Zion Begins Drilling

Zion Oil & Gas announced yesterday that drilling operations have begun at the Ma’anit Rehoboth #2 well site.

Zion will drill down to a depth of 15,400 feet (Triassic), where the Ma’anit #1 was forced to quit in 2005, and then plans to increase to a final depth of more than 18,000, into the  Permian, where most of the world’s oil reserves has been discovered.

Drilling operations will run 24 hours a day in 12 hour shifts, operated by the AME (Turkey) drilling crew.

AME’s 2,000 horsepower drilling is twice the size as the Lapidoth rig used on Zion’s Ma’anit #1 in 2005. The mechanical issues due to rig capacity in 2005 should not be a problem during the Ma’anit Rehoboth #2 well, using the new AME rig.

Even with the new rig, drilling can be slow and expensive. According to Zion COO and President Glen Perry, “Due to the depth and slow bit penetration rates, dry hole drilling costs per well are estimated to be between $7 million and $9.5 million. Completed well costs are estimated to be between $9 million and $11 million.”

The name “Rehoboth” was chosen for the new well from scripture after the decision to abandon the Ma’anit #1 due to mechanical problems. “He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, ‘Now the Lord has given us room (Rehoboth means room) and we will flourish in the land.’” (Genesis 26:22)

Below is a gallery of shots taken from the Ma’anit Rehoboth #2 well site.