Company: ZNOG
Filing Date: 2025-03-27
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001437749-25-009623
Chunk: 9

Company: ZION OIL & GAS INC
Filing Date: 2025-03-27
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1
Chunk 9
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 currently active. Israeli law conveys an exclusive exploration right to license holders that prevents any additional companies from competing in that license area.

Historically, Israel (particularly onshore) has not been an area of interest for international integrated or large or mid-size independent oil and gas exploration companies for various reasons, one of which is likely geopolitical. Since the announcement of the Tamar and Leviathan discoveries during 2009 and 2010, this situation has changed somewhat. Limited availability in Israel of oil field service companies, equipment and personnel continues to present obstacles, especially during periods of decreased activity and risk aversion in the current market. We attempt to enhance our position by developing and maintaining good professional relations with oil field service providers and by demonstrating a high level of credibility in making and meeting commercial commitments.

The oil and gas industry is cyclical, and from time to time there is a shortage of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and qualified personnel. During these periods, the costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment and supplies can vary greatly. If the unavailability or high cost of drilling and completion rigs, equipment, supplies or qualified personnel was particularly severe in the areas where we operate, we could be materially and adversely affected. We will continue to monitor the market and build service provider relationships in order to help mitigate concentration risk.

If any exploratory well that we drill is commercially productive, we would install the appropriate production equipment which includes, among other items, oil and gas separation facilities and storage tanks. Under the terms of the Petroleum Law, we may be required by the Minister of Energy and Water Resources to offer first refusal for any oil and gas discovered to Israeli domestic purchasers at market prices.

Since Israel imports almost all of its crude oil needs and the market for crude oil in Israel is limited to two local oil refineries, no special marketing strategy needs to be adopted initially with regard to any oil that we may ultimately discover. We believe that we would have a ready local market for our oil at market prices in addition to having the option of exporting to the international market, if any of our future exploratory wells are commercially productive.

Israel’s Petroleum Law  

Our business in Israel is subject to regulation by the State of Israel under the Petroleum Law. The administration and implementation of the Petroleum Law are vested in the Minister of Energy (“Energy Minister”), the Petroleum Commissioner and an advisory council. The following discussion includes a brief summary of certain provisions of the Petroleum Law as currently in effect. This review is not complete, and it should not be relied