Zion Oil & Gas (ZNOG) 10-Q 11 Aug 17 2017 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 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	Jun. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		51,912,554

Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,828	$ 3,192
Fixed short term bank deposits - restricted	2,092	1,295
Prepaid expenses and other	410	347
Other deposits	533
Other receivables	720	144
Total current assets	7,583	4,978
Unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method (see Note 4)	11,455	6,397
Property and equipment at cost Net of accumulated depreciation of $427 and $442	200	113
Other assets
Assets held for severance benefits	205	162
Total assets	19,443	11,650
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	622	181
Asset retirement obligation	470	200
Derivative liability (see Note 6)	3,475	895
Accrued liabilities	1,820	677
Total current liabilities	6,387	1,953
Long-term liabilities
10% Senior convertible bonds, net of unamortized deferred financing cost of $104 and $118 and unamortized debt discount of $1,389 and $1,513 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively (see Note 5)	1,915	1,826
Provision for severance pay	248	206
Obligation under capital lease, net of current maturities of $9 (see Note 7C)	44
Total long-term liabilities	2,207	2,032
Total liabilities	8,594	3,985
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 7)
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value $.01; Authorized: 200,000,000 shares at June 30, 2017: Issued and outstanding: 49,991,444 and 42,577,541 shares at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively	500	426
Additional paid-in capital	169,310	157,854
Accumulated deficit	(158,961)	(150,615)
Total stockholders' equity	10,849	7,665
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 19,443	$ 11,650

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Par

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 427	$ 442
Unamortized deferred financing cost, net	104	118
Unamortized debt discount	1,389	$ 1,513
Obligation under capital lease of current maturities	$ 9
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, issued	49,991,444	42,577,541
Common stock, outstanding	49,991,444	42,577,541

Statements of Operations (Unaud

Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statements of Operations [Abstract]
General and administrative	$ 1,233	$ 3,260	$ 4,080	$ 4,432
Other	774	614	1,450	1,005
Loss from operations	(2,007)	(3,874)	(5,530)	(5,437)
Other income (expense), net
(Loss), gain on derivative liability	(2,853)	502	(2,580)	502
Other income, net			10
Foreign exchange (loss), gain	79	(10)	110	11
Financial expenses, net	(190)	(88)	(356)	(98)
Loss before income taxes	(4,971)	(3,470)	(8,346)	(5,022)
Income taxes
Net loss	$ (4,971)	$ (3,470)	$ (8,346)	$ (5,022)
Net loss per share of common stock - basic and diluted (in US$)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.12)
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in thousands)	50,245	40,873	48,714	40,337

Statements of Changes in Stockh

Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 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	8,539	$ 57	8,482
Funds received from sale of DSPP units and shares (in shares)		5,718
Value of bonds converted to shares	57		57
Value of bonds converted to shares (in shares)		21
Funds received from option exercises	14	$ 14
Funds received from option exercises (in shares)		1,385
Bond interest paid in shares	346	$ 3	343
Bond interest paid in shares (in shares)		289
Value of options granted to employees, directors and others as non-cash compensation	2,574		2,574
Net loss	(8,346)			(8,346)
Ending balances at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 10,849	$ 500	$ 169,310	$ (158,961)
Ending balances (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2017		49,991

Statements of Cash Flows (Unaud

Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (8,346)	$ (5,022)
Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	22	31
Capital gain on sale of property and equipment	(10)
Cost of options issued to employees, directors and others as non-cash compensation	2,383	2,580
Interest on short term bank deposits	(52)	(6)
Interest and finance expense accrued on convertible bonds and amortization of debt discount	317	81
Change in derivative liability	2,580	(502)
Change in assets and liabilities, net:
Change in other deposits	(533)
Prepaid expenses and other	(63)	133
Change in other receivables	(576)	245
Severance pay, net	(1)	7
Accounts payable	(12)	(320)
Accrued liabilities	85	(509)
Asset retirement obligation		(3)
Net cash used in operating activities	(4,206)	(3,285)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investment in short term bank deposits	(745)	31
Acquisition of property and equipment	(42)	(16)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	14
Investment in unproved oil and gas properties	(2,920)	(631)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,693)	(616)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from sale of 10% Senior Convertible Bonds		3,470
Repayments of capital loan	(18)
Deferred offering cost		(84)
Proceeds from sale of stock and exercise of options	8,553	2,112
Net cash provided by financing activities	8,535	5,498
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	636	1,597
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	3,192	2,871
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	3,828	4,468
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Cost of options capitalized to oil & gas properties	191	213
Debt discount related to the derivative liability		1,626
Unpaid investments in oil & gas properties	1,947	53
Convertible Bond interest paid in shares	346
10% Senior Convertible Bonds converted to shares	57
Acquisition of property and equipment under capital lease	71
Deferred offering cost		$ 136

Nature of Operations and Basis

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 June 30, 2017, the Company had 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, comprising approximately 99,000 acres. In December 2016, Zion and a local Israeli construction company executed a contract for the civil works and drill site construction at the MJ #1 location. The site was completed in early March 2017. The drilling rig and associated equipment were mobilized to the site, performance and endurance tested, and the Megiddo-Jezreel #1 (“MJ #1) well was spud on June 5, 2017, well in advance of the June 30, 2017 deadline under the terms of the current license. Depending on the results of the currently drilling 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 an aggregate maximum of seven years. The MJL is onshore, south and west of the Sea of Galilee. Since late November 2016 when the State of Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner officially approved Zion’s drilling date and license extension request, the Company remains subject to the following key license terms: 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 March 2017. As previously mentioned, the MJ #1 well was spud on June 5, 2017 and is currently drilling. 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 six months ended June 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the year ending December 31, 2017 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 six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company incurred a net loss of approximately $8.3 million and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $159 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, including the drilling of the MJ#1 well to the desired depth and the subsequent testing, through January 2018. To carry out further planned operations beyond that date, the Company must raise additional funds through additional equity and/or debt issuances or through profitable operations. There can be no assurance that this capital or positive operational income will be available to the Company, and if it is not, the Company may be forced to curtail or cease exploration and development activities. 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 9,588,898 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 $11,455,000 and $6,397,000 as of June 30, 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity A. 2011 Equity Incentive Stock Option Plan During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company granted the following non-qualified options from the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan for employees, directors and consultants, to purchase as non-cash compensation (taxable on the date of exercise): i. Options to purchase 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. Options to purchase 1,555,000 shares of Common Stock to twenty three (23) 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. Options to purchase 35,000 shares of Common Stock to two (2) 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. Options to purchase 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. v. Options to purchase 90,000 shares of Common Stock to five (5) staff members 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 $104,000. B. 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company granted the following qualified (market value) options from the 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan for directors to purchase as non-cash compensation: i. Options 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 $10,000. ii. Options to purchase 400,000 shares of Common Stock to eight (8) board members at an exercise price of $1.75 per share. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through June 6, 2023. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $235,000. C. Stock Options The stock option transactions since January 1, 2017 are shown in the table below: Number of shares Weighted Average exercise price US$ Outstanding, December 31, 2016 4,166,943 1.58 Changes during 2017 to: Granted to employees, officers, directors and others * 2,150,000 0.35 Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited (210,000 ) 2.12 Exercised (1,384,500 ) 0.01 Outstanding, June 30, 2017 4,722,443 1.45 Exercisable, June 30, 2017 4,722,443 1.45 * The receipt of a non-qualified stock option grant by the grantee recipient is a non-taxable event according to the Internal Revenue Service, but 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 June 30, 2017: Shares underlying outstanding options (fully vested) Range of Number Weighted average Weighted Average US$ US$ 0.01 15,000 6.37 0.01 0.01 15,000 6.76 0.01 0.01 5,000 6.95 0.01 0.01 4,500 7.80 0.01 0.01 15,000 8.10 0.01 0.01 10,000 8.26 0.01 0.01 25,000 8.50 0.01 0.01 378,000 8.93 0.01 0.01 625,000 9.50 0.01 0.01 10,000 9.51 0.01 0.01 80,000 9.79 0.01 1.33 25,000 5.83 1.33 1.38 108,000 3.51 1.38 1.38 133,057 7.52 1.38 1.55 400,000 4.93 1.55 1.67 390,000 3.26 1.67 1.67 458,886 7.26 1.67 1.70 120,000 1.48 1.70 1.70 298,500 5.48 1.70 1.73 25,000 1.53 1.73 1.75 400,000 6.02 1.75 1.86 25,000 1.43 1.86 1.87 25,000 4.59 1.87 1.95 25,000 2.76 1.95 1.96 25,000 2.18 1.96 2.03 25,000 3.84 2.03 2.28 25,000 2.03 2.28 2.61 150,000 0.43 2.61 2.61 881,500 4.43 2.61 0.01-2.61 4,722,443 1.45 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 six months ended 2017 2016 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 1.44 $ 1.57 Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 45%-60 % 57%-69 % Risk-free interest rates 1.45%-1.94 % 0.94%-1.76 % Expected lives (in years) 3.00-5.00 3.00-5.50 Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 1.18 $ 1.34 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 six months ended June 30, 2017 2016 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 1.36 $ 1.55 Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 68 % 70 % %Risk-free interest rates 2.36%-2.45 % 1.73 % Expected lives (in years) 10.00 10.00 Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 1.36 $ 1.54 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 six months ended June 30, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 2,364,000 2,469,000 The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of warrant and option issuances recognized for non-employees: For the six months ended June 30, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 210,000 324,000 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 six months ended June 30, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 191,000 213,000 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 (1 year), 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. As of May 2, 2017, any outstanding ZNWAB warrants expired. 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 has the symbol “ZNWAE.” On January 30, 2017, the Company extended the Unit 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 Program began on November 1, 2016 and was scheduled to terminate January 31, 2017, but was extended until March 31, 2017, when it terminated. The ZNWAE warrants became exercisable on May 1, 2017, which is the 31 st 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), for which the three (3) year period ended 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. On May 22, 2017, the Company launched a new unit offering (the "New Unit Program”). The New Unit Program consisted of a new combination of common stock and warrants, a new time period in which to purchase under the program, and a new unit price, but otherwise the same unit program features, conditions and terms in the Prospectus Supplement applied. The Company’s new unit program began on May 22, 2017 and terminated on July 12, 2017. This new Unit Option Program enabled participants to purchase Units of the Company's securities where each Unit (priced at $250.00 each) was comprised of (i) a certain number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing $250.00 (the price of one Unit) by the average of the high and low sale prices of the Company’s publicly traded common stock as reported on the NASDAQ on the unit purchase date and (ii) Common Stock purchase warrants to purchase an additional twenty five (25) shares of Common Stock. Each warrant affords the investor or stockholder the opportunity to purchase one share of the Company’s Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $1.00. The warrant has the symbol “ZNWAF.” All ZNWAF warrants will first become exercisable on August 14, 2017, which is the first trading day after the 31st day following the Unit Option Termination Date (i.e., on July 12, 2017) and continue to be exercisable through August 14, 2020 (3 years) at a per share exercise price of $1.00. If the Common Stock of the Company trades above $5.00 per share as the closing price for fifteen (15) consecutive trading days at any time prior to the expiration date of the warrant, the Company has the sole discretion to provide a Notice to warrant holders of an early termination of the warrant within sixty (60) days of the Notice. As of June 30, 2017, the number of outstanding warrants for each warrant issue is shown below: Warrant ZNWAA ZNWAC ZNWAD ZNWAE ZNWAF Exercise Price/Warrant $ 2.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants as of June 30, 2017 1,561,595 300,912 316,637 3,706,361 163,450 For the six months ended June 30, 2017, approximately $8,539,000 was raised under the DSPP program The total amount of funds received from the DSPP, including the exercise of warrants, from the inception date through June 30, 2017 is approximately $21,564,000. E. Warrant Descriptions The price and the expiration dates for the series of warrants to investors are as follows: Period of Grant US$ Expiration Date ZNWAA Warrants March 2013 – December 2014 2.00 January 31, 2020 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 ZNWAF Warrants May 2017– July 2017 1.00 August 14, 2020

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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: June 30, December 31, US$ thousands US$ thousands Excluded from amortization base: Inventory, and other operational related costs 6,219 1,770 Capitalized salary costs 1,890 1,579 Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs 3,276 3,018 Other costs 70 30 11,455 6,397

Senior Convertible Bonds

Senior Convertible Bonds	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded approximately $14,000 in amortization expense related to the deferred financing costs, and approximately $123,000 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. 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 289,213 shares to the accounts of its bondholders. 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. Through the six months ended June 30, 2017, approximately 484 convertible bonds of $100 each have been converted under this offering at a conversion rate of approximately $2.27 per share. As a result, the Company issued approximately 21,000 shares of its Common Stock during the same period. June 30, December 31, US$ 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 $ 236,000 $ 113,000 Bonds converted to shares $ (61,000 ) $ (13,000 ) Offering cost, net $ (104,000 ) $ (118,000 ) 10% senior Convertible bonds – Long Term Liability $ 1,915,000 $ 1,826,000 The Company recognized $171,000 and $231,000 in interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 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. 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.

Derivative Liability

Derivative Liability	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 June 30, 2017, the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value are as follows: June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Level 3 Total Level 3 Total US$ US$ Fair value of derivative liability at June 30, 2017 $ 3,475,000 $ 3,475,000 $ 895,000 $ 895,000 Change in value of derivative liability during 2017 are as follows: US$ Derivative liability fair value at December 31, 2016 895,000 Loss on derivative liability 2,580,000 Derivative liability fair value at June 30, 2017 3,475,000 The following table presents the assumptions that were used for the model as of June 30, 2017: June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Convertible Option Fair Value of approximately $ 3,475,000 $ 895,000 Annual Risk-free Rate 1.75 % 1.86 % Volatility 51.89 % 57.56 % Expected Term (years) 3.84 4.34 Convertible Notes Face Value $ 3,048,700 $ 3,457,100 Expected annual yield on Regular Notes 28.77 % 28.77 % Price of the Underlying Stock $ 3.43 $ 1.37 During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $2,580,000 (net) within the Statements of Operations line item, (loss) 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 $68,000 as of June 30, 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 June 30, 2017, the accumulated depreciation of the capital lease asset amounted to approximately $3,000. At June 30, 2017, future minimum payments due under capital lease were: US$ 2017 7 2018 13 2019 13 2020 32 Less: portion representing imputed interest (12 ) Capital lease obligations 53 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 June 30, 2017, the Company provided bank guarantees to various governmental bodies (approximately $1,803,000) and others (approximately $85,000) with respect to its drilling operation in an aggregate amount of approximately $1,888,000. The (cash) funds backing these guarantees and additional amounts added to support currency fluctuations as required by the bank are held in restricted interest-bearing accounts and are reported on the Company’s balance sheets as fixed short-term bank deposits – restricted.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 8 - Subsequent Events Between July 1, 2017 through July 31, 2017, approximately $6,650,000 was raised through the Company’s DSPP Program, including its most recent New Unit Program which terminated on July 12, 2017, as well as the exercise of outstanding warrants (ZNWAA, ZNWAC, ZNWAD, and ZNWAE) into Common Stock.

Summary of Significant Accoun15

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 9,588,898
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 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 $11,455,000 and $6,397,000 as of June 30, 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)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 * 2,150,000 0.35 Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited (210,000 ) 2.12 Exercised (1,384,500 ) 0.01 Outstanding, June 30, 2017 4,722,443 1.45 Exercisable, June 30, 2017 4,722,443 1.45 * The receipt of a non-qualified stock option grant by the grantee recipient is a non-taxable event according to the Internal Revenue Service, but 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 15,000 6.37 0.01 0.01 15,000 6.76 0.01 0.01 5,000 6.95 0.01 0.01 4,500 7.80 0.01 0.01 15,000 8.10 0.01 0.01 10,000 8.26 0.01 0.01 25,000 8.50 0.01 0.01 378,000 8.93 0.01 0.01 625,000 9.50 0.01 0.01 10,000 9.51 0.01 0.01 80,000 9.79 0.01 1.33 25,000 5.83 1.33 1.38 108,000 3.51 1.38 1.38 133,057 7.52 1.38 1.55 400,000 4.93 1.55 1.67 390,000 3.26 1.67 1.67 458,886 7.26 1.67 1.70 120,000 1.48 1.70 1.70 298,500 5.48 1.70 1.73 25,000 1.53 1.73 1.75 400,000 6.02 1.75 1.86 25,000 1.43 1.86 1.87 25,000 4.59 1.87 1.95 25,000 2.76 1.95 1.96 25,000 2.18 1.96 2.03 25,000 3.84 2.03 2.28 25,000 2.03 2.28 2.61 150,000 0.43 2.61 2.61 881,500 4.43 2.61 0.01-2.61 4,722,443 1.45
Schedule of warrant descriptions	Period of Grant US$ Expiration Date ZNWAA Warrants March 2013 – December 2014 2.00 January 31, 2020 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 ZNWAF Warrants May 2017– July 2017 1.00 August 14, 2020
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of warrant descriptions	Warrant ZNWAA ZNWAC ZNWAD ZNWAE ZNWAF Exercise Price/Warrant $ 2.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants as of June 30, 2017 1,561,595 300,912 316,637 3,706,361 163,450
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 six months ended 2017 2016 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 1.36 $ 1.55 Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 68 % 70 % %Risk-free interest rates 2.36%-2.45 % 1.73 % Expected lives (in years) 10.00 10.00 Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 1.36 $ 1.54
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 six months ended June 30, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 210,000 324,000
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 six months ended 2017 2016 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 1.44 $ 1.57 Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 45%-60 % 57%-69 % Risk-free interest rates 1.45%-1.94 % 0.94%-1.76 % Expected lives (in years) 3.00-5.00 3.00-5.50 Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 1.18 $ 1.34
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 six months ended June 30, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 2,364,000 2,469,000
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 six months ended June 30, 2017 2016 US$ US$ 191,000 213,000

Unproved Oil and Gas Properti17

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method [Abstract]
Schedule of unproved oil and gas properties under full cost method	June 30, December 31, US$ thousands US$ thousands Excluded from amortization base: Inventory, and other operational related costs 6,219 1,770 Capitalized salary costs 1,890 1,579 Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs 3,276 3,018 Other costs 70 30 11,455 6,397

Senior Convertible Bonds (Table

Senior Convertible Bonds (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Senior Convertible Bonds [Abstract]
Schedule of senior convertible bonds	June 30, 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 $ 236,000 $ 113,000 Bonds converted to shares $ (61,000 ) $ (13,000 ) Offering cost, net $ (104,000 ) $ (118,000 ) 10% senior Convertible bonds – Long Term Liability $ 1,915,000 $ 1,826,000

Derivative Liability (Tables)

Derivative Liability (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Schedule of fair value of derivative liabilities	June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Level 3 Total Level 3 Total US$ US$ Fair value of derivative liability at June 30, 2017 $ 3,475,000 $ 3,475,000 $ 895,000 $ 895,000
Schedule of change in fair value of derivative liability	US$ Derivative liability fair value at December 31, 2016 895,000 Loss on derivative liability 2,580,000 Derivative liability fair value at June 30, 2017 3,475,000
Summary of assumption used for model of derivatives liabilities	June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Convertible Option Fair Value of approximately $ 3,475,000 $ 895,000 Annual Risk-free Rate 1.75 % 1.86 % Volatility 51.89 % 57.56 % Expected Term (years) 3.84 4.34 Convertible Notes Face Value $ 3,048,700 $ 3,457,100 Expected annual yield on Regular Notes 28.77 % 28.77 % Price of the Underlying Stock $ 3.43 $ 1.37

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Schedule of future minimum payments due under capital lease	US$ 2017 7 2018 13 2019 13 2020 32 Less: portion representing imputed interest (12 ) Capital lease obligations 53

Nature of Operations and Basi21

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 02, 2017	Dec. 03, 2013	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)a	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)a	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Net loss			$ (4,971)	$ (3,470)	$ (8,346)	$ (5,022)
Accumulated deficit			$ (158,961)		$ (158,961)		$ (150,615)
Megiddo-Jezreel License [Member]
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Area of land, approximate | a			99,000		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					$ 8,300
Accumulated deficit			$ 159,000		$ 159,000
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 ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 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	9,588,898	5,943,929
Capitalized exploration costs	$ 11,455		$ 6,397

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Opt

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Option Transactions) (Details) - Employee Stock Option [Member]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017$ / sharesshares
Number of shares
Outstanding, Beginning balance | shares	4,166,943
Granted to employees, officers, directors and others | shares	2,150,000	[1]
Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited | shares	(210,000)
Exercised | shares	(1,384,500)
Outstanding, Ending balance | shares	4,722,443
Number of shares Exercisable | shares	4,722,443
Weighted Average exercise price
Outstanding, Beginning balance | $ / shares	$ 1.58
Granted to employees, officers, directors and others | $ / shares	0.35	[1]
Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited | $ / shares	2.12
Exercised | $ / shares	0.01
Outstanding, Ending balance | $ / shares	1.45
Weighted Average exercise price, Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 1.45
[1]	The receipt of a non-qualified stock option grant by the grantee recipient is a non-taxable event according to the Internal Revenue Service, but 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]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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	4,722,443
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.45
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	15,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	6 years 4 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)	6 years 9 months 3 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)	6 years 11 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)	7 years 9 months 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	15,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 1 month 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 3 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 6 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	378,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 11 months 4 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	625,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 6 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 6 months 3 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Range Exercise Price 0.01 Eleven [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	80,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 9 months 14 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Range Exercise Price 1.33 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price	$ 1.33
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding | shares	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	5 years 9 months 29 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.33
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 6 months 3 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 6 months 7 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)	4 years 11 months 4 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 3 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 3 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 5 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 5 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 6 months 10 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	$ 1.75
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding | shares	400,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	6 years 7 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.75
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 5 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 7 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)	2 years 9 months 3 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 2 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)	3 years 10 months 3 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 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)	5 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 5 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date	$ 1.44	$ 1.57
Dividend yields
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$ 1.18	$ 1.34
Employees [Member] | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	45.00%	57.00%
Risk-free interest rates	1.45%	0.94%
Expected lives (in years)	3 years	3 years
Employees [Member] | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	60.00%	69.00%
Risk-free interest rates	1.94%	1.76%
Expected lives (in years)	5 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	$ 1.55
Dividend yields
Expected volatility	68.00%	70.00%
Risk-free interest rates		1.73%
Expected lives (in years)	10 years	10 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$ 1.36	$ 1.54
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 ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 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	$ 2,364,000	$ 2,469,000
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	213,000
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	$ 324,000

Stockholders' Equity (Outstandi

Stockholders' Equity (Outstanding of Warrants) (Details)	Jun. 30, 2017$ / sharesshares
ZNWAA [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Exercise Price/Warrant | $ / shares	$ 2
Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants as of June 30, 2017	1,561,595
ZNWAC [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Exercise Price/Warrant | $ / shares	$ 1
Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants as of June 30, 2017	300,912
ZNWAD [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Exercise Price/Warrant | $ / shares	$ 1
Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants as of June 30, 2017	316,637
ZNWAE [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Exercise Price/Warrant | $ / shares	$ 1
Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants as of June 30, 2017	3,706,361
ZNWAF [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding/Exercisable Warrants as of June 30, 2017	163,450

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Warrants Descriptions) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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
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
ZNWAF [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant name	ZNWAF
Warrant expiration date	Aug. 14, 2018
ZNWAF [Member] | Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	May 31, 2017
ZNWAF [Member] | Ending Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Jul. 31, 2017

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jan. 13, 2015
Warrant [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Amount collected from DSPP	$ 21,564,000
Amount of funds raised under the DSPP program	$ 8,539,000
ZNWAF [Member] | Warrant [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Warrant termination, description	All ZNWAF warrants will first become exercisable on August 14, 2017, which is the first trading day after the 31st day following the Unit Option Termination Date (i.e., on July 12, 2017) and continue to be exercisable through August 14, 2020 (3 years) at a per share exercise price of $1.00. If the Common Stock of the Company trades above $5.00 per share as the closing price for fifteen (15) consecutive trading days at any time prior to the expiration date of the warrant, the Company has the sole discretion to provide a Notice to warrant holders of an early termination of the warrant within sixty (60) days of the Notice.
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 one [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
2011 Equity Incentive Stock Option Plan [Member] | Staff [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan	90,000
Exercise price per unit	$ 0.01
Stock option plan, expiration date	Jan. 1, 2027
Fair value of stock options granted	$ 104,000
2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member] | New Board [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan	25,000
Exercise price per unit	$ 1.33
Stock option plan, expiration date	May 1, 2023
Fair value of stock options granted	$ 10,000
2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member] | Board [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan	400,000
Exercise price per unit	$ 1.75
Stock option plan, expiration date	Jun. 6, 2023
Fair value of stock options granted	$ 235,000
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 (1 year), 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
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 ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Excluded from amortization base:
Inventory, and other operational related costs	$ 6,219	$ 1,770
Capitalized salary costs	1,890	1,579
Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs	3,276	3,018
Other costs	70	30
Total unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method	$ 11,455	$ 6,397

Senior Convertible Bonds (Detai

Senior Convertible Bonds (Details) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 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	236,000	113,000
Bonds converted to shares	(61,000)	(13,000)
Offering cost, net	(104,000)	(118,000)
10% senior Convertible bonds - Long Term Liability	$ 1,915,000	$ 1,826,000

Senior Convertible Bonds (Paren

Senior Convertible Bonds (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Debt discount on derivative liability	$ 1,389,000	$ 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, 2017USD ($)shares	May 02, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 21, 2015$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)Bonds$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Principal amount				$ 3,048,700	$ 3,457,100
Convertible bonds				1,844,000	1,844,000
Debt discount on derivative liability				1,389,000	1,513,000
Debt discount amortization, net				$ 236,000	113,000
Paid in kind interest	$ 1.196
Stock issued to bondholders | shares	289,213
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%			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				$ 14,000
Convertible bonds				1,844,000
Debt discount on derivative liability				1,626,000
Debt discount amortization, net				$ 123,000
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 redemption				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.
Senior unsecured notes interest rate	10.00%
10% Senior Convertible Notes [Member] | Debt issuance [Member]
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Debt instrument payment, description				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.
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				$ 171,000	$ 231,000
Number of convertible bonds | Bonds				484
Value of each convertible bonds				$ 100
Common stock issued | shares				21,000

Derivative Liability (Details)

Derivative Liability (Details) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liability at June 30, 2017	$ 3,475,000	$ 895,000
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liability at June 30, 2017	$ 3,475,000	$ 895,000

Derivative Liability (Details 1

Derivative Liability (Details 1) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Derivative liability fair value at December 31, 2016	$ 895,000
Loss on derivative liability	2,580,000
Derivative liability fair value at June 30, 2017	$ 3,475,000

Derivative Liability (Details 2

Derivative Liability (Details 2) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Convertible Option Fair Value of approximately	$ 3,475,000	$ 895,000
Annual Risk-free Rate	1.75%	1.86%
Volatility	51.89%	57.56%
Expected Term (years)	3 years 10 months 3 days	4 years 4 months 2 days
Convertible Notes Face Value	$ 3,048,700	$ 3,457,100
Expected annual yield on Regular Notes	28.77%	28.77%
Price of the Underlying Stock	$ 3.43	$ 1.37

Derivative Liability (Details T

Derivative Liability (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Derivative Liability (Textual)
Loss (gain) on derivative liability	$ 2,580,000

Commitments and Contingencies38

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
2,017	$ 7
2,018	13
2,019	13
2,020	32
Less: portion representing imputed interest	(12)
Capital lease obligations	$ 53

Commitments and Contingencies39

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017ILS (₪)
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Purchase vehicle down payment	$ 15,000
Lease term description	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 expiration date	Oct. 24, 2020	Oct. 24, 2020
Lease monthly payment	$ 1,100	₪ 4,000
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	$ 68,000
Capital lease asset estimated useful life	7 years	7 years
Accumulated depreciation capital lease asset amounted	$ 3,000
Bank guarantees to government	1,803,000
Bank guarantees to others	85,000
Aggregate guarantee amount	$ 1,888,000

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)
Subsequent Events [Member]
Subsequent Events (Textual)
Amount of funds raised under the DSPP program	$ 6,650,000