Zion Oil & Gas (ZNOG) 10-Q9 May 172017 Q1 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2017	Apr. 28, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ZION OIL & GAS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,131,312
Trading Symbol	ZN
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		47,839,247

Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,862	$ 3,192
Fixed short term bank deposits - restricted	1,815	1,295
Prepaid expenses and other	562	347
Other deposits	264
Other receivables	877	144
Total current assets	7,380	4,978
Unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method (see Note 4)	8,452	6,397
Property and equipment at cost Net of accumulated depreciation of $414 and $442	186	113
Other assets
Fixed long term bank deposits - restricted	76
Assets held for severance benefits	188	162
Total other assets	264	162
Total assets	16,282	11,650
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	193	181
Asset retirement obligation	470	200
Derivative liability (see Note 6)	622	895
Accrued liabilities	1,091	677
Total current liabilities	2,376	1,953
Long-term liabilities
10% Senior convertible bonds, net of unamortized deferred financing cost of $111 and $118 and unamortized debt discount of $1,462 and 1,513 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively (see Note 5)	1,883	1,826
Provision for severance pay	228	206
Obligation under capital lease, net of current maturities of $7 (see Note 7C)	49
Total long-term liabilities	2,160	2,032
Total liabilities	4,536	3,985
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 7)
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value $.01; Authorized: 200,000,000 shares at March 31, 2017: Issued and outstanding: 47,520,071 and 42,577,541 shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively	475	426
Additional paid-in capital	165,261	157,854
Accumulated deficit	(153,990)	(150,615)
Total stockholders' equity	11,746	7,665
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 16,282	$ 11,650

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Par

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 414	$ 442
Unamortized deferred financing cost, net	111	118
Unamortized debt discount	1,462	$ 1,513
Obligation under capital lease of current maturities	$ 7
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, Authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, Issued	47,520,071	42,577,541
Common stock, outstanding	47,520,071	42,577,541

Statements of Operations (Unaud

Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statements of Operations [Abstract]
General and administrative	$ 2,847	$ 1,172
Other	676	391
Loss from operations	(3,523)	(1,563)
Other income (expense), net
Gain on derivative liability	273
Other income, net	10
Foreign exchange (loss)	31	21
Financial (expenses), net	(166)	(10)
Loss before income taxes	(3,375)	(1,552)
Income taxes
Net loss	$ (3,375)	$ (1,552)
Net loss per share of common stock - basic and diluted (in US$)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.04)
Weighted-average shares outstanding-basic and diluted (in thousands)	47,237	38,995

Statements of Changes in Stockh

Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2017 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in Capital	Accumulated deficit
Beginning balances at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 7,665	$ 426	$ 157,854	$ (150,615)
Beginning balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		42,578
Funds received from sale of DSPP units and shares	5,218	$ 37	5,181
Funds received from sale of DSPP units and shares (in shares)		3,718
Value of bonds converted to shares	1		1
Value of bonds converted to shares, (in shares)		1
Funds received from option exercises	12	$ 12
Funds received from option exercises (in shares)		1,224
Value of options granted to employees, directors and others as non-cash compensation	2,225		2,225
Net loss	(3,375)			(3,375)
Ending balances at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 11,746	$ 475	$ 165,261	$ (153,990)
Ending balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017		47,521

Statements of Cash Flows (Unaud

Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (3,375)	$ (1,552)
Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	10	15
Capital gain on sale of property and equipment	(10)
Cost of options issued to employees, directors and others as non-cash compensation	2,034	172
Interest on short term bank deposits	(17)	(10)
Interest and finance expense accrued on convertible bonds and amortization of debt discount	144
Change in derivative liability	(273)
Change in assets and liabilities, net:
Change in other deposits	(264)
Prepaid expenses and other	(215)	13
Change in other receivables	(83)	31
Severance pay, net	(4)	7
Accounts payable	(116)	(281)
Accrued liabilities	(87)	(562)
Asset retirement obligation		(3)
Net cash used in operating activities	(2,256)	(2,170)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment in short term bank deposits	(503)	42
Investment in long term bank deposits	(76)
Acquisition of property and equipment	(16)	(12)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	14
Investment in unproved oil and gas properties	(1,058)	(244)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,639)	(214)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from sale of 10% Senior Convertible Bonds		2,655
Repayments of capital loan	(15)
Deferred offering cost		(2)
Proceeds from sale of stock and exercise of options	4,580	760
Net cash provided by financing activities	4,565	3,413
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	670	1,029
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	3,192	2,871
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	3,862	3,900
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Cost of options capitalized to oil & gas properties	191
10% Senior convertible bonds - cash held in escrow		815
Unpaid investments in oil & gas properties	806	248
Subscription receivable for the sale of stock	650
10% Senior Convertible Bonds converted to shares	1
Acquisition of property and equipment under capital lease	$ 71

Nature of Operations and Basis

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	Mar. 31, 2017
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 17 years of oil & gas exploration in Israel. As of March 31, 2017, 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 completed construction of and mobilized the drilling rig to the drill pad location from which it will drill its next exploration well, which, unless extended, must be spud by June 30, 2017 as referenced below. The drilling of this well to the desired depth is subject to the Company raising sufficient funds from equity or debt offerings, of which no assurance can be provided. Depending on the results of the planned exploratory well and having adequate cash resources, multiple wells could be drilled from this pad site as several subsurface geologic targets can be reached using directional well trajectories. Megiddo-Jezreel Petroleum License (“MJL”) The MJL 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. On June 28, 2016, the Company submitted a third Application for Extension of Drilling Date, and on July 4, 2016, the Petroleum Commissioner formally approved the application as follows: No. Activity Description To be carried out by: 1 Sign contract with drilling contractor and forward to Petroleum Commissioner 13 October 2016 2 Submit detailed Engineering Plan to carry out the drilling 13 October 2016 3 Spudding in the license area 1 December 2016 4 Submit a final report on the results of the drilling 1 May 2017 5 Submit a plan for continued work in the license area 29 June 2017 The Petroleum Commissioner modified Zion’s work plan deadlines and awarded the Company a one-year extension to December 2, 2017 on its MJL, subject to Zion signing a drilling contract and submitting a detailed engineering plan by October 13, 2016 and spudding an exploratory well by December 1, 2016. The Company timely complied with two key Special Conditions of our existing license terms established by the Israel Petroleum Commissioner, by providing on October 13, 2016 the fully executed drilling contract with S.A. Daflog, S.R.L., an Israeli-registered affiliate of DAFORA S.A., and a Detailed Drilling Engineering Plan for the Megiddo-Jezreel #1 well. Zion then sought an extension to both its spud date and license extension beyond the three-year primary term. Due in part to Zion’s timely compliance with the two key Special Conditions of the Company’s work program, on November 29, 2016, the State of Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner officially approved Zion’s drilling date and license extension request. Key details of the extension are as outlined below: No. Activity Description To be carried out by: 1 Begin drilling / spud well 30 June 2017 2 Submit final report on the results of drilling 1 November 2017 3 Submit a plan for continued work in the license area 1 December 2017 As previously disclosed, the Company needed authorization from the Israel land Authority (the “ILA”), the formal lessor of the land to the kibbutz, to access and utilize the drill site. The Company received this authorization on July 4, 2016. This is in conjunction with our May 15, 2016 signed agreement with Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu on whose property the drilling pad is currently situated. On January 11, 2017, an agreement was signed by the Company and the ILA by which the land usage permission agreement was extended up to and including December 3, 2017. The drill site plan was prepared by an outside engineering firm to accommodate DAFORA’s F-400 rig. The Company awarded the drill site construction contract to an Israeli company and the construction of the drill site and road was completed in February 2017. Zion is finalizing the rig mobilization to the MJ#1 location to begin rig-up and acceptance testing. The drilling, completion and testing of the well will be subject to raising the necessary capital of which no assurances can be provided. Zion’s Former Jordan Valley, Joseph, and Asher-Menashe Licenses On March 29, 2015, the Energy Ministry formally approved the Company’s application to merge the southernmost portion of the Jordan Valley License into the Megiddo-Jezreel License. The Company has plugged all of its exploratory wells (in the former Joseph and Asher-Menashe Licenses) 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, 2016. 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, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the year ending December 31, 2016 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 all exploration activities and overhead expenses to date have been financed by way of equity or debt financing. 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 ultimately generating 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, 2017, the Company incurred a net loss of approximately $3.4 million and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $154 million. These factors 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 June 2017. To carry out further planned operations beyond that date, the Company must raise additional funds through additional equity and/or debt issuances. There can be no assurance that this capital will be available to the Company, and if it is not, the Company may be forced to curtail or cease exploration and development activities, including the drilling of the planned MJ #1 exploratory well. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty (See also Note 7).

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Mar. 31, 2017
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 (“Common Stock”), 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 9,698,413 and 5,711,104 Common Stock equivalents in the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 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 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 continuing operations before income taxes, and the adjusted carrying amount of the proved 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. 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 $8,452,000 and $6,397,000 as of March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively. D. Fair Value Measurements The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” as amended by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Financial Staff Position (FSP) No. 157 and related guidance. Those provisions relate to the Company’s financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and the fair value disclosures related to financial assets and liabilities. ASC 820 defines fair value, expands related disclosure requirements, and specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the nature of the inputs used to develop the fair value measures. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, assuming the transaction occurs in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability. There are three levels of inputs to fair value measurements - Level 1, meaning the use of quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, meaning the use of quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or are directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, meaning the use of unobservable inputs. The Company uses Level 1 inputs for its fair value measurements whenever there is an active market, with actual quotes, market prices, and observable inputs on the measurement date. The Company uses Level 2 inputs for fair value measurements whenever there are quoted prices for similar securities in an active market or quoted prices for identical securities in an inactive market. The Company uses Level 3 inputs in the Binomial Model used for the valuation of the derivative liability. E. Derivative Liabilities In accordance with ASC 815-40-25 and ASC 815-10-15 Derivatives and Hedging and ASC 480-10-25 Liabilities-Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, the embedded derivatives associated with the Convertible Bonds are accounted for as a liability during the term of the related Convertible Bonds (see Note 6). F. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements The Company does not believe that the adoption of any recently issued accounting pronouncements in 2017 had a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Mar. 31, 2017
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity A. 2011 Equity Incentive Stock Option Plan During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company granted the following options from the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan for employees, directors and consultants, to purchase as non-cash compensation: i. 25,000 shares of Common Stock to a senior officer at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through December 31, 2026. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $34,000. ii. 1,555,000 shares of Common Stock to senior officers, staff members and consultants at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through January 1, 2027. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $2,116 ,000. iii. 35,000 shares of Common Stock to senior officers at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through January 4, 2027. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $48,000. iv. 20,000 shares of Common Stock to a consultant at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through January 11, 2027. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $27,000 B. Stock Options The stock option transactions since January 1, 2017 are shown in the table below: Number of shares Weighted Average exercise price US$ Outstanding, December 31, 2016 4,166,943 1.58 Changes during 2017 to: Granted to employees, officers, directors and others * 1,635,000 0.01 Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited (185,000 ) 2.16 Exercised (1,224,000 ) 0.01 Outstanding, March 31, 2017 4,392,943 1.41 Exercisable, March 31, 2017 4,392,943 1.41 * The receipt of a stock option grant by the grantee recipient is a non-taxable event according to the Internal Revenue Service. The grantee who later chooses to exercise stock options must recognize the market value in income in the year of exercise. The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2017: Shares underlying outstanding options (fully vested) Range of Number Weighted average Weighted Average US$ US$ 0.01 20,000 6.62 0.01 0.01 15,000 7.01 0.01 0.01 5,000 7.20 0.01 0.01 4,500 8.05 0.01 0.01 20,500 8.35 0.01 0.01 10,000 8.51 0.01 0.01 25,000 8.75 0.01 0.01 408,000 9.18 0.01 0.01 735,000 9.75 0.01 0.01 10,000 9.76 0.01 1.38 108,000 3.76 1.38 1.38 133,057 7.76 1.38 1.55 400,000 5.18 1.55 1.67 390,000 3.51 1.67 1.67 458,886 7.51 1.67 1.70 120,000 1.73 1.70 1.70 298,500 5.73 1.70 1.73 25,000 1.78 1.73 1.82 25,000 0.20 1.82 1.86 25,000 1.68 1.86 1.87 25,000 4.84 1.87 1.95 25,000 3.01 1.95 1.96 25,000 2.43 1.96 2.03 25,000 4.09 2.03 2.28 25,000 2.28 2.28 2.61 150,000 0.68 2.61 2.61 881,500 4.68 2.61 0.01-2.61 4,392,943 1.41 Granted to employees The following table sets forth information about the weighted-average fair value of options granted to employees and directors during the year, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model and the weighted-average assumptions used for such grants: For the three months 2017 2016 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 1.37 $ 1.81 Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 60 % 62%-69 % Risk-free interest rates 1.86%-1.93 % 1.01%-1.76 % Expected lives (in years) 5.00 3.00-5.50 Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 1.36 $ 1.56 Granted to non-employees The following table sets forth information about the weighted-average fair value of options granted to non-employees during the year, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model and the weighted-average assumptions used for such grants: For the three months 2017 2016 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 1.36 $ — Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 68 % — Risk-free interest rates 2.36%-2.45 % — Expected lives (in years) 10.00 — Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 1.36 $ — 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. C. Compensation Cost for Warrant and Option Issuances The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of warrant and option issuances recognized for employees and directors: For the three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 2,015,000 172,000 The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of warrant and option issuances recognized for non-employees: For the three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 210,000 -- The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of option issuances recognized for employees and capitalized to Unproved Oil & Gas properties: For the three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 191,000 -- D. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DSPP”) On March 27, 2014, the Company launched its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the “DSPP”) pursuant to which stockholders and interested investors can purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock as well as units of the Company’s securities. The terms of the DSPP are described in the Prospectus Supplement originally filed on March 31, 2014 (the “Original Prospectus Supplement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Company’s effective registration Statement on Form S-3, as thereafter amended. On January 13, 2015, the Company amended the Original Prospectus Supplement (“Amendment No. 3”) to provide for a unit option (the “Unit Option”) under the DSPP comprised of one share of Common Stock and three Common Stock purchase warrants with each unit priced at $4.00. Each warrant afforded the investor or stockholder the opportunity to purchase the Company’s Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $1.00. Each of the three warrants series have different expiration dates that have been extended. The warrants became first exercisable on May 2, 2016 and, in the case of ZNWAB continued to be exercisable through May 2, 2017, May 2, 2018 for ZNWAC (2 years) and May 2, 2019 for ZNWAD (3 years), respectively, at a per share exercise price of $1.00. On November 1, 2016, the Company launched a unit offering (the “Unit Program”) under the Company’s DSPP pursuant to which stockholders and interested investors could purchase units comprised of seven (7) shares of Common Stock and seven (7) Common Stock purchase warrants, at a per unit purchase price of $10. The warrant shall have the symbol “ZNWAE.” On January 30, 2017, the Company extended the Unit Option program that was filed under Amendment No. 7, dated November 1, 2016. The Unit Program continued as under Amendment No. 7, but with a revised time period. Otherwise, the same Unit Program features, conditions and terms in the Prospectus Supplement and Amendment No. 2 applied. The Company’s Unit Option Program began on November 1, 2016 and was to terminate January 31, 2017, but was extended until March 31, 2017. This Unit Program terminated on March 31, 2017. The ZNWAE warrants became exercisable on May 1, 2017, which is the 31 st As of March 31, 2017, the number of outstanding warrants for each warrant issue is shown below: Warrant ZNWAA ZNWAB ZNWAC ZNWAD ZNWAE Exercise Price/Warrant $ 2.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants March 31, 2017 1,566,595 289,446 333,273 340,558 4,028,598 As of May 2, 2017, any outstanding ZNWAB warrants expired. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, approximately $5,218,000 was raised under the DSPP program, of which $650,000 is recognized as other receivables as of March 31, 2017. During April 2017, all the funds were collected. As a result, the Company issued approximately 3,717,000 shares of its Common Stock during the same period. The total amount of funds received from the DSPP, including the exercise of warrants, from the inception date through March 31, 2017 is approximately $18,243,000. On February 23, 2017, the Company filed a Form S-3 with the SEC (Registration No. 333-216191) as a replacement for the Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-193336), in which the three (3) year period was ending March 31, 2017, along with the base Prospectus and Supplemental Prospectus. The Form S-3, as amended, and the new base Prospectus became effective on March 10, 2017, along with the Prospectus Supplement that was filed and became effective on March 10, 2017. The Prospectus Supplement under Registration No. 333-216191 describes the terms of the DSPP and replaces the prior Prospectus Supplement, as amended, under the prior Registration No. 333-193336. E. Warrant Descriptions The price and the expiration dates for the series of warrants to investors are as follows: Period of Grant US$ Expiration Date ZNWAA Warrants March 2013 – December 2014 2.00 January 31, 2020 ZNWAB Warrants * January 2015 – March 2016 1.00 May 02, 2017 ZNWAC Warrants January 2015 – March 2016 1.00 May 02, 2018 ZNWAD Warrants January 2015 – March 2016 1.00 May 02, 2019 ZNWAE Warrants November 2016 – March 2017 1.00 May 01, 2020 * Unexercised ZNWAB warrants were expired as of the filing date of this report.

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method	3 Months Ended
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method	Mar. 31, 2017
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: March 31, December 31, US$ thousands US$ thousands Excluded from amortization base: Inventory, and other operational related costs 3,477 1,770 Capitalized salary costs 1,824 1,579 Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs 3,121 3,018 Other costs 30 30 8,452 6,397

Senior Convertible Bonds

Senior Convertible Bonds	3 Months Ended
Senior Convertible Bonds	Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Convertible Bonds [Abstract]
Senior Convertible Bonds	Note 5 - Senior Convertible Bonds Rights Offering -10% Senior Convertible Notes due May 2, 2021 On October 21, 2015, the Company filed with the SEC a prospectus supplement for a rights offering. Under the rights offering, the Company distributed at no cost, 360,000 non-transferable subscription rights to subscribe for, on a per right basis, two 10% Convertible Senior Bonds par $100 due May 2, 2021 (the “Notes”), to persons who owned shares of the Company’s Common Stock on October 15, 2015, the record date for the offering. Each whole subscription right entitled the participant to purchase two convertible bonds at a purchase price of $100 per bond. Effective October 21, 2015, the Company executed a Supplemental Indenture, as issuer, with the American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company (“AST”), as trustee for the Notes (the “Indenture”). The offering was scheduled to terminate on January 15, 2016 but was extended to March 31, 2016. On March 31, 2016, the rights offering terminated. On May 2, 2016, the Company issued approximately $3,470,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes in connection with the rights offering. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $3,334,000, from the sale of the Notes, after deducting fees and expenses of $136,000 incurred in connection with the offering. These costs have been discounted as deferred offering costs. The Notes contain a convertible option that gives rise to a derivative liability, which is accounted for separately from the Notes (see below and Note 8). Accordingly, the Notes were initially recognized at fair value of approximately $1,844,000, which represents the principal amount of $3,470,000 from which a debt discount of approximately $1,626,000 (which is equal to the fair value of the convertible option) was deducted. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded approximately $7,000 in amortization expense related to the deferred financing costs, and approximately $51,000 in debt discount amortization, net. The Notes are governed by the terms of the Indenture. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and bear interest at a rate of 10% per year, payable annually in arrears on May 2 of each year, commencing May 2, 2017. The Notes will mature on May 2, 2021, unless earlier redeemed by the Company or converted by the holder. Interest and principal may be paid, at the Company’s option, in cash or in shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The number of shares for the payment of interest in shares of Common Stock, in lieu of the cash amount, will be based on the average of the closing prices of the Company’s Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg L.P. for the 30 trading days preceding the record date for the payment of interest; such record date has been designated and will always be the 10 th At any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding April 2, 2021, holders may convert their notes into Common Stock at the conversion rate of 44 shares per $100 bond (which is equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately $2.27 per share). The conversion rate is subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of certain events, including, but not limited to, the issuance of stock dividends and payment of cash dividends. Beginning May 3, 2018, the Company is entitled to redeem for cash the outstanding Notes at an amount equal to the principal and accrued and unpaid interest, plus a 10% premium. No “sinking fund” is provided for the Notes due May 2021, which means that the Company is not required to periodically redeem or retire the Notes due May 2021. Through the three months ended March 31, 2017, approximately 14 convertible bonds of $100 each have been converted under this offering at a conversion rate of approximately $2.27 per share. As a result, the Company issued approximately 600 shares of its Common Stock during the same period. March 31, December 31, US$ US$ 10% Senior Convertible Bonds, net of debt discount on derivative liability of $1,626,000 on the day of issuance $ 1,844,000 $ 1,844,000 Debt discount amortization, net $ 164,000 $ 113,000 Bonds converted to shares $ (14,000 ) $ (13,000 ) Offering cost, net $ (111,000 ) $ (118,000 ) 10% senior Convertible bonds – Long Term Liability $ 1,883,000 $ 1,826,000 The Company recognized $86,000 and $231,000 in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and for the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively, related to the Notes, payable for the first time and in arrears on May 2, 2017. See Subsequent Events for data on the payment of interest in kind on May 2, 2017.

Derivative Liability

Derivative Liability	3 Months Ended
Derivative Liability	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Derivative Liability	Note 6 - Derivative Liability The Notes issued by the Company and discussed in Note 5 contain a convertible option that gives rise to a derivative liability. The debt instrument the Company issued includes a make-whole provision, which provides that in the event of conversion by the investor under certain circumstances, the issuer is required to deliver to the holder additional consideration beyond the settlement of the conversion obligation. Because time value make-whole provisions are not clearly and closely related to the debt host and would meet the definition of a derivative if considered freestanding, they should be evaluated under the indexation guidance to determine whether they would be afforded the scope exception pursuant to ASC 815-10-15-74(a). This evaluation is generally performed in conjunction with the analysis of the embedded conversion feature. The Company has measured its derivative liability at fair value and recognized the derivative value as a current liability and recorded the derivative value on its balance sheet. The fair value of the shares to be issued upon conversion of the Notes was recorded as a derivative liability, with the change in the fair value recorded as a gain or loss in the accompanying statement of operations. The valuation of the Notes was done by using the Binomial Model, a well-accepted option-pricing model, and based on the Notes’ terms and other parameters the Company identified as relevant for the valuation of the Notes’ Fair Value. The Binomial Model used the forecast of the Company share price during the Note’s contractual term. As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value are as follows: March 31, December 31, Level 3 Total Level 3 Total US$ US$ Fair value of derivative liability at March 31, 2017 $ 622,000 $ 622,000 $ 895,000 $ 895,000 Change in value of derivative liability during 2017 are as follows: US$ thousands Derivative liability fair value at December 31, 2016 895 Gain on derivative liability (273 ) Derivative liability fair value at March 31, 2017 622 The following table presents the assumptions that were used for the model as of March 31, 2017: March 31, December 31, Convertible Option Fair Value of approximately $ 622,000 $ 895,000 Annual Risk-free Rate 1.75 % 1.86 % Volatility 49.86 % 57.56 % Expected Term (years) 4.09 4.34 Convertible Notes Face Value $ 3,455,700 $ 3,457,100 Expected annual yield on Regular Notes 28.77 % 28.77 % Price of the Underlying Stock $ 1.20 $ 1.37 During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded unrealized gains of approximately $273,000 (net) within the Statements of Operations line item, gain on derivative liability. A slight change in an unobservable input like volatility could have a significant impact on the fair value measurement of the derivative liability.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Note 7 - 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. Various guidelines have been published in Israel by the State of Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner and Energy and Environmental Ministries since 2012 as it pertains to oil and gas activities. Mention of these guidelines was included in previous Zion Oil & Gas filings. On May 16, 2016, the Energy Ministry issued new guidelines for the preparation and submission of a drilling program in accordance with industry best practices or “Good Oilfield Practice.” On May 17, 2016, the Energy Ministry issued new guidelines for production testing in accordance with “Good Industry Practice” detailing the applicable measures and reporting requirements. On June 28, 2016, the Energy Ministry issued new guidelines for occupational health and safety practices regarding oil and gas drilling and production activities per international norms, coupled with Israeli legal safety guidelines. These regulations focus on industry best practices in the area of health, safety, and environmental (HS&E) factors as well as risk management. In addition, there is a new requirement to have the Petroleum Commissioner’s approval over the safety standards which the operator seeks to apply. The Company believes that these new regulations are likely increase both the time and the expenditures associated with obtaining new exploration rights and drilling new wells. C. Capitalized lease During 2017, the Company signed a capital lease agreement to purchase a vehicle, on which a down payment of $15,000 was paid by the Company. The lease period is for 44 months (approximately 3.7 years, hereinafter the “lease period”) starting on March 25, 2017 and ending on October 24, 2020. The lease bears a monthly payment in the amount of approximately NIS 4,000 (approximately $1,100) per month, at the exchange rate in effect for the date of this report and is linked to an increase (but not a decrease) in CPI. The lease bears a purchase option in the end of the lease period in the amount of approximately NIS 75,000 (approximately $21,000) at the exchange rate in effect on the date of this report and is linked to an increase (but not a decrease) in CPI. A capital lease asset and a capital lease obligation were recognized in the Company's balance sheet in the amount of approximately $71,000, based on the fair value of the vehicle at the starting date of the lease. The net carrying value of the capital lease asset was approximately $71,000 as of March 31, 2017. The capital lease asset is being depreciated using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life expectancy of approximately seven years. As of March 31, 2017, the accumulated depreciation of the capital lease asset amounted to less than $1,000. At March 31, 2017, future minimum payments due under capital lease were: US$ 2017 10 2018 13 2019 13 2020 32 Less: portion representing imputed interest (12 ) Capital lease obligations 56 The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has been contemplating changes that impact capital leases. Any final changes resulting from the FASB are not expected to have a material impact on Zion’s financial statements as it relates to the capital lease described above. D. Bank Guarantees As of March 31, 2017, the Company provided bank guarantees to various governmental bodies (approximately $1,662,000) and others (approximately $81,000) in respect of its drilling operation in an aggregate amount of approximately $1,743,000. 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 fixed short and long term bank deposits – restricted.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Mar. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 8 - Subsequent Events (i) On April 17, 2017, the Company granted options under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan to employees and consultants to purchase 90,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through April 17, 2027. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $104,000. (ii) Approximately $225,000 was collected through the Company’s DSPP Program during the period April 1 through April 30, 2017. (iii) On May 1, 2017, the Company granted options under the 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan, to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock to a new board member at an exercise price of $1.33 per share. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through May 1, 2023. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $11,000.00. (iv) On May 2, 2017, the Company paid its annual 10% interest to its bondholders of record on April 18, 2017. The interest was paid-in-kind (“PIK”) in the form of Common Stock. An average Zion stock price of $1.196 was determined based on the 30 trading days prior to the record date of April 18, 2017. This figure was used to divide into 10% of the par value of the bonds held by the holders. The Company issued 288,965 shares to the accounts of its bondholders.

Summary of Significant Accoun15

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2017
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 (“Common Stock”), 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 9,698,413 and 5,711,104 Common Stock equivalents in the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 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 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 continuing 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. 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 $8,452,000 and $6,397,000 as of March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.
Fair Value Measurements	D. Fair Value Measurements The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” as amended by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Financial Staff Position (FSP) No. 157 and related guidance. Those provisions relate to the Company’s financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and the fair value disclosures related to financial assets and liabilities. ASC 820 defines fair value, expands related disclosure requirements, and specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the nature of the inputs used to develop the fair value measures. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, assuming the transaction occurs in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability. There are three levels of inputs to fair value measurements - Level 1, meaning the use of quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, meaning the use of quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or are directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, meaning the use of unobservable inputs. The Company uses Level 1 inputs for its fair value measurements whenever there is an active market, with actual quotes, market prices, and observable inputs on the measurement date. The Company uses Level 2 inputs for fair value measurements whenever there are quoted prices for similar securities in an active market or quoted prices for identical securities in an inactive market. The Company uses Level 3 inputs in the Binomial Model used for the valuation of the derivative liability.
Derivative Liabilities	E. Derivative Liabilities In accordance with ASC 815-40-25 and ASC 815-10-15 Derivatives and Hedging and ASC 480-10-25 Liabilities-Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, the embedded derivatives associated with the Convertible Bonds are accounted for as a liability during the term of the related Convertible Bonds (see Note 6).
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	F. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements The Company does not believe that the adoption of any recently issued accounting pronouncements in 2017 had a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Warrant and option transactions	Number of shares Weighted Average exercise price US$ Outstanding, December 31, 2016 4,166,943 1.58 Changes during 2017 to: Granted to employees, officers, directors and others * 1,635,000 0.01 Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited (185,000 ) 2.16 Exercised (1,224,000 ) 0.01 Outstanding, March 31, 2017 4,392,943 1.41 Exercisable, March 31, 2017 4,392,943 1.41 * The receipt of a stock option grant by the grantee recipient is a non-taxable event according to the Internal Revenue Service. The grantee who later chooses to exercise stock options must recognize the market value in income in the year of exercise.
Stock warrants and options outstanding	Shares underlying outstanding options (fully vested) Range of Number Weighted average Weighted Average US$ US$ 0.01 20,000 6.62 0.01 0.01 15,000 7.01 0.01 0.01 5,000 7.20 0.01 0.01 4,500 8.05 0.01 0.01 20,500 8.35 0.01 0.01 10,000 8.51 0.01 0.01 25,000 8.75 0.01 0.01 408,000 9.18 0.01 0.01 735,000 9.75 0.01 0.01 10,000 9.76 0.01 1.38 108,000 3.76 1.38 1.38 133,057 7.76 1.38 1.55 400,000 5.18 1.55 1.67 390,000 3.51 1.67 1.67 458,886 7.51 1.67 1.70 120,000 1.73 1.70 1.70 298,500 5.73 1.70 1.73 25,000 1.78 1.73 1.82 25,000 0.20 1.82 1.86 25,000 1.68 1.86 1.87 25,000 4.84 1.87 1.95 25,000 3.01 1.95 1.96 25,000 2.43 1.96 2.03 25,000 4.09 2.03 2.28 25,000 2.28 2.28 2.61 150,000 0.68 2.61 2.61 881,500 4.68 2.61 0.01-2.61 4,392,943 1.41
Schedule of warrant descriptions	Period of Grant US$ Expiration Date ZNWAA Warrants March 2013 – December 2014 2.00 January 31, 2020 ZNWAB Warrants * January 2015 – March 2016 1.00 May 02, 2017 ZNWAC Warrants January 2015 – March 2016 1.00 May 02, 2018 ZNWAD Warrants January 2015 – March 2016 1.00 May 02, 2019 ZNWAE Warrants November 2016 – March 2017 1.00 May 01, 2020 * Unexercised ZNWAB warrants were expired as of the filing date of this report.
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of warrant descriptions	Warrant ZNWAA ZNWAB ZNWAC ZNWAD ZNWAE Exercise Price/Warrant $ 2.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants March 31, 2017 1,566,595 289,446 333,273 340,558 4,028,598
Non-Employees [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 months 2017 2016 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 1.36 $ — Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 68 % — Risk-free interest rates 2.36%-2.45 % — Expected lives (in years) 10.00 — Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 1.36 $ —
Non-Employees [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 months ended March 31, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 210,000 --
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 months 2017 2016 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 1.37 $ 1.81 Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 60 % 62%-69 % Risk-free interest rates 1.86%-1.93 % 1.01%-1.76 % Expected lives (in years) 5.00 3.00-5.50 Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 1.36 $ 1.56
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 months ended March 31, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 2,015,000 172,000
Employees [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 months ended March 31, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 191,000 --

Unproved Oil and Gas Properti17

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2017
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method [Abstract]
Schedule of unproved oil and gas properties under full cost method	March 31, December 31, US$ thousands US$ thousands Excluded from amortization base: Inventory, and other operational related costs 3,477 1,770 Capitalized salary costs 1,824 1,579 Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs 3,121 3,018 Other costs 30 30 8,452 6,397

Senior Convertible Bonds (Table

Senior Convertible Bonds (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Senior Convertible Bonds (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Convertible Bonds [Abstract]
Schedule of senior convertible bonds	March 31, December 31, US$ US$ 10% Senior Convertible Bonds, net of debt discount on derivative liability of $1,626,000 on the day of issuance $ 1,844,000 $ 1,844,000 Debt discount amortization, net $ 164,000 $ 113,000 Bonds converted to shares $ (14,000 ) $ (13,000 ) Offering cost, net $ (111,000 ) $ (118,000 ) 10% senior Convertible bonds – Long Term Liability $ 1,883,000 $ 1,826,000

Derivative Liability (Tables)

Derivative Liability (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Derivative Liability (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Schedule of fair value of derivative liabilities	March 31, December 31, Level 3 Total Level 3 Total US$ US$ Fair value of derivative liability at March 31, 2017 $ 622,000 $ 622,000 $ 895,000 $ 895,000
Schedule of change in fair value of derivative liability	US$ thousands Derivative liability fair value at December 31, 2016 895 Gain on derivative liability (273 ) Derivative liability fair value at March 31, 2017 622
Summary of assumption used for model of derivatives liabilities	March 31, December 31, Convertible Option Fair Value of approximately $ 622,000 $ 895,000 Annual Risk-free Rate 1.75 % 1.86 % Volatility 49.86 % 57.56 % Expected Term (years) 4.09 4.34 Convertible Notes Face Value $ 3,455,700 $ 3,457,100 Expected annual yield on Regular Notes 28.77 % 28.77 % Price of the Underlying Stock $ 1.20 $ 1.37

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Schedule of future minimum payments due under capital lease	US$ 2017 10 2018 13 2019 13 2020 32 Less: portion representing imputed interest (12 ) Capital lease obligations 56

Nature of Operations and Basi21

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 02, 2017	Dec. 03, 2013	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)a	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Net loss			$ (3,375)	$ (1,552)
Accumulated deficit			$ (153,990)		$ (150,615)
Megiddo-Jezreel License [Member]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Area of land, approximate \| a			99,000
Initial length of lease		3 years
Megiddo-Jezreel License [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Initial length of lease		1 year
Megiddo-Jezreel License [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Initial length of lease		7 years
Jordan Valley License [Member]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Net loss			$ 3,400
Accumulated deficit			$ 154,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Length of lease, extension term	1 year

Summary of Significant Accoun22

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual)
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock equivalents excluded from EPS as the inclusion would be anti-dilutive	9,698,413	5,711,104
Capitalized exploration costs	$ 8,452,000		$ 6,397,000

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Opt

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Option Transactions) (Details) - Employee Stock Option [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares
Number of shares
Outstanding, Beginning balance \| shares	4,166,943
Granted to employees, officers, directors and others \| shares	1,635,000	[1]
Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited \| shares	(185,000)
Exercised \| shares	(1,224,000)
Outstanding, Ending balance \| shares	4,392,943
Number of shares Exercisable \| shares	4,392,943
Weighted Average exercise price
Outstanding, Beginning balance \| $ / shares	$ 1.58
Granted to employees, officers, directors and others \| $ / shares	0.01	[1]
Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited \| $ / shares	2.16
Exercised \| $ / shares	0.01
Outstanding, Ending balance \| $ / shares	1.41
Weighted Average exercise price, Exercisable \| $ / shares	$ 1.41

[1]	The receipt of a stock option grant by the grantee recipient is a non-taxable event according to the Internal Revenue Service. The grantee who later chooses to exercise stock options must recognize the market value in income in the year of exercise.

Stockholders' Equity (Stock O24

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Options Outstanding) (Details) - Vested [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares
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	$ 2.61
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding \| shares	4,392,943
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.41
Range Exercise Price 0.01 First [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 \| shares	20,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	6 years 7 months 13 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
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 \| shares	15,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	7 years 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
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 \| shares	5,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	7 years 2 months 12 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
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 \| shares	4,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 18 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
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 \| shares	20,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 4 months 6 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Range Exercise Price 0.01 Six [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 \| shares	10,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 6 months 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Range Exercise Price 0.01 Seven [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 \| shares	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 9 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Range Exercise Price 0.01 Eight [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 \| shares	408,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 2 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Range Exercise Price 0.01 Nine [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 \| shares	735,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 9 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Range Exercise Price 0.01 Ten [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 \| shares	10,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 9 months 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Range Exercise Price 1.38 First [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price	$ 1.38
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding \| shares	108,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	3 years 9 months 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.38
Range Exercise Price 1.38 Second [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price	$ 1.38
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding \| shares	133,057
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	7 years 9 months 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.38
Range Exercise Price 1.55 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price	$ 1.55
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding \| shares	400,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	5 years 2 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.55
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 \| shares	390,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	3 years 6 months 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.67
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 \| shares	458,886
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	7 years 6 months 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.67
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 \| shares	120,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	1 year 8 months 23 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.70
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 \| shares	298,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	5 years 8 months 23 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.70
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 \| shares	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	1 year 9 months 11 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.73
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 \| shares	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	2 months 12 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.82
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 \| shares	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	1 year 8 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.86
Range Exercise Price 1.87 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price	$ 1.87
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding \| shares	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	4 years 10 months 2 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.87
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 \| shares	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	3 years 4 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.95
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 \| shares	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	2 years 5 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.96
Range Exercise Price 2.03 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price	$ 2.03
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding \| shares	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	4 years 1 month 2 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 2.03
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 \| shares	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	2 years 3 months 11 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 2.28
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 \| shares	150,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 2.61
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 \| shares	881,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	4 years 8 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 2.61

Stockholders' Equity (Assumptio

Stockholders' Equity (Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Warrants Granted Using Black Scholes Option-Pricing Model) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date	$ 1.37	$ 1.81
Dividend yields
Expected volatility	60.00%
Expected lives (in years)	5 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$ 1.36	$ 1.56
Employees [Member] \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility		62.00%
Risk-free interest rates	1.86%	1.01%
Expected lives (in years)		3 years
Employees [Member] \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility		69.00%
Risk-free interest rates	1.93%	1.76%
Expected lives (in years)		5 years 6 months
Non-Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date	$ 1.36
Dividend yields
Expected volatility	68.00%
Risk-free interest rates
Expected lives (in years)	10 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$ 1.36
Non-Employees [Member] \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rates	2.36%
Non-Employees [Member] \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rates	2.45%

Stockholders' Equity (Compensat

Stockholders' Equity (Compensation Cost of Warrant and Option Issuances Recognized) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
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	$ 2,015,000	$ 172,000
Employees and Directors [Member] \| Unproved Oil and Gas Properties [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost of warrant and option issuances	191,000
Non-Employees [Member] \| Warrants and Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost of warrant and option issuances	$ 210,000

Stockholders' Equity (Outstandi

Stockholders' Equity (Outstanding of Warrants) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares
ZNWAA [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Exercise Price/Warrant \| $ / shares	$ 2
Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants @ March 31, 2017 \| shares	1,566,595
ZNWAB [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Exercise Price/Warrant \| $ / shares	$ 1
Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants @ March 31, 2017 \| shares	289,446
ZNWAC [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Exercise Price/Warrant \| $ / shares	$ 1
Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants @ March 31, 2017 \| shares	333,273
ZNWAD [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Exercise Price/Warrant \| $ / shares	$ 1
Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants @ March 31, 2017 \| shares	340,558
ZNWAE [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Exercise Price/Warrant \| $ / shares	$ 1
Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants @ March 31, 2017 \| shares	4,028,598

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Warrants Descriptions) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017$ / shares
ZNWAA Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant exercise price	$ 2
Warrant name	ZNWAA Warrants
Warrant expiration date	Jan. 31, 2020
ZNWAA Warrants [Member] \| Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Mar. 31, 2013
ZNWAA Warrants [Member] \| Ending Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Dec. 31, 2014
ZNWAB Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant exercise price	$ 1
Warrant name	ZNWAB Warrants	[1]
Warrant expiration date	May 2, 2017	[1]
ZNWAB Warrants [Member] \| Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Jan. 31, 2015	[1]
ZNWAB Warrants [Member] \| Ending Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Mar. 31, 2016	[1]
ZNWAC Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant exercise price	$ 1
Warrant name	ZNWAC Warrants
Warrant expiration date	May 2, 2018
ZNWAC Warrants [Member] \| Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Jan. 31, 2015
ZNWAC Warrants [Member] \| Ending Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Mar. 31, 2016
ZNWAD Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant exercise price	$ 1
Warrant name	ZNWAD Warrants
Warrant expiration date	May 2, 2019
ZNWAD Warrants [Member] \| Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Jan. 31, 2015
ZNWAD Warrants [Member] \| Ending Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Mar. 31, 2016
ZNWAE Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant exercise price	$ 1
Warrant name	ZNWAE Warrants
Warrant expiration date	May 1, 2020
ZNWAE Warrants [Member] \| Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant expiration date	Nov. 30, 2016
ZNWAE Warrants [Member] \| Ending Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant expiration date	Mar. 31, 2017

[1]	Unexercised ZNWAB warrants were expired as of the filing date of this report.

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 13, 2015
2011 Equity Incentive Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Senior officer [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan	25,000
Exercise price per unit	$ 0.01
Stock option plan, expiration date	Dec. 31, 2026
Fair value of stock options granted	$ 34,000
2011 Equity Incentive Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Senior officers, staff members and consultants [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan	1,555,000
Exercise price per unit	$ 0.01
Stock option plan, expiration date	Jan. 1, 2027
Fair value of stock options granted	$ 2,116,000
2011 Equity Incentive Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Senior officers two [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan	35,000
Exercise price per unit	$ 0.01
Stock option plan, expiration date	Jan. 4, 2027
Fair value of stock options granted	$ 48,000
2011 Equity Incentive Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Consultants [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan	20,000
Exercise price per unit	$ 0.01
Stock option plan, expiration date	Jan. 11, 2027
Fair value of stock options granted	$ 27,000
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Exercise price per unit		$ 1
Stock option plan, expiration date	May 1, 2020
Warrant termination, description	The warrants became first exercisable on May 2, 2016 and, in the case of ZNWAB continued to be exercisable through May 2, 2017, May 2, 2018 for ZNWAC (2 years) and May 2, 2019 for ZNWAD (3 years), respectively, at a per share exercise price of $1.00.
Purchase warrants unit price		$ 4
Unit option, description	On November 1, 2016, the Company launched a unit offering (the "Unit Program") under the Company's DSPP pursuant to which stockholders and interested investors could purchase units comprised of seven (7) shares of Common Stock and seven (7) Common Stock purchase warrants, at a per unit purchase price of $10.
Unit option termination	Mar. 31, 2017
Amount collected from DSPP	$ 5,218,000
Common stock shares issued	3,718,000
Amount of funds received from DSPP	$ 18,243,000
Recognized as other receivables	$ 650,000
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan [Member] \| Warrant [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Warrant termination, description	The ZNWAE warrants became exercisable on May 1, 2017, which is the 31st day following the Unit Option Termination Date (i.e., on March 31, 2017) and continue to be exercisable through May 1, 2020 (3 years) at a per share exercise price of $1.00. If the Company's Common Stock trades above $5.00 per share at the closing price for 15 consecutive trading days at any time prior to the expiration date of the warrant, the Company has the sole discretion to terminate the warrant early upon providing 60 days advanced notice to warrant holders.

Unproved Oil and Gas Properti30

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Excluded from amortization base:
Inventory, and other operational related costs	$ 3,477,000	$ 1,770,000
Capitalized salary costs	1,824,000	1,579,000
Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs	3,121,000	3,018,000
Other costs	30,000	30,000
Total unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method	$ 8,452,000	$ 6,397,000

Senior Convertible Bonds (Detai

Senior Convertible Bonds (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Senior Convertible Bonds [Abstract]
10% Senior Convertible Bonds, net of debt discount on derivative liability of $1,626,000 on the day of issuance	$ 1,844,000	$ 1,844,000
Debt discount amortization, net	164,000	113,000
Bonds converted to shares	(14,000)	(13,000)
Offering cost, net	(111,000)	(118,000)
10% senior Convertible bonds - Long Term Liability	$ 1,883,000	$ 1,826,000

Senior Convertible Bonds (Paren

Senior Convertible Bonds (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Debt discount on derivative liability	$ 1,462,000	$ 1,513,000
10% Senior Convertible Bonds [Member]
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Debt discount on derivative liability	$ 1,626,000

Senior Convertible Bonds (Narra

Senior Convertible Bonds (Narrative) (Details)	May 02, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 21, 2015$ / sharesshares	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)Bonds$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Principal amount			$ 3,455,700	$ 3,457,100
Convertible bonds			1,844,000	1,844,000
Debt discount on derivative liability			1,462,000	1,513,000
Debt discount amortization, net			$ 164,000	113,000
Rights Offering [Member]
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Subscriptions shares \| shares		360,000
Debt instrument, maturity date		May 2, 2021
Convertible senior bonds par value \| $ / shares		$ 100
Convertible bonds purchase price \| $ / shares		$ 100
Principal amount	$ 3,470,000
Expenses from rights offering	136,000
Proceeds from issuance senior of unsecured notes	$ 3,334,000
Senior unsecured notes interest rate		10.00%
Debt conversion, description			Under the rights offering, the Company distributed at no cost, 360,000 non-transferable subscription rights to subscribe for, on a per right basis, two 10% Convertible Senior Bonds par $100 due May 2, 2021 (the "Notes"), to persons who owned shares of the Company's Common Stock on October 15, 2015, the record date for the offering. Each whole subscription right entitled the participant to purchase two convertible bonds at a purchase price of $100 per bond.
10% Senior Convertible Notes [Member]
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Debt instrument, maturity date			May 2, 2021
Debt instrument payment, description			Payable annually in arrears on May 2 of each year, commencing May 2, 2017.
Principal amount			$ 3,470,000
Senior unsecured notes interest rate			10.00%
Debt conversion, description			At any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding April 2, 2021, holders may convert their notes into Common Stock at the conversion rate of 44 shares per $100 bond (which is equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately $2.27 per share).
Amortization expense			$ 7,000
Convertible bonds			1,844,000
Debt discount on derivative liability			1,626,000
Debt discount amortization, net			$ 51,000
10% Senior Convertible Notes [Member] \| Rights Offering [Member]
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Debt instrument, maturity date			May 2, 2021
Debt instrument payment, description			The number of shares for the payment of interest in shares of Common Stock, in lieu of the cash amount, will be based on the average of the closing prices of the Company's Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg L.P. for the 30 trading days preceding the record date for the payment of interest; such record date has been designated and will always be the 10th business day prior to the interest payment date on May 2 of each year. The number of shares for the payment of principal, in lieu of the cash amount, shall be based upon the average of the closing price of the Company's Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg L.P. for the 30 trading days preceding the principal repayment date; such record date has been designated as the trading day immediately prior to the 30-day period preceding the maturity date of May 2, 2021.
Description of note redeemption			The Company is entitled to redeem for cash the outstanding Notes at an amount equal to the principal and accrued and unpaid interest, plus a 10% premium.
10% Senior Convertible Notes [Member] \| Debt issuance [Member] \| Rights Offering [Member]
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Debt instrument payment, description			Payable for the first time and in arrears on May 2, 2017.
Convertible bonds purchase price \| $ / shares			$ 2.27
Interest expense			$ 86,000	$ 231,000
Number of convertible bonds \| Bonds			14
Value of each convertible bonds			$ 100
Common stock issued \| shares			600

Derivative Liability (Details)

Derivative Liability (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liability at March 31, 2017	$ 622,000	$ 895,000
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liability at March 31, 2017	$ 622,000	$ 895,000

Derivative Liability (Details 1

Derivative Liability (Details 1) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Derivative Liability (Details 1) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Derivative liability fair value at December 31, 2016	$ 895
Gain on derivative liability	(273)
Derivative liability fair value at March 31, 2017	$ 622

Derivative Liability (Details 2

Derivative Liability (Details 2) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Derivative Liability (Details 2) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Convertible Option Fair Value of approximately	$ 622,000	$ 895,000
Annual Risk-free Rate	1.75%	1.86%
Volatility	49.86%	57.56%
Expected Term (years)	4 years 1 month 2 days	4 years 4 months 2 days
Convertible Notes Face Value	$ 3,455,700	$ 3,457,100
Expected annual yield on Regular Notes	28.77%	28.77%
Price of the Underlying Stock	$ 1.20	$ 1.37

Derivative Liability (Narrative

Derivative Liability (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Derivative Liability (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Derivative Liability [Textual]
Gain on derivative liability	$ 273

Commitments and Contingencies38

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
2,017	$ 10
2,018	13
2,019	13
2,020	32
Less: portion representing imputed interest	(12)
Capital lease obligations	$ 56

Commitments and Contingencies39

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017ILS (₪)
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Purchase vehicle down payment	$ 15,000
Aggregate guarantee amount	1,743,000
Lease monthly payment	$ 1,100	₪ 4,000
Lease expiration date	Oct. 24, 2020	Oct. 24, 2020
Lease term	The lease period is for 44 months (approximately 3.7 years, hereinafter the "lease period") starting on March 25, 2017 and ending on October 24, 2020.	The lease period is for 44 months (approximately 3.7 years, hereinafter the "lease period") starting on March 25, 2017 and ending on October 24, 2020.
Lease purchase option amount	$ 21,000	₪ 75,000
Capital lease asset and a capital lease obligation amount	71,000
Net carrying value of the capital lease asset	71,000
Accumulated depreciation capital lease asset amounted	$ 1,000
Capital lease asset estimated useful life	7 years	7 years
Bank guarantees to government	$ 1,662,000
Bank guarantees to others	$ 81,000

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	May 02, 2017	Apr. 17, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	May 01, 2017
Subsequent Events [Textual]
Stock issued description			Approximately $225,000 was collected through the Company's DSPP Program during the period April 1 through April 30, 2017.
Subsequent Events [Member] \| Bondholders [Member]
Subsequent Events [Textual]
Annual interest paid	10.00%
Stock price	$ 1.196
Stock issued description	The Company paid its annual 10% interest to its bondholders of record on April 18, 2017. The interest was paid-in-kind ("PIK") in the form of common stock. An average Zion stock price of $1.1963 was determined based on the 30 trading days prior to the record date of April 18, 2017. This figure was used to divide into 10% of the par value of the bonds held by the holders.
Shares issued
Subsequent Events [Member] \| 2011 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] \| Staff members [Member]
Subsequent Events [Textual]
Shares granted under stock option plan (in shares)		90,000
Exercise price of common stock		$ 0.01
Fair value of stock options		$ 104,000
Description of options vesting		The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through April 17, 2027.
Subsequent Events [Member] \| 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member]
Subsequent Events [Textual]
Shares granted under stock option plan (in shares)				25,000
Exercise price of common stock				$ 1.33
Fair value of stock options				$ 11,000
Description of options vesting				The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through May 1, 2023