Zion Oil & Gas (ZNOG) 10-Q 12 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ZION OIL & GAS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001131312	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Trading Symbol	'zn	'
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	'	35,290,169

Balance_Sheets_Unaudited

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$6,426	$10,414
Fixed short term bank deposits - restricted (see Note 5D)	1,293	1,387
Fixed short term bank deposits	230	'
Prepaid expenses and other	156	294
Other receivables	142	45
Total current assets	8,247	12,140
Unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method	3,526	2,446
Property and equipment at cost Net of accumulated depreciation of $396 and $332	174	209
Other assets	'	'
Assets held for severance benefits	180	144
Total assets	12,127	14,939
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	113	138
Asset retirement obligation	279	483
Accrued liabilities	1,263	1,474
Total current liabilities	1,655	2,095
Provision for severance pay	208	177
Total liabilities	1,863	2,272
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 5)	'	'
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Common stock, par value $.01; Authorized: 100,000,000: Issued and outstanding: 35,226,541 and 34,005,696 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively	352	340
Additional paid-in capital	143,109	140,367
Accumulated deficit	-133,197	-128,040
Total stockholders' equity	10,264	12,667
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$12,127	$14,939

Balance_Sheets_Unaudited_Paren

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'	'
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$396	$332
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, Issued Shares	35,226,541	34,005,696
Common stock, outstanding	35,226,541	34,005,696

Statements_of_Operations_Unaud

Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statements of Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
General and administrative	$770	$789	$2,590	$2,578
Other	430	477	2,513	1,701
Impairment of unproved oil and gas properties	'	'	'	1,851
Loss from operations	-1,200	-1,266	-5,103	-6,130
Other income (expense), net	'	'	'	'
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	-48	21	-46	30
Financial income (expenses), net	-2	4	-8	8
Loss before income taxes	-1,250	-1,241	-5,157	-6,092
Income taxes	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($1,250)	($1,241)	($5,157)	($6,092)
Net loss per share of common stock - basic and diluted	($0.04)	($0.04)	($0.15)	($0.18)
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic and diluted	35,226	33,447	34,829	33,049

Statements_of_Changes_in_Stock

Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid in capital	Accumulated deficit
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$12,667	$340	$140,367	($128,040)
Beginning Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	34,006,000	'	'
Funds received from sale of DSPP units and shares	2,475	11	2,464	'
Funds received from sale of DSPP units and shares (in shares)	'	1,139,000	'	'
Funds received from option exercises	1	1	'	'
Funds received from option exercises (in shares)	'	81,000	'	'
Value of options granted to employees, directors and others	278	'	278	'
Net loss	-5,157	'	'	-5,157
Ending Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	$10,264	$352	$143,109	($133,197)
Ending Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	'	35,226,000	'	'

Statements_of_Cash_Flows_Unaud

Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net loss	($5,157)	($6,092)
Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	64	64
Cost of options issued to employees, directors & others	275	585
Interest on short term bank deposits	14	-15
Impairment of unproved oil and gas properties	'	1,851
Change in assets and liabilities, net:	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other	138	'
Change in other receivables	-97	537
Severance pay, net	-5	-60
Accounts payable	13	72
Accrued liabilities	-3	-58
Asset retirement obligation	-204	-19
Net cash used in operating activities	-4,962	-3,135
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Investment in short term bank deposits	-150	-28
Acquisition of property and equipment	-29	-28
Investment in unproved oil and gas properties	-1,323	-1,084
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,502	-1,140
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from sale of stock and exercise of warrants	2,476	1,924
Net cash provided by financing activities	2,476	1,924
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-3,988	-2,351
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	10,414	14,983
Cash and cash equivalents- end of period	6,426	12,632
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Cost of options capitalized to oil & gas properties	3	50
Investment in oil & gas properties	$45	($555)

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (collectively, the “Company,” “Zion”, “we” or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals necessary for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows, have been included. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The year-end balance sheet data presented for comparative purposes was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year or for any other subsequent interim period.
	Zion Oil & Gas Inc. is an oil and gas exploration company with a history of more than 14 years of oil & gas exploration in Israel.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
		A.	Net Loss per Share Data
	Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock is presented in conformity with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 260-10 “Earnings Per Share.” Diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share, as the inclusion of 3,812,778 and 3,007,708 common stock equivalents in the nine month and three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, would be anti-dilutive.
		B.	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the accompanying interim financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events.  These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses.  Such estimates include the valuation of unproved oil and gas properties, deferred tax assets, asset retirement obligations and legal contingencies.  These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment.  Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.  The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate.  Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity, foreign currency, and energy markets have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions.  As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.  Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.
		C.	Oil and Gas Properties and Impairment
	The Company follows the full-cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties.  Accordingly, all costs associated with geological and geophysical data acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves, including directly related overhead costs, are capitalized.
	All capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, including the estimated future costs to develop proved reserves, are amortized on the unit-of-production method using estimates of proved reserves. Investments in unproved properties and major development projects are not amortized until proved reserves associated with the projects can be determined or until impairment occurs. If the results of an assessment indicate that the properties are impaired, the amount of the impairment is included in loss from operations before income taxes and the adjusted carrying amount of the unproved properties is amortized on the unit-of-production method.
	The Company’s oil and gas property represents an investment in unproved properties.  These costs are excluded from the amortized cost pool until proved reserves are found or until it is determined that the costs are impaired.  All costs excluded are reviewed at least quarterly to determine if impairment has or should be declared.  The amount of any impairment is charged to expense since a reserve base has not been established.  Impairment requiring a charge to expense may be indicated through evaluation of drilling results, relinquishing drilling rights or other information (see Note 4).
		D.	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	In the period ended September 30, 2014, the Company has elected to early adopt Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915): Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements. The adoption of this ASU allows the Company to remove the inception to date information and all references to development stage.
		E.	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to conform the prior period’s financial information to the current period’s presentation.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholder's Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity
		A.	2005 Stock Option Plan
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company granted the following options from the 2005 Stock Option Plan, to purchase:
		i.	25,000 shares of common stock to one senior officer at an exercise price of $0.01. The options vest in equal quarterly installments over four consecutive quarters, beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and are exercisable through March 31, 2024.  The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $47,524.
		ii.	20,000 shares of common stock to one senior officer at an exercise price of $0.01. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through March 31, 2024.  The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $38,018.
		iii.	10,000 shares of common stock to one senior officer at an exercise price of $0.01. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through March 31, 2024.  The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $19,009.
		iv.	10,000 shares of common stock to one senior officer at an exercise price of $0.01. The options vest in equal quarterly installments over four consecutive quarters, beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and are exercisable through April 1, 2024.  The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $19,110.
		v.	45,000 shares of common stock to an executive officer, other staff members and service providers at an exercise price of $0.01. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through June 11, 2024.  The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $93,228.
		B.	Stock Options
	The stock option transactions since January 1, 2014 are shown in the table below:
							Weighted average
			Number of shares				exercise
							price
							US$
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013			2,399,250				2.24
	Changes to:
	Granted to employees, officers and directors			110,000				0.01
	Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited			(36,250	)			2.39
	Exercised			(81,500	)			0.01
	Outstanding, September 30, 2014			2,391,500				2.21
	Exercisable, September 30, 2014			2,380,250				2.22
	Granted to employees
	The following table sets forth information about the weighted-average fair value of options granted to employees and directors during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model and the weighted-average assumptions used for such grants:
			For the nine months ended September 30,
			2014				2013
	Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date		$	2.08			$	2.24
	Dividend yields			-				-
	Expected volatility			75	%			76	%
	Risk-free interest rates			2.65	%			2.52	%
	Expected lives (in years)			10				10
	Weighted-average grant date fair value		$	2.07			$	2.23
	Granted to non-employees
	The following table sets forth information about the weighted-average fair value of warrants granted to non-employees during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model and the weighted-average assumptions used for such grants:
			For the nine months ended September 30,
			2014				2013
	Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date		$	2.08			$	2.24
	Dividend yields			-				-
	Expected volatility			75	%			76	%
	Risk-free interest rates			2.65	%			2.52	%
	Expected lives (in years)			10				10
	Weighted-average grant date fair value		$	2.07			$	2.23
	The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the options.
	The expected life represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The expected life of the options granted to employees and directors during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is calculated based on the Simplified Method as allowed under Staff Accounting Bulletin No.110 (“SAB 110”), giving consideration to the contractual term of the options and their vesting schedules, as the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data at this time. The expected life of the option granted to non-employees equals their contractual term.  In the case of an extension of the option life, the calculation was made on the basis of the extended life.
	The following table summarizes information about stock warrants and options outstanding as of September 30, 2014:
		Shares underlying outstanding options										Shares underlying outstanding options
		(non-vested/non-exercisable)										(all fully vested/exercisable)
		Range of exercise price				Number				Weighted average	Weighted Average	Range of exercise price	Number Outstanding	Weighted average	Weighted Average
						outstanding				remaining contractual	Exercise			remaining contractual
										life (years)	price			life (years)	Exercise price
		US$									US$	US$			US$
		0.01				11,250				9.5	0.01	0.01	20,000	9.7	0.01
		-				-				-	-	0.01	41,250	9.5	0.01
		-				-				-	-	0.01	25,000	9.25	0.01
		-				-				-	-	0.01	71,000	9.12	0.01
		-				-				-	-	0.01	5,000	8.75	0.01
		-				-				-	-	0.01	20,000	5.34	0.01
		-				-				-	-	1.7	369,500	8.23	1.7
		-				-				-	-	1.7	137,500	4.23	1.7
		-				-				-	-	1.73	25,000	4.28	1.73
		-				-				-	-	1.82	25,000	2.7	1.82
		-				-				-	-	1.86	25,000	4.18	1.86
		-				-				-	-	1.96	25,000	4.93	1.96
		-				-				-	-	2.28	25,000	4.78	2.28
	-				-				-	-	2.5	260,000	0.25	2.5
	-				-				-	-	2.61	1,016,500	7.18	2.61
	-				-				-	-	2.61	237,500	3.18	2.61
	-				-				-	-	4.45	25,000	1.32	4.45
	-				-				-	-	4.55	15,000	1.34	4.55
	-				-				-	-	7.15	12,000	0.25	7.15
	0.01				11,250					0.01	0.01-7.15	2,380,250		2.22
	C.	Compensation Cost for Warrant and Option Issuances
The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of all warrant and option issuances recognized for employees and directors:
For the nine months ended September 30,
2014		2013
US$		US$
209,000		483,000
The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of all warrant and option issuances recognized for non-employees:
For the nine months ended September 30,
2014		2013
US$		US$
69,000		152,000
As of September 30, 2014, there was $8,000 of unrecognized compensation cost, related to non-vested stock options granted under the Company’s various stock option plans. That cost is expected to be recognized during the remaining period of 2014 and 2015.
	D.	Replacement Registration Statement S-3/A and Prospectus Supplement for the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DSPP”)
On March 13, 2014  the Company filed  an S-3/A Form that is part of a replacement registration statement that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. From time to time, the Company may offer up to an aggregate of approximately $119,850,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in units.
On March 31, 2014, the Company filed with the SEC the prospectus supplement dated as of March 27, 2014 and accompanying base prospectus dated March 27, 2014 (collectively, the “Prospectus”) relating to the Company’s DSPP. The Prospectus forms a part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A (File No. 333-193336), as amended, which was declared effective by the SEC on March 27, 2014 (the “Registration Statement”).
The Company is offering (a) shares (each a “Share” and collectively the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (b), through June 30, 2014, units (the “Units”) of the Company’s securities with each unit comprised of (i) one (1) share  of Common Stock and (ii) a warrant to purchase an additional share of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share (each a “Warrant” and collectively the “Warrants”; together with the Shares and the Units the “Securities”). The Securities are being offered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the DSPP as described in the Prospectus.
On May 30, 2014 the Company extended the expiration date for the Unit program under its DSPP to December 31, 2014. Accordingly, the Warrants will become first exercisable on the 31st day following the Unit Option Termination Date (i.e., on January 31, 2015 or the next trading day) and continue to be exercisable through January 31, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $2.00.
The extension was made, in part, to allow interested investors to utilize a new and more convenient electronic enrollment procedure with the TeleCheck Internet Check Acceptance service as a payment method.
As of September 30, 2014 the Company and its transfer agents, Registrar and Transfer Company ("RTC") and American Stock Transfer and Trust ("AST") where AST replaced RTC on August 1, 2014, had collected together approximately $2,476,000 and $4,953,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and from the DSPP's inception date in March 2013 to September 30, 2014, respectively. As a result, the Company issued for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and from the DSPP inception date to September 30, 2014 a total of 1,139,216 and 2,238,621 shares of its common stock. Issued units and shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and from the DSPP inception date to September 30, 2014 are comprised of 630,303 and 1,421,278 units (unit comprised of (i) one share of common stock and (ii) a warrant), respectively, and 508,913 and 817,343 shares, respectively.

Unproved_Oil_and_Gas_Propertie

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method [Abstract]	'
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method	'
	Note 4 - Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method
	Unproved oil and gas properties, under the full cost method, are comprised as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		US$  thousands		US$ thousands
	Excluded from amortization base:
	Inventory, and other operational related costs		911		929
	Capitalized salary costs		765		602
	Legal  costs, license fees and other preparation costs		1,849		910
	Other costs		1		5
		3,526		2,446
	Impairment of unproved oil and gas properties comprised as follows:
		For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014		2013
		US$  thousands		US$ thousands
	Capitalized salary costs		-		142
	Legal  costs, license fees and other preparation costs		-		1,709
			-		1,851

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies
		A.	Litigation
	From time to time, the Company may be subject to routine litigation, claims, or disputes in the ordinary course of business. The Company defends itself vigorously in all such matters. In the opinion of management, no pending or known threatened claims, actions or proceedings against the Company are expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, the Company cannot predict with certainty the outcome or effect of any such litigation or investigatory matters or any other pending litigation or claims. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of any such lawsuits and investigations.
		B.	Environmental and Onshore Licensing Regulatory Matters
	The Company is engaged in oil and gas exploration and production and may become subject to certain liabilities as they relate to environmental cleanup of well sites or other environmental restoration procedures and other obligations as they relate to the drilling of oil and gas wells or the operation thereof.
	In July 2013, the Environmental Ministry published: “Environmental Guidelines for the preparation of an environmental document supplementary to a license for searching – experimental drilling and land extraction tests.”  This document extensively details the requirements for a supplemental environmental document to an oil and gas exploration plan.
	On December 3, 2013, the State of Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner awarded the Company the Megiddo-Jezreel Petroleum Exploration License No. 401. Subsequently, the Company secured a US $930,000 bank guarantee in accordance with the performance guarantee guidelines. Consequently, Zion believes it has met the requirements of the June 2012 onshore exploratory licensing guidelines and the October 2012 performance guarantee guidelines.
	On February 6, 2014, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources issued proposed guidelines for bank guarantees and insurance requirements with respect to oil and gas rights. Under these guidelines, applicants for and existing holders of exploration rights will be required to submit certain bank guarantees and insurance policies that were not previously required.
	On September 17, 2014, the proposed guidelines became effective and the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources issued a guidance document entitled Instructions for the Giving of Guarantees with respect to Oil Rights. As it relates to existing onshore license holders like Zion, the Instructions call for the Company to obtain a new Base Bank Guarantee in the amount of $500,000, per each existing license area, split into two deposit dates as follows: (1) $250,000 by November 30, 2014 and (2) $250,000 by March 31, 2015.
	Furthermore, prior to the start of drilling, an additional bank guarantee of $250,000 will be required at least 14 days before the spud date. In summary, this is a potential cumulative total of $750,000 that is separate and apart from the Company’s existing Bank Guarantees discussed below in Section D.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company has not yet provided any of the required additional bank guarantees.
	The Petroleum Commissioner has discretion to raise or lower those amounts or may also forfeit a Company’s existing guarantee and/or cancel a petroleum right under certain circumstances.
	In addition, new and extended insurance policy guidelines were added. The Petroleum Commissioner may also view insurance requirement non-compliance as breaching the work plan and the rights granted and act accordingly.
	The Company believes that these new regulations will significantly increase the expenditures associated with obtaining new exploration rights and drilling new wells, coupled with the heavy financial burden of “locking away” significant amounts of cash that could otherwise be used for operational purposes. Finally, this will also considerably increase the time needed to obtain all of the necessary authorizations and approvals prior to drilling.
		C.	Drilling Contract with AME/GYP
	On September 12, 2008, the Company entered into a drilling contract with Aladdin Middle East Ltd. (“AME”) pursuant to which AME shipped into Israel its 2,000 horsepower rig for use in the drilling contemplated by the Company’s business plan. The rig arrived in Israel and cleared customs in April 2009 and was used to drill the Ma’anit-Rehoboth #2 well, the Elijah #3 and the Ma’anit-Joseph #3 well. Drilling operations on the Ma’anit-Joseph #3 well were concluded in July 2011, whereupon the Company released the rig.
	In May, 2012, the Company and GuyneyYildizi Petrol UretimSondajMut, ve Tic A.S. (“GYP”) agreed that the Company would pay GYP $627,000 in full and final settlement of past bills, and such amount was paid on May 15, 2012. However, the matter related to GYP’s demand for $550,000 for rig demobilization was excluded from the settlement. The drilling contract between the Company and AME, which was allegedly assumed by GYP, provides that all disputes are to be settled by arbitration in London, United Kingdom.
	On March 4, 2014, the Company received from the International Court of Arbitration in Paris, France (“ICA”) a request for arbitration in London filed by GYP. The Company continues to deny GYP's claim and is vigorously defending itself.
	On May 1, 2014, prior to Zion’s answer date deadline, Zion filed an answer in which it denied GYP’s claim for payment of the demobilization fee, and in addition it asserted a Counterclaim against GYP.
	The arbitration is in a preliminary procedural stage. No accrual was made at September 30, 2014 as the Company and its legal counsel believe that GYP has no viable legal ground to base its claim.
		D.	Bank Guarantees
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company provided bank guarantees to various governmental bodies (approximately $1,150,000) and others (approximately $66,000) in respect of its drilling operation in an aggregate amount of approximately $1,216,000.  The funds backing these guarantees and additional amounts added to support currency fluctuations as required by the bank, are held in interest-bearing accounts and are reported on the Company's balance sheets as “restricted cash.”
		E.	Company License Area Activities
	Zion currently holds one active petroleum exploration license onshore Israel, the Megiddo-Jezreel License (~ 99,000 acres). We are currently in the process of selecting the specific location of our next drilling prospect well location.
	Asher-Menashe and Joseph Licenses:
	On May 9, 2014 the Company submitted its Final Completion and Plugging Report for the Elijah #3 Well, in the Asher-Menashe License. The Asher-Menashe License expired on June 9, 2014 as its full seven year term ended. The Joseph License expired on October 10, 2013, after our final extension. On November 18, 2013, Zion submitted our Final Plugging Report for the Ma’anit Rehoboth #2 and Ma’anit Joseph #3 wells, in the Joseph License. With this, Zion has plugged all of its wells but it acknowledges its obligation to complete the abandonment of these wellsites in accordance with guidance from the Environmental Ministry and local officials.
	Megiddo-Jezreel License:
	The Megiddo-Jezreel License (No. 401) was awarded on December 3, 2013 for a three-year primary term through December 2, 2016 with the possibility of additional one-year extensions up to a maximum of seven years. The Megiddo-Jezreel License is onshore, south and west of the Sea of Galilee.
	Under the terms of this new License, the Company has until July 1, 2015 to identify and submit a drilling prospect, enter into a drilling contract by October 1, 2015, and begin drilling or “spud” a well by December 1, 2015.
	In September 2014, Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner notified Zion that the Petroleum Council, a 10-member board that he chairs, had recommended approval of our application to merge the southernmost portion of our Jordan Valley License into our Megiddo-Jezreel License. We currently await final approval of the merged license from Israel’s Energy Minister.
	Jordan Valley License:
	On April 10, 2014, Zion filed an application to merge the southernmost portion of the Jordan Valley License into the Megiddo-Jezreel License. The Jordan Valley License (~ 55,845 acres) expired in April 2014 as Zion did not seek an extension beyond its three-year primary term. We contend that there is significant exploration potential in this geologically linked petroleum system that overlaps the boundaries between the present Megiddo-Jezreel and Jordan Valley Licenses. For a variety of reasons, including the results of the newly reprocessed and recently acquired seismic data, the Company has refocused its exploration strategy with a primary emphasis on the Megiddo-Jezreel License and the southern portions of the Jordan Valley License area.
		F.	New Branch
	On July 11, 2014, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., Geneva Branch was registered in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland.  The legal Swiss name for the foreign branch is “Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., Wilmington, Branch of Geneva”.  The Zion Swiss Branch has its registered office and its business office at 6 Avenue Jules Crosnier, 1206 Champel, Geneva, Switzerland.  The purpose of the branch is to operate a foreign treasury center for the Company.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Note 6 - Subsequent Events
	On October 1, 2014, the Company granted the following options from the 2005 Stock Option Plan, the 2011 Equity Incentive Stock Option Plan and the 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan, to purchase:
		i.	535,693 shares of common stock to executive officers, other staff members, and service providers at an exercise price of $1.67. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through October 1, 2024.  The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $564,322.
		ii.	390,000 shares of common stock to non-employee directors at an exercise price of $1.67. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through October 1, 2020. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $307,763.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Net Loss per Share Data	'
		A.	Net Loss per Share Data
	Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock is presented in conformity with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 260-10 “Earnings Per Share.” Diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share, as the inclusion of 3,812,778 and 3,007,708 common stock equivalents in the nine month and three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, would be anti-dilutive.
Use of Estimates	'
	B.	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the accompanying interim financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events.  These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses.  Such estimates include the valuation of unproved oil and gas properties, deferred tax assets, asset retirement obligations and legal contingencies.  These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment.  Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.  The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate.  Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity, foreign currency, and energy markets have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions.  As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.  Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.
Oil and Gas Properties and Impairment	'
	C.	Oil and Gas Properties and Impairment
	The Company follows the full-cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties.  Accordingly, all costs associated with geological and geophysical data acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves, including directly related overhead costs, are capitalized.
	All capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, including the estimated future costs to develop proved reserves, are amortized on the unit-of-production method using estimates of proved reserves. Investments in unproved properties and major development projects are not amortized until proved reserves associated with the projects can be determined or until impairment occurs. If the results of an assessment indicate that the properties are impaired, the amount of the impairment is included in loss from operations before income taxes and the adjusted carrying amount of the unproved properties is amortized on the unit-of-production method.
	The Company’s oil and gas property represents an investment in unproved properties.  These costs are excluded from the amortized cost pool until proved reserves are found or until it is determined that the costs are impaired.  All costs excluded are reviewed at least quarterly to determine if impairment has or should be declared.  The amount of any impairment is charged to expense since a reserve base has not been established.  Impairment requiring a charge to expense may be indicated through evaluation of drilling results, relinquishing drilling rights or other information (see Note 4).
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	'
	D.	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	In the period ended September 30, 2014, the Company has elected to early adopt Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-10, Development Stage Entities (Topic 915): Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements. The adoption of this ASU allows the Company to remove the inception to date information and all references to development stage.
Reclassifications	'
		E.	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to conform the prior period’s financial information to the current period’s presentation.

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Stock warrants and options outstanding	'
		Shares underlying outstanding options										Shares underlying outstanding options
		(non-vested/non-exercisable)										(all fully vested/exercisable)
		Range of exercise price				Number				Weighted average	Weighted Average	Range of exercise price	Number Outstanding	Weighted average	Weighted Average
						outstanding				remaining contractual	Exercise			remaining contractual
										life (years)	price			life (years)	Exercise price
		US$									US$	US$			US$
		0.01				11,250				9.5	0.01	0.01	20,000	9.7	0.01
		-				-				-	-	0.01	41,250	9.5	0.01
		-				-				-	-	0.01	25,000	9.25	0.01
		-				-				-	-	0.01	71,000	9.12	0.01
		-				-				-	-	0.01	5,000	8.75	0.01
		-				-				-	-	0.01	20,000	5.34	0.01
		-				-				-	-	1.7	369,500	8.23	1.7
		-				-				-	-	1.7	137,500	4.23	1.7
		-				-				-	-	1.73	25,000	4.28	1.73
		-				-				-	-	1.82	25,000	2.7	1.82
		-				-				-	-	1.86	25,000	4.18	1.86
		-				-				-	-	1.96	25,000	4.93	1.96
		-				-				-	-	2.28	25,000	4.78	2.28
		-				-				-	-	2.5	260,000	0.25	2.5
		-				-				-	-	2.61	1,016,500	7.18	2.61
		-				-				-	-	2.61	237,500	3.18	2.61
		-				-				-	-	4.45	25,000	1.32	4.45
		-				-				-	-	4.55	15,000	1.34	4.55
		-				-				-	-	7.15	12,000	0.25	7.15
		0.01				11,250					0.01	0.01-7.15	2,380,250		2.22
Stock Options [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Stock options transactions	'
							Weighted average
			Number of shares				exercise
							price
							US$
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013			2,399,250				2.24
	Changes to:
	Granted to employees, officers and directors			110,000				0.01
	Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited			(36,250	)			2.39
	Exercised			(81,500	)			0.01
	Outstanding, September 30, 2014			2,391,500				2.21
	Exercisable, September 30, 2014			2,380,250				2.22
Non Employee [Member] | Warrant [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Assumptions used to estimate fair value of warrants granted using black-scholes option pricing model	'
			For the nine months ended September 30,
			2014				2013
	Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date		$	2.08			$	2.24
	Dividend yields			-				-
	Expected volatility			75	%			76	%
	Risk-free interest rates			2.65	%			2.52	%
	Expected lives (in years)			10				10
	Weighted-average grant date fair value		$	2.07			$	2.23
Non Employee [Member] | Warrants and Options [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Compensation cost of warrant and option issuances recognized	'
	The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of all warrant and option issuances recognized for non-employees:
	For the nine months ended September 30,
	2014		2013
	US$		US$
	69,000		152,000
Employees and Directors [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Assumptions used to estimate fair value of warrants granted using black-scholes option pricing model	'
			For the nine months ended September 30,
			2014				2013
	Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date		$	2.08			$	2.24
	Dividend yields			-				-
	Expected volatility			75	%			76	%
	Risk-free interest rates			2.65	%			2.52	%
	Expected lives (in years)			10				10
	Weighted-average grant date fair value		$	2.07			$	2.23
Employees and Directors [Member] | Warrants and Options [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Compensation cost of warrant and option issuances recognized	'
	The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of all warrant and option issuances recognized for employees and directors:
	For the nine months ended September 30,
	2014		2013
	US$		US$
	209,000		483,000

Unproved_Oil_and_Gas_Propertie1

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method [Abstract]	'
Schedule of unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method	'
			September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
			US$  thousands		US$ thousands
	Excluded from amortization base:
	Inventory, and other operational related costs			911		929
	Capitalized salary costs			765		602
	Legal  costs, license fees and other preparation costs			1,849		910
	Other costs			1		5
				3,526		2,446
Schedule of impairment of unproved oil and gas properties	'
		For the nine months ended September 30,
			2014		2013
			US$  thousands		US$ thousands
	Capitalized salary costs			-		142
	Legal  costs, license fees and other preparation costs			-		1,709
				-		1,851

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Exploration period doing oil and gas	'14 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock equivalents excluded from EPS as the inclusion would be anti-dilutive	3,812,778	3,007,708

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	19 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non vested stock	$8,000	$8,000	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01
Aggregate amount of securities description	'From time to time, the Company may offer up to an aggregate of approximately $119,850,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in units	'	'
Amount collected from DSPP	2,476,000	4,953,000	'
Common stock shares issued	1,139,216	2,238,621	'
Units issued	630,303	1,421,278	'
Shares issued	508,913	817,343	'
Warrant [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Equity instrument exercise price	$2	$2	'
Warrant termination date description	'The Warrants will become first exercisable on the 31st day following the Unit Option Termination Date (i.e., on January 31, 2015 or the next trading day) and continue to be exercisable through January 31, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $2.00.	'	'
Senior officer one [Member] | Stock Option Plan 2005 [Member] | March 31, 2024 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan (in shares)	25,000	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan price per share	$0.01	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan	47,524	'	'
Stock option plan, number of consecutive quarters	4	'	'
Senior officer two [Member] | Stock Option Plan 2005 [Member] | March 31, 2024 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan (in shares)	20,000	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan price per share	$0.01	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan	38,018	'	'
Senior officer three [Member] | Stock Option Plan 2005 [Member] | March 31, 2024 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan (in shares)	10,000	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan price per share	$0.01	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan	19,009	'	'
Senior officer four [Member] | Stock Option Plan 2005 [Member] | April 1, 2024 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan (in shares)	10,000	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan price per share	$0.01	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan	19,110	'	'
Stock option plan, number of consecutive quarters	4	'	'
Executive officer [Member] | Stock Option Plan 2005 [Member] | June 11, 2024 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan (in shares)	45,000	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan price per share	$0.01	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan	$93,228	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Stock_Opti

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Option Transactions) (Details) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock Options [Member]	'
Number of shares	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	2,399,250
Granted to employees, officers, directors	110,000
Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited	-36,250
Exercised	-81,500
Outstanding, September 30, 2014	2,391,500
Exercisable, September 30, 2014	2,380,250
Weighted average exercise price	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2013	$2.24
Granted to employees, officers, directors	$0.01
Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited	$2.39
Exercised	$0.01
Outstanding, September 30, 2014	$2.21
Exercisable, September 30, 2014	$2.22

Stockholders_Equity_Assumption

Stockholders' Equity (Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Warrants Granted Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Employees and Directors [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date	$2.08	$2.24
Dividend yields	'	'
Expected volatility	75.00%	76.00%
Risk-free interest rates	2.65%	2.52%
Expected lives (in years)	'10 years	'10 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$2.07	$2.23
Non Employee [Member] | Warrant [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date	$2.08	$2.24
Dividend yields	'	'
Expected volatility	75.00%	76.00%
Risk-free interest rates	2.65%	2.52%
Expected lives (in years)	'10 years	'10 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$2.07	$2.23

Stockholders_Equity_Stock_Warr

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Warrants and Options Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Non-vested/ non-exercisale [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	11,250
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Non-vested/ non-exercisale [Member] | Exercise Price One [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	11,250
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'9 years 6 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested/ exercisable [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price, lower range	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price, upper range	$7.15
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	2,380,250
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$2.22
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price One [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	20,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'9 years 8 months 12 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Two [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	41,250
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'9 years 6 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Three [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'9 years 3 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Four [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	71,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'9 years 1 month 13 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Five [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	5,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'8 years 9 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Six [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	20,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'5 years 4 months 2 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Seven [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$1.70
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	369,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'8 years 2 months 23 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.70
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Eight [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$1.70
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	137,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'4 years 2 months 23 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.70
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Nine [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$1.73
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'4 years 3 months 11 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.73
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Ten [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$1.82
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'2 years 8 months 12 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.82
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Eleven [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$1.86
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'4 years 2 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.86
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Twelve [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$1.96
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'4 years 11 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.96
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Thirteen [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$2.28
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'4 years 9 months 11 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$2.28
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Fourteen [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$2.50
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	260,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'3 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$2.50
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Fifteen [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$2.61
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	1,016,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'7 years 2 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$2.61
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Sixteen [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$2.61
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	237,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'3 years 2 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$2.61
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Seventeen [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$4.45
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'1 year 3 months 26 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$4.45
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Eighteen [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$4.55
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	15,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'1 year 4 months 2 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$4.55
Vested/ exercisable [Member] | Exercise Price Nineteen [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Shares underlying outstanding options exercise price	$7.15
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	12,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	'3 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$7.15

Stockholders_Equity_Compensati

Stockholders' Equity (Compensation Cost of Warrant and Option Issuances Recognized) (Details) (Warrants and Options [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Employees and Directors [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Compensation cost of warrant and option issuances	$209,000	$483,000
Non Employee [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Compensation cost of warrant and option issuances	$69,000	$152,000

Unproved_Oil_and_Gas_Propertie2

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Schedule of Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Excluded from amortization base:	'	'
Inventory, and other operational related costs	$911	$929
Capitalized salary costs	765	602
Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs	1,849	910
Other costs	1	5
Total unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method	$3,526	$2,446

Unproved_Oil_and_Gas_Propertie3

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Schedule of Impairment of Unproved Oil and Gas Properties) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method [Abstract]	'	'
Capitalized salary costs	'	$142
Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs	'	1,709
Impairment of oil and gas properties	'	$1,851

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	15-May-12	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Jordan Valley License [Member]	Megiddo-Jezreel Valley License Area [Member]	Drilling Contract with GYP [Member]	New Israeli Shekel [Member]	New Israeli Shekel [Member]	New Israeli Shekel [Member]
			acre	acre			November 30, 2014 [Member]	March 31, 2015 [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies (Textuals)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Existing onshore license holders for performance guarantee guidelines requirement	$930,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
On shore license holders base guarantee value	'	'	'	'	'	500,000	250,000	250,000
On shore license holders base guarantee additional value	'	'	'	'	'	250,000	'	'
Onshore license holder base guarantee cumulative amount	'	'	'	'	'	750,000	'	'
Lease payments on equipment and drill crew	'	'	'	'	627,000	'	'	'
Drilling contract demobilization expense	'	'	'	'	550,000	'	'	'
Bank guarantees to others	'	66,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate bank guarantee amount	'	1,216,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Area of land	'	'	55,845	99,000	'	'	'	'
Bank guarantees to government	'	$1,150,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Subsequent_Events_Narrative_De

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2014	Oct. 01, 2014
Exercisable through October 1, 2024 [Member]	'	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan (in shares)	535,693	'
Shares purchased under option plan price per share	$1.67	'
Shares purchased under option plan, value	'	$564,322
Exercisable through October 1, 2020 [Member]	'	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Shares purchased under option plan (in shares)	390,000	'
Shares purchased under option plan price per share	$1.67	'
Shares purchased under option plan, value	'	$307,763