Yuma Energy 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	15-May-14
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'PYRAMID OIL CO	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000081318	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Trading Symbol	'PDO	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	4,688,085
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'

BALANCE_SHEETS

BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,555,645	$4,404,246
Restricted cash	0	967,329
Short-term investments	2,141,887	2,140,822
Trade accounts receivable (net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $4,000 in 2014 and 2013)	448,168	484,468
Income taxes receivable	537,400	12,400
Crude oil inventory	74,607	102,334
Prepaid expenses and other assets	201,925	249,030
Deferred Income taxes	281,700	711,800
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	8,241,332	9,072,429
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:	'	'
Oil and gas properties and equipment (successful efforts method)	19,883,190	19,883,190
Capitalized asset retirement costs	412,612	412,612
Drilling and operating equipment	2,058,744	2,058,744
Land, buildings and improvements	1,098,918	1,098,918
Automotive, office and other property and equipment	1,136,566	1,136,566
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	24,590,030	24,590,030
Less - accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and valuation allowances	-21,439,883	-21,335,914
TOTAL PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	3,150,147	3,254,116
INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS	'	'
Long-term investments	1,139,149	1,131,707
Deferred income taxes	413,500	459,900
Deposits	250,000	250,000
Other assets	11,380	11,380
TOTAL INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS	1,814,029	1,852,987
TOTAL ASSETS	13,205,508	14,179,532
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Accounts payable	351,836	290,930
Accrued professional fees	26,893	140,711
Accrued taxes, other than income taxes	54,444	54,444
Accrued payroll and related costs	56,010	40,932
Accrued royalties payable	227,457	226,502
Accrued insurance	69,838	113,480
Liability for deferred compensation	282,314	1,026,655
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	1,068,792	1,893,654
LIABILITY FOR ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS	1,315,279	1,305,862
TOTAL LIABILITIES	2,384,071	3,199,516
CONTINGENCIES (Note 4)	'	'
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Preferred stock, no par value Authorized - 10,000,000 shares Issued and outstanding - none	0	0
Common stock, no par value Authorized - 50,000,000 shares Issued and outstanding - 4,688,085 shares	1,847,384	1,847,384
Retained earnings	8,974,053	9,132,632
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	10,821,437	10,980,016
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$13,205,508	$14,179,532

BALANCE_SHEETS_Parenthetical

BALANCE SHEETS [Parenthetical] (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reserve for doubtful accounts	$4,000	$4,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares Issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common Stock, shares, Issued	4,688,085	4,688,085
Common stock, shares outstanding	4,688,085	4,688,085

STATEMENTS_OF_OPERATIONS

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
REVENUES:	'	'
Oil and gas sales	$1,043,599	$1,007,803
COSTS AND EXPENSES:	'	'
Operating expenses	496,290	434,438
General and administrative	577,963	222,141
Taxes, other than income and payroll taxes	33,609	30,397
Provision for depletion, depreciation, and amortization	103,970	112,979
Accretion expense	9,417	10,379
Other costs and expenses	46,090	33,224
Costs and expenses, Total	1,267,339	843,558
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	-223,740	164,245
OTHER INCOME:	'	'
Interest	9,661	10,311
Other	7,000	0
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	16,661	10,311
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE	-207,079	174,556
Income tax (benefit) expense	'	'
Current	-525,000	5,769
Deferred	476,500	56,100
Income tax (benefit) expense, Total	-48,500	61,869
NET (LOSS) INCOME	($158,579)	$112,687
BASIC (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	($0.03)	$0.02
DILUTED (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	($0.03)	$0.02
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	4,688,085	4,688,085
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	4,688,085	4,688,085

STATEMENTS_OF_CASH_FLOWS

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net (loss) income	($158,579)	$112,687
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:	'	'
Provision for depletion, depreciation, and amortization	103,970	112,979
Accretion expense	9,417	10,379
Deferred income taxes	476,500	56,100
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Trade accounts and income taxes receivable	-488,700	-87,474
Crude oil inventories	27,727	-34,486
Prepaid expenses	47,105	56,235
Deferred compensation liability	-744,341	0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-80,522	-94,856
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-807,423	131,564
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Capital expenditures	0	-128,928
Restricted cash	967,329	0
Increase in short-term investments	-1,065	-1,331
Increase in long-term investments	-7,442	-7,442
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	958,822	-137,701
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	151,399	-6,137
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	4,404,246	3,834,097
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$4,555,645	$3,827,960

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The financial statements include the accounts of Pyramid Oil Company (the “Company”). Such financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without an audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
	A summary of the Company's significant accounting policies is contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The financial data presented herein should be read in conjunction with the Company's December 31, 2013 financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Company's Form 10-K.
	In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial statements, contained herein, include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position as of March 31, 2014 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.
	Stock Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for its share based compensation in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718.  Stock-based compensation cost represents stock options issued to non-employee members of the Board of Directors, and is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite vesting period.
	The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Assumptions relative to volatility and anticipated forfeitures are determined at the time of grant. There were no stock option grants during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.
	Income Taxes
	When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.
	The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and California, Texas and New York states. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examination for the years prior to 2010. State jurisdictions that remain subject to examination range from 2009 to 2013. The Company does not believe there will be any material changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months.
	The Company policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of the date of adoption of FASB ASC 740-10-25, the Company did not have any accrued interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor was any interest expense recognized during the three month period ended March 31, 2014.
	Interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as interest expense and penalties are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations.
	Income Taxes Receivable
	The Company has recognized income taxes receivable of $537,400 at March 31, 2014. The Company recorded an increase in income taxes receivable for the first quarter of 2014 in the amount of $525,000. This increase is due primarily to the deduction of deferred compensation for tax purposes in the amount of $1,003,973. The deferred compensation had been recorded for financial statement purposes during the third quarter of 2013.
	Income (Loss) per Share
	Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) applicable to common stock by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
	Valuation Allowances
	The Company has recorded valuation allowances for certain of its oil and gas properties when the undiscounted future net cash flows are less than the net capitalized costs for the property. No valuation allowances were recorded in the first quarter of 2014 or 2013.
	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block]	'
	2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” The amendments in this ASU clarify the scope for derivatives accounted for in accordance with Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset or subject to netting arrangements. An entity is required to apply the amendments for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2013-01 to have a material impact on its financial statements.

Dividends

Dividends	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	3. Dividends
	No cash dividends were paid during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	4. Contingencies
	In September 2009, the Company was notified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) of a final settlement offer to settle its potential liability as a generator of waste containing hazardous substances that were disposed of at a waste disposal site in Santa Barbara County, California. The Company responded to the EPA in October 2009 by indicating that the waste contained petroleum products that fall within the exception to the definition of hazardous substances for petroleum-related substances of the pertinent EPA regulations. Management has concluded that under both federal and state regulations no reasonable basis exists for any valid claim against the Company. As such, the likelihood of any liability is deemed remote. There has been no further communication from the EPA on this matter since September 25, 2009.
	Under the terms of the merger agreement between the Company and Yuma Energy, Inc., the Company may be required to pay to Yuma a termination fee of approximately $1.0 million if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances.

Income_Tax_Expense_Benefit

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	5. Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
	The Company recognized an income tax expense (benefit) of $(48,500) for the first quarter of 2014 compared to an income tax provision of $61,869 for the same period in 2013.
	Income tax expense (benefit) for the first quarter of 2014 was calculated as follows:
		Federal		State		Total
	Current tax (benefit)	$	-450,000	$	-75,000	$	-525,000
	Deferred tax expense		377,400		99,100		476,500
		$	-72,600	$	24,100	$	-48,500
	Income tax expense (benefit) for the first quarter of 2013 was calculated as follows:
		Federal		State		Total
	Current tax expense	$	4,769	$	1,000	$	5,769
	Deferred tax expense		43,700		12,400		56,100
		$	48,469	$	13,400	$	61,869
	Deferred income taxes are recognized using the asset and liability method by applying income tax rates to cumulative temporary differences based on when and how they are expected to affect the tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for income tax rate changes. Deferred income tax assets have been offset by a valuation allowance of $1,719,000 as of March 31, 2014. Management reviews deferred income taxes regularly throughout the year, and accordingly makes any necessary adjustments to properly reflect the valuation allowance based upon current financial trends and projected results.

Incentive_and_Retention_Plan

Incentive and Retention Plan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]	'
Incentive and Retention Plan, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	6. Incentive and Retention Plan
	On January 9, 2007, the Company's Board of Directors adopted an Incentive and Retention Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) pursuant to which the Company's officers and other employees selected by the Company's Compensation Committee are entitled to receive payments if they are employed by the Company as of the date of a Corporate Transaction (as such term is defined in the Incentive Plan). A Corporate Transaction includes certain mergers involving the Company, sales of Company assets, and other changes in the control of the Company, as specified in the Incentive and Retention Plan. In general, the amount that is payable to each plan participant will equal the number of plan units that have been granted to him or her, multiplied by the increase in the value of the Company between January 9, 2007 and the date of a Corporate Transaction. There has been no Corporate Transaction since the adoption of the Incentive Plan. No employees have been selected by the Compensation Committee to receive payments under the Incentive Plan.

RelatedParty_Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	7. Related-party Transaction
	Effective January 1, 1990, John H. Alexander, a former officer and director of the Company, participated with a group of investors that acquired the mineral and fee interest on one of the Company's oil and gas leases (the “Santa Fe Energy lease”) in the Carneros Creek field after the Company declined to participate. The thirty-three percent interest owned by Mr. Alexander represents a minority interest in the investor group. Mr. Alexander resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company effective September 30, 2013. Royalties on oil and gas production from this property paid to the investor group approximated $43,000 during the first quarter of 2013. Because Mr. Alexander is no longer an officer, director or employee of the Company, the amounts paid to Mr. Alexander for royalties during the first quarter of 2014 are no longer considered a related-party transaction.

Stock_Based_Compensation

Stock Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	8. Stock Based Compensation
	Stock-Option Plan
	The Company has issued stock options as compensation for non-employee members of the Board of Directors under its 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.  These options vest immediately and are exercisable for a five-year period from the date of the grant.
	The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity.
									Weighted-
						Weighted-			Average
						Average			Remaining			Aggregate
						Exercise			Contractual			Intrinsic
			Options			Price			Life (Years)			Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			105,000		$	5.17			4.66		$	-
	Granted			-									-
	Exercised			-									-
	Forfeited			-									-
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014 (unaudited)			105,000		$	5.17			4.41		$	-
	Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014			105,000		$	5.17			4.41		$	-
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014			105,000		$	5.17			4.41		$	-
	As of March 31, 2014, there were no unvested stock options or unrecognized stock option expense.
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2014.
					Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
						Weighted				Weighted					Weighted
						Average				Average					Average
	Exercise		Number			Remaining				Exercise		Number			Exercise
	Price		of Shares			Life (Years)				Price		of Shares			Price
	$	5.4			5,000			2.17		$	5.4			5,000	$	5.4
		5.16			100,000			4.52			5.16			100,000		5.16
					105,000									105,000

Fair_Value

Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	9. Fair Value
	Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted FASB ASC 820 (formerly SFAS No. 157) for its nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis. The Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 820 for measuring the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities during 2008. As defined in FASB ASC 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that it believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-tiered fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
	Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
	Level 2 - Inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and
	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. Included in this category is the Company's determination of the value of its asset retirement obligation liability. The obligation has increased $9,417 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 as a result of normal accretion expense.
	The carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable reported in the balance sheets approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.
	Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis
	Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). There were no instances of impairment recorded in the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

Asset_Retirement_Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	10. Asset Retirement Obligations
	The Company recognizes a liability at discounted fair value for the future retirement of tangible long-lived assets and associated assets retirement cost associated with the petroleum and natural gas properties. The fair value of the liability is capitalized as part of the cost of the related asset and amortized to expense over its useful life. The liability accretes until the date of expected settlement of the retirement obligations. The related accretion expense is recognized in the statement of operations. The provision will be revised for the effect of any changes to timing related to cash flow or undiscounted abandonment costs. Actual expenditures incurred for the purpose of site reclamation are charged to the asset retirement obligations to the extent that the liability exists on the balance sheet. Differences between the actual costs incurred and the fair value of the liability recorded are recognized in income in the period the actual costs are incurred.
	There are no legally restricted assets for the settlement of asset retirement obligations. A reconciliation of the Company's asset retirement obligations from the periods presented, are as follows:
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,305,862
	Incurred during the period		0
	Additions for new wells		0
	Accretion expense		9,417
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1,315,279

Registration_Statement_on_Form

Registration Statement on Form S-3	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Registration Statement On Form S3 [Abstract]	'
Registration Statement On Form S-3 [Text Block]	'
	11. Registration Statement on Form S-3
	The Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC on November 5, 2013, that was declared effective on November 21, 2013. The registration statement is designed to provide the Company the flexibility to offer and sell from time to time up to $30 million of the Company's common stock. The Company may offer and sell such securities through one or more methods of distribution, subject to market conditions and the Company's capital needs. The terms of any offering under the shelf registration statement will be established at the time of such offering and will be described in a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC prior to the completion of the offering. The Company has not filed any supplemental prospectus with the SEC or sold any common stock under this registration statement.

Merger_Agreement

Merger Agreement	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	12. Merger Agreement
	On February 6, 2014, the Company and privately held Yuma Energy, Inc. (“Yuma”) announced they had entered into a definitive merger agreement for an all-stock transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, which is subject to the approval of shareholders of both companies, the Company will change its name to “Yuma Energy, Inc.,” and relocate its headquarters to Houston, Texas, while maintaining offices in Bakersfield, California, to oversee its California operations.
	Under the terms of the merger agreement, the Company will reincorporate in Delaware and the Delaware successor corporation will issue an aggregate of approximately 66 million shares of its common stock to Yuma shareholders, resulting in former Yuma shareholders owning approximately 93% of the post-merger company. Upon closing, there will be an aggregate of approximately 71 million shares of common stock outstanding. The transaction is expected to qualify as a tax-deferred reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
	The merger agreement is subject to the approval of the shareholders of both companies, as well as other customary approvals, including authorization to list the newly issued shares on the NYSE MKT. The companies anticipate completing the transaction in mid-2014.
	The foregoing description of the merger agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such agreement. See Note 14.

Settlement_Agreement

Settlement Agreement	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]	'
Compensation Related Costs, General [Text Block]	'
	13. Settlement Agreement
	In February 2002, the Company entered into an employment agreement with John H. Alexander pursuant to which Mr. Alexander agreed to serve as the Company's Vice President. On June 3, 2004, Mr. Alexander was appointed as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement was for an initial term of six years, which term automatically renews annually if written notice is not tendered. The agreement was automatically renewed on June 3, 2013. On September 30, 2013, Mr. Alexander resigned as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
	In connection with Mr. Alexander’s resignation, Mr. Alexander and the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement and General Release of Claims, dated as of September 30, 2013 (the “Settlement Agreement”). Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, among other things:
		⋅	Mr. Alexander’s existing employment agreement terminated effective as of September 30, 2013;
		⋅	The Company agreed to pay an aggregate amount of $967,329 to Mr. Alexander in satisfaction of amounts that are owed to Mr. Alexander under his employment agreement, with such amount to be paid in three equal installments of $322,443 each, on April 5, 2014, January 5, 2015, and January 5, 2016. These amounts are included in restricted cash and deferred compensation liability;
		⋅	The Company agreed to secure these payments owed to Mr. Alexander in a “rabbi trust” pursuant to a Trust Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2013 between the Company and Gilbert Ansolabehere, as trustee (the “Trust Agreement”);
		⋅	Mr. Alexander agreed to resign as a director and officer of the Company;
		⋅	The Company and Mr. Alexander entered into a Consulting Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2013 (the “Consulting Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Alexander will serve as a consultant to the Company on a part-time basis through September 30, 2014 for a fee of $10,000 per month;
		⋅	The Company and Mr. Alexander waived known and unknown claims against each other;
		⋅	Michael D. Herman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, agreed to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock held by Messrs. Alexander and Turco; and
		⋅	The Company and Mr. Alexander entered into an Indemnity Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013 (the “Indemnity Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to indemnify Mr. Alexander against certain claims, losses, costs and expenses that may result in the future from lawsuits and other proceedings in connection with his service as a director and an officer of the Company.
	On March 18, 2014, the Trust Agreement noted above was terminated by agreement of the Company, Mr. Alexander and the trustee, and the funds were disbursed. At March 31, 2014, the Company had recorded a liability for deferred compensation of $282,314. These amounts represent payroll tax withholding related to certain Severance Award Agreements issued to Mr. Alexander.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	14. Subsequent Events
	On April 25, 2014, Pyramid Delaware Merger Subsidiary, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Pyramid Delaware”), filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (“Form S-4”) with the SEC to effectuate (i) the proposed reincorporation of the Company from California to Delaware through the merger of the Company with and into Pyramid Delaware (the “reincorporation”), and (ii) the proposed merger of Pyramid Merger Subsidiary, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Pyramid Delaware (“Merger Subsidiary”), with and into Yuma Energy, Inc. (“Yuma”), with Yuma becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pyramid Delaware (the “merger”). As a result of the reincorporation and the merger, Pyramid Delaware will be the publicly held corporation through which the Company’s common stock will be traded. In order to complete the merger, the Company’s shareholders must vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement (which includes (i) approval of the principal terms and conditions of the reincorporation; (ii) approval of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the amended and restated bylaws of Pyramid Delaware; (iii) approval of the issuance of shares of Pyramid Delaware common stock to stockholders of Yuma; and (iv) approval of the change of Pyramid Delaware’s name to “Yuma Energy, Inc.”), and Yuma shareholders must vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement as well. See Note 12.
	On April 25, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the issuance of 100,000 shares of Company common stock under the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan to certain employees, directors and consultants, which vest upon a change in control.
	The Company evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date of March 31, 2014 through May, 15, 2014.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Stock Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for its share based compensation in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718.  Stock-based compensation cost represents stock options issued to non-employee members of the Board of Directors, and is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite vesting period.
	The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Assumptions relative to volatility and anticipated forfeitures are determined at the time of grant. There were no stock option grants during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.
	The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and California, Texas and New York states. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examination for the years prior to 2010. State jurisdictions that remain subject to examination range from 2009 to 2013. The Company does not believe there will be any material changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months.
	The Company policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of the date of adoption of FASB ASC 740-10-25, the Company did not have any accrued interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor was any interest expense recognized during the three month period ended March 31, 2014.
	Interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as interest expense and penalties are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations.
Income Taxes Receivable [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes Receivable
	The Company has recognized income taxes receivable of $537,400 at March 31, 2014. The Company recorded an increase in income taxes receivable for the first quarter of 2014 in the amount of $525,000. This increase is due primarily to the deduction of deferred compensation for tax purposes in the amount of $1,003,973. The deferred compensation had been recorded for financial statement purposes during the third quarter of 2013.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income (Loss) per Share
	Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) applicable to common stock by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
Valuation Allowances [Policy Text Block]	'
	Valuation Allowances
	The Company has recorded valuation allowances for certain of its oil and gas properties when the undiscounted future net cash flows are less than the net capitalized costs for the property. No valuation allowances were recorded in the first quarter of 2014 or 2013.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

Income_Tax_Expense_Benefit_Tab

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	Income tax expense (benefit) for the first quarter of 2014 was calculated as follows:
		Federal		State		Total
	Current tax (benefit)	$	-450,000	$	-75,000	$	-525,000
	Deferred tax expense		377,400		99,100		476,500
		$	-72,600	$	24,100	$	-48,500
	Income tax expense (benefit) for the first quarter of 2013 was calculated as follows:
		Federal		State		Total
	Current tax expense	$	4,769	$	1,000	$	5,769
	Deferred tax expense		43,700		12,400		56,100
		$	48,469	$	13,400	$	61,869

Stock_Based_Compensation_Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity.
									Weighted-
						Weighted-			Average
						Average			Remaining			Aggregate
						Exercise			Contractual			Intrinsic
			Options			Price			Life (Years)			Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			105,000		$	5.17			4.66		$	-
	Granted			-									-
	Exercised			-									-
	Forfeited			-									-
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014 (unaudited)			105,000		$	5.17			4.41		$	-
	Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014			105,000		$	5.17			4.41		$	-
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014			105,000		$	5.17			4.41		$	-
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2014.
					Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
						Weighted				Weighted					Weighted
						Average				Average					Average
	Exercise		Number			Remaining				Exercise		Number			Exercise
	Price		of Shares			Life (Years)				Price		of Shares			Price
	$	5.4			5,000			2.17		$	5.4			5,000	$	5.4
		5.16			100,000			4.52			5.16			100,000		5.16
					105,000									105,000

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_T

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Asset Retirement Obligations [Table Text Block]	'
	A reconciliation of the Company's asset retirement obligations from the periods presented, are as follows:
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,305,862
	Incurred during the period		0
	Additions for new wells		0
	Accretion expense		9,417
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1,315,279

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Income Taxes Receivable	$537,400
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable	525,000
Deferred Compensation Liability, Current and Noncurrent	$1,003,973

Contingencies_Details_Textual

Contingencies (Details Textual) (Yuma Energy, Inc [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Yuma Energy, Inc [Member]	'
Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Contract Termination Fee	$1

Income_Tax_Expense_Benefit_Det

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Federal:	'	'
Current tax (benefit) expense	($450,000)	$4,769
Deferred tax expense	377,400	43,700
Total	-72,600	48,469
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), State:	'	'
Current tax (benefit) expense	-75,000	1,000
Deferred tax expense	99,100	12,400
Total	24,100	13,400
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total:	'	'
Current tax (benefit) expense	-525,000	5,769
Deferred tax expense	476,500	56,100
Income tax (benefit) expense, Total	($48,500)	$61,869

Income_Tax_Expense_Benefit_Det1

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$1,719,000

RelatedParty_Transactions_Deta

Related-Party Transactions (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	Mr Alexander [Member]	Oil and Gas Properties [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Royalty Expense	'	$43,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage By Parent	33.00%	'

Stock_Based_Compensation_Detai

Stock Based Compensation (Details) (Employee Stock Option [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Number of Options, Outstanding at December 31, 2013	105,000	'
Number of Options, Granted	0	'
Number of Options, Exercised	0	'
Number of Options, Forfeited	0	'
Number of Options, Outstanding at March 31, 2014	105,000	105,000
Number of Options, Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014	105,000	'
Number of Options, Exercisable at March 31, 2014	105,000	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at December 31, 2013	$5.17	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	'	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	'	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Forfeited	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at March 31, 2014	$5.17	$5.17
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014	$5.17	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable at March 31, 2014	$5.17	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Outstanding	'4 years 4 months 28 days	'4 years 7 months 28 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014	'4 years 4 months 28 days	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Exercisable at March 31, 2014	'4 years 4 months 28 days	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at December 31, 2013	$0	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Granted	$0	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercised	0	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Forfeited	0	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at March 31, 2014	0	0
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2014	0	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable at March 31, 2014	$0	'

Stock_Based_Compensation_Detai1

Stock Based Compensation (Details 1) (Employee Stock Option [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares	105,000
Options Exercisable, Number of Shares	105,000
Exercise Price Range $5.40 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares	5,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)	'2 years 2 months 1 day
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.40
Options Exercisable, Number of Shares	5,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.40
Exercise Price Range $5.16 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares	100,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)	'4 years 6 months 7 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.16
Options Exercisable, Number of Shares	100,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.16

Stock_Based_Compensation_Detai2

Stock Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Total	$0

Fair_Value_Details_Textual

Fair Value (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Accretion Expense	$9,417

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_D

Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of Asset Retirement Obligation [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	$1,305,862	'
Incurred during the period	0	'
Additions for new wells	0	'
Accretion expense	9,417	10,379
Balance at March 31, 2014	$1,315,279	'

Registration_Statement_on_Form1

Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Registration Statement on Form S-3 [Line Items]	'
Registration Payment, Arrangement for Common Stock	$30

Merger_Agreement_Details_Textu

Merger Agreement (Details Textual)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 06, 2014
			Yuma Energy, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	'	'	66,000,000
Stock holders Ownership Percentage In Parent Company	'	'	93.00%
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	4,688,085	4,688,085	71,000,000

Settlement_Agreement_Details_T

Settlement Agreement (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
			Mr Alexander [Member]	First Installment Payable On April 5, 2014 [Member]	Second installment Payable on January 5, 2015 [Member]	Third installment Payable on January 5, 2016 [Member]
				Mr Alexander [Member]	Mr Alexander [Member]	Mr Alexander [Member]
Settlement Agreement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Officers Compensation	'	'	$967,329	$322,443	$322,443	$322,443
Professional Fees	'	'	10,000	'	'	'
Deferred Compensation Liability, Current, Total	$282,314	$1,026,655	'	'	'	'

Subsequent_Events_Details_Text

Subsequent Events (Details Textual) (Subsequent Event [Member], Equity Incentive Plan 2006 [Member])	Apr. 25, 2014
Subsequent Event [Member] | Equity Incentive Plan 2006 [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	100,000