,914			—
	Other		(12,082	)		655
	Total income tax expense		3,033,856			2,908,926
	Discontinued operations		10,729			(11,034	)
	Income tax expense from continuing operations	$	3,044,585		$	2,897,892
	The “Adjustment to tax return filed” line above for the three months ended March 31, 2014 includes an income tax adjustment of $40,914 related to the correction of income tax items related to 2012 recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	The Company files its income tax returns on a consolidated basis. Rate-regulated operations record cumulative increases in deferred taxes as income taxes recoverable from customers. The Company uses the deferral method to account for investment tax credits as required by regulatory commissions. Deferred income taxes are determined using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based upon the temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities, using current tax rates.
	Tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold to be recognized. The Company has no unrecognized tax benefits that would have a material impact to the Company’s financial statements for any open tax years. No adjustments were recognized for uncertain tax positions for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in operating expense. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no unrecognized tax benefits nor interest or penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not recognize any interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits.
	The Company, or one or more of its subsidiaries, files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The tax years after 2009 for federal and state returns remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions in which the Company operates.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Note 9 – Related Party Transactions
	Acquisition of 8500 Station Street
	On March 5, 2013, the Company purchased the Matchworks Building in Mentor, Ohio for $1.9 million from McKay Real Estate Corporation, Matchworks, LLC, and Nathan Properties, LLC (collectively, the “Sellers”) by and through Mark E. Dottore as Receiver in the United States District Court. The Sellers are entities owned or controlled by Richard M. Osborne, a director of the Company and formerly its chairman and chief executive officer. The acquisition of the Matchworks Building was approved by the independent members of the Company’s board of directors. A subsidiary of Gas Natural, 8500 Station Street, was formed to operate the property. The Company accounted for the transaction as an asset purchase and as such recorded the land and building purchased as Property, plant and equipment on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in the amounts of $244,859 and $1,607,915, respectively. These amounts were allocated based on the assets’ relative fair values.
	Notes Receivable
	The Company has a note receivable from one of its employees with an annual interest rate of 4%. Monthly payments are based on a 30 year amortization schedule with a balloon payment due no later than December 1, 2017. The principal balance due was $93,609 and $95,665, of which $1,938 and $1,938 is due within one year, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable
	The table below details amounts due from and due to related parties, including companies owned or controlled by Richard M. Osborne, a director of the Company and formerly its chairman and chief executive officer, at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. These amounts are presented on the balance sheet as Related parties under Accounts receivable and Accounts payable.
		Accounts Receivable				Accounts Payable
		March 31,		December 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Cobra Pipeline	$	140,315	$	131,208	$	—	$	76,909
	Orwell Trumbell Pipeline		—		—		—		122,693
	Great Plains Exploration		10,724		7,033		48,608		73,983
	Big Oats Oil Field Supply		8,912		4,945		34,407		179,447
	John D. Oil and Gas Company		139		91		86,710		82,188
	OsAir		1,253		—		22,678		12,979
	Lake Shore Gas		—		—		51,150		—
	Other		13,293		2,948		10,353		11,734
	Total related party balances		174,636		146,225		253,906		559,933
	Less amounts included in discontinued operations		—		—		—		—
	Total related party balances included in continuing operations	$	174,636	$	146,225	$	253,906	$	559,933
	The tables below detail transactions with related parties, including companies owned or controlled by Richard M. Osborne, a director of the Company and formerly its chairman and chief executive officer, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Natural Gas		Pipeline		Rent, Supplies,		Natural Gas Sales		Rental Income
		Purchases		Construction		Consulting and				and Other Sales
				Purchases		Other Purchases
	Cobra Pipeline	$	338,335	$	—	$	8,000	$	60,523	$	—
	Orwell Trumbell Pipeline		295,232		—		—		1,148		—
	Great Plains Exploration		217,653		—		—		9,503		1,500
	Big Oats Oil Field Supply		—		254,306		88,673		3,862		850
	John D. Oil and Gas Company		285,138		—		—		143		16,500
	OsAir		76,496		—		6,001		2,277		6,366
	Lake Shore Gas		111,210		—		—		—		—
	Other		29,133		—		13,685		13,063		1,200
	Total	$	1,353,197	$	254,306	$	116,359	$	90,519	$	26,416
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Natural Gas		Pipeline		Rent, Supplies,		Natural Gas Sales		Management and
		Purchases		Construction		Consulting and				Other Sales
				Purchases		Other Purchases
	John D. Oil and Gas Marketing	$	576,454	$	—	$	4,085	$	3,282	$	—
	Cobra Pipeline		333,769		—		—		17,855		3,558
	Orwell Trumbell Pipeline		312,535		—		—		10,547		—
	Great Plains Exploration		129,436		—		—		10,546		1,773
	Big Oats Oil Field Supply		—		337,550		165,213		1,940		187
	John D. Oil and Gas Company		83,361		—		—		—		—
	OsAir		58,289		—		18,250		—		—
	Other		10,111		—		27,689		15,451		47
	Total	$	1,503,955	$	337,550	$	215,237	$	59,621	$	5,565
	In addition, the Company accrued a liability of $234,000 due to companies controlled by Richard M. Osborne, a director of the Company and formerly its chairman and chief executive officer, for natural gas used through March 31, 2014 that had not yet been invoiced. The related expense is included in the gas purchased line item in the accompanying Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Operating_Segments

Operating Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segments	'
	Note 10 – Operating Segments
	The Company classifies its segments to provide investors with a view of the business through management’s eyes. The Company primarily separates its state regulated utility businesses from the non-regulated marketing and production business, and pipeline business. Transactions between reportable segments are accounted for on the accrual basis, and eliminated prior to external financial reporting. Inter-company eliminations between segments consist primarily of gas sales from the marketing and production operations to the natural gas operations, inter-company accounts receivable and payable, equity, and subsidiary investments.
	The following tables set forth summarized financial information for the Company’s natural gas, marketing and production, pipeline, and corporate & other operations.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Natural Gas			Marketing and			Pipeline		Corporate &			Consolidated
		Operations			Production			Operations		Other
	OPERATING REVENUES	$	60,340,354		$	7,929,773		$	99,014	$	—		$	68,369,141
	Intersegment elimination		(86,544	)		(3,240,417	)		—		—			(3,326,961	)
	Total operating revenue		60,253,810			4,689,356			99,014		—			65,042,180
	COST OF SALES		42,041,979			7,481,382			—		—			49,523,361
	Intersegment elimination		(86,544	)		(3,240,417	)		—		—			(3,326,961	)
	Total cost of sales		41,955,435			4,240,965			—		—			46,196,400
	GROSS MARGIN	$	18,298,375		$	448,391		$	99,014	$	—		$	18,845,780
	OPERATING EXPENSES		8,602,160			382,458			22,012		1,076,184			10,082,814
	Intersegment elimination		—			—			—		(25,245	)		(25,245	)
	Total operating expenses		8,602,160			382,458			22,012		1,050,939			10,057,569
	OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	$	9,696,215		$	65,933		$	77,002	$	(1,050,939	)	$	8,788,211
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	(15,561	)	$	(15,561	)
	NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	5,693,246		$	20,801		$	44,948	$	(740,504	)	$	5,018,491
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Natural Gas			Marketing and			Pipeline		Corporate &			Consolidated
		Operations			Production			Operations		Other
	OPERATING REVENUES	$	40,030,408		$	5,588,212		$	98,287	$	—		$	45,716,907
	Intersegment elimination		(85,746	)		(2,016,433	)		—		—			(2,102,179	)
	Total operating revenue		39,944,662			3,571,779			98,287		—			43,614,728
	COST OF SALES		24,202,167			4,876,468			—		—			29,078,635
	Intersegment elimination		(85,746	)		(2,016,433	)		—		—			(2,102,179	)
	Total cost of sales		24,116,421			2,860,035			—		—			26,976,456
	GROSS MARGIN	$	15,828,241		$	711,744		$	98,287	$	—		$	16,638,272
	OPERATING EXPENSE		7,576,871			261,251			47,678		141,397			8,027,197
	OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	$	8,251,370		$	450,493		$	50,609	$	(141,397	)	$	8,611,075
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	18,113		$	18,113
	NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	4,711,206		$	248,461		$	27,114	$	(199,058	)	$	4,787,723

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies
	Legal Proceedings
	From time to time, the Company is involved in lawsuits that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. The Company is contesting each of these lawsuits vigorously and believes it has defenses to the allegations that have been made.
	Shareholders Suit
	Beginning on December 10, 2013, five putative shareholder derivative lawsuits were filed by five different individuals, in their capacity as shareholders of Gas Natural, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, purportedly on behalf of Gas Natural and naming certain of the Company’s current and former executive officers and directors as individual defendants. These five shareholder lawsuits are captioned as follows: (1) Richard J. Wickham v. Richard M. Osborne, et al., (Case No. 1:13-cv-02718-LW); (2) John Durgerian v. Richard M. Osborne, et al., (Case No. 1:13-cv-02805-LW); (3) Joseph Ferrigno v. Richard M. Osborne, et al., (Case No. 1:13-cv-02822-LW); (4) Kyle Warner v. Richard M. Osborne, et al., (Case No. 1:14-cv-00007-LW) and (5) Gary F. Peters v. Richard M. Osborne, (Case No. 1:14-cv-0026-CAB). On February 6, 2014, the five lawsuits were consolidated solely for purposes of conducting limited pretrial discovery, and on February 21, 2014, the Court appointed lead counsel for all five lawsuits. No formal discovery has been conducted to date.
	The consolidated action contains claims against various current or former directors or officers of Gas Natural alleging, among other things, violations of federal securities laws, breaches of fiduciary duty, waste of corporate assets and unjust enrichment arising primarily out of the Company’s acquisition of the Ohio utilities, services provided by JDOG Marketing and the acquisition of JDOG Marketing, and the sale of the Company’s common stock by Richard M. Osborne, a director of the Company and its former chairman and chief executive officer, and Thomas J. Smith, a director of the Company and its former chief financial officer. The suit seeks the recovery of unspecified damages allegedly sustained by Gas Natural, which is named as a nominal defendant, corporate reforms, disgorgement, restitution, the recovery of plaintiffs’ attorney’s fees and other relief.
	Gas Natural and the other defendants filed a motion to dismiss this consolidated action in its entirety on May 8, 2014. The motion to dismiss was based on, among other things, the failure of the plaintiffs to make demand on Gas Natural’s board of directors to address the alleged wrongdoing prior to filing their lawsuits and the failure to state viable claims against various individual defendants.
	At this time the Company is unable to provide an estimate of any possible future losses that it may incur in connection to this suit. The Company carries insurance that it believes will cover any negative outcome associated with this action. This insurance carries a $250,000 deductible which the Company will be responsible for paying before any losses will be covered. Although we believe these insurance proceeds are available, we may incur costs and expenses related to the lawsuits that are not covered by insurance which may be substantial. Any unfavorable outcome of the pending lawsuits could adversely impact the Company’s business and results of operations.
	Harrington Employment Suit
	On February 25, 2013, one of the Company’s former officers, Jonathan Harrington, filed a lawsuit captioned “Jonathan Harrington v. Energy West, Inc. and Does 1-4,” Case No. DDV-13-159 in the Montana Eighth Judicial District Court, Cascade County. Mr. Harrington claims that he was terminated in violation of Montana statute requiring just cause for termination. In addition, he alleges claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligent slander. Mr. Harrington is seeking relief for economic loss, including lost wages and fringe benefits for a period of at least four years from the date of discharge, together with interest. Mr. Harrington is an Ohio resident and was employed in Gas Natural’s Ohio corporate offices. On March 20, 2013, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on the basis that Mr. Harrington was an Ohio employee, not a Montana employee, and therefore the statute does not apply. The court has asked the parties to file comprehensive statements of fact and scheduled a hearing on the motion to dismiss on July 1, 2014. The Company believes his claims under Montana law are without merit, and intends to vigorously defend this case on all grounds.
	PUCO Audits
	The Company accounts for purchased gas costs in accordance with procedures authorized by the utility commissions in the states in which it operates. Purchased gas costs that are different from those provided for in present rates, and approved by the respective commission, are accumulated and recovered or credited through future rate changes. The GCRs are monitored closely by the regulatory commissions in all of the states in which the Company operates and are subject to periodic audits or other review processes. The PUCO retrospectively audits the Ohio utility companies’ purchases of natural gas on an annual basis. The purpose of this GCR audit is to reconcile the differences, if any, between the amount the companies paid for natural gas and the amount the companies’ customers paid for natural gas.
	2010 NEO Audit
	During the year ended December 31, 2010, the PUCO conducted an audit of NEO’s GCR as filed from September 2007 through August 2009. In connection with the audits, the PUCO found that NEO had under-recovered gas costs of approximately $1.1 million. The collection of the under-recovery for NEO began in February of 2012. This adjustment appeared on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as part of “recoverable cost of gas purchases”. The remaining balance in NEO’s recoverable cost of gas purchases was $84,463 and $234,253 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	2012 NEO & Orwell Audits
	On January 23, 2012, the PUCO directed its staff to examine the compliance of NEO and Orwell under the GCR mechanism. In a non-binding report to the PUCO in February 2013, its staff asserted that NEO could have purchased natural gas from local producers for less and recommended an adjustment to the GCR calculations that would result in a liability for NEO and Orwell to its customers.
	In July 2013, after a hearing with the PUCO and its staff, the Company determined it was probable that the GCR adjustments recommended by the staff would be adopted by the PUCO and as a result the Company recorded these liabilities in its financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2013. Based on the PUCO staff’s calculations and management’s assessment, a $943,550 liability to its customers was recorded as the Company’s best estimate of the required adjustment to NEO’s GCR and a liability for Orwell to its customers of $251,081.
	On November 13, 2013, the PUCO issued an Opinion and Order in the NEO and Orwell GCR cases; case numbers 12-209-GA-GCR and 12-212-GA-GCR. The Order concluded that adjustments to NEO and Orwell’s GCRs were appropriate in the amounts of $0.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively. These adjustments represent disallowed agent fees paid by NEO and Orwell to JDOG Marketing for natural gas procurement, disallowed processing and treatment fees paid by NEO to Cobra for NEO’s natural gas supply being delivered through Cobra’s pipeline, and certain excess costs associated with local production gas purchased by NEO and Orwell from JDOG Marketing. Both JDOG Marketing and Cobra were companies controlled by Richard M. Osborne, a director of the Company and formerly its chairman and chief executive officer, during the periods covered by these audits. The Company examined NEO and Orwell’s GCRs for the periods immediately following the companies’ audit periods. As a result, the Company calculated that a total liability to its NEO and Orwell customers to be in the range of $1.5 million to $1.9 million. As a result, the Company accrued an additional $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 to increase its initial estimated liability to $1.5 million. The Company believes that this amount continues to be the best estimate to resolve this matter. New information may cause the Company to materially change this estimate in future periods. This amount is included as a reduction of the Recoverable cost of gas purchases line item on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In addition to the GCR adjustments, the PUCO ordered an investigative audit to be conducted of NEO, Orwell and all affiliated and related companies to be undertaken by an outside auditor. This audit will examine the companies’ corporate separation and management structure, internal regulatory and financial controls, compensation system, gas purchasing transactions and practices related to GCR calculations, and financial and accounting statements filed with regulatory agencies. The costs associated with these audits will be the responsibility of the Company. The actual costs associated with such an audit cannot be reasonably estimated at this time and as such no amount has been accrued. These costs may prove to be material once known.
	Trade Receivables
	Included in the accounts receivable, trade line item on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are $1,079,342 and $1,059,224, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,421,000 and $1,421,000 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, for amounts due to the Company by a large industrial customer that is currently under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. All but $178,546 of the amounts were incurred after the customer’s petition for bankruptcy was filed and the Company believes it will ultimately receive payment as the customer emerges from bankruptcy protection.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Note 12 – Subsequent Events
	Dividends
	On May 5, 2014, the Company declared a dividend of $0.045 per share that is payable to shareholders of record on May 15, 2014. There were 10,487,511 shares outstanding on May 15, 2014 resulting in a total dividend of $471,938 which will be paid to shareholders on May 31, 2014.

Summary_of_Business_and_Basis_1

Summary of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of Business	'
	Nature of Business
	Gas Natural Inc. (the “Company”) is a natural gas company with operations in seven states. The Company’s primary operations are natural gas utility companies located throughout these states. The Company’s operations also include marketing and production of natural gas, gas pipeline transmission, and gathering operations. Along with its corporate level operations, these areas of operation represent the Company’s four main operating segments and are described below.
	•     Natural Gas Operations	Annually distributes approximately 36 Bcf of natural gas to approximately 73,000 customers. The Company’s natural gas utility subsidiaries are Public Gas Company (Kentucky), Bangor Gas (Maine), Cut Bank Gas Company (Montana), Energy West Montana (Montana), Frontier Natural Gas (North Carolina), Brainard Gas Corp. (Ohio), Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Corporation (Ohio), Orwell Natural Gas Company (Ohio and Pennsylvania) and Energy West Wyoming (Wyoming).
	•     Marketing and Production Operations	Annually markets approximately 1.5 Bcf of natural gas to commercial and industrial customers in Montana, Wyoming, Ohio, and Pennsylvania through the Company’s EWR and GNR subsidiaries. The EWR subsidiary also manages midstream supply and production assets for transportation customers and utilities. EWR owns an average 51% gross working interest (average 43% net revenue interest) in 160 natural gas producing wells and gas gathering assets located in Glacier and Toole Counties in Montana.
	•     Pipeline Operations	The Shoshone interstate and Glacier gathering natural gas pipelines located in Montana and Wyoming are owned through the subsidiary, EWD. Certain natural gas producing wells owned by EWD are being managed and reported under the marketing and production operations.
	•     Corporate and Other	Encompasses costs associated with business development and acquisitions, dispositions of subsidiary entities, results of discontinued operations, dividend income, recognized gains or losses from the sale of marketable securities, and activity from Lone Wolfe which serves as an insurance agent for the Company and other businesses in the energy industry.
	Energy West was originally incorporated in Montana in 1909 and was reorganized as a holding company in 2009 to facilitate future acquisitions and corporate-level financing to support the Company’s growth strategy. On July 9, 2010, the Company changed its name to Gas Natural Inc. and reincorporated from Montana to Ohio. Moving the incorporation to Ohio enhanced the Company’s flexibility and provided a more efficient platform from which to operate and grow.
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Gas Natural Inc. have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not contain all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of the Company, all normal recurring adjustments have been made, that are necessary to fairly present the results of operations for the interim periods. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation. Such reclassifications have no effect on net income as previously reported.
	Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. A majority of the Company’s revenues are derived from its natural gas utility operations, making its revenue seasonal in nature. Therefore, the largest portion of the Company’s operating revenue is generated during the colder months when its sales volume increases considerably. Reference should be made to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Summary of Available-For-Sale Securities Owned by Company	'
	The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities owned by the Company:
		March 31, 2014
		Investment		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
		at cost		gains		losses		fair value
	Common stock	$	238,504		165,380	$	—	$	403,884
		31-Dec-13
		Investment		Unrealized		Unrealized		Estimated
		at cost		gains		losses		fair value
	Common stock	$	238,504	$	167,630	$	—	$	406,134

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Hierarchy of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table presents the placement in the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		March 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
	ASSETS:
	Common stock		403,884	$	—		$	—		403,884
	LIABILITIES:
	Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—			685,000		685,000
		31-Dec-13
		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
	ASSETS:
	Common stock	$	406,134	$	—		$	—	$	406,134
	LIABILITIES:
	Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—		$	685,000	$	685,000
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances of Contingent Consideration Liability Categorized Under Level 3 of Fair Value	'
	The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the contingent consideration liability categorized under level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
		Contingent
		Consideration
	Opening balance December 31, 2013	$	685,000
	Transfers into level 3		—
	Transfers out of level 3		—
	Total (gains) losses for period:
	Included in net income		—
	Included in other comprehensive income		—
	Purchases		—
	Sales		—
	Settlements		—
	Issuances		—
	Closing balance March 31, 2014	$	685,000
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measures	'
	The following table summarizes quantitative information used in determining the fair value of the Company’s liabilities categorized in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measures
		Fair Value at		Valuation		Unobservable Input	Range
		March 31, 2014		Techniques
	Contingent Consideration	$	685,000	Monte Carlo analysis		Forecasted annual EBITDA	$0.3 - $0.6 million
						Weighted avg cost of capital	15.0% - 15.0%
						U.S. Treasury yields	0.1% - 1.2%
				Discounted cash flow		U.S. Treasury yields	0.1% - 1.2%
						Credit spread	1.0% - 1.7%

Credit_Facilities_and_LongTerm1

Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Outstanding Long-Term Debt Balances	'
	The following table details the Company’s outstanding long-term debt balances at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	LIBOR plus 1.75 to 2.25%, Bank of America amortizing term loan, due April 1, 2017	$	9,250,000	$	9,375,000
	6.16%, Allstate/CUNA Senior unsecured note, due June 29, 2017		13,000,000		13,000,000
	5.38%, Sun Life fixed rate note, due June 1, 2017		15,334,000		15,334,000
	LIBOR plus 3.85%, Sun Life floating rate note, due May 3, 2014		3,000,000		3,000,000
	4.15% Sun Life senior secured guaranteed note, due June 1, 2017		2,989,552		2,989,552
	Vehicle loan		—		2,190
	Total notes payable		43,573,552		43,700,742
	Less: current portion		3,500,000		3,502,190
	Notes payable, long-term portion	$	40,073,552	$	40,198,552

Stock_Compensation_Tables

Stock Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Status of Outstanding Stock Options	'
	A summary of the status of outstanding stock options is as follows:
		Number of		Weighted		Aggregate
		Shares		Average		Intrinsic Value
				Exercise Price
	Outstanding December 31, 2013		5,000	$	8.44	$	—
	Granted		—	$	—
	Exercised		—	$	—
	Expired		—	$	—
	Outstanding March 31, 2014		5,000	$	8.44	$	8,100
	Exercisable March 31, 2014		5,000	$	8.44	$	8,100
Summary of Status of Options Outstanding	'
	The following additional information applies to options outstanding at March 31, 2014:
	Grant Date	Exercise Price		Number		Weighted		Weighted		Number		Weighted
				Outstanding		Average		Average		Exercisable		Average
						Exercise Price		Remaining				Exercise Price
								Contractual
								Life (Years)
	6/3/09	$	8.44		5,000	$	8.44		0.18		5,000	$	8.44
					5,000						5,000

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Federal Statutory Rate to Pre-Tax Income from Continuing Operations	'
	Income tax position differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory rate to pre-tax income or loss as demonstrated in the table below:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Tax expense at statutory rate of 34%	$	2,737,798		$	2,616,860
	State income tax, net of Federal tax expense		272,491			296,676
	Amortization of deferred investment tax credits		(5,265	)		(5,265	)
	Adjustment to tax return filed		40,914			—
	Other		(12,082	)		655
	Total income tax expense		3,033,856			2,908,926
	Discontinued operations		10,729			(11,034	)
	Income tax expense from continuing operations	$	3,044,585		$	2,897,892

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Amounts Due from and Due to Related Parties	'
	The table below details amounts due from and due to related parties, including companies owned or controlled by Richard M. Osborne, a director of the Company and formerly its chairman and chief executive officer, at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. These amounts are presented on the balance sheet as Related parties under Accounts receivable and Accounts payable.
		Accounts Receivable				Accounts Payable
		March 31,		December 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Cobra Pipeline	$	140,315	$	131,208	$	—	$	76,909
	Orwell Trumbell Pipeline		—		—		—		122,693
	Great Plains Exploration		10,724		7,033		48,608		73,983
	Big Oats Oil Field Supply		8,912		4,945		34,407		179,447
	John D. Oil and Gas Company		139		91		86,710		82,188
	OsAir		1,253		—		22,678		12,979
	Lake Shore Gas		—		—		51,150		—
	Other		13,293		2,948		10,353		11,734
	Total related party balances		174,636		146,225		253,906		559,933
	Less amounts included in discontinued operations		—		—		—		—
	Total related party balances included in continuing operations	$	174,636	$	146,225	$	253,906	$	559,933
Summary of Related Parties Transactions	'
	The tables below detail transactions with related parties, including companies owned or controlled by Richard M. Osborne, a director of the Company and formerly its chairman and chief executive officer, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Natural Gas		Pipeline		Rent, Supplies,		Natural Gas Sales		Rental Income
		Purchases		Construction		Consulting and				and Other Sales
				Purchases		Other Purchases
	Cobra Pipeline	$	338,335	$	—	$	8,000	$	60,523	$	—
	Orwell Trumbell Pipeline		295,232		—		—		1,148		—
	Great Plains Exploration		217,653		—		—		9,503		1,500
	Big Oats Oil Field Supply		—		254,306		88,673		3,862		850
	John D. Oil and Gas Company		285,138		—		—		143		16,500
	OsAir		76,496		—		6,001		2,277		6,366
	Lake Shore Gas		111,210		—		—		—		—
	Other		29,133		—		13,685		13,063		1,200
	Total	$	1,353,197	$	254,306	$	116,359	$	90,519	$	26,416
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Natural Gas		Pipeline		Rent, Supplies,		Natural Gas Sales		Management and
		Purchases		Construction		Consulting and				Other Sales
				Purchases		Other Purchases
	John D. Oil and Gas Marketing	$	576,454	$	—	$	4,085	$	3,282	$	—
	Cobra Pipeline		333,769		—		—		17,855		3,558
	Orwell Trumbell Pipeline		312,535		—		—		10,547		—
	Great Plains Exploration		129,436		—		—		10,546		1,773
	Big Oats Oil Field Supply		—		337,550		165,213		1,940		187
	John D. Oil and Gas Company		83,361		—		—		—		—
	OsAir		58,289		—		18,250		—		—
	Other		10,111		—		27,689		15,451		47
	Total	$	1,503,955	$	337,550	$	215,237	$	59,621	$	5,565

Operating_Segments_Tables

Operating Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Summary of Financial Information for Operating Segments	'
	The following tables set forth summarized financial information for the Company’s natural gas, marketing and production, pipeline, and corporate & other operations.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Natural Gas			Marketing and			Pipeline		Corporate &			Consolidated
		Operations			Production			Operations		Other
	OPERATING REVENUES	$	60,340,354		$	7,929,773		$	99,014	$	—		$	68,369,141
	Intersegment elimination		(86,544	)		(3,240,417	)		—		—			(3,326,961	)
	Total operating revenue		60,253,810			4,689,356			99,014		—			65,042,180
	COST OF SALES		42,041,979			7,481,382			—		—			49,523,361
	Intersegment elimination		(86,544	)		(3,240,417	)		—		—			(3,326,961	)
	Total cost of sales		41,955,435			4,240,965			—		—			46,196,400
	GROSS MARGIN	$	18,298,375		$	448,391		$	99,014	$	—		$	18,845,780
	OPERATING EXPENSES		8,602,160			382,458			22,012		1,076,184			10,082,814
	Intersegment elimination		—			—			—		(25,245	)		(25,245	)
	Total operating expenses		8,602,160			382,458			22,012		1,050,939			10,057,569
	OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	$	9,696,215		$	65,933		$	77,002	$	(1,050,939	)	$	8,788,211
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	(15,561	)	$	(15,561	)
	NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	5,693,246		$	20,801		$	44,948	$	(740,504	)	$	5,018,491
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Natural Gas			Marketing and			Pipeline		Corporate &			Consolidated
		Operations			Production			Operations		Other
	OPERATING REVENUES	$	40,030,408		$	5,588,212		$	98,287	$	—		$	45,716,907
	Intersegment elimination		(85,746	)		(2,016,433	)		—		—			(2,102,179	)
	Total operating revenue		39,944,662			3,571,779			98,287		—			43,614,728
	COST OF SALES		24,202,167			4,876,468			—		—			29,078,635
	Intersegment elimination		(85,746	)		(2,016,433	)		—		—			(2,102,179	)
	Total cost of sales		24,116,421			2,860,035			—		—			26,976,456
	GROSS MARGIN	$	15,828,241		$	711,744		$	98,287	$	—		$	16,638,272
	OPERATING EXPENSE		7,576,871			261,251			47,678		141,397			8,027,197
	OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	$	8,251,370		$	450,493		$	50,609	$	(141,397	)	$	8,611,075
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	18,113		$	18,113
	NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	4,711,206		$	248,461		$	27,114	$	(199,058	)	$	4,787,723

Summary_of_Business_and_Basis_2

Summary of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	Well
	Segment
Summary Of Business And Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Number of reporting segments	4
Number of natural gas producing wells and gas gathering assets	160
EWR Subsidiary [Member]	'
Summary Of Business And Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Gross percentage of working interest	51.00%
Average net revenue interest, percentage	43.00%
Natural Gas Operations [Member]	'
Summary Of Business And Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Annual distribution of natural gas	36,000,000
Natural gas customers	73,000
Marketing & Production Operations [Member]	'
Summary Of Business And Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Annually market of natural gas	1,500,000

Marketable_Securities_Addition

Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Amortized Cost And Fair Value Debt Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	$0	$0
Unrealized gains or losses reclassified from other comprehensive income	$0	$0

Marketable_Securities_Summary_

Marketable Securities - Summary of Available-For-Sale Securities Owned by Company (Detail) (Common Stock [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Investment at cost	$238,504	$238,504
Unrealized gains	165,380	167,630
Unrealized losses	'	'
Estimated fair value	$403,884	$406,134

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Hierarchy of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS	'	'
Common stock	$403,884	$406,134
LIABILITIES	'	'
Contingent consideration	685,000	685,000
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Common stock	403,884	406,134
LIABILITIES	'	'
Contingent consideration	'	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Common stock	'	'
LIABILITIES	'	'
Contingent consideration	'	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Common stock	'	'
LIABILITIES	'	'
Contingent consideration	$685,000	$685,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (John D. Oil and Gas Marketing [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
John D. Oil and Gas Marketing [Member]	'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Contingent earn out payment period	'5 years
Targeted EBITDA amount for contingent earn out payments	$810,432
Earn out payment in case actual EBITDA remain less than target EBITDA	$0
Earn out payment in case actual EBITDA meets or exceeds target EBITDA	'575000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Reconc

Fair Value Measurements - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances of Contingent Consideration Liability Categorized Under Level 3 of Fair Value (Detail) (Contingent Consideration [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Contingent Consideration [Member]	'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Opening balance	$685,000
Transfers into level 3	'
Transfers out of level 3	'
Total (gains) losses for period: Included in net income	'
Total gains or losses for period Included in other comprehensive income	'
Purchases	'
Sales	'
Settlements	'
Issuances	'
Closing balance	$685,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Quanti

Fair Value Measurements - Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measures (Detail) (Contingent Consideration [Member], Level 3 [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	$685,000
Monte Carlo Analysis [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Forecasted annual EBITDA	300,000
Weighted average cost of capital	15.00%
U.S. Treasury yields	0.10%
Monte Carlo Analysis [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Forecasted annual EBITDA	$600,000
Weighted average cost of capital	15.00%
U.S. Treasury yields	1.20%
Discounted Cash Flow [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'
U.S. Treasury yields	0.10%
Credit spread	1.00%
Discounted Cash Flow [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'
U.S. Treasury yields	1.20%
Credit spread	1.70%

Restricted_Cash_Additional_Inf

Restricted Cash - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Verso Bucksport Power LLC [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Additional restricted cash balance	$0.90	'
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada [Member]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Additional restricted cash balance	$1.10	$1.10

Credit_Facilities_and_LongTerm2

Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt - Lines of Credit - Additional Information (Detail) (Bank of America [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest on amount outstanding	'LIBOR plus 175 to 225 basis points	'	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing credit facility	$30,000,000	'	'
Line of credit maturity date	1-Apr-17	'	'
Outstanding borrowings	23,600,000	'	24,500,000
Weighted average interest rate on the revolving credit facility	2.39%	2.43%	'
Interest expense related to line of credit	$145,000	$131,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Annual commitment fee	0.25%	'	'
Changes in interest rate on amount outstanding	1.75%	'	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Annual commitment fee	0.45%	'	'
Changes in interest rate on amount outstanding	2.25%	'	'

Credit_Facilities_and_LongTerm3

Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt - Summary of Outstanding Long-Term Debt Balances (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Total notes payable	$43,573,552	$43,700,742
Less: current portion	3,500,000	3,502,190
Notes payable, long-term portion	40,073,552	40,198,552
LIBOR Plus 1.75 to 2.25%, Bank of America Amortizing Term Loan, Due April 1, 2017 [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Total notes payable	9,250,000	9,375,000
6.16%, Allstate/ CUNA Senior Unsecured Note, Due June 29, 2017 [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Total notes payable	13,000,000	13,000,000
5.38%, Sun Life Fixed Rate Note, Due June 1, 2017 [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Total notes payable	15,334,000	15,334,000
LIBOR Plus 3.85%, Sun Life Floating Rate Note, Due May 3, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Total notes payable	3,000,000	3,000,000
4.15% Sun Life Senior Secured Guaranteed Note, Due June 1, 2017 [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Total notes payable	2,989,552	2,989,552
Vehicle Loan [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Total notes payable	'	$2,190

Credit_Facilities_and_LongTerm4

Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt - Summary of Outstanding Long-Term Debt Balances (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
LIBOR Plus 1.75 to 2.25%, Bank of America Amortizing Term Loan, Due April 1, 2017 [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Notes payable, maturity date	1-Apr-17	1-Apr-17
LIBOR Plus 1.75 to 2.25%, Bank of America Amortizing Term Loan, Due April 1, 2017 [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Changes in interest rate on amount outstanding	1.75%	1.75%
LIBOR Plus 1.75 to 2.25%, Bank of America Amortizing Term Loan, Due April 1, 2017 [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Changes in interest rate on amount outstanding	2.25%	2.25%
6.16%, Allstate/ CUNA Senior Unsecured Note, Due June 29, 2017 [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Changes in interest rate, percentage	6.16%	6.16%
Notes payable, maturity date	29-Jun-17	29-Jun-17
5.38%, Sun Life Fixed Rate Note, Due June 1, 2017 [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Changes in interest rate, percentage	5.38%	5.38%
Notes payable, maturity date	1-Jun-17	1-Jun-17
LIBOR Plus 3.85%, Sun Life Floating Rate Note, Due May 3, 2014 [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Changes in interest rate on amount outstanding	3.85%	3.85%
Notes payable, maturity date	3-May-14	3-May-14
4.15% Sun Life Senior Secured Guaranteed Note, Due June 1, 2017 [Member]	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'
Changes in interest rate, percentage	4.15%	4.15%
Notes payable, maturity date	1-Jun-17	1-Jun-17

Credit_Facilities_and_LongTerm5

Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt - Debt Covenants - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2011
	DebtServiceAccounts
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'	'
Number of debt service reserve accounts	2	'	'
Interest payment period	'1 year	'	'
Debt service reserve account	$1,100,000	$1,100,000	'
Maximum percentage of dividend distribution redemptions of net income	70.00%	'	'
Maximum capitalized leases and purchase money obligations	'	'	500,000
Maximum limit for sale or transfer of assets	1.00%	'	'
Percentage of maximum limit of making acquisition	10.00%	'	'
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'	'
Interest coverage ratio	2	'	'
Debt to capitalization rate	60.00%	'	'
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'	'
Interest coverage ratio	1	'	'
Bank of America [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'	'
Maximum debt to capital ratio	0.55	'	'
Interest coverage ratio	2	'	'
Maximum capital lease borrowing obligation	500,000	'	'
Maximum other borrowing obligation	$1,000,000	'	'
Period consider for distribution and redemption restriction	'60 months	'	'
Percent of net income consider for distribution and redemption restriction	80.00%	'	'
Maximum percent of assets disposal restriction in fiscal year	5.00%	'	'
Allstate/CUNA [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'	'
Total dividends and distributions made in the immediately preceding period	'60 months	'	'
Allstate/CUNA [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of outstanding long-term debt balances	'	'	'
Aggregate consolidated net income	100.00%	'	'
Debt to capitalization rate	65.00%	'	'
Interest coverage ratio	150.00%	'	'

Stock_Compensation_Additional_

Stock Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 26, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
			Two Thousand Two Stock Option Plan [Member]	Two Thousand Two Stock Option Plan [Member]	Two Thousand Two Stock Option Plan [Member]	2012 Incentive and Equity Award Plan [Member]	2012 Incentive and Equity Award Plan [Member]	2012 Non-Employee Director Stock Award Plan [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
									Two Thousand Two Stock Option Plan [Member]	Two Thousand Two Stock Option Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of common shares issued subject to adjustment	'	'	'	'	300,000	'	500,000	250,000	'	'
Number of options granted during period	'	'	0	0	'	30,833	'	0	'	'
Number of options granted fair value	'	'	'	'	'	$0.30	'	'	'	'
Options vest period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'4 years	'5 years
Options exercisable period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'5 years	'10 years
Stock option expired	'	'	4-Oct-12	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding	5,000	5,000	5,000	'	5,000	'	'	'	'	'

Stock_Compensation_Summary_of_

Stock Compensation - Summary of Status of Outstanding Stock Options (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Number of Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance	5,000
Granted, Number of Shares	'
Exercised, Number of Shares	'
Expired, Number of Shares	'
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance	5,000
Exercisable, Number of Shares Outstanding	5,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$8.44
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding, Ending Balance	$8.44
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.44
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding, Beginning Balance	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding, Ending Balance	8,100
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$8,100

Stock_Compensation_Summary_of_1

Stock Compensation - Summary of Status of Options Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
			6/3/2009 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Grant Date	'	'	6-Mar-09
Exercise Price	'	'	$8.44
Number Outstanding	5,000	5,000	5,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.44	$8.44	$8.44
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	'	'	'2 months 5 days
Number Exercisable	5,000	'	5,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	$8.44

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Annual contribution of employees salaries	3.00%	'
Discretionary contributions made by an employer to a defined contribution plan	3.00%	'
Expense related to plan	$85,840	$91,617
Company makes matching contributions in form of common stock, percent	10.00%	'
Company makes matching contributions in form of common stock	7,515	14,177
Contribution to ESOP by company	0	0
Maximum age criteria for retirees to remain on the same medical plan to retain coverage	'65 years	'
Defined postretirement health benefit plan	125	'
Minimum age criteria for retirees to remain on the same medical plan to retain coverage	'60 years	'
Percentage rate of contribution retirees health plan	125.00%	'
Value of plan assets	$143,477	$155,750

Income_Taxes_Federal_Statutory

Income Taxes - Federal Statutory Rate to Pre-Tax Income from Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Income Tax Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'
Tax expense at statutory rate of 34%	$2,737,798	$2,616,860
State income tax, net of Federal tax expense	272,491	296,676
Amortization of deferred investment tax credits	-5,265	-5,265
Adjustment to tax return filed	40,914	'
Other	-12,082	655
Total income tax expense	3,033,856	2,908,926
Discontinued operations	10,729	-11,034
Income tax expense from continuing operations	$3,044,585	$2,897,892

Income_Taxes_Federal_Statutory1

Income Taxes - Federal Statutory Rate to Pre-Tax Income from Continuing Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Income Tax Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'
Statutory income tax rate	34.00%	34.00%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Income tax adjustments	$40,914	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits having material impact	0	0	'
Adjustments recognized for uncertain tax benefits	0	0	'
Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions, accrued	0	'	0
Unrecognized interest or penalties	$0	$0	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 05, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
			8500 Station Street [Member]	8500 Station Street [Member]	8500 Station Street [Member]	Employee [Member]	Employee [Member]	Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of Matchworks Building in Mentor, Ohio	'	'	$1,900,000	'	'	'	'	'
Land and building purchased	136,405,323	133,520,286	'	244,859	1,607,915	'	'	'
Annual interest rate	'	'	'	'	'	4.00%	'	'
Amortization schedule for payments	'	'	'	'	'	'30 years	'	'
Maturity date of note receivable	'	'	'	'	'	1-Dec-17	'	'
Principal balance due	'	'	'	'	'	93,609	95,665	'
Balance due within one year	1,938	1,938	'	'	'	1,938	1,938	'
Accrued liability, related parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$234,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Amo

Related Party Transactions - Amounts Due from and Due to Related Parties (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	$174,636	$146,225
Accounts Payable, Total	253,906	559,933
Amounts included in discontinued operations [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	'	'
Accounts Payable, Total	'	'
Amounts included in continuing operations [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	174,636	146,225
Accounts Payable, Total	253,906	559,933
Cobra Pipeline [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	140,315	131,208
Accounts Payable, Total	'	76,909
Orwell Trumbell Pipeline [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	'	'
Accounts Payable, Total	'	122,693
Great Plains Exploration [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	10,724	7,033
Accounts Payable, Total	48,608	73,983
Big Oats Oil Field Supply [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	8,912	4,945
Accounts Payable, Total	34,407	179,447
John D. Oil and Gas Company [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	139	91
Accounts Payable, Total	86,710	82,188
OsAir [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	1,253	'
Accounts Payable, Total	22,678	12,979
Lake Shore Gas [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	'	'
Accounts Payable, Total	51,150	'
Other [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	13,293	2,948
Accounts Payable, Total	10,353	11,734
Total related party balances [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Total	174,636	146,225
Accounts Payable, Total	$253,906	$559,933

Related_Party_Transactions_Sum

Related Party Transactions - Summary of Related Parties Transactions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Natural Gas Purchases	$1,353,197	$1,503,955
Pipeline Construction Purchases	254,306	337,550
Rent, Supplies, Consulting and Other Purchases	116,359	215,237
Natural Gas Sales	90,519	59,621
Rental Income and Other Sales	26,416	5,565
Cobra Pipeline [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Natural Gas Purchases	338,335	333,769
Pipeline Construction Purchases	'	'
Rent, Supplies, Consulting and Other Purchases	8,000	'
Natural Gas Sales	60,523	17,855
Rental Income and Other Sales	'	3,558
Orwell Trumbell Pipeline [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Natural Gas Purchases	295,232	312,535
Pipeline Construction Purchases	'	'
Rent, Supplies, Consulting and Other Purchases	'	'
Natural Gas Sales	1,148	10,547
Rental Income and Other Sales	'	'
Great Plains Exploration [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Natural Gas Purchases	217,653	129,436
Pipeline Construction Purchases	'	'
Rent, Supplies, Consulting and Other Purchases	'	'
Natural Gas Sales	9,503	10,546
Rental Income and Other Sales	1,500	1,773
Big Oats Oil Field Supply [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Natural Gas Purchases	'	'
Pipeline Construction Purchases	254,306	337,550
Rent, Supplies, Consulting and Other Purchases	88,673	165,213
Natural Gas Sales	3,862	1,940
Rental Income and Other Sales	850	187
John D. Oil and Gas Company [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Natural Gas Purchases	285,138	83,361
Pipeline Construction Purchases	'	'
Rent, Supplies, Consulting and Other Purchases	'	'
Natural Gas Sales	143	'
Rental Income and Other Sales	16,500	'
OsAir [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Natural Gas Purchases	76,496	58,289
Pipeline Construction Purchases	'	'
Rent, Supplies, Consulting and Other Purchases	6,001	18,250
Natural Gas Sales	2,277	'
Rental Income and Other Sales	6,366	'
Lake Shore Gas [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Natural Gas Purchases	111,210	'
Pipeline Construction Purchases	'	'
Rent, Supplies, Consulting and Other Purchases	'	'
Natural Gas Sales	'	'
Rental Income and Other Sales	'	'
Other [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Natural Gas Purchases	29,133	10,111
Pipeline Construction Purchases	'	'
Rent, Supplies, Consulting and Other Purchases	13,685	27,689
Natural Gas Sales	13,063	15,451
Rental Income and Other Sales	1,200	47
John D. Oil and Gas Marketing [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Natural Gas Purchases	'	576,454
Pipeline Construction Purchases	'	'
Rent, Supplies, Consulting and Other Purchases	'	4,085
Natural Gas Sales	'	3,282
Rental Income and Other Sales	'	'

Operating_Segments_Summary_of_

Operating Segments - Summary of Financial Information for Operating Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	$65,042,180	$43,614,728
Total cost of sales	46,196,400	26,976,456
GROSS MARGIN	18,845,780	16,638,272
OPERATING EXPENSE	10,057,569	8,027,197
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	8,788,211	8,611,075
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	-15,561	18,113
NET INCOME (LOSS)	5,018,491	4,787,723
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	68,369,141	45,716,907
Total cost of sales	49,523,361	29,078,635
OPERATING EXPENSE	10,082,814	'
Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	-3,326,961	-2,102,179
Total cost of sales	-3,326,961	-2,102,179
OPERATING EXPENSE	-25,245	'
Natural Gas Operations [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	60,253,810	39,944,662
Total cost of sales	41,955,435	24,116,421
GROSS MARGIN	18,298,375	15,828,241
OPERATING EXPENSE	8,602,160	7,576,871
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	9,696,215	8,251,370
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'	'
NET INCOME (LOSS)	5,693,246	4,711,206
Natural Gas Operations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	60,340,354	40,030,408
Total cost of sales	42,041,979	24,202,167
OPERATING EXPENSE	8,602,160	'
Natural Gas Operations [Member] | Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	-86,544	-85,746
Total cost of sales	-86,544	-85,746
OPERATING EXPENSE	'	'
Marketing and Production [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	4,689,356	3,571,779
Total cost of sales	4,240,965	2,860,035
GROSS MARGIN	448,391	711,744
OPERATING EXPENSE	382,458	261,251
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	65,933	450,493
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'	'
NET INCOME (LOSS)	20,801	248,461
Marketing and Production [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	7,929,773	5,588,212
Total cost of sales	7,481,382	4,876,468
OPERATING EXPENSE	382,458	'
Marketing and Production [Member] | Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	-3,240,417	-2,016,433
Total cost of sales	-3,240,417	-2,016,433
OPERATING EXPENSE	'	'
Pipeline Operations [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	99,014	98,287
Total cost of sales	'	'
GROSS MARGIN	99,014	98,287
OPERATING EXPENSE	22,012	47,678
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	77,002	50,609
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'	'
NET INCOME (LOSS)	44,948	27,114
Pipeline Operations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	99,014	98,287
Total cost of sales	'	'
OPERATING EXPENSE	22,012	'
Pipeline Operations [Member] | Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	'	'
Total cost of sales	'	'
OPERATING EXPENSE	'	'
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	'	'
Total cost of sales	'	'
GROSS MARGIN	'	'
OPERATING EXPENSE	1,050,939	141,397
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	-1,050,939	-141,397
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	-15,561	18,113
NET INCOME (LOSS)	-740,504	-199,058
Corporate and Other [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	'	'
Total cost of sales	'	'
OPERATING EXPENSE	1,076,184	'
Corporate and Other [Member] | Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total operating revenue	'	'
Total cost of sales	'	'
OPERATING EXPENSE	($25,245)	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Feb. 25, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 10, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2010

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Shareholders Suit [Member]

Shareholders Suit [Member]

NEO [Member]

NEO [Member]

NEO [Member]

NEO [Member]

Orwell [Member]

Orwell [Member]

Commitments Contingencies And Litigation [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Insurance premium paid before any losses covered

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of individuals filing suit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of claims pending

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum period of relief for economic loss

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Over (under) recovered gas costs

'

7,729,264

2,276,426

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

Unrecovered costs for purchased gas amount for audit adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

84,463

234,253

'

'

'

'

Liability of customers

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

943,550

'

251,081

Valuation adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

'

200,000

'

Increase in initial estimated liability

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts receivable trade from large industrial customer under chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

'

1,079,342

'

1,059,224

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable for large industrial customer covered under bankruptcy protection act

'

1,421,000

'

1,421,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts receivable from customer under bankruptcy protection

'

$178,546

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	5-May-14	31-May-14	15-May-14
				Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend declared per share	'	'	'	$0.05	'	'
Shares outstanding	10,451,678	'	10,451,678	'	'	10,487,511
Dividend paid	$1,410,978	$1,131,717	'	'	$471,938	'
Dividend payable record date	'	'	'	15-May-14	'	'