Zion Oil & Gas (ZNOG) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ZION OIL & GAS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1131312
Trading Symbol	zn
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		36,198,945

Balance_Sheets

Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,814	$5,344
Fixed short term bank deposits - restricted	1,281	1,298
Fixed short term time deposits		531
Prepaid expenses and other	242	280
Other receivables	41	181
Total current assets	6,378	7,634
Unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method	4,056	3,891
Property and equipment at cost Net of accumulated depreciation of $428 and $412	171	186
Other assets
Assets held for severance benefits	170	169
Total assets	10,775	11,880
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	80	132
Asset retirement obligation	149	163
Accrued liabilities	1,621	870
Total current liabilities	1,850	1,165
Provision for severance pay	201	195
Total liabilities	2,051	1,360
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 5)
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value $.01; Authorized:100,000,000: Issued and outstanding: 36,013,151 and 35,755,304 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively	360	358
Additional paid-in capital	145,569	144,958
Accumulated deficit	-137,205	-134,796
Total stockholders' equity	8,724	10,520
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$10,775	$11,880

Balance_Sheets_Parenthetical

Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$428	$412
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, Issued	36,013,151	35,755,304
Common stock, outstanding	36,013,151	35,755,304

Statements_of_Operations_Unaud

Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statements of Operations [Abstract]
General and administrative	$1,855	$845
Other	531	1,412
Loss from operations	-2,386	-2,257
Other expense, net
Foreign exchange loss	-13	-4
Financial expenses, net	-10	-3
Loss before income taxes	-2,409	-2,264
Income taxes
Net loss	($2,409)	($2,264)
Net loss per share of common stock - basic and diluted (in US$)	($0.07)	($0.07)
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in thousands)	36,030	34,387

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, 2014		$10,520	$358	$144,958	($134,796)
Beginning Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			35,755,304
Funds received from sale of DSPP units and shares		428	2	426
Funds received from sale of DSPP units and shares (in shares)			190,000
Funds received from option exercises	[1]
Funds received from option exercises (in shares)			68,000
Value of options granted to employees, directors and others		185		185
Net loss		-2,409			-2,409
Ending Balances at Mar. 31, 2015		$8,724	$360	$145,569	($137,205)
Ending Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015			36,013,151
[1]	Less than one thousand

Statements_of_Cash_Flows

Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	($2,409)	($2,264)
Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	16	22
Cost of options issued to employees, directors & others	178	102
Interest on short term bank deposits	17	-1
Change in assets and liabilities, net:
Prepaid expenses and other	38	-26
Other receivables	140	-203
Severance pay, net	5	-9
Accounts payable	-33	231
Accrued liabilities	791	267
Asset retirement obligation	-14	-172
Net cash used in operating activities	-1,271	-2,053
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment in short term bank deposits	531	-835
Acquisition of property and equipment	-1	-20
Investment in unproved oil and gas properties	-217	-404
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	313	-1,259
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from sale of stock and exercise of options	428	702
Net cash provided by financing activities	428	702
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-530	-2,610
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	5,344	10,414
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	4,814	7,804
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Cost of options capitalized to oil & gas properties	7	1
Unpaid investments in oil & gas properties	$72	$17

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	Note 1 - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
		A.	Nature of Operations
	Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“we,” “our,” “Zion” or the “Company”) is an oil and gas exploration company with a history of more than 15 years of oil & gas exploration in Israel. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has no revenues from its oil and gas operations.
	Exploration Rights/Exploration Activities
	Zion currently holds one active petroleum exploration license onshore Israel, the Megiddo-Jezreel License (“MJL”), comprising approximately 99,000 acres. The Company has selected the specific drill pad location from which to drill its next exploration well, which it plans to spud by December 1, 2015, in accordance with the MJL work plan.
	Megiddo-Jezreel Petroleum License
	The Megiddo-Jezreel License 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 MJL is onshore, south and west of the Sea of Galilee.
	Under the terms of this 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.
	On January 21, 2015, the Company formally submitted its Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) document for its upcoming Megiddo-Jezreel #1 well to Israel’s Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources (“Energy Ministry”) and thereafter, on January 25, 2015, to the Ministry of Environmental Protection (“Environmental Ministry”). This key milestone is required by the MJL work plan as well as by Israeli law and regulations.
	On February 25, 2015, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Viking Services, BV, an international rig and oilfield services provider, to obtain the right to contract a land-based rig and certain oilfield services and crew with which to drill the Company’s next well. The MOU contemplates a two-year agreement to drill two wells with an option to drill a third well.
	On March 22, 2015, the Company formally submitted its EIA document for our upcoming Megiddo-Jezreel #1 well to the Northern District Committee in Nazareth. This committee will hold a formal meeting at a future date to review, discuss, suggest modifications to, and consider approving the EIA. This step represents another significant milestone required by Israeli law and regulations as a prerequisite to obtaining final authorization to drill the Company’s future well(s).
	On March 29, 2015, the Company received from the Energy Ministry final approval of its application to merge the southernmost portion of its Jordan Valley License into the MJL, which the Company had filed on April 10, 2014.
	Zion’s Former Jordan Valley License
	On April 10, 2014, Zion filed an application to merge the southernmost portion of the Jordan Valley License into the MJL and on March 29, 2015, this application was formally approved. The Jordan Valley License (~ 55,845 acres) expired in April 2014 as Zion did not seek an extension beyond its three-year primary term. On March 29, 2015, the Company received from Israel’s Energy Minister final approval of its application to merge the southernmost portion of our Jordan Valley License into the MJL.
	Zion’s Former Asher-Menashe License and Former Joseph License
	The Company has plugged all of its exploratory wells but acknowledges its obligation to complete the abandonment of these well sites in accordance with guidance from the Environmental Ministry and local officials.
		B.	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. 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, 2014. 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 months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year or for any other subsequent interim period.
	To date, the Company has not achieved a discovery of either oil or gas in commercial quantities. The Company incurs cash outflows from operations and at this time all exploration activities and overhead expenses are financed by way of equity issuance. The recoverability of the costs incurred to date is uncertain and dependent upon achieving significant commercial production.
	The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon obtaining the necessary financing to undertake further exploration and development activities and generate profitable operations from its oil and natural gas interests in the future. The Company’s current operations are dependent upon the adequacy of its current assets to meet its current expenditure requirements and the accuracy of management’s estimates of those requirements. Should those estimates be materially incorrect, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern may be impaired. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company incurred a net loss of approximately $2.4 million and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $137.2 million. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
	The Company expects to incur additional significant expenditures to further its exploration programs. Management is of the opinion that its currently available cash resources are sufficient to finance its plan of operations through November 2015. To carry out further planned operations beyond that date, the Company must raise additional funds through additional equity issuances. There can be no assurance that this capital will be available and if it is not, the Company may be forced to curtail or cease exploration and development expenditures. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, par value $0.01 per share, is presented in conformity with ASC 260-10 “Earnings Per Share.” Diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share as the inclusion of 4,785,118 and 3,406,624 common stock equivalents in the three month period ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 respectively, would be anti-dilutive.
		B.	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the accompanying financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 occurred. The amount of any impairment is charged to expense since a reserve base has not yet 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).
	Currently, the Company has no economically recoverable reserves and no amortization base. The Company’s unproved oil and gas properties consist of capitalized exploration costs of $4,056,000 and $3,891,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
		D.	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	We do not believe that the adoption of any recently issued accounting pronouncements in 2015 had a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.
		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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity
		A.	2005 Stock Option Plan
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted the following options from the 2005 Stock Option Plan, to purchase:
		i.	128,500 shares of common stock to senior officers, other staff members, and service providers at an exercise price of $1.38. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through January 2, 2025. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $105,752.
		ii.	25,000 shares of common stock to a senior officer at an exercise price of $1.38. The options have a par value of $.01. The options shall vest in June 30, 2015 and are exercisable through January 1, 2025. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $20,529.
		B.	2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted the following options from the 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan, to purchase:
	108,000 shares of common stock to non-employee directors at an exercise price of $1.38. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through January 2, 2021. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $68,375.
		C.	Stock Options
	The stock option transactions since January 1, 2015 are shown in the table below:
							Weighted average
			Number of shares				exercise
							price
							US$
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014			3,089,693				1.99
	Changes during 2015 to:
	Granted to employees, officers, directors and others			261,500				1.38
	Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited			(62,500	)			2.39
	Exercised			(67,500	)			0.01
	Outstanding, March 31, 2015			3,221,193				1.98
	Exercisable, March 31, 2015			3,196,193				1.98
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2015:
		Shares underlying outstanding options (non-vested)												Shares underlying outstanding options (fully vested)
		Range of exercise price				Number outstanding			Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)			Weighted Average Exercise price		Range of exercise price		Number Outstanding		Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)		Weighted Average Exercise price
		US$										US$		US$						US$
			1.38				25,000			9.77			1.38		0.01		20,000		9.21	0.01
			—				—			—			—		0.01		47,500		9	0.01
			—				—			—			—		0.01		56,000		8.62	0.01
			—				—			—			—		0.01		2,000		8.25	0.01
			—				—			—			—		0.01		20,000		4.84	0.01
			—				—			—			—		1.38		108,000		5.76	1.38
			—				—			—			—		1.38		128,500		9.77	1.38
			—				—			—			—		1.67		390,000		5.51	1.67
			—				—			—			—		1.67		535,693		9.51	1.67
			—				—			—			—		1.7		359,500		7.73	1.7
			—				—			—			—		1.7		132,500		3.73	1.7
			—				—			—			—		1.73		25,000		3.78	1.73
			—				—			—			—		1.82		25,000		2.21	1.82
			—				—			—			—		1.86		25,000		3.68	1.86
			—				—			—			—		1.95		25,000		5.01	1.95
			—				—			—			—		1.96		25,000		4.43	1.96
			—				—			—			—		2.28		25,000		4.28	2.28
			—				—			—			—		2.61		200,000		2.68	2.61
			—				—			—			—		2.61		1,006,500		6.68	2.61
			—				—			—			—		4.45		25,000		0.82	4.45
			—				—			—			—		4.55		15,000		0.84	4.55
			1.38				25,000						1.38		0.01—4.55		3,196,193			1.98
	Granted to employees
	The following table sets forth information about the weighted-average fair value of options granted to employees and directors during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model and the weighted-average assumptions used for such grants:
			For the three month ended March 31,
			2015				2014
	Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date		$	1.38			$	1.91
	Dividend yields			—				—
	Expected volatility			69%-70%				78%-82%
	Risk-free interest rates			1.07%-1.61%				1.72%-1.73%
	Expected lives (in years)			3.00-5.25				5.00-5.38
	Weighted-average grant date fair value		$	0.73			$	1.9
	Granted to non-employees
	The following table sets forth information about the weighted-average fair value of options granted to non-employees during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model and the weighted-average assumptions used for such grants:
			For the three month ended March 31,
			2015				2014
	Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date		$	1.38			$	—
	Dividend yields			—				—
	Expected volatility			73.84	%			—
Risk-free interest rates			2.12	%			—
Expected lives (in years)			10				—
Weighted-average grant date fair value		$	1.08			$	—
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 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.
	D.	Compensation Cost for Option Issuances
The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of all option issuances recognized for employees and directors:
For the three month ended March 31,
2015				2014
	US$				US$
	174,000				89,000
The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of all option issuances recognized for non-employees:
For the three month ended March 31,
2015				2014
	US$				US$
	11,000				14,000
As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $10,000 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 2015.
	E.	Prospectus Supplement for the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DSPP”)
On January 13, 2015, Amendment No. 3 to the Prospectus Supplement was filed. Amendment No. 3 to Prospectus Supplement amends the Prospectus Supplement to provide for a new Unit Option. The prior Unit Option ended on December 31, 2014. The Unit Program continues with a different Unit Option comprised of a combination of common stock, warrants, time periods and unit price, but otherwise has the same Unit Program features, conditions and terms as those set out in the original Prospectus Supplement and Amendment No. 2 thereto. The Company’s new Unit Option Program began on February 2, 2015 and was scheduled to terminate May 4, 2015, but was extended for an additional 90-day period through August 3, 2015. This new 90-day Unit Option enables participants to purchase Units of our securities where each Unit (priced at $4.00) is comprised of one share of Common Stock and three Common Stock purchase warrants. Each warrant affords the investor or stockholder the opportunity to purchase one share of the Company’s Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $1.00. Each of the three warrants per Unit will have a different expiration date.
The Company has filed an application with NASDAQ to list the three warrants on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbols “ZNWAB,” “ZNWAC,” and “ZNWAD;” however, no assurance can be provided that the warrants will be approved for listing on the NASDAQ Global Market.
Under the current Unit Option program, all of the warrants will first become exercisable and tradable on September 3, 2015, which is the 31st day following the Unit Option Termination Date (i.e., on August 3, 2015) and continue to be exercisable through September 5, 2016 for ZNWAB (1 year), September 4, 2017 for ZNWAC (2 years) and September 4, 2018 for ZNWAD (3 years), respectively, at a per share exercise price of $1.00. The Unit is priced at $4.00 per Unit, and no change will be made to the warrant exercise price of $1.00 per share (see also Note 6).
Accordingly, all references in the Original Prospectus Supplement and Amendment Nos. 1 and 3 concerning the Unit Options, are hereby deleted and replaced with the extended Unit Option as described above. Except for the substitution of the extended Unit Option above, all other features, conditions and terms of the Plan remain unchanged.
The Company and its transfer agent have collected together approximately $428,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2015. As a result, the Company issued 190,347 shares of its common stock during the same period. Additionally, warrants for 133,989 shares of common stock were issued during the quarter (44,663 each of ZNWAB, ZNWAC, and ZNWAD).
	F.	Warrant Descriptions
The price and the expiration dates for the series of warrants to investors are as follows:
		Period of Grant				US$			Expiration Date
ZNWAA Warrants			March 2013 – December 2014				2			January 31, 2020
On February 2, 2015, the ZNWAA listed warrants began trading on the NASDAQ Global Markets but on February 11, 2015, NASDAQ halted trading on the ZNWAA warrants pending the Company’s response to NASDAQ's request for additional information. On April 9, 2015, NASDAQ resumed trading on Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.’s ZNWAA warrants. (see Note 6)

Unproved_Oil_and_Gas_Propertie

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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:
		31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
		US$ thousands		US$ thousands
	Excluded from amortization base:
	Inventory, and other operational related costs		895		895
	Capitalized salary costs		970		916
	Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs		2,190		2,079
	Other costs		1		1
			4,056		3,891

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 January 21, 2015, the Company formally submitted its Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) document for our upcoming Megiddo-Jezreel #1 well to Israel’s Energy Ministry and thereafter, on January 25, 2015, to the Environmental Ministry. This key milestone is required by the MJL work plan as well as by Israeli law and regulations.
	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 bank guarantee from an Israeli based bank in the amount of $930,000, 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 Energy Ministry 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 Energy Ministry 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.
	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 non-compliance with the new insurance provisions as breaching the work plan and the rights granted and act accordingly.
	Due to the Petroleum Commissioner’s discretion in the matter, the Company has not provided bank guarantees based on the September 2014 guidelines as it has not had a request from the Commissioner. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has not received a specific request seeking payment and therefore, has not provided any of the additional bank guarantees required by in the new guidelines.
	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.	Former 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.
	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.
	In the preliminary procedural stage, Zion challenged GYP’s standing to assert its claim on the basis that there was no assignment of the Drilling Contract from AME to GYP pursuant to the provisions of the Drilling Contract. GYP challenged Zion’s right to assert any issue not related to the demobilization fee, including Zion’s counterclaim. On December 19, 2014, the appointed arbitrator communicated to the ICA that she was denying each party’s preliminary challenges, and the arbitration would proceed on the basis of the primary claims and counterclaims raised by the parties.
	On February 9, 2015, Zion and GYP each filed submissions on Stage 1 issues, to which rebuttals were due on March 5, 2015. (see also Note 6)
		D.	Bank Guarantees
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company provided bank guarantees to various governmental bodies (approximately $1,147,000) and others (approximately $64,000) in respect of its drilling operation in an aggregate amount of approximately $1,211,000. 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.”

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 6 - Subsequent Events
	On the dates shown below, the Company granted the following options from the 2005 Stock Option Plan, to purchase:
		i.	On April 2, 2015, 10,000 options for shares of common stock to one senior officer at an exercise price of $0.01. The options vest in equal quarterly instalments over four consecutive quarters, beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2015 and are exercisable through April 2, 2025. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $17,607; and
		ii.	On April 17, 2015, 123,500 shares of common stock to senior officers, directors, other staff members, and service providers at an exercise price of $0.01. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through April 17, 2025. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $219,933.
	On February 2, 2015, the ZNWAA listed warrants began trading on the NASDAQ Global Markets but on February 11, 2015, NASDAQ halted trading on the ZNWAA warrants pending the Company’s response to NASDAQ's request for additional information. On April 9, 2015, NASDAQ resumed trading on Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.’s ZNWAA warrants.
	On April 20, 2015, the Company announced:
		i.	Amending the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws to increase the authorized number of directors from 11 to 13; and
		ii.	The appointment of Mr. Dustin L. Guinn to the Board of Directors as an independent director as defined by NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2), effective May 1, 2015.
	On May 1, 2015, the Company granted, from the 2011 Stock Option Plan, 25,000 options for shares of common stock to one director at an exercise price of $2.03. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through May 1, 2021.  The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $23,000.
	On May 1, 2015, Amendment No. 4 to the Prospectus Supplement was filed. This Amendment No. 4 to Prospectus Supplement amends the Prospectus Supplement dated March 27, 2014 (“Original Prospectus Supplement”) as supplemented on May 30, 2014 (“Amendment No. 1 to Prospectus Supplement”), as supplemented on July 31, 2014 (“Amendment No. 2 to Prospectus Supplement”) and as supplemented on January 13, 2015 (“Amendment No. 3 to Prospectus Supplement”). This Amendment No. 4 to Prospectus Supplement should be read in conjunction with the Original Prospectus Supplement and the base Prospectus effective March 27, 2014 and Amendment No. 2. This Amendment No. 4 is incorporated by reference into the Original Prospectus Supplement. This Amendment No. 4 is not complete without, and may not be delivered or utilized except in connection with, the Original Prospectus Supplement, including any amendments or supplements thereto.
	Under our Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), our Unit Program continues with an extended Unit Option period, but otherwise the same Unit Program features, conditions and terms in the Prospectus Supplement and Amendment No. 2 apply.  We are offering under our Unit Program that began on February 2, 2015 under Amendment No. 3 to the Prospectus an extension of the Unit Option that is being extended from the original termination date of May 4, 2015 to a termination date of August 3, 2015. The Unit Option to purchase Units of our securities where each Unit (priced at $4.00) is comprised of one (1) share of Common Stock and three (3) Common Stock purchase warrants. Each warrant affords the investor or stockholder the opportunity to purchase one share of our Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $1.00. Each of the three warrants per Unit will have different expiration dates that have been extended.
	All of the warrants will first become exercisable and tradable on September 3, 2015, which is the 31st day following the new Unit Option Termination Date (i.e., on August 3, 2015) and continue to be exercisable through September 5, 2016 for ZNWAB (1 year), September 4, 2017 for ZNWAC (2 years) and September 4, 2018 for ZNWAD (3 years), respectively, at a per share exercise price of $1.00. The Unit is priced at $4.00 and no change will be made to the warrant exercise price of $1.00 per share.
	Accordingly, all references in the Original Prospectus Supplement and Amendment Nos. 1 and 3, concerning the Unit Options are hereby deleted and replaced with the extended Unit Option as described above. Except for the substitution of the extended Unit Option above, all other features, conditions and terms of the Plan remain unchanged.
	With respect to the GYP arbitration, on April 1, 2015, the arbitrator declared the Stage 1 issues closed and submitted her draft Partial Award to the ICC Secretariat. On April 24, 2015, the International Court of Arbitration (“ICA”) extended the time limit for rendering the Final Award until July 31, 2015. On April 29, 2015, the arbitrator issued her Partial Award ordering Zion to pay GYP the sum of $550,000 plus interest in the amount of approximately $237,000, which continues to accrue at the rate of $180.82 per day until paid. However, any Final Award sum is not determinable until the issuance of the Final Award after resolution of Stage 2 of Zion’s fraud and other tort counterclaims against GYP. The Company recorded a provision in the amount of $850,000 to cover the Company's liability.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, par value $0.01 per share, is presented in conformity with ASC 260-10 “Earnings Per Share.” Diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share as the inclusion of 4,785,118 and 3,406,624 common stock equivalents in the three month period ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 respectively, would be anti-dilutive.
Use of Estimates		B.	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the accompanying financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 occurred. The amount of any impairment is charged to expense since a reserve base has not yet 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).
	Currently, the Company has no economically recoverable reserves and no amortization base. The Company’s unproved oil and gas properties consist of capitalized exploration costs of $4,056,000 and $3,891,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
		D.	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	We do not believe that the adoption of any recently issued accounting pronouncements in 2015 had a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.
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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrant and Option Transactions							Weighted average
			Number of shares				exercise
							price
							US$
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014			3,089,693				1.99
	Changes during 2015 to:
	Granted to employees, officers, directors and others			261,500				1.38
	Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited			(62,500	)			2.39
	Exercised			(67,500	)			0.01
	Outstanding, March 31, 2015			3,221,193				1.98
	Exercisable, March 31, 2015			3,196,193				1.98
Stock Warrants and Options Outstanding		Shares underlying outstanding options (non-vested)												Shares underlying outstanding options (fully vested)
		Range of exercise price				Number outstanding			Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)			Weighted Average Exercise price		Range of exercise price		Number Outstanding		Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)		Weighted Average Exercise price
		US$										US$		US$						US$
			1.38				25,000			9.77			1.38		0.01		20,000		9.21	0.01
			—				—			—			—		0.01		47,500		9	0.01
			—				—			—			—		0.01		56,000		8.62	0.01
			—				—			—			—		0.01		2,000		8.25	0.01
			—				—			—			—		0.01		20,000		4.84	0.01
			—				—			—			—		1.38		108,000		5.76	1.38
			—				—			—			—		1.38		128,500		9.77	1.38
			—				—			—			—		1.67		390,000		5.51	1.67
			—				—			—			—		1.67		535,693		9.51	1.67
			—				—			—			—		1.7		359,500		7.73	1.7
			—				—			—			—		1.7		132,500		3.73	1.7
			—				—			—			—		1.73		25,000		3.78	1.73
			—				—			—			—		1.82		25,000		2.21	1.82
			—				—			—			—		1.86		25,000		3.68	1.86
			—				—			—			—		1.95		25,000		5.01	1.95
			—				—			—			—		1.96		25,000		4.43	1.96
			—				—			—			—		2.28		25,000		4.28	2.28
			—				—			—			—		2.61		200,000		2.68	2.61
			—				—			—			—		2.61		1,006,500		6.68	2.61
			—				—			—			—		4.45		25,000		0.82	4.45
			—				—			—			—		4.55		15,000		0.84	4.55
			1.38				25,000						1.38		0.01—4.55		3,196,193			1.98
Schedule of Warrants Description			Period of Grant				US$			Expiration Date
	ZNWAA Warrants			March 2013 – December 2014				2			January 31, 2020
Non Employee [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 three month ended March 31,
			2015				2014
	Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date		$	1.38			$	—
	Dividend yields			—				—
	Expected volatility			73.84	%			—
	Risk-free interest rates			2.12	%			—
	Expected lives (in years)			10				—
	Weighted-average grant date fair value		$	1.08			$	—
Non Employee [Member] | Warrants and Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Compensation Cost of Warrant and Option Issuances	For the three month ended March 31,
	2015				2014
		US$				US$
		11,000				14,000
Employees and Directors [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 three month ended March 31,
			2015				2014
	Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date		$	1.38			$	1.91
	Dividend yields			—				—
	Expected volatility			69%-70%				78%-82%
	Risk-free interest rates			1.07%-1.61%				1.72%-1.73%
	Expected lives (in years)			3.00-5.25				5.00-5.38
	Weighted-average grant date fair value		$	0.73			$	1.9
Employees and Directors [Member] | Warrants and Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Compensation Cost of Warrant and Option Issuances	For the three month ended March 31,
	2015				2014
		US$				US$
		174,000				89,000

Unproved_Oil_and_Gas_Propertie1

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method [Abstract]
Schedule of Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method		31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
		US$ thousands		US$ thousands
	Excluded from amortization base:
	Inventory, and other operational related costs		895		895
	Capitalized salary costs		970		916
	Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs		2,190		2,079
	Other costs		1		1
			4,056		3,891

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis1

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 03, 2013	Apr. 10, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
				acre
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Net loss	($2,409)	($2,264)
Accumulated deficit	($137,205)				($134,796)
Megiddo-Jezreel License [Member]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Area of Land	99,000
Initial length of lease			3 years
Megiddo-Jezreel License [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Length of lease, additional term			7 years
Megiddo-Jezreel License [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Length of lease, additional term			3 years
Jordan Valley License [Member]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Area of Land				55,845
Initial length of lease				3 years
License expired date	30-Apr-14

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual)
Common stock equivalents excluded from EPS as the inclusion would be anti-dilutive	4,785,118	3,406,624
Common stock, par value	$0.01		$0.01
Capitalized exploration costs	$4,056	$3,891

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non vested stock	$10,000
Warrants issued	133,989
ZNWAB Warrants [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrants issued	44,663
ZNWAC Warrants [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrants issued	44,663
ZNWAD Warrants [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrants issued	44,663
Warrant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity instrument par value	$4
Equity instrument exercise price	$1
Warrant termination date description	Under the current Unit Option program, all of the warrants will first become exercisable and tradable on September 3, 2015, which is the 31st day following the Unit Option Termination Date (i.e., on August 3, 2015) and continue to be exercisable through September 5, 2016 for ZNWAB (1 year), September 4, 2017 for ZNWAC (2 years) and September 4, 2018 for ZNWAD (3 years), respectively, at a per share exercise price of $1.00. The Unit is priced at $4.00 per Unit, and no change will be made to the warrant exercise price of $1.00 per share.
Amount collected from DSPP	428,000
Common stock shares issued	190,347
Stock Option Plan 2005 [Member] | Senior officers, other staff members, and service providers [Member] | January 2, 2025 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares purchased under option plan (in shares)	128,500
Shares purchased under option plan price per share	$1.38
Shares purchased under option plan	105,752
Stock option plan, expiration date	2-Jan-25
Stock Option Plan 2005 [Member] | Senior officer one [Member] | January 1, 2025 [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	$1.38
Shares purchased under option plan	20,529
Equity instrument par value	$0.01
Stock option plan, expiration date	1-Jan-25
Stock Option Plan 2011 [Member] | Non Employee Director [Member] | January 2, 2021 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares purchased under option plan (in shares)	108,000
Shares purchased under option plan price per share	$1.38
Shares purchased under option plan	$68,375
Stock option plan, expiration date	2-Jan-21

Stockholders_Equity_Stock_Opti

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Option Transactions) (Details) (Employee Stock Option [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Number of shares
Outstanding, Beginning balance	3,089,693
Granted to employees, officers, directors and others	261,500
Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited	-62,500
Exercised	-67,500
Outstanding, Ending balance	3,221,193
Number of shares Exercisable	3,196,193
Weighted average exercise price
Outstanding, Beginning balance	$1.99
Granted to employees, officers, directors and others	$1.38
Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited	$2.39
Exercised	$0.01
Outstanding, Ending balance	$1.98
Weighted Average exercise price Exercisable	$1.98

Stockholders_Equity_Stock_Opti1

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Options Outstanding (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Unvested
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.38
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.38
Unvested | Range of exercise price 1.38 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.38
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 9 months 7 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.38
Vested
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	$4.55
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	3,196,193
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.98
Vested | Range Exercise Price 0.01 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	20,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 2 months 16 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Second [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	47,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Third [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	56,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 7 months 13 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Four [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	2,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 3 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Five [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	20,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	4 years 10 months 2 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$0.01
Vested | Range of exercise price 1.38 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.38
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	108,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	5 years 9 months 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.38
Vested | Range of exercise price 1.38 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.38
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	128,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 9 months 7 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.38
Vested | Range Exercise Price 1.67 First [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.67
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	390,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	5 years 6 months 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.67
Vested | Range Exercise Price 1.67 Second [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.67
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	535,693
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 6 months 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.67
Vested | Range Exercise Price 1.70 First [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.70
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	359,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	7 years 8 months 23 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.70
Vested | Range Exercise Price 1.70 Second [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.70
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	132,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	3 years 8 months 23 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.70
Vested | Range Exercise Price 1.73 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.73
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	3 years 9 months 11 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.73
Vested | Range Exercise Price 1.82 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.82
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	2 years 2 months 16 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.82
Vested | Range Exercise Price 1.86 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.86
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	3 years 8 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.86
Vested | Range Exercise Price 1.95 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.95
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	5 years 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.95
Vested | Range Exercise Price 1.96 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$1.96
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	4 years 5 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$1.96
Vested | Range Exercise Price 2.28 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$2.28
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	$2.28
Vested | Range Exercise Price 2.61 First [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$2.61
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	200,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	2 years 8 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$2.61
Vested | Range Exercise Price 2.61 Second [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$2.61
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	1,006,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	6 years 8 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$2.61
Vested | Range Exercise Price 4.45 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$4.45
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 months 26 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$4.45
Vested | Range Exercise Price 4.55 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options range of exercise price	$4.55
Shares underlying outstanding options Number outstanding	15,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	10 months 2 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$4.55

Stockholders_Equity_Assumption

Stockholders' Equity (Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Warrants Granted Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model)(Details) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Non Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date	$1.38
Dividend yields
Expected volatility	73.84%
Risk-free interest rates	2.12%
Expected lives (in years)	10 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$1.08
Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date	$1.38	$1.91
Dividend yields
Expected volatility, minimum	69.00%	78.00%
Expected volatility, maximum	70.00%	82.00%
Risk-free interest rates, minimum	1.07%	1.72%
Risk-free interest rates, maximum	1.61%	1.73%
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$0.73	$1.90
Employee [Member] | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected lives (in years)	3 years	5 years
Employee [Member] | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected lives (in years)	5 years 3 months	5 years 4 months 17 days

Stockholders_Equity_Compensati

Stockholders' Equity (Compensation Cost of Warrant and Option Issuances Recognized) (Details) (Warrants and Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Non Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost of warrant and option issuances	$11,000	$14,000
Employees and Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost of warrant and option issuances	$174,000	$89,000

Stockholders_Equity_Schedule_o

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Warrants Description) (Details) (ZNWAA Warrants [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant name	ZNWAA
Equity instrument exercise price	$2
Warrant expiration date	31-Jan-20
Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	31-Mar-13
Ending Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	31-Dec-14

Unproved_Oil_and_Gas_Propertie2

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Excluded from amortization base:
Inventory, and other operational related costs	$895	$895
Capitalized salary costs	970	916
Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs	2,190	2,079
Other costs	1	1
Total unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method	$4,056	$3,891

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 03, 2013	15-May-12	Sep. 17, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Existing onshore license holders for performance guarantee guidelines requirement	$930,000
Bank guarantees to government				1,147,000
Bank guarantees to others				64,000
Aggregate guarantee amount				1,211,000
Drilling Contract with GYP
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease payments on equipment and drill crew		627,000
Drilling contract demobilization expense		550,000
New Israeli Shekel [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
On shore license holders base guarantee value			500,000
On shore license holders base guarantee additional value			250,000
On shore license holder base guarantee cumulative amount			750,000
New Israeli Shekel [Member] | November 30, 2014 [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
On shore license holders base guarantee value			250,000
New Israeli Shekel [Member] | March 31, 2015 [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
On shore license holders base guarantee value			$250,000

Subsequent_Events_Narrative_De

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 29, 2015	Apr. 20, 2015	Apr. 06, 2015	Apr. 17, 2015	1-May-15	Feb. 02, 2015
			Directors
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Unit option to purchase unit securities description	The Unit Option to purchase Units of our securities where each Unit (priced at $4.00) is comprised of one (1) share of Common Stock and three (3) Common Stock purchase warrants.
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Warrant instrument exercise price							$1
Unit price of share							$4
Commitments of arbitration with interest		$237,000
Payments of Arbitrator		550,000
Interest rate per day		180.82
Provision for company's liability		850,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Authorized number of directors			13
Subsequent Event [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Authorized number of directors			11
Subsequent Event [Member] | Exercisable through April 2, 2025 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Shares granted under stock option plan (in shares)				10,000
Shares granted under stock option plan, exercise price				$0.01
Shares granted under stock option plan (in values)				17,607
Subsequent Event [Member] | Exercisable through April 17, 2025 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Shares granted under stock option plan (in shares)					123,500
Shares granted under stock option plan, exercise price					$0.01
Shares granted under stock option plan (in values)					219,933
Subsequent Event [Member] | 2011 Stock Option Plan [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Shares granted under stock option plan (in shares)						25,000
Shares granted under stock option plan, exercise price						$2.03
Shares granted under stock option plan (in values)						$23,000