ZION OIL & GAS INC - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

MARK ONE

☒ Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the Quarterly Period ended September 30, 2020; or

☐ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the transition period from ________ to ________

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(214) 221-4610

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

As of November 10, 2020, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. had outstanding 234,621,569 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

INDEX PAGE

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements.

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, are comprised as follows:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

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 20 years of oil & gas exploration in Israel. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has no revenues from its oil and gas operations.

Zion maintains its corporate headquarters in Dallas, Texas. The Company also has branch offices in Caesarea, Israel and Geneva, Switzerland. The purpose of the Israel branch is to support the Company’s operations in Israel, and the purpose of the Switzerland branch is to operate a foreign treasury center for the Company.

On January 24, 2020, Zion incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, Zion Drilling, Inc., a Delaware corporation, for the purpose of owning a drilling rig and related equipment and excess inventory, and on January 31, 2020, Zion incorporated another wholly owned subsidiary, Zion Drilling Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, to act as the contractor providing such drilling services. When Zion is not using the rig for its own exploration activities, Zion Drilling Services may contract with other operators in Israel to provide drilling services at market rates then in effect.

Zion has the trademark “ZION DRILLING” filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Zion has the trademark filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, pursuant to the Madrid Agreement and Protocol. In addition, Zion has the trademark filed with the Israeli Trademark Office in Israel.

Exploration Rights/Exploration Activities

The Company currently holds one active petroleum exploration license onshore Israel, the Megiddo-Jezreel License, comprising approximately 99,000 acres, which is scheduled to terminate on December 2, 2020, absent an accommodation from the Ministry of Energy. See Item 1A. Risk Factors.

The Megiddo Jezreel #1 (“MJ #1”) exploratory well was spud on June 5, 2017 and drilled to a total depth (“TD”) of 5,060 meters (approximately 16,600 feet). Thereafter, the Company successfully cased and cemented the well while awaiting the approval of the testing protocol. The Ministry of Energy approved the well testing protocol on April 29, 2018.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company testing protocol was concluded at the MJ#1 well. The test results confirmed that the MJ #1 well did not contain hydrocarbons in commercial quantities in the zones tested. As a result, in the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge to its unproved oil and gas properties of $30,906,000. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company did not record any post-impairment charges. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded a post-impairment charge of approximately $86,000 and $314,000, respectively.

The MJ#1 well provided Zion with information Zion believes is important for potential future exploration efforts within its license area. As with many frontier wildcat wells, the MJ#1 also left several questions unanswered.

While not meant to be an exhaustive list, a summary of what Zion believes to be key information learned in the MJ#1 well is as follows:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 1 - Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern (cont’d)

A summary of what Zion believes to be some key questions left to be answered are:

Agile Seismic Processing Services (“ASPS”) has completed processing the final data set for interpretation. Agile is now available for after service support if any questions arise. The final processing QC report was provided to Zion by Agile in late Q2 2020.

Zion has provided the Ministry of Energy with the processing reports with the steps completed to date. Zion is on target to provide the required final interpretation report for the November 2020 timeline. The Geology and Geophysics team generated the final interpretation report during Q3 2020.

Zion’s in-house Geology and Geophysics team are continuing on a larger interpretation of 3D areas, along with potential exploration locations located in the western portion of the Megiddo-Jezreel license area.

The MJ02 drilling plan, which anticipates approximately five (5) months to drill and test the well, was approved by the Ministry of Energy on July 29, 2020. The Ministry of Energy also requested the approvals of the Building Planning Commission which Zion obtained in late Q2 2020. See Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Megiddo-Jezreel Petroleum License, No. 401 (“MJL”)

The Megiddo-Jezreel License (No. 401) was awarded on December 3, 2013 for a three-year primary term through December 2, 2016 with the possibility of additional one-year extensions up to a maximum of seven years. The current scheduled date of termination is December 2, 2020, absent an accommodation from the Ministry of Energy. The Megiddo-Jezreel License lies onshore, south and west of the Sea of Galilee, and we continue our exploration focus here as it appears to possess the key geologic ingredients of an active petroleum system with significant exploration potential.

On January 31, 2019, Zion submitted its Application for Extension of Continued Work Program Due Date on the Megiddo-Jezreel License No. 401.  The additional time was necessary to finalize the work program. On February 3, 2019 Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner granted Zion’s work program report extension to February 28, 2019, as shown below:

On February 24, 2019 and thereafter on February 26, 2019 Zion submitted its proposed 2019 Work Program on the Megiddo-Jezreel License No. 401. 

On February 28, 2019 Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner officially approved the revised and updated Work Program on the Megiddo-Jezreel License No. 401 as shown below:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 1 - Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Going Concern (cont’d)

On April 30, 2019 Zion submitted its Application for Extension of Continued Work Program Due Date on the Megiddo-Jezreel License No. 401. The additional time was necessary for Zion to conduct a 3D survey in an area of approximately 72 square kilometers. This required, among others, extensive permitting activities with relevant local landowners, the Israel Land Authority (“ILA”), certain authorities and others, and the seismic survey might not conclude prior to the beginning of the rainy season in Israel. This in turn would result in additional delay, as rain and mud are not conducive to the performance of a seismic survey which includes extensive use of vibrators.

Zion’s proposed new timelines and activity descriptions are shown below:

On May 1, 2019, Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner granted Zion’s work program report extension.

As previously disclosed, the Company required authorization from 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 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 agreement was extended through December 3, 2019. On July 1, 2019, an agreement was signed by the Company and the ILA by which the surface usage agreement was extended through December 3, 2020.

B. Basis of Presentation 

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated condensed 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, 2019. The year-end balance sheet data presented for comparative purposes was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the year ending December 31, 2020 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 nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company incurred a net loss of approximately $5.33 million and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $211.1 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. 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

A. Net Gain (Loss) per Share Data 

Basic and diluted net (loss) gain 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 10,219,066 and 10,404,146 and 9,836,644 and 10,123,095 Common Stock equivalents in the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 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.

The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may directly or indirectly impact our business, results of operations and financial condition, will depend on future developments that are uncertain, including as a result of new information that may emerge concerning COVID-19 and the actions taken to contain it or treat COVID-19, as well as the economic impact on local, regional, national and international markets. We have made estimates of the impact of COVID-19 within our financial statements, and although there is currently no major impact, there may be changes to those estimates in future periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

C. Oil and Gas Properties and Impairment

The Company follows the full-cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Accordingly, all costs associated with acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves, including directly related overhead costs, are capitalized.

All capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, including the estimated future costs to develop proved reserves, are amortized on the unit-of-production method using estimates of proved reserves. Investments in unproved properties and major development projects are not amortized until proved reserves associated with the projects can be determined or until impairment occurs. If the results of an assessment indicate that the properties are impaired, the amount of the impairment is included in loss from continuing operations before income taxes, and the adjusted carrying amount of the proved properties is amortized on the unit-of-production method.

The Company’s oil and gas property represents an investment in unproved properties. These costs are excluded from the amortized cost pool until proved reserves are found or until it is determined that the costs are impaired. All costs excluded are reviewed at least quarterly to determine if impairment has occurred. The amount of any impairment is charged to expense since a reserve base has not yet been established. Impairment requiring a charge to expense may be indicated through evaluation of drilling results, relinquishing drilling rights or other information.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company testing protocol was concluded at the Megiddo Jezreel #1 (“MJ #1”) well. The test results confirmed that the MJ #1 well did not contain hydrocarbons in commercial quantities in the zones tested. As a result of the above determination, in the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge to its unproved oil and gas properties of $30,906,000. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company did not record any post-impairment charges. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded a post-impairment charge of approximately $86,000 and $314,000, respectively (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 $11,794,000 and $10,637,000 as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont’d)

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.

The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. The hierarchy requires the Company to use observable inputs when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs, when determining fair value. The three tiers are defined as follows:

The Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are carried at historical cost. At September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the carrying amounts of these instruments approximated their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Derivative instruments are carried at fair value, generally estimated using the Binomial Model. 

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. Stock-Based Compensation 

ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” prescribes accounting and reporting standards for all share-based payment transactions in which employee services are acquired. Transactions include incurring liabilities, or issuing or offering to issue shares, options, and other equity instruments such as employee stock ownership plans and stock appreciation rights. Share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized as compensation expense in the financial statements based on their fair values. That expense is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award, known as the requisite service period (usually the vesting period).

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation issued to non-employees and consultants in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505-50, “Equity – Based Payments to Non-Employees.” Measurement of share-based payment transactions with non-employees is based on the fair value of whichever is more reliably measurable: (a) the goods or services received; or (b) the equity instruments issued. The fair value of the share-based payment transaction is determined at the earlier of performance commitment date or performance completion date.

G. Warrants 

In connection with the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DSPP”) financing arrangements, the Company has issued warrants to purchase shares of its common stock. The outstanding warrants are stand-alone instruments that are not puttable or mandatorily redeemable by the holder and are classified as equity awards. The Company measures the fair value of the awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model as of the measurement date. Warrants issued in conjunction with the issuance of common stock are initially recorded and accounted as a part of the DSPP investment as additional paid-in capital of the common stock issued. All other warrants are recorded at fair value and expensed over the requisite service period or at the date of issuance, if there is not a service period. Warrants granted in connection with ongoing arrangements are more fully described in Note 3, Stockholders’ Equity.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont’d)

H. Related parties 

Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. All transactions with related parties are recorded at fair value of the goods or services exchanged. Zion did not have any related party transactions for the periods covered in this report, with the exception of recurring monthly consulting fees paid to certain management personnel.

I. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements  

ASU 2016-02 and ASU 2018-01 – Leases (Topic 842)

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, 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 adopted 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. These leases have been accounted for under ASU 2016-02 in 2019 and 2020 by establishing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding current lease liability and non-current lease liability. Zion is not subject to any loan covenants and therefore, the increase in assets and liabilities does not have a material impact on its business.

In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, “Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842.”

The amendments in this Update provide an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate under Topic 842 existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under Topic 840, Leases. An entity that elects this practical expedient should evaluate new or modified land easements under Topic 842 beginning at the date that the entity adopts Topic 842. An entity that does not elect this practical expedient should evaluate all existing or expired land easements in connection with the adoption of the new lease requirements in Topic 842 to assess whether they meet the definition of a lease. The Company does not have any land easements and believes that this ASU 2018-01 has no effect on the Company.

ASU 2016-15 – “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”

In August 2016, the FASB issued AS 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, which clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The effective date for ASU 2016-15 is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe that this ASU has any impact on our financial statements.

ASU 2018-05 – Income Taxes (Topic 740)

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, “Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118”. This ASU expresses the view of the staff regarding application of Topic 740, Income Taxes, in the reporting period that includes December 22, 2017, the date on which the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R.1, An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018) was signed into law. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2018-05 on our financial statements.  

The Company does not believe that the adoption of any recently issued accounting pronouncements in 2020 had a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flow, except for ASC Update No. 2016-02—Leases, which requires organizations to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for 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. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. See Note 7 for more complete details on balances at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019. 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont’d)

J. Depreciation and Accounting for Drilling Rig and Inventory 

On March 12, 2020, Zion entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Central European Drilling kft, a Hungarian corporation, to purchase an onshore oil and gas drilling rig, drilling pipe, related equipment and excess inventory for a purchase price of $5.6 million in cash, subject to acceptance testing and potential downward adjustment. We remitted to the Seller $250,000 on February 6, 2020 as earnest money towards the purchase price. The Closing anticipated by the Agreement also took place on March 12, 2020 by the Seller’s execution and delivery of a Bill of Sale to us. On March 13, 2020, the Seller retained the earnest money deposit, and the Company remitted $4,350,000 to the seller towards the purchase price and $1,000,000 (the “Holdback Amount”) was deposited in escrow with American Stock Transfer and Trust Company LLC, as escrow agent, through November 30, 2020, or as extended by mutual agreement of the parties, pending a determination, if any, by us of any operating deficiency in the drilling rig. Should we determine in our sole opinion that the drilling rig is not in satisfactory operating condition, then upon notice to the Seller, we and the Seller shall jointly determine if the operating deficiencies identified by us existed prior to the closing of the transaction. If it is determined that these deficiencies existed prior to the closing, then the Seller will undertake to cure the deficiencies within a reasonable time period. If the Seller is unable or unwilling to cure the deficiencies within the time period agrees to between the parties, we may solicit third party bids to repair the deficiencies and the cost thereof shall be paid out of the Holdback Amount.

The drilling rig was shipped from the Port of Constanta, Romania on November 6, 2020 and arrived at the Port of Haifa, Israel on November 11, 2020. Customs documentation and pre- clearance procedures continue with a local broker and agent in Israel. The rig-up drilling crew traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel on October 21, 2020 allowing for the government mandated 14-day quarantine. The crew logistics and quarantine quarters were prepared and later approved by the Ministry of Interior and Health. Covid-19 restrictions are forcing fluid planning and orders from the Health Ministry.

All ancillary rig items have been purchased or rented for the drilling process. Drill bits, casing, logging services, mud-logging and directional drilling have all been secured and master service agreements in place. Well site cellar and conductor pipe/civil works were completed for the MJ02 well and approved by the Ministry of Energy staff after visiting the pad site.

Since the rig was purchased and closed during March 2020, it is sound accounting practice for this purchase to be recorded on Zion’s books as a long term fixed asset. The full purchase price of the drilling rig was $5.6 million, inclusive of approximately $900,000 in spare parts inventory (“spare parts” or “inventory”). The value of the inventory is contained inside the drilling rig and inventory account on the balance sheet and not broken out separately. However, only $4,600,000 of the purchase price is charged to the drilling rig and inventory account. The remaining $1,000,000 represents funds held in escrow until the rig undergoes acceptance testing in Israel. This $1,000,000 is presently on our books as a fixed short term escrow deposit as of September 30, 2020 and we’ve confirmed this balance with the escrow agent. 

The Seller further agreed to allow the Buyer to store the drilling rig on its premises, at Buyer’s risk of loss. The Seller has agreed to not charge the Buyer any rental fees ($1,500/month) as of September 30, 2020.

In accordance with GAAP accounting rules, per the matching principle, monthly depreciation will be recorded beginning in the month that the asset is “placed in service.” The expectation at this point in time is that this date would be sometime in Q4 2020 (however, this is subject to change given the coronavirus pandemic and other logistical factors). Due to the high quality of the I-35 drilling rig (the rig Zion purchased), we believe that the useful life is 10 years. Furthermore, we believe that straight-line depreciation is the best GAAP accounting method that most appropriately reflects the matching principle.

As mentioned previously, there is approximately $900,000 worth of consumable inventory included in the rig purchase. When the drilling rig and inventory items arrive at the Israeli port or perhaps later at the well site, it is expected that there will be a verification/count of the inventory. Any such physical documentation of such count(s) will be obtained and saved in our files. Zion will also plan to obtain a physical count of the inventory at the end of each quarter, or as close to such date as practical, in accordance with our normal inventory procedures.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont’d)

Zion will use the First In First Out (“FIFO”) method of accounting for the inventory, meaning that the earliest items purchased will be the first item charged to the well in which the inventory gets consumed.

Zion expects the useful life of the rig to be 10 years. The depreciation method used will be straight line. It is also noteworthy that various components and systems on the rig will be subject to certifications by the manufacturer to ensure that the rig is maintained at optimal levels. Per standard practice in upstream oil and gas, each certification performed on our drilling rig increases the useful life of the rig by five years. The costs of each certification will be added to the drilling rig account and our straight-line amortization will be adjusted accordingly.

Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity

The Company’s shareholders approved to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01, that the Company is authorized to issue from 200,000,000 shares to 400,000,000 shares, effective June 11, 2020.

A. 2011 Equity Incentive Stock Option Plan

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted the following options from the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan for employees, directors and consultants, to purchase as non-cash compensation:

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company granted the following options from the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan for employees, directors and consultants, to purchase as non-cash compensation:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity (cont’d)

B. 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company did not grant any qualified (market value) options from the 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan to its directors.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company grant the following qualified (market value) options from the 2011 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan for directors to purchase as non-cash compensation:

C. Stock Options

The stock option transactions since January 1, 2020 are shown in the table below:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity (cont’d)

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2020:  

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity (cont’d)

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:

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:

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:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity (cont’d)

The following table sets forth information about the compensation cost of warrant and option issuances recognized for non-employees:

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:

E. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DSPP”)

On March 27, 2014, we launched our 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 directly from the Company. 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 ZNWAB warrants first became exercisable on May 2, 2016 and, in the case of ZNWAC on May 2, 2017 and in the case of ZNWAD on May 2, 2018, 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 May 29, 2019, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAD Warrant by one (1) year from the expiration date of May 2, 2020 to May 2, 2021. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

On September 15, 2020, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAD Warrant by two (2) years from the expiration date of May 2, 2021 to May 2, 2023. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity (cont’d)

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 is referred to as “ZNWAE.”

The ZNWAE warrants became exercisable on May 1, 2017 and continued to be exercisable through May 1, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $1.00.

On May 29, 2019, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAE Warrant by one (1) year from the expiration date of May 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

On September 15, 2020, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAE Warrant by two (2) years from the expiration date of May 1, 2021 to May 1, 2023. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

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 may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the termination of 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), for which the three year period ended March 31, 2017, along with the base Prospectus and Supplemental Prospectus. The Form S-3, as amended, and the new base Prospectus became effective on March 10, 2017, along with the Prospectus Supplement that was filed and became effective on March 10, 2017. The Prospectus Supplement under Registration No. 333-216191 describes the terms of the DSPP and replaces the prior Prospectus Supplement, as amended, under the prior Registration No. 333-193336.

On May 22, 2017, the Company launched a new unit offering (the “New Unit Program”). The New Unit Program consisted of a new combination of common stock and warrants, a new time period in which to purchase under the program, and a new unit price, but otherwise the same unit program features, conditions and terms in the Prospectus Supplement applied. The 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 is referred to as “ZNWAF.”

All ZNWAF warrants became exercisable on August 14, 2017 and continued to be exercisable through August 14, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $1.00.

On May 29, 2019, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAF Warrant by one (1) year from the expiration date of August 14, 2020 to August 14, 2021. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

On September 15, 2020, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAF Warrant by two (2) years from the expiration date of August 14, 2021 to August 14, 2023. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

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.

An Amendment No. 2 to the Prospectus Supplement (as described below) was filed on October 12, 2017.

Under Amendment No. 2, 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 is referred to as “ZNWAG.” 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity (cont’d)

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 launched another Unit Option Program which 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 is referred to as “ZNWAH.”

The warrants became exercisable on April 2, 2018 and continue to be exercisable through April 2, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $5.00, after the Company, on December 4, 2018, extended the termination date of the Warrant by one (1) year from the expiration date of April 2, 2019 to April 2, 2020.

On May 29, 2019, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAH Warrant by one (1) year from the expiration date of April 2, 2020 to April 2, 2021. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

On September 15, 2020, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAH Warrant by two (2) years from the expiration date of April 2, 2021 to April 2, 2023. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

On August 21, 2018, the Company initiated another Unit Option Program, and it terminated on September 26, 2018. The Unit Option Program consisted of Units of the Company’s securities where each Unit (priced at $250.00 each) was comprised of (i) a certain number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing $250.00 (the price of one Unit) by the average of the high and low sale prices of the Company’s publicly traded common stock as reported on the NASDAQ on the Unit Purchase Date and (ii) Common Stock purchase warrants to purchase an additional twenty-five (25) shares of Common Stock. 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 $1.00. The warrant is referred to as “ZNWAJ.”

The warrants became exercisable on October 29, 2018 and continued to be exercisable through October 29, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $1.00, after the Company, on December 4, 2018, extended the termination date of the Warrant by one (1) year from the expiration date of October 29, 2019 to October 29, 2020.

On May 29, 2019, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAJ Warrant by one (1) year from the expiration date of October 29, 2020 to October 29, 2021. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

On September 15, 2020, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAJ Warrant by two (2) years from the expiration date of October 29, 2021 to October 29, 2023. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

On December 10, 2018, the Company initiated another Unit Option Program, and it terminated on January 23, 2019. The Unit Option Program consisted of Units of the Company’s securities where each Unit (priced at $250.00 each) is comprised of (i) two hundred and fifty (250) shares of Common Stock and (ii) Common Stock purchase warrants to purchase an additional two hundred and fifty (250) shares of Common Stock at a per share exercise price of $0.01. The investor’s Plan account was credited with the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock and Warrants that are acquired under the Units purchased. Each warrant affords the participant the opportunity to purchase one share of our Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $0.01. The warrant is referred to as “ZNWAK.”

The warrants became exercisable on February 25, 2019 and continued to be exercisable through February 25, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $0.01.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity (cont’d)

On May 29, 2019, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAK Warrant by one (1) year from the expiration date of February 25, 2020 to February 25, 2021. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

On September 15, 2020, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAK Warrant by two (2) years from the expiration date of February 25, 2021 to February 25, 2023. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

On April 24, 2019, the Company’s most recent Unit Option Program began and it terminated on June 26, 2019, after the Company, on June 5, 2019, extended the termination date of the Unit Option Program.

The Unit Option Program consisted of Units of the Company’s securities where each Unit (priced at $250.00 each) was comprised of (i) two hundred and fifty (250) shares of Common Stock and (ii) Common Stock purchase warrants to purchase an additional fifty (50) shares of Common Stock at a per share exercise price of $2.00. The investor’s Plan account was credited with the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock and Warrants acquired under the Units purchased. For Plan participants who enrolled into the Unit Program with the purchase of at least one Unit and also enrolled in the separate Automatic Monthly Investments (“AMI”) program at a minimum of $50.00 per month or more, received an additional twenty-five (25) warrants at an exercise price of $2.00 during this Unit Option Program. The twenty-five (25) additional warrants were for enrolling into the AMI program. Existing subscribers to the AMI were entitled to the additional twenty-five (25) warrants once, if they purchased at least one (1) unit during the Unit program. Each warrant affords the participant the opportunity to purchase one share of our Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $2.00. The warrant is referred to as “ZNWAL.”

The warrants became exercisable on August 26, 2019 and continue to be exercisable through August 26, 2021 at a per share exercise price of $2.00.

On September 15, 2020, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAL Warrant by two (2) years from the expiration date of August 26, 2021 to August 26, 2023. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

On December 9, 2019 Zion filed an Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-235299) solely for the purpose of re-filing a revised Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. This Amendment No. 1 does not modify any provision of the prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement and accordingly, such prospectus has not been included herein.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, approximately $13,015,000, and $25,517,000 were raised under the DSPP program, respectively.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, approximately $3,262,000, and $8,898,000 were raised under the DSPP program, respectively.

The company raised approximately $1,753,000 from the period October 1, 2020 through November 11, 2020, under the DSPP program.

The warrants represented by the company notation ZNWAA are tradeable on the OTCQX market under the symbol ZNOGW. 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.

F. Subscription Rights Offering 

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 (each “Right” and collectively, the “Rights”) to purchase 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 Subscription Rights, with each Right comprised of one share of the Company 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 could be exercised or subscribed at a per Right subscription price of $5.00. Each Warrant affords the investor the opportunity to purchase one share of the Company Common Stock at a warrant exercise price of $3.00. The warrant is referred to as “ZNWAI.”

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity (cont’d)

The warrants became exercisable on June 29, 2018 and continue to be exercisable through June 29, 2020 at a per share exercise price of $3.00, after the Company, on December 4, 2018, extended the termination date of the Warrant by one (1) year from the expiration date of June 29, 2019 to June 29, 2020.

On May 29, 2019, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAI Warrant by one (1) year from the expiration date of June 29, 2020 to June 29, 2021.

On September 15, 2020, the Company extended the termination date of the ZNWAI Warrant by two (2) years from the expiration date of June 29, 2021 to June 29, 2023. Zion considers this warrant as permanent equity per ASC 815-40-35-2. As such, there is no value assigned to this extension.

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 terminated on May 31, 2018. The Company raised net proceeds of approximately $3,038,000, from the subscription of Rights, after deducting fees and expenses of $243,000 incurred in connection with the rights offering.

G. Warrant Table 

The warrants balances at December 31, 2019 and transactions since January 1, 2020 are shown in the table below:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3 - Stockholders’ Equity (cont’d)

H. Warrant Descriptions 

The price and the expiration dates for the series of warrants to investors are as follows * :

Note 4 - Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method

Unproved oil and gas properties, under the full cost method, are comprised as follows:

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, Impairment of unproved oil and gas properties comprised as follows:  

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 4 - Unproved Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (cont’d)

Changes in Unproved oil and gas properties during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows: 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

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 shareholders 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 convertible bonds or “Notes” in connection with the rights offering. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $3,334,000, from the issuance 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded approximately $7,000 and $20,000, respectively, in amortization expense related to the deferred financing costs, approximately $97,000 and $314,000, respectively, in debt discount amortization net, and approximately $0 and $3,000, respectively, related to financing gains associated with Notes converted to shares.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded approximately $7,000 and $20,000, respectively, in amortization expense related to the deferred financing costs, approximately $72,000 and $259,000, respectively, in debt discount amortization net, and approximately $1,000 and $11,000, respectively, related to financing gains associated with Notes converted to shares.

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 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. Fractional shares were not issued, and the final number of shares were rounded up to the next whole share.

On May 4, 2020, the Company paid its annual 10% interest to its bondholders of record on April 20, 2020. The interest was paid-in-kind (“PIK”) in the form of Common Stock. An average of the Company stock price of $0.182 was determined based on the 30 trading days prior to the record date of April 20, 2020. This figure was used to divide into 10% of the par value of the bonds held by the holders. The Company issued 1,781,504 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 was 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 2, 2021, which means that the Company is not required to periodically redeem or retire the Notes due May 2, 2021.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 5 - Senior Convertible Bonds (cont’d)

Through the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, 0 and 28 convertible bonds of $100 each, respectively, have been converted at a conversion rate of approximately $2.27 per share. As a result, the Company issued approximately 0 and 1,232 shares of its Common Stock during the same period, respectively, and recorded approximately $0 and $3,000 in financial income during the same period. 

Through the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, 16 and 138 convertible bonds of $100 each, respectively, have been converted at a conversion rate of approximately $2.27 per share. As a result, the Company issued approximately 704 and 6,072 shares of its Common Stock during the same period, respectively, and recorded approximately $1,000 and $11,000 in financial income during the same period.

Capitalized interest for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $51,000 and $110,000 compared to $143,000 and $181,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. 

Interest expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $31,000 and $132,000 compared to $0 and $49,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. 

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 are 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. Changes in the fair value recorded are 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 September 30, 2020, the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value are as follows:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 6 - Derivative Liability (cont’d)

Change in value of the derivative liability during 2020 is as follows:

The following table presents the assumptions that were used for the model as of September 30, 2020:

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded unrealized gains (losses) of approximately $49,000, net, and ($2,000), net, respectively, within the Statements of Operations on derivative liability.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded unrealized gains of approximately $90,000, net, and $172,000, net, respectively, within the Statements of Operations 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.

Note 7 - Right of use leases assets and leases obligations

The Company is a lessee in several non-cancellable operating leases, primarily for transportation and office space.

The table below presents the operating lease assets and liabilities recognized on the balance sheets as of September 30, 2020:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 7 - Right of use leases assets and leases obligations (cont’d)

The depreciable lives of operating lease assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term.

The Company’s leases generally do not provide an implicit rate, and therefore the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate when measuring operating lease liabilities. The incremental borrowing rate represents an estimate of the interest rate the Company would incur at lease commencement to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over the term of a lease within a particular currency environment. The Company used incremental borrowing rates as of January 1, 2019 for operating leases that commenced prior to that date.

The Company’s weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate for operating leases as of September 30, 2020 are:

The table below reconciles the undiscounted future minimum lease payments (displayed by year and in the aggregate) under non-cancellable operating leases with terms of more than one year to the total operating lease liabilities recognized on the consolidated condensed balance sheets as of September 30, 2020:

Operating lease costs were $61,000 and $183,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Operating lease costs were $64,000 and $196,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Operating lease costs are included within general and administrative expenses on the statements of income.

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities was $69,000 and $203,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities were $69,000 and $208,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. These amounts are included in operating activities in the statements of cash flows.

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities were $0 and $0 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities were $0 and $819,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies

A. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Investigation 

As previously disclosed by the Company, on June 21, 2018, Zion received a subpoena to produce documents from the Fort Worth office of the SEC informing the Company of the existence of a non-public, fact-finding inquiry into the Company. Prior to its receipt of the subpoena, there had been no previous communication between Zion and the SEC on this issue and was unaware of this investigation. The SEC stated at that time “the investigation and the subpoena do not mean that we have concluded that Zion or anyone else has violated the law.” To date, Zion has fully cooperated with the SEC and will continue to do so in the future. Zion cannot predict when this matter will be resolved or what, if any, action the SEC may take following the conclusion of the investigation.

B. Litigation 

Following the commencement of the SEC investigation, on August 9, 2018, a putative class action (the “class action”) Complaint was filed against Zion, Victor G. Carrillo, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer at such time, and Michael B. Croswell Jr., the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (collectively, the “Defendants”) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. On November 16, 2018, the Court entered an Order in the class action appointing lead plaintiffs and approving lead counsel and on January 22, 2019, an Amended Complaint was filed. On February 1, 2019, a Corrected Amended Class Action Complaint was filed. The suit alleges violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the SEC and Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) against all defendants and alleges violations of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Section 15 of the Securities Act against the individual defendants. The alleged class period is from February 13, 2018 through November 20, 2018. On March 13, 2019, a Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs’ Corrected Amended Complaint was filed on behalf of Zion, Victor Carrillo and Michael B. Croswell, Jr., pleading numerous grounds in support of their Motion to Dismiss. On April 29, 2019 Plaintiffs filed a Response to Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss, and on May 29, 2019 Defendants filed a Reply to Plaintiffs’ Response. On March 4, 2020, the Court granted Defendants’ Motion and dismissed all claims granting Plaintiffs leave to amend.  On March 30, 2020, the Lead Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the Class Action with prejudice as to the Company and all other defendants. 

The Company disputed the above claims and made an advance deposit of $500,000 in 2018 to defense counsel for the cost of defending the litigation. The Company carries insurance that is applicable to these claims. During May 2020, the Company received a refund of approximately $142,000 from its defense counsel pertaining to the above legal claims.

On October 29, 2018, Zion received a shareholder request to inspect books and records pursuant to Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law for the purpose of investigating potential corporate mismanagement and alleged breaches of fiduciary duty in connection with public statements made by the Company from March 12, 2018 to May 30, 2018.  The Company responded to this request.

On August 9, 2019, Zion received two (2) additional shareholder requests from the same law firm to inspect books and records pursuant to section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law for the purpose of investigating potential corporate mismanagement and alleged breaches of fiduciary duty in connection with public statements made by the Company from February 1, 2018 to present. Following discussion with counsel to the shareholder, the Company’s counsel produced materials responsive to the shareholders’ request in January 2020.

On February 12, 2020, by letter to Zion’s Board of Directors, one of the shareholders making the August 10, 2019 request demanded that the Board investigate, address, remedy, and commence proceedings against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, violations of section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment, and violations of all other applicable laws.  The shareholder alleges wrongdoing in connection with public statements made by the Company from February 1, 2018 regarding the Company’s oil and gas exploration activities, the Company’s accounting and disclosure of expenses, and the Board’s oversight of operations. The Board hired independent counsel to investigate the claims made against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors. That investigation has concluded and, based on the findings and recommendations of independent counsel, the Board has decided not to pursue claims against any current or former officer or director. On July 14, 2020, Zion received a request from the same shareholder making the February 12, 2020 demand to inspect books and records pursuant to Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law for the purpose of evaluating the Board’s decision to reject the litigation demand. The Company responded to this request in August 2020.

From time to time, the Company may also be subject to routine litigation, claims or disputes in the ordinary course of business. The Company defends itself vigorously in all such matters. However, we cannot predict the outcome or effect of any of the litigation or any other pending litigation or claims.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies (cont’d) 

C. Recent Market Conditions – Coronavirus Pandemic 

During March 2020, a global pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization related to the rapidly growing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”). The pandemic has significantly impacted the economic conditions in the United States and Israel, as federal, state and local governments react to the public health crisis, creating significant uncertainties in the United States, Israel and world economies. In the interest of public health and safety, jurisdictions (international, national, state and local) where we have operations, restricted travel and required workforces to work from home. As of the date of this report, many of our employees are working from home. However, while there are various uncertainties to navigate, the Company’s business activities are continuing. The situation is rapidly changing and additional impacts to the business may arise that we are not aware of currently. We cannot predict whether, when or the manner in which the conditions surrounding COVID-19 will change including the timing of lifting any restrictions or work from home arrangements.

The full extent of COVID-19’s impact on our operations and financial performance depends on future developments that are uncertain and unpredictable, including the duration and spread of the pandemic, its impact on capital and financial markets and any new information that may emerge concerning the severity of the virus, its spread to other regions as well as the actions taken to contain it, among others.

D. 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 clean-up 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 filings.

On April 8, 2019 the Energy Ministry issued new procedural guidelines regarding a uniform reporting manner by which the rights holder in a license must submit a quarterly report regarding a summary of license history, the nature, scope, location and results of the exploration work, specification of the amounts expended for the exploration work, and the results and interpretation of the exploration work and basic data on which these results and interpretation are based.

On July 18, 2019, the Energy Ministry issued a guidance document entitled “Instructions for Submitting Guarantees with respect to Oil Rights granted pursuant to the Petroleum Law” which states that onshore license applicants are required to deposit a base bank guarantee of $500,000. Furthermore, prior to drilling, an onshore license holder is required to deposit an additional bank guarantee in the amount as determined by the Petroleum Commissioner in accordance with the characteristics of the drilling and the drilling plan but no less than $250,000. The guarantee, as determined by the Commissioner, shall be deposited with the Commissioner Office for each well separately drilled. The Petroleum Commissioner has discretion to raise or lower those amounts or may also forfeit a Company’s existing guarantee and/or cancel a petroleum right under certain circumstances.

In addition, new and extended insurance policy guidelines were added. The Petroleum Commissioner may also view non-compliance with the new insurance provisions as breaching the work plan and the rights granted and act accordingly.

The Company believes that these new regulations will result in an increase in the expenditures associated with obtaining new exploration rights and drilling new wells. The Company expects that an additional financial burden could occur as a result of requiring cash reserves that could otherwise be used for operational purposes. In addition, these new regulations are likely to continue to increase the time needed to obtain all of the necessary authorizations and approvals to drill and production test exploration wells.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies (cont’d) 

E. Bank Guarantees 

As of September 30, 2020, the Company provided Israeli-required bank guarantees to various governmental bodies (approximately $1,058,000) and others (approximately $83,000) with respect to its drilling operation in an aggregate amount of approximately $1,141,000. The Company also deposited $1,000,000 with its escrow agent with respect to the purchase of a drilling rig in March 2020 and subsequent acceptance testing. The (cash) funds backing these guarantees are held in restricted interest-bearing accounts and are reported on the Company’s balance sheets as fixed short-term bank deposits – restricted.

F. Risks 

Market risk is a broad term for the risk of economic loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of a financial instrument. These changes may be the result of various factors, including interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and/or equity prices. In the normal course of doing business, we are exposed to the risks associated with foreign currency exchange rates and changes in interest rates.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risks. A portion of our expenses, primarily labor expenses and certain supplier contracts, are denominated in New Israeli Shekels (“NIS”). As a result, we have significant exposure to the risk of fluctuating exchange rates with the U.S. Dollar (“USD”), our primary reporting currency. During the period January 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020, the USD has fluctuated by approximately 0.4% against the NIS (the USD has weakened relative to the NIS). Also, during the period January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, the USD fluctuated by approximately 7.8% against the NIS (the USD weakened relative to the NIS). Continued weakening of the US dollar against the NIS will result in higher operating costs from NIS denominated expenses. To date, we have not hedged any of our currency exchange rate risks, but we may do so in the future.

Interest Rate Risk. Our exposure to market risk relates to our cash and investments. We maintain an investment portfolio of short-term bank deposits and money market funds. The securities in our investment portfolio are not leveraged, and are, due to their very short-term nature, subject to minimal interest rate risk. We currently do not hedge interest rate exposure. Because of the short-term maturities of our investments, we do not believe that a change in market interest rates would have a significant negative impact on the value of our investment portfolio except for reduced income in a low interest rate environment. At September 30, 2020, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits of approximately $20,779,000. The weighted average annual interest rate related to our cash and cash equivalents for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, exclusive of funds at US banks that earn no interest, was approximately .35% and .43%, respectively.

The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. To achieve this objective, we invest our excess cash in short-term bank deposits and money market funds that may invest in high quality debt instruments.

Note 9 - Subsequent Events

On October 27, 2020, the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the Exchange) filed a Form 25-NSE whereby Nasdaq made a determination to delist the common stock and warrants of Zion Oil & Gas, effective October 16, 2020.

THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE RELATED NOTES TO THOSE STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS FORM 10-Q. SOME OF OUR DISCUSSION IS FORWARD-LOOKING AND INVOLVES RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. FOR INFORMATION REGARDING RISK FACTORS THAT COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS, REFER TO THE DISCUSSION OF RISK FACTORS IN THE “DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS” SECTION OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019, FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this discussion are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may materially differ from actual results.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expects”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology and include, without limitation, statements regarding: 

Overview

Zion Oil and Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is an oil and gas exploration company with a history of 20 years of oil and gas exploration in Israel. We were incorporated in Florida on April 6, 2000 and reincorporated in Delaware on July 9, 2003. We completed our initial public offering in January 2007. Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) currently trades on the OTCQX Market under the symbol “ZNOG” and our Common Stock warrant under the symbol “ZNOGW.”

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 and 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. The Ministry of Energy approved the well testing protocol on April 29, 2018.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company testing protocol was concluded at the MJ#1 well. The test results confirmed that the MJ #1 well did not contain hydrocarbons in commercial quantities in the zones tested. As a result, in the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge to its unproved oil and gas properties of $30,906,000. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company did not record any post-impairment charges. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded a post-impairment charge of approximately $86,000 and $314,000, respectively.

While the well was not commercially viable, Zion learned a great deal from the drilling and testing of this well. We believe that the drilling and testing of this well carried out the testing objectives which may support further evaluation and potential further exploration efforts within our License area.

As a result of the information gained drilling the MJ#1 well, Zion believed it was prudent and consistent with good industry practice to try and answer some of the questions raised by the drilling with a focused 3D seismic imaging shoot of approximately 72 square kilometers surrounding the MJ#1 well. See the discussion under Summary of Current and Former Company License Areas.

The Megiddo-Jezreel License is scheduled to expire on December 2, 2020, absent an accommodation from the Ministry of Energy.

At present, we have no revenues or operating income. Our ability to generate future revenues and operating cash flow will depend on the successful exploration and exploitation of our current and any future petroleum rights or the acquisition of oil and/or gas producing properties, and the volume and timing of such production. In addition, even if we are successful in producing oil and gas in commercial quantities, our results will depend upon commodity prices for oil and gas, as well as operating expenses including taxes and royalties.

Our executive offices are located at 12655 North Central Expressway, Suite 1000, Dallas, Texas 75243, and our telephone number is (214) 221-4610. Our branch office’s address in Israel is 9 Halamish Street, North Industrial Park, Caesarea 3088900, and the telephone number is +972-4-623-8500. Our website address is: www.zionoil.com.

Current Exploration and Operation Efforts  

Megiddo-Jezreel Petroleum License

The Company currently holds one active petroleum exploration license onshore Israel, the Megiddo-Jezreel License, comprising approximately 99,000 acres, which currently is scheduled to terminate on December 2, 2020, absent an accommodation from the Ministry of Energy.

The Megiddo Jezreel #1 (“MJ #1”) exploratory well was spud on June 5, 2017 and drilled to a total depth (“TD”) of 5,060 meters (approximately 16,600 feet). Thereafter, the Company successfully cased and cemented the well while awaiting the approval of the testing protocol. The Ministry of Energy approved the well testing protocol on April 29, 2018.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company testing protocol was concluded at the MJ#1 well. The test results confirmed that the MJ #1 well did not contain hydrocarbons in commercial quantities in the zones tested. As a result, in the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge to its unproved oil and gas properties of $30,906,000. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company did not record any post-impairment charges. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded a post-impairment charge of approximately $86,000 and $314,000, respectively.

The MJ#1 well provided Zion with information Zion believes is important for potential future exploration efforts within its license area. As with many frontier wildcat wells, the MJ#1 also left several questions unanswered.

While not meant to be an exhaustive list, a summary of what Zion believes to be key information learned in the MJ#1 well is as follows:

A summary of what Zion believes to be some key questions left to be answered are: 

Agile Seismic Processing Services (“ASPS”) has completed processing the final data set for interpretation. Agile is now available for after service support if any questions arise. The final processing QC report was provided to Zion by Agile in late Q2 2020.

Zion has provided the Ministry of Energy with the processing reports with the steps completed to date. Zion is on target to provide the required final interpretation report for the November 2020 timeline. The Geology and Geophysics team generated the final interpretation report during Q3 2020.

Zion’s in-house Geology and Geophysics team are continuing on a larger interpretation of 3D areas, along with potential exploration locations located in the western portion of the Megiddo-Jezreel license area.

The MJ02 drilling plan, which anticipates approximately five (5) months to drill and test the well, was approved by the Ministry of Energy on July 29, 2020. The Ministry of Energy also requested the approvals of the Building Planning Commission which Zion obtained in late Q2 2020.

On March 12, 2020, Zion entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Central European Drilling kft, a Hungarian corporation, (“Seller”) to purchase an onshore oil and gas drilling rig, drilling pipe, related equipment and excess inventory for a purchase price of $5.6 million in cash, subject to acceptance testing and potential downward adjustment. Pursuant to a signed Letter of Intent, we remitted to the Seller $250,000 on February 6, 2020 as earnest money towards the purchase price. The Closing also took place on March 12, 2020 by the execution and delivery of a Bill of Sale to us. On March 13, 2020, the Seller retained the earnest money deposit, and the Company remitted $4,350,000 to the Seller towards the purchase price and $1,000,000 (the “Holdback Amount”) was deposited in escrow with American Stock Transfer and Trust Company LLC, as escrow agent, through November 30, 2020, or as extended by mutual agreement of the parties, pending a determination, if any, by us of any operating deficiency in the drilling rig. Should we determine in our sole opinion that the drilling rig is not in satisfactory operating condition, then upon notice to the Seller, we and the Seller will jointly determine if the operating deficiencies identified by us existed prior to the closing of the transaction. If it is determined that these deficiencies existed prior to the Closing, then the Seller will undertake to cure the deficiencies within a reasonable time period. If the Seller is unable or unwilling to cure the deficiencies within the time period agreed to between the parties, we may solicit third party bids to repair the deficiencies and the cost thereof shall be paid out of the Holdback Amount.

Zion’s ability to fully undertake all of these aforementioned activities is subject to its raising the needed capital from its continuing offerings, of which no assurance can be provided.

Map 1. Zion’s Megiddo-Jezreel Petroleum Exploration License as of September 30, 2020.

The Megiddo-Jezreel License (No. 401) was awarded on December 3, 2013 for a three-year primary term through December 2, 2016 with the possibility of additional one-year extensions up to a maximum of seven years. The Megiddo-Jezreel License lies onshore, south and west of the Sea of Galilee, and we continue our exploration focus here as it appears to possess the key geologic ingredients of an active petroleum system with significant exploration potential. In November 2016, the State of Israel’s Petroleum Commission officially approved Zion’s drilling date and license extension request to December 2, 2017. The current scheduled termination date is December 2, 2020, absent an accommodation from the Ministry of Energy.

On January 31, 2019, Zion submitted its Application for Extension of Continued Work Program Due Date on the Megiddo-Jezreel License No. 401.  The additional time was necessary to finalize the work program. On February 3, 2019 Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner granted Zion’s work program report extension to February 28, 2019, as shown below:

On February 24, 2019 and thereafter on February 26, 2019 Zion submitted its proposed 2019 Work Program on the Megiddo-Jezreel License No. 401. 

On February 28, 2019 Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner officially approved the revised and updated Work Program on the Megiddo-Jezreel License No. 401 as shown below:

On April 30, 2019 Zion submitted its Application for Extension of Continued Work Program Due Date on the Megiddo-Jezreel License No. 401. The additional time was necessary for Zion to conduct a 3-D survey in an area of approximately 72 square kilometers. This required, among others, extensive permitting activities with relevant local landowners, the ILA, certain authorities and others, and the seismic survey might not conclude prior to the beginning of the rainy season in Israel. This in turn would result in additional delay, as rain and mud are not conducive to the performance of a seismic survey which includes extensive use of vibrators.

Zion’s proposed new timelines and activity descriptions are shown below:

On May 1, 2019, Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner granted Zion’s work program report extension.

As previously disclosed, the Company required authorization from 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 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 agreement was extended through December 3, 2019. On July 1, 2019, an agreement was signed by the Company and the ILA by which the surface usage agreement was extended through December 3, 2020.

Zion’s Former Joseph License

Zion has plugged all of its exploratory wells on its former Joseph License area, and the reserve pits have been evacuated, but acknowledges its obligation to complete the abandonment of these well sites in accordance with guidance from the Energy Ministry, Environmental Ministry and local officials.

Onshore Licensing, Oil and Gas Exploration and Environmental Guidelines

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, the Energy Ministry, and the Environmental Ministry in recent years as it pertains to oil and gas activities. Mention of these guidelines was included in previous Zion Oil & Gas filings.

We acknowledge that these new regulations are likely to increase the expenditures associated with obtaining new exploration rights and drilling new wells. The Company expects that additional financial burdens could occur as a result of the Ministry requiring cash reserves that could otherwise be used for operational purposes. 

Capital Resources Highlights

We need to raise significant funds to finance the continued exploration efforts and maintain orderly operations. To date, we have funded our operations through the issuance of our securities and convertible debt. We will need to continue to raise funds through the issuance of equity and/or debt securities (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities). No assurance can be provided that we will be successful in raising the needed capital on terms favorable to us (or at all).

The Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

On March 13, 2014 Zion filed a registration statement on Form S-3 that is part of a replacement registration statement that was filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on March 31, 2014. On February 23, 2017, the Company filed a Form S-3 with the SEC (Registration No. 333-216191) as a replacement for the Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-193336), for which the three year period ended March 31, 2017, along with the base Prospectus and Supplemental Prospectus. The Form S-3, as amended, and the new base Prospectus became effective on March 10, 2017, along with the Prospectus Supplement that was filed and became effective on March 10, 2017. The Prospectus Supplement under Registration No. 333-216191 describes the terms of the DSPP and replaces the prior Prospectus Supplement, as amended, under the prior Registration No. 333-193336.

On March 27, 2014, we launched our 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 directly from the Company. 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.

Please see Footnote 3E (“Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DSPP”)), which is a part of this Form 10-Q filing, for details about specific unit programs, dates, and filings during the years 2015 through 2020.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, approximately $13,015,000 and $25,517,000 were raised under the DSPP program.

The Warrants balances at December 31, 2019 and transactions since January 1, 2020 are shown in the table below: