Zion Oil & Gas (ZNOG) 10-Q 8 May 18 2018 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ZION OIL & GAS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,131,312
Trading Symbol	ZN
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		58,021,582

Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,770	$ 6,892
Fixed short-term bank deposits - restricted	584	1,197
Prepaid expenses and other	432	434
Other deposits	533	540
Deferred offering costs	79
Governmental receivables	562	1,237
Other receivables	154	133
Total current assets	7,114	10,433
Unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method (see Note 4)	25,934	21,695
Property and equipment at cost Net of accumulated depreciation of $467 and $442	190	196
Other assets
Fixed long-term bank deposits - restricted	991	990
Assets held for severance benefits	244	234
Total other assets	1,235	1,224
Total assets	34,473	33,548
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	1,890	2,750
Asset retirement obligation	470	470
Derivative liability (see Note 6)	5,400	1,866
Accrued liabilities	956	1,701
Total current liabilities	8,716	6,787
Long-term liabilities
10% Senior convertible bonds, net of unamortized deferred financing cost of $84 and $90 and unamortized debt discount of $1,187 and $1,267 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 respectively (see Note 5)	2,015	2,002
Obligation under capital lease, net of current maturities of $10	37	39
Provision for severance pay	288	280
Total long-term liabilities	2,340	2,321
Total liabilities	11,056	9,108
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value $.01; Authorized: 200,000,000 shares at March 31, 2018: Issued and outstanding: 57,344,379 and 55,888,399 shares at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	573	559
Additional paid-in capital	189,699	184,485
Accumulated deficit	(166,855)	(160,604)
Total stockholders' equity	23,417	24,440
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 34,473	$ 33,548

Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)

Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 467	$ 442
Unamortized deferred financing cost, net	84	90
Debt discount	1,187	1,267
Obligation under capital lease of current maturities	$ 10	$ 10
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, issued	57,344,379	55,888,399
Common stock, outstanding	57,344,379	55,888,399

Statements of Operations (Unaud

Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statements of Operations [Abstract]
General and administrative	$ 1,959	$ 2,847
Other	553	676
Loss from operations	(2,512)	(3,523)
Other income (expense), net
(Loss) gain on derivative liability	(3,534)	273
Other income, net		10
Foreign exchange (loss) gain	(32)	31
Financial (expenses), net	(173)	(166)
Loss before income taxes	(6,251)	(3,375)
Income taxes
Net loss	$ (6,251)	$ (3,375)
Net loss per share of common stock - basic and diluted (in US$)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.07)
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in thousands)	57,504	47,237

Statements of Changes In Stockh

Statements of Changes In Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2018 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in Capital	Accumulated deficit
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 24,440	$ 559	$ 184,485	$ (160,604)
Beginning Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		55,888
Funds received from sale of DSPP units and shares	3,835	$ 14	3,821
Funds received from sale of DSPP units and shares (in shares)		1,420
Value of bonds converted to shares	148		148
Value of bonds converted to shares, (in shares)		32
Funds received from option exercises
Funds received from option exercises (in shares)		5
Value of options granted to employees, directors and others as non-cash compensation	1,245		1,245
Net loss	(6,251)			(6,251)
Ending Balances at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 23,417	$ 573	$ 189,699	$ (166,855)
Ending Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018		57,345

Statements of Cash Flows (Unaud

Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (6,251)	$ (3,375)
Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	14	10
Capital gain on sale of property and equipment		(10)
Cost of options issued to employees, directors and others as non-cash compensation	948	2,034
Interest and foreign exchange on short term and long term bank deposits	6	(17)
Amortization of debt discount related to convertible bonds	161	144
Change in derivative liability	3,534	(273)
Change in assets and liabilities, net:
Other deposits	7	(264)
Prepaid expenses and other	2	(215)
Governmental receivables	675	(84)
Other receivables	(21)	1
Severance pay	(2)	(4)
Accounts payable	(108)	(116)
Accrued liabilities	50	(87)
Net cash used in operating activities	(985)	(2,256)
Cash flows from investing activities
Redemption of short-term bank deposits	606	(503)
Investment in long-term bank deposits		(76)
Acquisition of property and equipment	(8)	(16)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		14
Investment in unproved oil and gas properties	(5,489)	(1,058)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,891)	(1,639)
Cash flows from financing activities
Deferred offering costs	(79)
Payments related to capital lease	(2)	(15)
Proceeds from sale of stock and exercise of options	3,835	4,580
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,754	4,565
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(2,122)	670
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of period	6,892	3,192
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of period	4,770	3,862
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Cost of options capitalized to oil & gas properties	297	191
Unpaid investments in oil & gas properties	1,998	806
Subscription receivable for the sale of stock		650
10% Senior Convertible Bonds converted to shares	148	1
Acquisition of property and equipment under capital lease		71
Capitalized convertible bond interest attributed to oil and gas properties	$ 86

Nature of Operations, Basis of

Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern [Abstract]
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern	Note 1 - Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern 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 18 years of oil & gas exploration in Israel. As of March 31, 2018, the Company has no revenues from its oil and gas operations. Exploration Rights/Exploration Activities The Company currently holds one active petroleum exploration license onshore Israel, the Megiddo-Jezreel License, comprising approximately 99,000 acres. The Megiddo Jezreel #1 (“MJ #1”) site was completed in early March 2017, after which the drilling rig and associated equipment were mobilized to the site. Performance and endurance tests were completed, and the MJ #1 exploratory well was spud on June 5, 2017, ahead of the June 30, 2017 deadline under the then-existing license terms. The MJ #1 well has been drilled to a total depth (“TD”) of 5,060 meters (approximately 16,600 feet). Thereafter, the Company obtained three open-hole wireline log suites (including a formation image log) and the well was successfully cased and cemented in preparation for upcoming testing of multiple zones of interest, including zone(s) where free-flowing hydrocarbons were collected after circulating mud in the borehole. After our review of the open-hole logs, we have finalized the testing program. The Ministry of Energy approved the well testing protocol on April 29, 2018. We have begun our testing program, and it may take several weeks to complete. Depending on the final outcome and results of the active MJ #1 well and having adequate cash resources, multiple wells could be drilled from this pad site as several subsurface geologic targets are reachable 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, and the Company continues its exploration focus here as it appears to possess the key geologic ingredients of an active petroleum system with significant exploration potential. In November of 2016, the State of Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner officially approved the Company’s drilling date and license extension request. On October 30, 2017, the Company sought a multi-year extension to its existing license. After receiving feedback from Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner, the Company submitted a revised extension request on November 9, 2017. On November 20, 2017, Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner officially approved the Company’s multi-year extension request on its Megiddo-Jezreel License No. 401, extending its validity to December 2, 2019. The Company now remains subject to the following updated key license terms: Number Activity Description Execution by: 1 Submit final report on the results of drilling 31 May 2018 2 Submit program for continuation of work under license 30 June 2018 As previously disclosed, the Company required authorization from the Israel Land Authority (the “ILA”), the formal lessor of the land to Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, on whose property the drilling pad is currently situated, to access and utilize the drill site (“surface use agreement”). The Company received this authorization on July 4, 2016. This was preceded by the Company’s May 15, 2016 signed agreement with the kibbutz. On January 11, 2017, an agreement was signed by the Company and the ILA by which the surface usage permission agreement was extended through December 3, 2017. On December 31, 2017, an agreement was signed by the Company and the ILA by which the surface usage permission agreement was extended through December 3, 2019. 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, 2017. The year-end balance sheet data presented for comparative purposes was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the year ending December 31, 2018 or for any other subsequent interim period. C. Going Concern The Company incurs cash outflows from operations, and all exploration activities and overhead expenses to date have been financed by way of equity or debt financing. The recoverability of the costs incurred to date is uncertain and dependent upon achieving significant commercial production. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon obtaining the necessary financing to undertake further exploration and development activities and ultimately generating profitable operations from its oil and natural gas interests in the future. The Company’s current operations are dependent upon the adequacy of its current assets to meet its current expenditure requirements and the accuracy of management’s estimates of those requirements. Should those estimates be materially incorrect, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern may be impaired. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company incurred a net loss of approximately $6.2 million and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $167 million. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. To carry out planned operations, 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.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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 9,651,569 and 9,698,413 Common Stock equivalents in the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively, would be anti-dilutive. B. Use of Estimates The preparation of the accompanying financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Such estimates include the valuation of unproved oil and gas properties, deferred tax assets, asset retirement obligations and legal contingencies. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity, foreign currency, and energy markets have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. C. Oil and Gas Properties and Impairment The Company follows the full-cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Accordingly, all costs associated with acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves, including directly related overhead costs, are capitalized. All capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, including the estimated future costs to develop proved reserves, are amortized on the unit-of-production method using estimates of proved reserves. Investments in unproved properties and major development projects are not amortized until proved reserves associated with the projects can be determined or until impairment occurs. If the results of an assessment indicate that the properties are impaired, the amount of the impairment is included in loss from continuing operations before income taxes, and the adjusted carrying amount of the unproved properties is amortized on the unit-of-production method. The Company’s oil and gas property represents an investment in unproved properties. These costs are excluded from the amortized cost pool until proved reserves are found or until it is determined that the costs are impaired. All costs excluded are reviewed at least quarterly to determine if impairment has occurred. The amount of any impairment is charged to expense since a reserve base has not yet been established. Impairment requiring a charge to expense may be indicated through evaluation of drilling results, relinquishing drilling rights or other information. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, and 2017, the Company did not record a non-cash impairment charge of its unproved oil and gas properties (see Note 4). Currently, the Company has no economically recoverable reserves and no amortization base. The Company’s unproved oil and gas properties consist of capitalized exploration costs of $25,934,000 and $21,695,000 as of March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, 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 In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 216-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”) in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (including interim periods within those periods) using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. Zion will adopt ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. Presently, Zion has operating leases for office space in Dallas, Texas and in Caesarea, Israel plus various leases for motor vehicles, among others. Those leases, and new leases entered in the future, will be accounted for under ASU 2016-02 in 2019 by establishing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) (“ASU 2016-18”) to address the diversity that exists in the classification and presentation of restricted cash on the Statement of Cash Flows. The Company has adopted ASU 2016-18 and any applicable changes in the classification and presentation of restricted cash have been reflected in its Statement of Cash Flows.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity A. 2011 Equity Incentive Stock Option Plan During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company granted the following options from the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan for employees, directors and consultants, to purchase as non-cash compensation (the exercise of penny stock options are taxable on the date of exercise): i. Options to purchase 330,000 shares of Common Stock to 23 senior officers, staff members and consultants at an exercise price of $.01 per share. The options have vesting schedules of 165,000 shares on June 30, 2018 and 165,000 shares on December 31, 2018. The options are exercisable through January 1, 2028. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $759,000. ii. Options to purchase 110,000 shares of Common Stock to five senior officers at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through January 4, 2028. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $250,000. iii. Options to purchase 55,000 shares of Common Stock to three consultants an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The options vested upon grant. However, the exercisability of these options is according to the following schedule: (a) 27,500 options are exercisable on June 30, 2018 and (b) the remaining 27,500 options are exercisable on June 30, 2019. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to $222,000. B. 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan During the three months ended March 31, 2018, 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 400,000 shares of Common Stock to eight board members at an exercise price of $2.31 per share. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through January 1, 2024. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $428,000. C. Stock Options The stock option transactions since January 1, 2018 are shown in the table below: Number of shares Weighted Average exercise price US$ Outstanding, December 31, 2017 4,339,443 1.37 Changes during 2018 to: Granted to employees, officers, directors and others * 895,000 1.04 Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited - - Exercised (4,500 ) 0.01 Outstanding, March 31, 2018 5,229,943 1.31 Exercisable, March 31, 2018 4,824,943 1.42 * The receipt of a stock option grant by the grantee recipient is a non-taxable event according to the Internal Revenue Service. The grantee who later chooses to exercise penny stock options must recognize the market value in income in the year of exercise. The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2018: Shares underlying outstanding options (non-vested) Shares underlying outstanding options (fully vested) Range of exercise price Number outstanding Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) Weighted Average Exercise price Range of exercise price Number Outstanding Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) Weighted Average Exercise price US$ US$ US$ US$ — — — — 0.01 15,000 5.62 0.01 — — — — 0.01 15,000 6.00 0.01 — — — — 0.01 5,000 6.20 0.01 — — — — 0.01 15,000 7.35 0.01 — — — — 0.01 10,000 7.50 0.01 — — — — 0.01 25,000 7.75 0.01 — — — — 0.01 355,000 8.18 0.01 — — — — 0.01 575,000 8.75 0.01 — — — — 0.01 10,000 8.76 0.01 — — — — 0.01 80,000 9.04 0.01 — — — — 0.01 10,000 9.42 0.01 0.01 20,000 9.50 0.01 0.01 20,000 9.50 0.01 0.01 295,000 9.75 0.01 0.01 *35,000 9.75 0.01 — — — — 0.01 **55,000 9.91 0 .01 — — — — 0.01 110,000 9.76 0.01 — — — — 1.33 25,000 5.08 1.38 — — — — 1.38 108,000 2.76 1.38 — — — — 1.38 123,057 6.76 1.38 — — — — 1.55 400,000 4.18 1.38 — — — — 1.67 390,000 2.50 1.67 — — — — 1.67 458,886 6.51 1.67 — — — — 1.70 120,000 0.73 1.70 — — — — 1.70 298,500 4.73 1.70 — — — — 1.73 25,000 0.78 1.73 — — — — 1.75 400,000 5.27 1.70 — — — — 1.86 25,000 0.68 1.86 — — — — 1.87 25,000 3.84 1.87 — — — — 1.95 25,000 2.00 1.95 — — — — 1.96 25,000 1.43 1.96 — — — — 2.03 25,000 3.08 2.03 — — — — 2.28 25,000 1.27 2.28 — — — — 2.31 400,000 5.76 2.31 — — — — 2.61 681,500 3.68 2.61 0.01 315,000 0.01 0.01-2.61 4,914,943 1.40 *17,500 options are exercisable on June 30, 2018 and 17,500 are exercisable on December 31, 2018. **27,500 options are exercisable on June 30, 2018 and 27,500 are exercisable on June 30, 2019. Granted to employees The following table sets forth information about the weighted-average fair value of options granted to employees and directors during the year, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model and the weighted-average assumptions used for such grants: For the three months ended 2018 2017 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 2.31 $ 1.37 Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 68%-70 % 60 % Risk-free interest rates 2.01%-2.25 % 1.86%-1.93 % Expected lives (in years) 3.50-5.50 5.00 Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 1.69 $ 1.36 Granted to non-employees The following table sets forth information about the weighted-average fair value of options granted to non-employees during the year, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model and the weighted-average assumptions used for such grants: For the three months ended 2018 2017 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 3.37 $ 1.36 Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 73%-76 % 68 % Risk-free interest rates 2.46%-2.81 % 2.36%-2.45 % Expected lives (in years) 10.00 10.00 Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 3.36 $ 1.36 The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the options. The expected life represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The expected life of the options granted to employees and directors is calculated based on the Simplified Method as allowed under Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110 (“SAB 110”), giving consideration to the contractual term of the options and their vesting schedules, as the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data at this time. The expected life of the option granted to non-employees equals their contractual term. In the case of an extension of the option life, the calculation was made on the basis of the extended life. D. Compensation Cost for Warrant and Option Issuances The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of warrant and option issuances recognized for employees and directors: For the three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 US$ thousands US$ thousands 943 2,015 The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of warrant and option issuances recognized for non-employees: For the three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 US$ thousands US$ thousands 302 210 The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of option issuances recognized for employees and non-employees and capitalized to Unproved Oil & Gas properties: For the three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 US$ thousands US$ thousands 297 191 As of March 31, 2018, there was approximately $465,000 of unrecognized compensation cost, related to non-vested stock options granted under the Company’s various stock option plans. The cost is expected to be recognized during the years 2018 and 2019. E. 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 participant the opportunity to purchase the Company’s Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $1.00. Each of the three warrants series has different expiration dates that have been extended. The warrants became exercisable on May 2, 2016 and, in the case of ZNWAB continued to be exercisable through May 2, 2017 (1 year) and, in the case of ZNWAC continued to be exercisable through 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. As of May 2, 2018, any outstanding ZNWAC warrants expired. On November 1, 2016, the Company launched a unit offering (the “Unit Program”) under the Company’s DSPP pursuant to which participants could purchase units comprised of seven shares of Common Stock and seven Common Stock purchase warrants, at a per unit purchase price of $10. The warrant has the symbol “ZNWAE.” The ZNWAE warrants became exercisable on May 1, 2017 and continue to be exercisable through May 1, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $1.00. The warrant terms provide that 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 accelerate the termination the warrant upon providing 60 days advanced notice to the warrant holders. 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), 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 New Unit Program terminated on July 12, 2017. This New Unit Program enabled participants to purchase Units of the Company’s securities where each Unit (priced at $250.00 each) was comprised of (i) the 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 Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ on the unit purchase date and (ii) Common Stock purchase warrants to purchase an additional 25 shares of Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $1.00 per share. The warrant has the symbol “ZNWAF.” All ZNWAF warrants became exercisable on August 14, 2017 and continue to be exercisable through August 14, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $1.00. The warrant terms provide that if the Company’s Common Stock trades above $5.00 per share as 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 accelerate the termination date of the warrant upon providing 60 days advanced notice to the warrant holders. On October 16, 2017, the Company initiated another Unit Option Program which terminated on December 6, 2017. This 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 Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ on the unit purchase date and (ii) Common Stock purchase warrants to purchase an additional 15 shares of Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $1.00 per share. The warrant has the symbol “ZNWAG.” The warrants became exercisable on January 8, 2018 and continue to be exercisable through January 8, 2021 at a per share exercise price of $1.00. The warrant terms provide that if the Company’s Common Stock trades above $5.00 per share as 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 accelerate the termination date of the warrant upon providing 60 days advanced notice to the warrant holders. On February 1, 2018, the Company’s latest Unit Option began and terminated on February 28, 2018. The Unit Option consisted of Units of our securities where each Unit (priced at $250.00 each) was comprised of (i) 50 shares of Common Stock and (ii) Common Stock purchase warrants to purchase an additional 50 shares of Common Stock. The investor’s Plan account was credited with the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock acquired under the Units purchased. Each warrant affords the investor the opportunity to purchase one share of Company Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $5.00. The warrant has the symbol “ZNWAH.” The warrants became exercisable on April 2, 2018 and continue to be exercisable through April 2, 2019 at a per share exercise price of $5.00. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, approximately $3,835,000 was raised under the DSPP program. The warrants represented by the ticker ZNWAA are tradable on the NASDAQ market. However, all of the other warrants characterized above, in the table below, and throughout this Form 10-Q, are not tradeable and are used internally for classification and accounting purposes only. The warrant transactions since January 1, 2018 are shown in the table below: ZNWAA ZNWAC ZNWAD ZNWAE ZNWAF ZNWAG ZNWAH Total Outstanding warrants, December 31, 2017 1,524,617 275,152 294,334 3,028,119 460,231 414,300 - 5,996,753 Exercise Price $ 2.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 5.00 Warrant Termination Date 1/31/2020 5/2/2018 5/2/2019 5/2/2020 8/14/2020 1/8/2021 4/2/2019 Change during 2018 to: Issued - - - 10,493 50 30 373,650 384,223 Exercised (12,825 ) (76,015 ) (6,194 ) (408,346 ) (51,585 ) (159,385 ) - (714,350 ) Expired - - - - - - - - Outstanding warrants, March 31, 2018 1,511,792 199,137 288,140 2,630,266 408,696 254,945 373,650 5,666,626 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 ZNWAG Warrants October 2017 – December 2017 1.00 January 08, 2021 ZNWAH Warrants February 2018 5.00 April 2, 2019

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method [Abstract]
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method	Note 4 - Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method Unproved oil and gas properties, under the full cost method, are comprised as follows: March 31, December 31, US$ thousands US$ thousands Excluded from amortization base: Drilling costs, and other operational related costs 18,465 14,999 Capitalized salary costs 2,371 2,034 Capitalized interest costs 432 346 Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs 4,365 4,087 Other costs 301 229 *25,934 21,695 *The unproved oil and gas properties balance at March 31, 2018 contains approximately $1,998,000 in unpaid amounts. Changes in Unproved oil and gas properties during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows: March 31, March 31, US$ thousands US$ thousands Excluded from amortization base: Drilling costs, and other operational related costs 3,466 1,707 Capitalized salary costs 337 245 Capitalized interest costs 86 - Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs 278 103 Other costs 72 - *4,239 *2,055 * Inclusive of non-cash amounts of approximately $2,381,000 and $997,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Senior Convertible Bonds

Senior Convertible Bonds	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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”). 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 6). Accordingly, the Notes were initially recognized at fair value of approximately $1,844,000, which represents the principal amount of $3,470,000 from which a debt discount of approximately $1,626,000 (which is equal to the fair value of the convertible option) was deducted. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded approximately $6,000 in amortization expense related to the deferred financing costs, and approximately $80,000 in debt discount amortization. The Notes are governed by the terms of the Indenture. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and bear interest at a rate of 10% per year, payable annually in arrears on May 2 of each year, commencing May 2, 2017. The Notes will mature on May 2, 2021, unless earlier redeemed by the Company or converted by the holder. Interest and principal may be paid, at the Company’s option, in cash or in shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The number of shares for the payment of interest in shares of Common Stock, in lieu of the cash amount, will be based on the average of the closing prices of the Company’s Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg L.P. for the 30 trading days preceding the record date for the payment of interest; such record date has been designated and will always be the 10 th 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 of the Company stock price of $1.20 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. At any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding April 2, 2021, holders may convert their notes into Common Stock at the conversion rate of 44 shares per $100 bond (which is equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately $2.27 per share). The conversion rate is subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of certain events, including, but not limited to, the issuance of stock dividends and payment of cash dividends. Beginning May 3, 2018, the Company is entitled to redeem for cash the outstanding Notes at an amount equal to the principal and accrued and unpaid interest, plus a 10% premium. No “sinking fund” is provided for the Notes due May 2021, which means that the Company is not required to periodically redeem or retire the Notes due May 2021. Through the three months ended March 31, 2018 approximately 730 convertible bonds of $100 each, have been converted under this offering at a conversion rate of approximately $2.27 per share. As a result, the Company issued approximately 32,000 shares of its Common Stock during the same period. March 31, December 31, US$ US$ 10% Senior Convertible Bonds, net of debt discount on derivative liability of $1,626,000 on the day of issuance $ 1,844 $ 1,844 Debt discount amortization, net $ 439 $ 359 Bonds converted to shares $ (184 ) $ (111 ) Offering cost, net $ (84 ) $ (90 ) 10% senior Convertible bonds – Long Term Liability $ 2,015 $ 2,002 The Company recognized $86,000 in capitalized interest for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Derivative Liability

Derivative Liability	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Derivative Liability	Note 6 - Derivative Liability The Notes issued by the Company and discussed in Note 5 contain a convertible option that gives rise to a derivative liability. The debt instrument the Company issued includes a make-whole provision, which provides that in the event of conversion by the investor under certain circumstances, the issuer is required to deliver to the holder additional consideration beyond the settlement of the conversion obligation. Because time value make-whole provisions are not clearly and closely related to the debt host and would meet the definition of a derivative if considered freestanding, they should be evaluated under the indexation guidance to determine whether they would be afforded the scope exception pursuant to ASC 815-10-15-74(a). This evaluation is generally performed in conjunction with the analysis of the embedded conversion feature. The Company has measured its derivative liability at fair value and recognized the derivative value as a current liability and recorded the derivative value on its balance sheet. The fair value of the shares to be issued upon conversion of the Notes was recorded as a derivative liability, with the change in the fair value recorded as a gain or loss in the accompanying statement of operations. The valuation of the Notes was done by using the Binomial Model, a well-accepted option-pricing model, and based on the Notes’ terms and other parameters the Company identified as relevant for the valuation of the Notes’ Fair Value. The Binomial Model used the forecast of the Company share price during the Note’s contractual term. As of March 31, 2018, the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value are as follows: March 31, December 31, Level 3 Total Level 3 Total US$ thousands US$ thousands US$ thousands US$ Fair value of derivative liability 5,400 5,400 1,866 1,866 Change in value of derivative liability during 2018 are as follows: US$ Derivative liability fair value at December 31, 2017 1,866 Loss on derivative liability 3,534 Derivative liability fair value at March 31, 2018 5,400 The following table presents the assumptions that were used for the model as of March 31, 2018: March 31, December 31, Convertible Option Fair Value of approximately $ 5,400,000 $ 1,866,000 Annual Risk-free Rate 2.36 % 2.03 % Volatility 79.03 % 68.04 % Expected Term (years) 3.09 3.34 Convertible Notes Face Value $ 3,285,900 $ 3,358,900 Expected annual yield on Regular Notes 28.77 % 28.77 % Price of the Underlying Stock $ 4.76 $ 2.16 During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $3,534,000 (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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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 as it pertains to oil and gas activities. Mention of these older guidelines was included in previous Zion Oil & Gas filings. The Company acknowledges that these new regulations are likely increase both the time and the expenditures associated with obtaining new exploration rights and drilling new wells. C. Bank Guarantees As of March 31, 2018, the Company provided Israeli-required bank guarantees to various governmental bodies (approximately $1,356,000) and others (approximately $84,000) with respect to its drilling operation in an aggregate amount of approximately $1,440,000. 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, and fixed long-term bank deposits – restricted.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 8 - Subsequent Events (i) On April 2, 2018 the Company announced an offering (“2018 Subscription Rights Offering”) through American Stock Transfer& Trust Company, LLC (the “Subscription Agent”), at no cost to the shareholders, of non-transferable Subscription Rights to purchase Rights (each “Right” and collectively, the “Rights”) of its securities to persons who owned shares of our Common Stock on April 13, 2018 (“the Record Date”). Pursuant to the 2018 Subscription Rights Offering, each holder of shares of common stock on the Record Date received non-transferable rights to subscribe for Rights, with each Right comprised of one share of our Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock") and one Common Stock Purchase Warrant to purchase an additional one share of Common Stock. Each Right may be purchased at a per Right subscription price of $5.00. Each Warrant affords the investor the opportunity to purchase one share of our Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $3.00. The warrants will become exercisable on June 29, 2018 and will continue to be exercisable for one year thereafter. Each shareholder received .10 (one tenth) of a subscription right (i.e. one subscription right for each 10 shares owned) for each share of the Company’s Common Stock owned on the Record Date. The 2018 Subscription Rights Offering terminates on May 31, 2018. In association with this 2018 Subscription Rights Offering, the Company incurred approximately $79,000 in agency and setup costs prior to March 31, 2018. These costs are properly classified on our balance sheet. (ii) On April 6, 2018, options to purchase 14,000 shares of Common Stock were granted to seven staff members at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through April 5, 2028. The fair value of the options at the date of grant amounted to approximately $62,000. (iii) Approximately $1,000,000 was raised through the Company’s DSPP program from April 1 through 26, 2018. (iv) On May 2, 2018, the Company paid its annual 10% interest to its bondholders of record on April 18, 2018. The interest was paid-in-kind (“PIK”) in the form of Common Stock. An average Zion stock price of $4.679 was determined based on the 30 trading days prior to the record date of April 18, 2018. This figure was used to divide into 10% of the par value of the bonds held by the holders. The company issued 70,780 shares to the accounts of its bondholders.

Summary of Significant Accoun15

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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 9,651,569 and 9,698,413 Common Stock equivalents in the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively, would be anti-dilutive.
Use of Estimates	B. Use of Estimates The preparation of the accompanying financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Such estimates include the valuation of unproved oil and gas properties, deferred tax assets, asset retirement obligations and legal contingencies. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity, foreign currency, and energy markets have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.
Oil and Gas Properties and Impairment	C. Oil and Gas Properties and Impairment The Company follows the full-cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Accordingly, all costs associated with acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves, including directly related overhead costs, are capitalized. All capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, including the estimated future costs to develop proved reserves, are amortized on the unit-of-production method using estimates of proved reserves. Investments in unproved properties and major development projects are not amortized until proved reserves associated with the projects can be determined or until impairment occurs. If the results of an assessment indicate that the properties are impaired, the amount of the impairment is included in loss from continuing operations before income taxes, and the adjusted carrying amount of the unproved properties is amortized on the unit-of-production method. The Company’s oil and gas property represents an investment in unproved properties. These costs are excluded from the amortized cost pool until proved reserves are found or until it is determined that the costs are impaired. All costs excluded are reviewed at least quarterly to determine if impairment has occurred. The amount of any impairment is charged to expense since a reserve base has not yet been established. Impairment requiring a charge to expense may be indicated through evaluation of drilling results, relinquishing drilling rights or other information. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, and 2017, the Company did not record a non-cash impairment charge of its unproved oil and gas properties (see Note 4). Currently, the Company has no economically recoverable reserves and no amortization base. The Company’s unproved oil and gas properties consist of capitalized exploration costs of $25,934,000 and $21,695,000 as of March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, 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 In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 216-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”) in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (including interim periods within those periods) using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. Zion will adopt ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. Presently, Zion has operating leases for office space in Dallas, Texas and in Caesarea, Israel plus various leases for motor vehicles, among others. Those leases, and new leases entered in the future, will be accounted for under ASU 2016-02 in 2019 by establishing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) (“ASU 2016-18”) to address the diversity that exists in the classification and presentation of restricted cash on the Statement of Cash Flows. The Company has adopted ASU 2016-18 and any applicable changes in the classification and presentation of restricted cash have been reflected in its Statement of Cash Flows.

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of stock option transactions	Number of shares Weighted Average exercise price US$ Outstanding, December 31, 2017 4,339,443 1.37 Changes during 2018 to: Granted to employees, officers, directors and others * 895,000 1.04 Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited - - Exercised (4,500 ) 0.01 Outstanding, March 31, 2018 5,229,943 1.31 Exercisable, March 31, 2018 4,824,943 1.42 * The receipt of a stock option grant by the grantee recipient is a non-taxable event according to the Internal Revenue Service. The grantee who later chooses to exercise penny stock options must recognize the market value in income in the year of exercise.
Schedule of stock options outstanding	Shares underlying outstanding options (non-vested) Shares underlying outstanding options (fully vested) Range of exercise price Number outstanding Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) Weighted Average Exercise price Range of exercise price Number Outstanding Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) Weighted Average Exercise price US$ US$ US$ US$ — — — — 0.01 15,000 5.62 0.01 — — — — 0.01 15,000 6.00 0.01 — — — — 0.01 5,000 6.20 0.01 — — — — 0.01 15,000 7.35 0.01 — — — — 0.01 10,000 7.50 0.01 — — — — 0.01 25,000 7.75 0.01 — — — — 0.01 355,000 8.18 0.01 — — — — 0.01 575,000 8.75 0.01 — — — — 0.01 10,000 8.76 0.01 — — — — 0.01 80,000 9.04 0.01 — — — — 0.01 10,000 9.42 0.01 0.01 20,000 9.50 0.01 0.01 20,000 9.50 0.01 0.01 295,000 9.75 0.01 0.01 *35,000 9.75 0.01 — — — — 0.01 **55,000 9.91 0 .01 — — — — 0.01 110,000 9.76 0.01 — — — — 1.33 25,000 5.08 1.38 — — — — 1.38 108,000 2.76 1.38 — — — — 1.38 123,057 6.76 1.38 — — — — 1.55 400,000 4.18 1.38 — — — — 1.67 390,000 2.50 1.67 — — — — 1.67 458,886 6.51 1.67 — — — — 1.70 120,000 0.73 1.70 — — — — 1.70 298,500 4.73 1.70 — — — — 1.73 25,000 0.78 1.73 — — — — 1.75 400,000 5.27 1.70 — — — — 1.86 25,000 0.68 1.86 — — — — 1.87 25,000 3.84 1.87 — — — — 1.95 25,000 2.00 1.95 — — — — 1.96 25,000 1.43 1.96 — — — — 2.03 25,000 3.08 2.03 — — — — 2.28 25,000 1.27 2.28 — — — — 2.31 400,000 5.76 2.31 — — — — 2.61 681,500 3.68 2.61 0.01 315,000 0.01 0.01-2.61 4,914,943 1.40 *17,500 options are exercisable on June 30, 2018 and 17,500 are exercisable on December 31, 2018. **27,500 options are exercisable on June 30, 2018 and 27,500 are exercisable on June 30, 2019.
Schedule of warrants description	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 ZNWAG Warrants October 2017 – December 2017 1.00 January 08, 2021 ZNWAH Warrants February 2018 5.00 April 2, 2019
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of warrants description	ZNWAA ZNWAC ZNWAD ZNWAE ZNWAF ZNWAG ZNWAH Total Outstanding warrants, December 31, 2017 1,524,617 275,152 294,334 3,028,119 460,231 414,300 - 5,996,753 Exercise Price $ 2.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 5.00 Warrant Termination Date 1/31/2020 5/2/2018 5/2/2019 5/2/2020 8/14/2020 1/8/2021 4/2/2019 Change during 2018 to: Issued - - - 10,493 50 30 373,650 384,223 Exercised (12,825 ) (76,015 ) (6,194 ) (408,346 ) (51,585 ) (159,385 ) - (714,350 ) Expired - - - - - - - - Outstanding warrants, March 31, 2018 1,511,792 199,137 288,140 2,630,266 408,696 254,945 373,650 5,666,626
Non - Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of assumptions used to estimate fair value of warrants granted using black-scholes option pricing model	For the three months ended 2018 2017 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 3.37 $ 1.36 Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 73%-76 % 68 % Risk-free interest rates 2.46%-2.81 % 2.36%-2.45 % Expected lives (in years) 10.00 10.00 Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 3.36 $ 1.36
Non - Employee [Member] | Warrants and Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of compensation cost of warrant and option issuances	For the three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 US$ thousands US$ thousands 302 210
Employees and Directors [Member] | Warrants and Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of compensation cost of warrant and option issuances	For the three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 US$ thousands US$ thousands 943 2,015
Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of assumptions used to estimate fair value of warrants granted using black-scholes option pricing model	For the three months ended 2018 2017 Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date $ 2.31 $ 1.37 Dividend yields — — Expected volatility 68%-70 % 60 % Risk-free interest rates 2.01%-2.25 % 1.86%-1.93 % Expected lives (in years) 3.50-5.50 5.00 Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 1.69 $ 1.36
Employees and Non Employees [Member] | Warrants and Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of compensation cost of warrant and option issuances	For the three months ended March 31, 2018 2017 US$ thousands US$ thousands 297 191

Unproved Oil and Gas Properti17

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method [Abstract]
Schedule of unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method	March 31, December 31, US$ thousands US$ thousands Excluded from amortization base: Drilling costs, and other operational related costs 18,465 14,999 Capitalized salary costs 2,371 2,034 Capitalized interest costs 432 346 Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs 4,365 4,087 Other costs 301 229 * 25,934 21,695 *The unproved oil and gas properties balance at March 31, 2018 contains approximately $1,663,000 in unpaid amounts.
Schedule of changes in unproved oil and gas properties	March 31, March 31, US$ thousands US$ thousands Excluded from amortization base: Drilling costs, and other operational related costs 3,466 1,707 Capitalized salary costs 337 245 Capitalized interest costs 86 - Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs 278 103 Other costs 72 - *4,239 *2,055 * Inclusive of non-cash amounts of approximately $2,016,000 and $997,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Senior Convertible Bonds (Table

Senior Convertible Bonds (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Senior Convertible Bonds [Abstract]
Schedule of senior convertible bonds	March 31, December 31, US$ US$ 10% Senior Convertible Bonds, net of debt discount on derivative liability of $1,626,000 on the day of issuance $ 1,844 $ 1,844 Debt discount amortization, net $ 439 $ 359 Bonds converted to shares $ (184 ) $ (111 ) Offering cost, net $ (84 ) $ (90 ) 10% senior Convertible bonds – Long Term Liability $ 2,015 $ 2,002

Derivative Liability (Tables)

Derivative Liability (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Schedule of fair value of derivative liabilities	March 31, December 31, Level 3 Total Level 3 Total US$ thousands US$ thousands US$ thousands US$ Fair value of derivative liability 5,400 5,400 1,866 1,866
Schedule of change in fair value of derivative liability	US$ Derivative liability fair value at December 31, 2017 1,866 Loss on derivative liability 3,534 Derivative liability fair value at March 31, 2018 5,400
Summary of assumption used for the model of derivatives liabilities	March 31, December 31, Convertible Option Fair Value of approximately $ 5,400,000 $ 1,866,000 Annual Risk-free Rate 2.36 % 2.03 % Volatility 79.03 % 68.04 % Expected Term (years) 3.09 3.34 Convertible Notes Face Value $ 3,285,900 $ 3,358,900 Expected annual yield on Regular Notes 28.77 % 28.77 % Price of the Underlying Stock $ 4.76 $ 2.16

Nature of Operations, Basis o20

Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern (Details) - a	Dec. 03, 2013	Mar. 31, 2018
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern (Textual)
Area of land depth, description		The MJ #1 well has been drilled to a total depth ("TD") of 5,060 meters (approximately 16,600 feet). Thereafter, the Company obtained three open-hole wireline log suites (including a formation image log) and the well was successfully cased and cemented in preparation for upcoming testing of multiple zones of interest, including zone(s) where free-flowing hydrocarbons were collected after circulating mud in the borehole. After our review of the open-hole logs, we have finalized the testing program. The Ministry of Energy approved the well testing protocol on April 29, 2018. We have begun our testing program, and it may take several weeks to complete.
Megiddo-Jezreel License [Member]
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern (Textual)
Area of land, approximate		99,000
Initial length of lease	3 years
Megiddo-Jezreel License [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern (Textual)
Initial length of lease	7 years
Megiddo-Jezreel License [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern (Textual)
Initial length of lease	1 year

Summary of Significant Accoun21

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual)
Common stock equivalents excluded from EPS as the inclusion would be anti-dilutive	9,651,569		9,698,413
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01			$ 0.01
Impairment of unproved oil and gas properties
Capitalized exploration costs	$ 25,934	[1]		$ 21,695
[1]	The unproved oil and gas properties balance at March 31, 2018 contains approximately $1,663,000 in unpaid amounts.

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Opt

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Option Transactions) (Details) - Options [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
Number of shares
Outstanding, Beginning balance | shares	4,339,443
Granted to employees, officers, directors and others | shares	895,000	[1]
Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited | shares
Exercised | shares	(4,500)
Outstanding, Ending balance | shares	5,229,943
Number of shares, Exercisable | shares	4,824,943
Weighted Average exercise price
Outstanding, Beginning balance | $ / shares	$ 1.37
Granted to employees, officers, directors and others | $ / shares	1.04	[1]
Expired/Cancelled/Forfeited | $ / shares
Exercised | $ / shares	0.01
Outstanding, Ending balance | $ / shares	1.31
Weighted Average exercise price, Exercisable | $ / shares	$ 1.42
[1]	The receipt of a stock option grant by the grantee recipient is a non-taxable event according to the Internal Revenue Service. The grantee who later chooses to exercise penny stock options must recognize the market value in income in the year of exercise.

Stockholders' Equity (Stock O23

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Options Outstanding) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
Vested [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price, lower range	$ 0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price, upper range	$ 2.61
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding | shares	4,914,943
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.40
Vested [Member] | 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)	5 years 7 months 13 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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 2 months 12 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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	15,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	7 years 4 months 6 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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	25,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	7 years 9 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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	10,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	7 years 6 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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	355,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 2 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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	575,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 9 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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	10,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	8 years 9 months 3 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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	80,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 15 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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	10,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 5 months 1 day
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Twelve [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price	$ 0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding | shares	20,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 6 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Thirteen [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	35,000	[1]
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 9 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | 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 29 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.38
Vested [Member] | 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)	2 years 9 months 3 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.38
Vested [Member] | 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	123,057
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	6 years 9 months 3 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.38
Vested [Member] | 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 2 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.38
Vested [Member] | 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)	2 years 6 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.67
Vested [Member] | 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)	6 years 6 months 3 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.67
Vested [Member] | 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)	8 months 23 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.70
Vested [Member] | 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)	4 years 8 months 23 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.70
Vested [Member] | 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)	9 months 11 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.73
Vested [Member] | Range Exercise Price 1.75 [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)	5 years 3 months 8 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.70
Vested [Member] | 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)	8 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.86
Vested [Member] | 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)	3 years 10 months 3 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.87
Vested [Member] | 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
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.95
Vested [Member] | 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)	1 year 5 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 1.96
Vested [Member] | 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 29 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 2.03
Vested [Member] | 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)	1 year 3 months 8 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 2.28
Vested [Member] | 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	681,500
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	3 years 8 months 5 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 2.61
Vested [Member] | Range Exercise Price 2.31 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price	$ 2.31
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding | shares	400,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	5 years 9 months 3 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 2.31
Vested [Member] | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Fourteen [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	55,000	[2]
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 10 months 28 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Vested [Member] | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Fifteen [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	110,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 9 months 3 days
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Non-vested [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	315,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Non-vested [Member] | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Twelve [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Range of exercise price	$ 0.01
Shares underlying outstanding options Number Outstanding | shares	20,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 6 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Non-vested [Member] | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Thirteen [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	295,000
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)	9 years 9 months
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
Non-vested [Member] | Range Exercise Price 0.01 Fourteen [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares underlying outstanding options Weighted Average Exercise price	$ 0.01
[1]	17,500 options are exercisable on June 30, 2018 and 17,500 are exercisable on December 31, 2018
[2]	27,500 options are exercisable on June 30, 2018 and 27,500 are exercisable on June 30, 2019

Stockholders' Equity (Assumptio

Stockholders' Equity (Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Warrants Granted Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Non - Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date	$ 3.37	$ 1.36
Dividend yields
Expected volatility		68.00%
Expected volatility, minimum	73.00%
Expected volatility, maximum	76.00%
Risk-free interest rates, minimum	2.46%	2.36%
Risk-free interest rates, maximum	2.81%	2.45%
Expected lives (in years)	10 years	10 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$ 3.36	$ 1.36
Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average fair value of underlying stock at grant date	$ 2.31	$ 1.37
Dividend yields
Expected volatility		60.00%
Expected volatility, minimum	68.00%
Expected volatility, maximum	70.00%
Risk-free interest rates, minimum	2.01%	1.86%
Risk-free interest rates, maximum	2.25%	1.93%
Expected lives (in years)		5 years
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$ 1.69	$ 1.36
Employee [Member] | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected lives (in years)	3 years 6 months
Employee [Member] | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected lives (in years)	5 years 6 months

Stockholders' Equity (Compensat

Stockholders' Equity (Compensation Cost of Warrant and Option Issuances Recognized) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Non - Employee [Member] | Warrants and Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost of warrant and option issuances	$ 302	$ 210
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	943	2,015
Employees and Non Employees [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	$ 297	$ 191

Stockholders' Equity (Warrants

Stockholders' Equity (Warrants Transactions) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants, Beginning	5,996,753
Warrants issued	384,223
Exercised	(714,350)
Expired
Outstanding warrants, Ending	5,666,626
ZNWAA Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants, Beginning	1,524,617
Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 2
Warrant Termination Date	Jan. 31, 2020
Warrants issued
Exercised	(12,825)
Expired
Outstanding warrants, Ending	1,511,792
ZNWAC Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants, Beginning	275,152
Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 1
Warrant Termination Date	May 2, 2018
Warrants issued
Exercised	(76,015)
Expired
Outstanding warrants, Ending	199,137
ZNWAD Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants, Beginning	294,334
Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 1
Warrant Termination Date	May 2, 2019
Warrants issued
Exercised	(6,194)
Expired
Outstanding warrants, Ending	288,140
ZNWAE Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants, Beginning	3,028,119
Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 1
Warrant Termination Date	May 2, 2020
Warrants issued	10,493
Exercised	(408,346)
Expired
Outstanding warrants, Ending	2,630,266
ZNWAF Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants, Beginning	460,231
Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 1
Warrant Termination Date	Aug. 14, 2020
Warrants issued	50
Exercised	(51,585)
Expired
Outstanding warrants, Ending	408,696
ZNWAG Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants, Beginning	414,300
Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 1
Warrant Termination Date	Jan. 8, 2021
Warrants issued	30
Exercised	(159,385)
Expired
Outstanding warrants, Ending	254,945
ZNWAH Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Outstanding warrants, Beginning
Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 5
Warrant Termination Date	Apr. 2, 2019
Warrants issued	373,650
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding warrants, Ending	373,650

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Warrants Description) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018$ / shares
ZNWAA Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant name	ZNWAA Warrants
Warrant exercise price	$ 2
Warrant expiration date	Jan. 31, 2020
ZNWAA Warrants [Member] | Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Mar. 1, 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 name	ZNWAC Warrants
Warrant exercise price	$ 1
Warrant expiration date	May 2, 2018
ZNWAC Warrants [Member] | Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Jan. 1, 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 name	ZNWAD Warrants
Warrant exercise price	$ 1
Warrant expiration date	May 2, 2019
ZNWAD Warrants [Member] | Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Jan. 1, 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 name	ZNWAE Warrants
Warrant exercise price	$ 1
Warrant expiration date	May 1, 2020
ZNWAE Warrants [Member] | Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Nov. 1, 2016
ZNWAE Warrants [Member] | Ending Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Mar. 31, 2017
ZNWAF Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant name	ZNWAF Warrants
Warrant exercise price	$ 1
Warrant expiration date	Aug. 14, 2020
ZNWAF Warrants [Member] | Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	May 1, 2017
ZNWAF Warrants [Member] | Ending Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Jul. 31, 2017
ZNWAG Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant name	ZNWAG Warrants
Warrant exercise price	$ 1
Warrant expiration date	Jan. 8, 2021
ZNWAG Warrants [Member] | Beginning Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Oct. 1, 2017
ZNWAG Warrants [Member] | Ending Date [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant period of grant	Dec. 31, 2017
ZNWAH Warrants [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Warrant name	ZNWAH Warrants
Warrant period of grant	Feb. 28, 2018
Warrant exercise price	$ 5
Warrant expiration date	Apr. 2, 2019

Stockholders' Equity (2011 Stoc

Stockholders' Equity (2011 Stock Option Plan) (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares
June 30, 2018 [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan (in share)	27,500
June 30, 2019 [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan (in share)	27,500
2011 Plan [Member] | June 30, 2018 [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan (in share)	17,500
2011 Plan [Member] | December 31, 2018 [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan (in share)	17,500
23 Senior officers, staff members and consultants [Member] | 2011 Plan [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan (in share)	330,000
Exercise price per unit | $ / shares	$ 0.01
Fair value of stock options granted | $	$ 759,000
Stock option plan, expiration date	Jan. 1, 2028
23 Senior officers, staff members and consultants [Member] | 2011 Plan [Member] | June 30, 2018 [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan (in share)	165,000
23 Senior officers, staff members and consultants [Member] | 2011 Plan [Member] | December 31, 2018 [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan (in share)	165,000
Five Senior officers [Member] | 2011 Plan [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan (in share)	110,000
Exercise price per unit | $ / shares	$ 0.01
Fair value of stock options granted | $	$ 250,000
Stock option plan, expiration date	Jan. 4, 2028
Three Consultants [Member] | 2011 Plan [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan (in share)	55,000
Exercise price per unit | $ / shares	$ 0.01
Fair value of stock options granted | $	$ 222,000
Stock option vested, description	The options vested upon grant. However, the exercisability of these options is according to the following schedule: (a) 27,500 options are exercisable on June 30, 2018 and (b) the remaining 27,500 options are exercisable on June 30, 2019.
Eight board members [Member] | 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Shares purchased under option plan (in share)	400,000
Exercise price per unit | $ / shares	$ 2.31
Fair value of stock options granted | $	$ 428,000
Stock option plan, expiration date	Jan. 1, 2024

Stockholders' Equity (Warrant29

Stockholders' Equity (Warrants and Options) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 13, 2015
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non vested stock	$ 465,000
ZNWAF Warrants [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Purchase warrants unit price	$ 1
ZNWAG Warrants [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Purchase warrants unit price	1
ZNWAH Warrants [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Purchase warrants unit price	$ 5
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Unit option, description	On November 1, 2016, the Company launched a unit offering (the "Unit Program") under the Company's DSPP pursuant to which participants could purchase units comprised of seven shares of Common Stock and seven Common Stock purchase warrants, at a per unit purchase price of $10.
Warrants 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) and, in the case of ZNWAC continued to be exercisable through 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.
Unit Option Program [Member] | ZNWAG Warrants [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Warrants termination, description	The warrants became exercisable on January 8, 2018 and continue to be exercisable through January 8, 2021 at a per share exercise price of $1.00. The warrant terms provide that if the Company's Common Stock trades above $5.00 per share as 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 accelerate the termination date of the warrant upon providing 60 days advanced notice to the warrant holders.
New unit program began date	Feb. 1, 2018
New unit program termination date	Feb. 28, 2018
New unit program, description	The Unit Option consisted of Units of our securities where each Unit (priced at $250.00 each) was comprised of (i) 50 shares of Common Stock and (ii) Common Stock purchase warrants to purchase an additional 50 shares of Common Stock. The investor's Plan account was credited with the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock acquired under the Units purchased. Each warrant affords the investor the opportunity to purchase one share of Company Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $5.00.
Unit Option Program [Member] | ZNWAH Warrants [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Warrants termination, description	The warrants became exercisable on April 2, 2018 and continue to be exercisable through April 2, 2019 at a per share exercise price of $5.00.
Warrant [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Amount of funds raised under the DSPP program	$ 3,835,000
Warrant [Member] | ZNWAF Warrants [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Exercise price per unit	$ 1
Warrants termination, description	All ZNWAF warrants became exercisable on August 14, 2017 and continue to be exercisable through August 14, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $1.00. The warrant terms provide that i the Company's Common Stock trades above $5.00 per share as 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 accelerate the termination date of the warrant upon providing 60 days advanced notice to the warrant holders.
Warrant [Member] | Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Warrants termination, description	The ZNWAE warrants became exercisable on May 1, 2017 and continue to be exercisable through May 1, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $1.00. The warrant terms provide that 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 accelerate the terminate the warrant upon providing 60 days advanced notice to the warrant holders.
Warrant [Member] | New Unit Program [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Purchase warrants unit price		$ 4
Exercise price per unit		$ 1
New unit program termination date	Jul. 12, 2017
New unit program, description	This New Unit Program enabled participants to purchase Units of the Company's securities where each Unit (priced at $250.00 each) was comprised of (i) the 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 Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ on the unit purchase date and (ii) Common Stock purchase warrants to purchase an additional 25 shares of Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $1.00 per share.
Warrant [Member] | Unit Option Program [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Textual)
Purchase warrants unit price	$ 1
New unit program began date	Oct. 16, 2017
New unit program termination date	Dec. 6, 2017
New unit program, description	This 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 Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ on the unit purchase date and (ii) Common Stock purchase warrants to purchase an additional 15 shares of Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $1.00 per share.

Unproved Oil and Gas Properti30

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017
Excluded from amortization base:
Drilling costs, and other operational related costs	$ 18,465		$ 14,999
Capitalized salary costs	2,371		2,034
Capitalized interest costs	432		346
Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs	4,365		4,087
Other costs	301		229
Total unproved oil and gas properties, full cost method	$ 25,934	[1]	$ 21,695
[1]	The unproved oil and gas properties balance at March 31, 2018 contains approximately $1,663,000 in unpaid amounts.

Unproved Oil and Gas Properti31

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Excluded from amortization base:
Drilling costs, and other operational related costs		$ 3,466	$ 1,707
Capitalized salary costs		337	245
Capitalized interest costs		86
Legal costs, license fees and other preparation costs		278	103
Other costs		72
Changes in Unproved oil and gas properties	[1]	$ 4,239	$ 2,055
[1]	Inclusive of non-cash amounts of approximately $2,016,000 and $997,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Unproved Oil and Gas Properti32

Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (Textual)
Exclusive of non-cash amounts	$ 2,381,000	$ 997,000
Unproved oil and gas properties unpaid amount	$ 1,998,000

Senior Convertible Bonds (Detai

Senior Convertible Bonds (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
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	$ 1,844
Debt discount amortization, net	439	359
Bonds converted to shares	(184)	(111)
10% senior Convertible bonds - Long Term Liability	$ 2,015	$ 2,002

Senior Convertible Bonds (Paren

Senior Convertible Bonds (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Senior Convertible Bonds [Abstract]
Debt discount on derivative liability	$ 1,187,000	$ 1,267,000
10% Senior Convertible Bonds [Member]
Senior Convertible Bonds [Abstract]
Debt discount on derivative liability	$ 1,626,000

Senior Convertible Bonds (Narra

Senior Convertible Bonds (Narrative) (Details)	May 02, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 21, 2015$ / shares	May 02, 2017$ / sharesshares	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)Bonds$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Debt discount on derivative liability				$ 1,187,000	$ 1,267,000
Convertible bonds				1,844,000	1,844,000
Principal amount				3,285,900	3,358,900
Debt discount amortization, net				$ (439,000)	$ (359,000)
Average Zion stock price | $ / shares			$ 1.196
Stock issued to bondholders | shares			289,213
Right offering [Member]
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Debt instrument, maturity date		May 2, 2021
Convertible bonds purchase price | $ / shares		$ 100
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.
Principal amount	$ 3,470,000
Expenses from rights offering	136,000
Net proceeds from sale of the Notes	$ 3,334,000
10% Senior Convertible Bonds [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.
Debt discount on derivative liability				$ 1,626,000
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				$ 6,000
Convertible bonds				1,844,000
Principal amount				3,470,000
Debt discount amortization, net				$ 80,000
10% Senior Convertible Bonds [Member] | Right offering [Member]
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Debt instrument, maturity date				May 2, 2021
Debt instrument payment description				The number of shares for the payment of interest in shares of Common Stock, in lieu of the cash amount, will be based on the average of the closing prices of the Company's Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg L.P. for the 30 trading days preceding the record date for the payment of interest; such record date has been designated and will always be the 10th business day prior to the interest payment date on May 2 of each year. The number of shares for the payment of principal, in lieu of the cash amount, shall be based upon the average of the closing price of the Company's Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg L.P. for the 30 trading days preceding the principal repayment date; such record date has been designated as the trading day immediately prior to the 30-day period preceding the maturity date of May 2, 2021.
Description of note redeemption				The Company is entitled to redeem for cash the outstanding Notes at an amount equal to the principal and accrued and unpaid interest, plus a 10% premium.
Senior unsecured notes interest rate			10.00%
10% Senior Convertible Bonds [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 of the Company 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 Bonds [Member] | Debt issuance [Member] | Right offering [Member]
Senior Convertible Bonds (Textual)
Convertible bonds purchase price | $ / shares				$ 2.27
Interest expense				$ 86,000
Number of convertible bonds | Bonds				730
Convertible bond price				$ 100
Common stock issued | shares				32,000

Derivative Liability (Details)

Derivative Liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liability	$ 5,400	$ 1,866
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liability	$ 5,400	$ 1,866

Derivative Liability (Details 1

Derivative Liability (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Derivative liability fair value, beginning balance	$ 1,866
Loss on derivative liability	(3,534)	$ 273
Derivative liability fair value, ending balance	$ 5,400

Derivative Liability (Details 2

Derivative Liability (Details 2) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Liability [Abstract]
Convertible Option Fair Value of approximately	$ 5,400,000	$ 1,866,000
Annual Risk-free Rate	2.36%	2.03%
Volatility	79.03%	68.04%
Expected Term (years)	3 years 1 month 2 days	3 years 4 months 2 days
Convertible Notes Face Value	$ 3,285,900	$ 3,358,900
Expected annual yield on Regular Notes	28.77%	28.77%
Price of the Underlying Stock	$ 4.76	$ 2.16

Derivative Liability (Narrative

Derivative Liability (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Liability Textual [Abstract]
Loss on derivative liability	$ (3,534)	$ 273

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Bank guarantees to government bodies	$ 1,356,000
Bank guarantees to others	84,000
Aggregate guarantee amount	$ 1,440,000

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details)	May 02, 2018$ / sharesshares	Apr. 13, 2018$ / shares	Apr. 06, 2018USD ($)Staffmembers$ / sharesshares	Apr. 26, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Subsequent Events (Textual)
Agency and setup costs | $					$ 79,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Events (Textual)
Shares granted under stock option plan (in shares) | shares			14,000
Subscription rights offering, description		Pursuant to the 2018 Subscription Rights Offering, each holder of shares of common stock on the Record Date received non-transferable rights to subscribe for Rights, with each Right comprised of one share of our Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock") and one Common Stock Purchase Warrant to purchase an additional one share of Common Stock. Each Right may be purchased at a per Right subscription price of $5.00. Each Warrant affords the investor the opportunity to purchase one share of our Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $3.00. The warrants will become exercisable on June 29, 2018 and will continue to be exercisable for one year thereafter. Each shareholder received .10 (one tenth) of a subscription right (i.e. one subscription right for each 10 shares owned) for each share of the Company’s Common Stock owned on the Record Date. The 2018 Subscription Rights Offering terminates on May 31, 2018.
Subscription price per share		$ 5
Warrant exercise price		3
Exercise price of common stock		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Fair value of stock options | $			$ 62,000
Description of options vesting			The options vested upon grant and are exercisable through April 5, 2028.
Staff members | Staffmembers			7
Amount collected from DSPP | $				$ 1,000,000
Stock issued, description	The Company paid its annual 10% interest to its bondholders of record on April 18, 2018. The interest was paid-in-kind ("PIK") in the form of Common Stock. An average Zion stock price of $4.679 was determined based on the 30 trading days prior to the record date of April 18, 2018.
Stock price	$ 4.679
Annual interest paid	10.00%
Shares issued | shares	70,780