Zion Oil Gets License Extensions

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Dallas, Texas and Caesarea, Israel – May 18, 2010 – Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ GM: ZN) reported today that the Israeli Petroleum Commissioner has awarded the company a one-year extension on each of its petroleum exploration licenses, the Joseph License and the Asher-Menashe License.

Zion’s “Asher-Menashe License” covers an area of approximately 78,824 acres located on the Israeli coastal plain and the Mt. Carmel range between Caesarea in the south and Haifa in the north. The Asher-Menashe License had an initial three-year term, from June 10, 2007 to June 9, 2010. On May 17, 2010, Zion received notification from the Israeli Petroleum Commissioner extending the term of the Asher-Menashe License until June 9, 2011.

Zion’s “Joseph License” covers approximately 83,272 acres on the Israeli coastal plain south of the Asher-Menashe License between Caesarea in the north and Netanya in the south. The Joseph License had an initial three-year term, from October 11, 2007 to October 10, 2010. On April 22, 2010, Zion received notification from the Israeli Petroleum Commissioner extending the term of the Joseph License until October 10, 2011.

Richard Rinberg, Zion’s Chief Executive Officer, commented that, “In 2010, we plan to drill a new well, the Ma’anit-Joseph #3 well, on our Joseph License and also acquire new field seismic on both our Asher-Menashe License and our Issachar-Zebulun Permit. We remain excited about the possibility of recovering hydrocarbons on our license and permit areas, onshore Israel, especially due to the U.S. Geological Survey report, published in April 2010, containing their assessment that there may be 1.7 billion barrels of recoverable undiscovered oil and 122 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas in the Levant Basin, as all of Zion’s exploration rights fall within the area of the Levant Basin.”

Zion’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ZN” and Zion’s warrants trade under the symbol “ZNWAW”.

Zion Oil & Gas, a Delaware corporation, explores for oil and gas in Israel in areas located on-shore between Haifa and Tel Aviv. It currently holds two petroleum exploration licenses, the Joseph and the Asher-Menashe Licenses, between Netanya, in the south, and Haifa, in the north, covering a total of approximately 162,000 acres and the Issachar-Zebulun Permit Area, adjacent to and to the east of Zion’s Asher-Menashe license area, covering approximately 165,000 acres. Zion’s total petroleum exploration rights area is approximately 327,000 acres.

Zion Announces New President/COO

Bill Ottaviani Joins Zion Oil as President and Chief Operating Officer

DALLAS and CAESAREA, Israel, Feb. 1, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZN) announced today that William L. Ottaviani has joined the Company as President and Chief Operating Officer.

William (Bill) Ottaviani, a Petroleum Engineer, has spent 25 years (1982 to 2007) working for Chevron Corporation in various countries, including Angola, Indonesia and the USA, and two years (2007-2009) as Chief Operating Officer of Rex Energy. He earned a Masters in Business Administration from California State University and a Bachelor of Science degree (with High Distinction) in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

During his career, Mr. Ottaviani was awarded multiple Chevron and U.S. Department of Energy Recognition Awards for performance achievements. When working for Chevron’s subsidiary, Caltex Pacific Indonesia, Bill was awarded the company’s highest recognition, earning the President’s Award for his work in successfully negotiating a $1.5 Billion gas contract. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Zion’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Rinberg, said today that, “Bill Ottaviani joins Zion with a proven industry track record and will greatly strengthen our managerial and operational competence. Bill is a first class oil and gas professional who has the experience, the ability and the specific skill-set to provide Zion with fundamental operational and technical direction, help us to implement our multi-well strategy and achieve success with our operations.”

Zion’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ZN” and Zion’s warrants trade under the symbol “ZNWAW”.

Zion Oil & Gas, a Delaware corporation, explores for oil and gas in Israel in areas located on-shore between Haifa and Tel Aviv. It currently holds two petroleum exploration licenses, the Joseph and the Asher-Menashe Licenses, between Netanya, in the south, and Haifa, in the north, covering a total of approximately 162,000 acres and the Issachar-Zebulun Permit Area, adjacent to and to the east of Zion’s Asher-Menashe license area, covering approximately 165,000 acres. Zion’s total petroleum exploration rights area is approximately 327,000 acres.

Zion Oil Announces Revised Drilling Schedule

Zion Oil announced today (read the full press release below) that the delivery of the AME drilling rig to Israel will be delayed until January of 2009 due to Israeli government delays in processing AME’s work permits.

According to AME, other than the delay in processing work permits, machinery updating and refurbishment is complete and the drilling rig is sitting in Ankara, ready to ship.

On Zion’s side, completion of the site preparation and final government permissions are underway.

Anyone who has ever built a house knows about delays, like the building inspector not showing up when he’s scheduled. The inspector finally arrives and the house get completed. I don’t think the process changes much as the project’s grow in size.

The bottom line is that the rig is now scheduled to be in Israel in January rather than November, as previously expected. On the positive side, it looks like AME and their drilling equipment is ready to roll and Zion’s site preparations should be complete by the time the rig arrives in January. Pray for progress without further delays. And news of a bit turning in Northern Israel!

Here is Zion’s press release:

 

Zion Oil Updates Drilling Schedule

 Dallas, Texas and Caesarea, Israel- November 7, 2008 – Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (NYSE Alternext US: ZN) announced today updated information regarding the status and importation into Israel of the drilling rig and crews contracted for (on September 12, 2008) with Aladdin Middle East Ltd (AME). Under the terms of the contract, AME committed to provide a completely refurbished and updated 2,000 horsepower rig and crews to drill Zion’s planned Ma’anit-Rehoboth #2 well ‘directionally’ to below 18,000 feet.

AME has advised Zion that the drilling rig refurbishment has been successfully completed and that the rig stands ready in Ankara, Turkey. AME have started the process of obtaining Israeli work permits for their crews; however due to the relevant government office in Israel having been closed for most of October, the workers’ permitting process was delayed. It is now anticipated that the rig will be shipped out of Turkey in January 2009.  

Zion has recently received positive notifications on almost all of the required Israeli permits (other than crew work permits) related to the Ma’anit-Rehoboth #2 well and is now working on the location site to prepare it for the arrival of the rig.  

As detailed in its registration statement, Zion is raising funds in order to pursue its planned multi-well drilling program. Depending on actual amounts raised, Zion intends to carry out the following work program: drill Zion’s second well, on Zion’s Joseph License, to the Triassic Formation (down to a depth of 15,400 feet) and / or to the Permian Formation (down to a depth of 18,040 feet), drill a test well on Zion’s Asher-Menashe License to the Triassic Formation and, if appropriate, the Permian Formation and prepare for the drilling of an additional well on either its Joseph or Asher-Menashe License. 

Zion’s common stock trades on the NYSE Alternext US under the symbol ZN. 

Before you invest, for more complete information about Zion Oil & Gas and its offering, you should read Zion’s registration statement (including a prospectus) together with the other documents Zion has filed with the SEC. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Zion Oil & Gas or its underwriter, Brockington Securities, Inc, will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll free 1-888-TX1-ZION (1-888-891-9466). Direct links to the SEC location, or to the documents in PDF, may be found on the home page of Zion Oil & Gas, at www.zionoil.com. 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, explores for oil and gas in Israel in areas located onshore between Tel-Aviv and Haifa. It currently holds two petroleum exploration licenses, the Joseph and Asher-Menashe Licenses, between Netanya on the south and Haifa on the north, covering a total of approximately 162,000 acres. 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: Statements in this press release that are not historical fact, including statements regarding Zion’s planned operations, potential results thereof and plans contingent thereon, including the importation of a drilling rig into Israel, the granting of various required permits, the selection of potential drilling targets and locations, are forward-looking statements as defined in the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward looking statements are based on assumptions that are subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are described in Zion’s periodic reports filed with the SEC and are beyond Zion’s control. These risks could cause Zion’s actual performance to differ materially from the results predicted by these forward-looking statements. Zion can give no assurance that the expectations reflected in these statements will prove to be correct and assumes no responsibility to update these statements. 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Zion Oil & Gas and its offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Zion Oil & Gas or its underwriter will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll free 1-888-TX1-ZION (1-888-891-9466). Direct links to the SEC location, or to the documents in PDF, may be found on the home page of Zion Oil & Gas. Inc., at www.zionoil.com. 

Contact:

Brittany Russell

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

6510 Abrams Rd., Suite 300

Dallas, TX 75231

(1) 214-221-4610

Email: dallas@zionoil.com

October 24, 2008 Letter From Zion CEO Richard Rinberg

Dear Zion Shareholder and/or Friend of Zion,
 
On Friday, October 24, 2008, we held an ‘initial closing’ of our current ‘$10 unit’ public offering. (The Press Release is below this letter).
 
We issued 350,994 units, where:
 
One Unit = One Share of Zion stock + One Warrant
 
(The warrant gives a purchaser the right, but not an obligation, to purchase one share of common stock at $7 per share through January 31, 2012).
 
The initial closing was for subscriptions amounting to US$ 3,509,940, and if you subscribed for units before October 11, 2008, and your subscription documents passed review, then your certificate of units purchased will soon be delivered to you, or deposited into your brokerage account, depending on your instructions when you completed your Subscription Agreement. The units will trade on the New York Stock Exchange Alternext (NYSE Alternext US) under the symbol ZN.U.
 
For those who have not yet subscribed,
you still have the opportunity available to you,
as our public offer is still open.
 
At the annual shareholders’ meeting in June 2008, I noted that two of the most talked about subjects in the world are Israel and oil and Zion Oil brings both subjects together.
 
In January 1999, about 15 months before Zion was founded, the price of a barrel of oil hit a low of just $8 per barrel. In January 2002 oil was trading at $20, in July 2008 the price was over $145 and, as I write the price is approximately $65 per barrel. Watching the oil price fluctuations is rather like being in an elevator with a lunatic at the control panel.
 
Thankfully, independent of world markets suffering a nervous breakdown or cardiac arrest, Zion’s exceptional team is steadily making progress with our business plan in a calm rational manner.
 
We continue to raise funds in order to pursue our planned multi-well drilling program in Israel and, depending on the actual amounts raised, we intend to carry out the following work program:
 
(1)   drill our second well, on the Joseph License,
 
(2)   drill a test well on our Asher-Menashe License, and
 
(3)   prepare for the drilling of an additional well on either license.
 
 
Recently, the world’s most successful investor, Warren Buffett, wrote an opinion piece in the New York Times.  He commented that the time to invest in the stock market was now, when everyone is ‘fearful’ of the future and that: ‘If you wait for the robins, spring will be over’.
 
But those who trust in the Lord need not be fearful of the future. Warren Buffet’s advice regarding the forward-thinking philosophy of ice hockey great Wayne Gretzky is accurate. Wayne Gretzky said: ‘I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.’
 
In the event of success with our drilling plans, it may seem that the $10 unit price of our offering was a real ‘don’t miss’ opportunity.
 
If you have already subscribed, thank you for your support. If you have not yet subscribed, please don’t you miss this opportunity.
 
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. (Psalm 118:8)

Shalom from Israel
 
Richard Rinberg
 
CEO of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
 
 
P.S. Full details of the offer are set out in the Prospectus which is available for download and review on our website www.zionoil.com under “Investor Center” If you would prefer a hard copy of the Prospectus, please call: 1-888-TX1-ZION (1-888-891-9466) or email: dallas@zionoil.com

ZION OIL ISSUES UNITS IN INITIAL CLOSING

Subscriptions Still Being Accepted

Dallas, Texas and Caesarea, Israel – October 24, 2008 – Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (NYSE Alternext US: ZN) announced that, today, the company issued 350,994 units in the initial closing of Zion’s follow-on offering. Each unit consists of one share of Zion stock and one warrant to purchase one share of Zion stock. The units were issued at $10 per unit and the amount raised in this initial closing was $3,509,940.
 
Zion continues to accept subscriptions at $10 per unit and the offering will remain open until the earlier of: (i) January 9, 2009, (ii) the date on which a total of 2,500,000 units have been subscribed and accepted, or (iii) such date as announced by the Company on no less than two trading days’ prior notice.
 
Zion has scheduled November 17, 2008 as the cut-off date for the receipt of documents to be included in the next interim closing.
 
As detailed in its registration statement, Zion is raising funds in order to pursue its planned multi-well drilling program.  Depending on actual amounts raised, Zion intends to carry out the following work program: drill Zion’s second well, on Zion’s Joseph License, to the Triassic Formation (down to a depth of 15,400 feet) and / or to the Permian Formation (down to a depth of 18,040 feet), drill a test well on Zion’s Asher-Menashe License to the Triassic Formation and, if appropriate, the Permian Formation and prepare for the drilling of an additional well on either its Joseph or Asher-Menashe License.
 
Zion’s common stock trades on the NYSE Alternext US under the symbol ZN and Zion’s units will trade under the symbol ZN.U
 
Before you invest, for more complete information about Zion Oil & Gas and its offering, you should read Zion’s registration statement (including a prospectus) together with the other documents Zion has filed with the SEC. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Zion Oil & Gas or its underwriter, Brockington Securities, Inc, will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll free 1-888-TX1-ZION (1-888-891-9466). Direct links to the SEC location, or to the documents in PDF, may be found on the home page of Zion Oil & Gas, at www.zionoil.com.
   
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, explores for oil and gas in Israel in areas located onshore between Tel-Aviv and Haifa. It currently holds two petroleum exploration licenses, the Joseph and Asher-Menashe Licenses, between Netanya on the south and Haifa on the north, covering a total of approximately 162,000 acres.
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: Statements in this press release that are not historical fact, including statements regarding the future effectiveness of Zion’s registration statement, matters regarding the offering and closings thereof, Zion’s planned operations, potential results thereof and plans contingent thereon, including selection of potential drilling targets and locations, are forward-looking statements as defined in the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward looking statements are based on assumptions that are subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are described in Zion’s periodic reports filed with the SEC and are beyond Zion’s control. These risks could cause Zion’s actual performance to differ materially from the results predicted by these forward-looking statements. Zion can give no assurance that the expectations reflected in these statements will prove to be correct and assumes no responsibility to update these statements.
 
Zion’s homepage may be found at: www.zionoil.com

Zion Oil & Gas Newsletter October 2008

I received the Zion Oil & Gas Newsletter and the latest press release today. In the middle of a global economic crisis, investors continue to stand behind Zion’s mission of discovering oil in Israel.  Zion is moving ahead as scheduled with plans for drilling their second well in November. Pay attention to the lines I put in underline and bold type. Something greater than ‘business as usual’ is going on at Zion Oil.

Here’s the Zion Newsletter and press release from CEO Richard Rinberg:

Dear Zion Shareholder and/or Friend of Zion…

 It is difficult to put into words the experience of the last few weeks. We are all living through such a remarkable and dramatic (even traumatic) period in world history. The economy looks and feels ‘broken’ and the healing may prove painful for all of us.  However, our trust is only in the Lord and not the stock market!  (Jer. 17:7)

 In Dallas, we received a phone call from a shareholder who was reviewing their stock portfolio and just had to call us and tell us that all of their retirement stocks were pretty much devastated in value, except one… there was only one steadfast rock in their portfolio – the stock of Zion Oil & Gas had maintained its value.

 Shortly after that phone call, a lawyer friend sent me a humorous email, as follows:

 ’The Best Investment Plan:

 If you purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you have $49 today.

 If you purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you have $33 today.

 If you purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you have $0 today.

 But, if you purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans forthe recycling refund, you will have received $214.00.

Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle.’

 I sent my friend the following reply:

 …and if you had purchased $1,000 of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. on October 3rd 2007, you would have today $995. So, I disagree with the beer plan… better to go with the Lord’s plan…

During one of the severest stock market collapses in recent decades, our follow-on $10 unit offering was successfully able to reach the minimum subscription by the due date of October 11, 2008. Every day, I watched the tally of subscriptions received. One week before the due date, I commented that if we were able to reach the minimum subscription, it would be a clear miracle from heaven.

On the very last day, we received substantial and completely unexpected subscriptions… and exceeded our required minimum subscription amount.

 I was a witness to what happened. I saw the miracle unfold. It was a deeply moving experience.

 Although we have announced (see the October 16 Press Release below) a scheduled initial closing on October 21, 2008, our $10 unit offering is still accepting subscriptions. So, it is not too late for you to subscribe and support our work in Israel. We still need both your prayer and financial support.

(I Chron. 29:10-14)

The 2,000 horsepower drilling rig is scheduled to arrive in Israel in November 2008 and we hope that you will want to subscribe for some Zion $10 units, in order to be part of the exploration effort for oil and gas in Israel.

I cannot promise, but I for one will not be surprised if we all see a further miracle in the coming months…

Psalm 51:18 – In your good pleasure, make Zion prosper…

Shalom from Israel

Richard Rinberg

CEO of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

P.S. Full details of the offer are set out in the Prospectus which is available for download and review on our website www.zionoil.com under “Investor Center” If you would prefer a hard copy of the Prospectus, please call: 1-888-TX1-ZION (1-888-891-9466) or email: dallas@zionoil.com

 

 

 

 

 

Zion Oil Announces Initial Closing of Follow-on Offering and Extends Termination Date

Subscriptions Still Being Accepted

Press Release  Thursday October 16, 2008

 DALLAS, Texas & CAESAREA, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (AMEX: ZN) announced today that it received subscriptions on or before October 11, 2008 in excess of the minimum number of units required to conduct an initial closing. An initial closing is scheduled to take place on October 21, 2008. As the minimum subscriptions in order to close were received by October 11, 2008, Zion has withdrawn the recently filed post effective amendment which was filed to extend the minimum raise date and the final termination date.

Pursuant to the original terms of the offering, Zion is also extending the offering termination date. The offering will remain open until the earlier of: (i) January 9, 2009, (ii) the date on which a total of 2,500,000 Units have been subscribed and accepted, or (iii) such date as announced by the Company on no less than two trading days’ prior notice.

As detailed in its registration statement, Zion is raising funds in order to pursue its planned multi-well drilling program. Depending on actual amounts raised, Zion intends to carry out the following work program: drill Zion’s second well, on Zion’s Joseph License, to the Triassic Formation (down to a depth of 15,400 feet) and / or to the Permian Formation (down to a depth of 18,040 feet), drill a test well on Zion’s Asher-Menashe License to the Triassic Formation and, if appropriate, the Permian Formation and prepare for the drilling of an additional well on either its Joseph or Asher-Menashe License.

Zion’s common stock trades on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol ZN.

Before you invest, Zion’s registration statement (including a prospectus) to which this communication relates should be read along with the other documents it has filed with the SEC, for more complete information about Zion Oil & Gas and its offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Zion Oil & Gas or its underwriter will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll free 1-888-TX1-ZION (1-888-891-9466). Direct links to the SEC location, or to the documents in PDF, may be found on the home page of Zion Oil & Gas, at www.zionoil.com.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, explores for oil and gas in Israel in areas located onshore between Tel-Aviv and Haifa. It currently holds two petroleum exploration licenses, the Joseph and Asher-Menashe Licenses, between Netanya on the south and Haifa on the north, covering a total of approximately 162,000 acres.

Zion Oil & Gas Signs Drilling Contract

Caesarea, Israel – September 15, 2008 – Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (Amex: ZN) of Dallas, Texas and Caesarea, Israel announced today that it and Aladdin Middle East (“AME”) have signed a drilling contract. Last week, Zion’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Rinberg, and the President and Chief Operating Officer of Zion, Glen Perry, visited AME’s offices in Ankara, Turkey, in order to inspect AME’s rig and equipment yard, meet with key AME personnel and finalize the terms of the drilling contract.

The contract was executed by both parties on September 12, 2008. Under the terms of the contract AME has committed to provide a completely refurbished and updated 2,000 horsepower rig and crews (anticipated to arrive in Israel in November 2008) and to drill Zion’s planned Ma’anit-Rehoboth #2 well ‘directionally’ to below 18,000 feet. The well is planned to appraise the strong shows seen in the Triassic (during the drilling of the Ma’anit #1 well) and to drill deeper into the Permian formation.  It will be the first well drilled to the Permian in Northern Israel. The commencement of the drilling program is subject to receipt of various government permits and raising additional capital, whether through Zion’s current public offering or otherwise.

Richard Rinberg, Zion’s Chief Executive Officer, said today, “This is an important milestone for Zion, one which we have been working towards for a long time.  We are very impressed by the quality of AME’s rig and the professionalism of their people.  We appreciate the hospitality shown to us by AME during our visit and are excited about working with AME and drilling our next wells, just as soon as we can.

Additional information relating to the drilling contract and related matters will be included in Zion’s Current Report on Form 8-K, that Zion will be filing soon with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Zion Oil & Gas, a Delaware corporation, explores for oil and gas in Israel in areas located onshore between Tel-Aviv and Haifa. It currently holds two petroleum exploration licenses, the Joseph and Asher-Menashe Licenses, between Netanya on the south and Haifa on the north covering a total of approximately 162,000 acres.

AME is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company, incorporated in Delaware in 1962, with its head office in Wichita, Kansas. AME has drilled more than 130 exploration and development wells in Turkey for major oil companies, including Exxon, Mobil, Wintershall AG, MOL, Placid Oil, Neste Oy, Terralliance (USA), JKX (UK) and TETHYS (Sweden). Its rig inventory includes 11 drilling and workover rigs and AME’s personnel have enormous work experience in many countries, including Turkey, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Georgia.