As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2006

Registration No. ___________

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM SB-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
(Name of Small Business Issuer in its Charter)

Delaware

1382

20-0065053

(State or Jurisdiction of

(Primary Standard Industrial

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

Classification Code Number)

Identification No.)

6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75231
(214) 221-4610
(Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices)

15 Bareket St., Caesarea Industrial Park, 38900 Israel
+972 (0) 46 23 14 25
(Address of principal place of business or intended principal place of business)

The Corporation Trust Company
1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, (302) 658-7581
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)

COPIES TO:

Alice A. Waters, Esq.
111 East Franklin Street,
Waxahachie, Texas 75165
(972) 938-9090

Virginia K. Sourlis, Esq.
The Galleria
2 Bridge Avenue
Red Bank, New Jersey 07701
(732) 530-9007

Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box: [X]

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

If delivery of the Prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, check the following box. [ ]

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of each
Class of Securities
To be Registered                     

Common Stock, $.01 par value

Amount
To be
Registered            

2,100,000* shares

Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit            

$7.00 per share

Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price            

$14,000,000

Amount of
Registration
Fee                   

$1,648

*Includes 100,000 Gift Shares.

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.


 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY *

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS *

RISK FACTORS *

USE OF PROCEEDS *

PLAN OF OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION *

CAPITALIZATION *

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE *

DILUTION *

ADDITIONAL SHARES TO BE REGISTERED *

DIVIDEND POLICY *

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION *

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS *

MANAGEMENT *

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT *

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS *

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION *

STOCK OPTION PLAN *

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES *

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE *

INTEREST OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL *

BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES *

TAX CONSEQUENCES *

EXPERTS *

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION *


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc .

Shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per Share

Minimum 350,000 Shares

Maximum 2,000,000 Shares

 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. is offering to sell to the public a minimum of 350,000 up to a maximum of 2,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share, at a price of $7.00 per share, through Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. (the "Underwriter") and other broker/dealers (arranged by the Underwriter) who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD). The compensation to the Underwriter and other broker/dealers (collectively, the "Placement Agents") will consist of a commission of 7% ($0.49 per share) and a non-accountable expense allowance of 3% ($0.21 per share), as described in "PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION--Placement Agents" on page 26. In addition, the Underwriter shall receive warrants (the "Underwriter's Warrants") to purchase the number of shares equal to 10% of the shares sold by the Placement Agents, at an exercise price of $9.00 per share, exercisable no sooner than six months after the last closing of this offering, and terminating five years after the date of the first closing of this offering.

This offering is a "best efforts minimum/maximum offering." The Placement Agents are not required to place any firm orders or purchase any of the shares, but have agreed to use their best efforts to market the shares on our behalf. We cannot sell any of the shares until we have received and accepted subscriptions (using the tear-out form in the back of this prospectus) and payment for a minimum of 350,000 shares ($2,450,000). We and the Placement Agents will deposit all payments in an escrow account at ___________, with whom we have signed an escrow agreement. If we do not accept an investor's subscription, we will return his funds promptly, with any interest earned, without deduction. If we do not receive acceptable subscriptions and payment for 350,000 shares on or before a date (the "Minimum Date") which is 120 days following the date of this prospectus (which may, in our discretion, be extended by us for up to 120 days), we will terminate the offering and promptly refund the money raised with any interest earned, without deduction. If the minimum is received on or before the Minimum Date we will schedule an initial closing date, notify the investors of that date, and complete the initial sale of all subscriptions and funds received up to the initial closing date by transferring the funds out of the escrow account and promptly issuing the stock to the investors. After the initial closing, we and the Placement Agents will continue to deposit all subsequent payments into the escrow account until the earlier of (i) a date (the "Termination Date") which is 180 days following the date of this prospectus (which may, in our sole discretion, be extended by us for up to 60 days without notice to the investors), or (ii) the date on which a total of 2,000,000 shares have been subscribed and accepted, promptly after which we will have a final closing. There may be one or more interim closings between the initial and the final closings. Your minimum purchase must be at least 100 shares ($700). Depending upon the state in which you reside, the maximum amount you may invest may depend on certain "suitability standards." This is our initial public offering and no public market currently exists for our common stock. We have applied for listing of our common stock on the American Stock Exchange. We are also registering 100,000 shares of common stock (the "Gift Shares"), to be given by certain of our shareholders to specific individuals and entities after the registration statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission .

Investing in our common stock is very risky. See " Risk Factors " at page 3 of this prospectus to read about the risks that you should consider before buying shares of our stock. Please note that all dollar amounts are in United States Dollars.

 

 

Price to Public

Placement Agents' Commissions (1)

Proceeds to Zion (1)(2)

Per Share

$7.00

$0.49

$6.51

Total Minimum

$2,450,000

$171,500

$2,278,500

Total Maximum

$14,000,000

$980,000

$13,020,000

(1) Reflects maximum amount of commissions payable to Placement Agents. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify the Placement Agents against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"); and the Underwriter shall be entitled to a non-accountable expense allowance, compensation under a consulting agreement, and certain warrants to purchase a number of common shares equal to ten percent (10%) of the shares sold by it and other Placement Agents. See "Plan of Distribution--Placement Agents" on page 26.

(2) Before deducting estimated offering expenses of up to $278,500 in the minimum offering and $720,000 in the maximum offering.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense . The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.

Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.

The date of this prospectus is ,2006


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

All references in this prospectus to the "Company", "Zion", "Zion Oil", "we", "us" or "our" are to Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its predecessor, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida corporation. Because this is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you as a prospective purchaser of our common stock. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the risk factors and financial statements, before you decide to purchase our common stock. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus.

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Zion Oil is a development stage oil and gas exploration company with a five-year operating history. Our executive offices are located at 6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75231 and our telephone number is (214) 221-4610. Our office in Israel is located at 15 Bareket Street, North Industrial Park, Caesarea, 38900, Israel, and the telephone number is +972-4-623-1425. Our website is www.zionoil.com. We were incorporated in Florida on April 6, 2000 and reincorporated in Delaware on July 9, 2003. Since April 2000 we have been conducting data accumulation, research and analysis related to onshore oil and gas potential in the northern portion of Israel's central coastal plain. In October 2002, we submitted a detailed exploration report to the Petroleum Commissioner of the Ministry of National Infrastructures of the State of Israel, identifying our recommended prospect areas for deep drilling (to a depth of approximately 15,000 feet). Effective January 1, 2003, the Israeli government approved our prospects for drilling and consolidated our existing petroleum rights into a single exploration license (the "license" or the "Ma'anit-Joseph License") covering approximately 95,800 acres. On August 1, 2005, the license was expanded to cover approximately 98,100 acres, as shown on the map on the page 66 of this prospectus. The license expires April 30, 2007. On December 29, 2004 we signed a drilling contract to reenter and deepen the Ma'anit #1 well to a maximum depth of up to approximately 16,400 feet with Lapidoth Israel Oil Prospectors, Ltd, the sole Israeli oil well drilling contractor. We commenced drilling operations on April 10, 2005, and on July 14, 2005 reached our total depth of 15,482 feet. We commenced completion operations on July 20, 2005 and temporarily suspended such operations on November 4, 2005, pending completion of a technical review of all the data collected during the drilling and completion operations. On August 1, 2005, we were awarded a preliminary permit with priority rights (the "permit" or the "Asher Permit") to conduct preliminary geological and geophysical exploration activities on an area covering approximately 121,000 acres to the north and west of the Ma'anit-Joseph License. The permit expires on March, 31, 2007, but can be converted into an exploration license on up to 100,000 acres on the completion of the required work program.

The Offering

Securities offered by Zion

A minimum of 350,000 and a maximum of 2,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share.

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

Minimum of 8,123,788 shares, Maximum of 9,773,788 shares

Use of proceeds

Net proceeds will be used for exploratory well completion and drilling, prospect exploration, to reduce debt and for working capital. See "USE OF PROCEEDS" on page 11.

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Summary of Financial Data (in US Dollars)

Balance sheets as of:

12/31/2003

12/31/2004

9/30/2005

9/30/2005

9/30/2005

(Audited) (1)

(Audited) (1)

(Unaudited) (1)

(Pro Forma) (2)

(Pro Forma) (3)

Assets

$ 1,075,498

$ 1,914,774

$ 8,541,047

$ 10,541,047

$ 20,841,047

Liabilities

765,292

1,213,116

2,412,730

2,412,730

2,412,730

Stockholders' equity

310,206

701,658

6,128,317

8,128,317

18,428,317

Stockholders' equity

per common share

0.06

0.14

0.83

1.06

1.97

Statements of operations for:

Year ending

Year Ending

9 Mo. Ending

12/31/2003

12/31/2004

9/30/2005

(Audited)

(Audited) (1)

(Unaudited) (1)

Net income (loss)

$ ( 815,314 )

$ (1,675,244)

$ (901,904 )

_______________________________________

(1) Complete audited financial statements as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 and unaudited financial statements as of September 30, 2005 are included in this prospectus.

(2) Assumes minimum amount raised in the offering.

(3) Assumes maximum amount raised in the offering.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements under "Prospectus Summary", "Risk Factors", "Plan of Operation and Management's Discussion", "Business and Properties", and elsewhere in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In come cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "predicts", "potential" or "continue" or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including the risks outlined under "Risk Factors." These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of these statements. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results.

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our shares is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider all of the risk factors discussed below, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus, before investing. You should not invest in our shares unless you can afford to lose your entire investment and you are not dependent on the funds you are investing.

We are a development stage company.

Zion was incorporated in April 2000 and is still in its development stage. Our operations are subject to all of the risks inherent in establishing a new business enterprise. Our potential for success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays frequently encountered in connection with a new business, especially the oil and gas exploration business. We cannot warrant or provide any assurance that our business objectives will be accomplished. See "BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES", page 60.

Our financial condition has been unsound in the past and might again be so in the future.

All of our audited financial statements since inception have contained a statement by the auditors that raise the question about us being able to continue as a "going concern" unless we are able to raise additional capital. The audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2004 are included at pages F-1 to F-19 of this prospectus. The unaudited financial statements for the nine months ending September 30, 2005 are included at pages F-20 to F-36 of this prospectus. See Note 1 "Basis of Presentation" to our reviewed nine month financial statements which states in part: " Given the scope of the Company's planned operations over the next year, the success of the Company's recent private placements of $3,995,000 in common stock and warrants that closed March 31,2005, its accredited private placement of $1,380,000 in common stock and warrants that closed on June 10, 2005, its second accredited private placement of $3,230,000 of common stock that closed October 24, 2005, warrants exercised for $390,000 in December 2005, private placements of $814,000 in common stock and warrants in December 2005 through January 24, 2006, and the recent exploration efforts of the Company in Israel, it is the opinion of management that the going concern basis is appropriate."

We have no proved reserves or current production.

We do not have any proved reserves or current production of oil or gas. We cannot assure you that any wells will be completed or produce oil or gas in commercially profitable quantities.

We have a history of operating losses.

We incurred operating losses of $387,152 for the year ended December 31, 2002, $815,314 for the year ended December 31, 2003, $1,675,244 for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $901,904 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The accumulated deficit as of September 30, 2005 was $3,951,731. We cannot assure that we will ever be profitable.

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We are committed to paying executive compensation for three years.

We have committed to the payment of $945,000 per year, for the three years beginning January 1, 2006, in cash compensation to five of our most senior executives. If we do not have a discovery of oil or gas, a sizable portion of the amounts raised in this offering may be used for executive compensation, reducing the amounts available for exploratory drilling. See "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION--Executive Employment Arrangements", page 50.

If we are unable to obtain additional financing, we may be unable to successfully execute our business plan.

Our planned work program is expensive. If we are unable to raise at least $3,000,000 net proceeds during 2006 in a combination of this offering, warrant exercises, loans and foreign placements of our securities or we are unable to attract additional participants in the Joseph Project, we may not be able to complete the steps of our minimum work program for completing our Ma'anit #1 well, the cost of which could be as much as $1,000,000. A new well could cost as much as $7.5 million for a dry hole and $9 million for a completed producer, assuming there are no drilling or completion problems. If we raise less than the maximum amount of the offering, we may have to seek other forms of financing, including the sale (if possible) of a portion of our license rights and obligations to one or more other petroleum exploration companies in order to drill our planned appraisal well on the Ma'anit prospect. Moreover, even if the Ma'anit #1 and/or the appraisal well we plan to drill is completed as a commercial well, we may have to seek additional forms of financing, including the sale (if possible) of a portion of our license rights and obligations to drill additional wells to develop the Ma'anit prospect and additional wells planned to test additional prospects (including deep tests to the Permian) on our license. Any additional financing could cause your relative interest in our assets and potential to be significantly diluted. Even if we have exploration success, we may not be able to generate sufficient revenues to offset the cost of dry holes and general and administrative expenses. See "Plan of Operation and Management's Discussion", page 14 .

Your investment will be diluted.

Your investment will be immediately diluted in terms of net tangible asset value per share. After the offering, your dilution will be between 72% and 85%. See "Dilution", page 24, for more details.

Oil and gas exploration is an inherently risky business.

Exploratory drilling involves enormous risks, including the risk that no commercially productive natural gas or oil reservoirs will be discovered. Even when properly used and interpreted, seismic data analysis and other computer simulation techniques are only tools used to assist geoscientists in trying to identify subsurface structures and hydrocarbon indicators. They do not allow the interpreter to know conclusively if hydrocarbons are present or economically available. The risk analysis techniques we use in evaluating potential drilling sites rely on subjective judgments of

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our personnel and consultants. There is no assurance that other companies with superior financial resources, larger technical infrastructure and more experience will agree with our analysis and recommendations. The prospects we intend to drill may be significantly more risky than we think they are, and your investment could be at greater risk than if you invested with an established oil and gas exploration company. See "BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES", page 60.

Our operations in Israel are subject to political and economic risks.

Our operations are concentrated in Israel and could be directly affected by political, economic and military conditions in Israel. Despite efforts to secure a lasting peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors and Palestinian residents, the future of these peace efforts is uncertain. Between October 2000 and the summer of 2004, there was a significant increase in violence primarily in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and negotiations between Israel and Palestinian representatives ceased for a period of over thirty months. Negotiations recommenced in June 2003 with the internationally sponsored "Road Map" plan, to which there is significant opposition from extremists on both sides. With the death of the former chairman of the Palestinian Authority in November 2004, violence has subsided, and Israel has effectively completed a disengagement process in the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria. Violence has further diminished with the building by Israel of the security fence between centers of Israeli and Palestinian populations. The chances for this renewed peace process cannot be predicted. This uncertainty is heightened with the recent incapacitation of the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, and the upcoming elections in both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Kibbutz Ma'anit (where we have drilled our first well) is in an area adjacent to Israeli Arab villages where anti-Israeli rioting broke out in late 2000. Any future armed conflict, political instability or continued violence in the region could have a negative effect on our operations and business conditions in Israel, as well as our ability to raise additional capital necessary for completion of our exploration program.

Our operations in Israel may be subject to:

Consequently, our operations may be substantially affected by factors beyond our control, any of which could negatively affect our financial performance. Further, in the event of a legal dispute in Israel, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Israeli courts or we may not be successful in subjecting persons who are not United States residents to the jurisdiction of courts in the United States, either of which could adversely affect the outcome of a dispute.

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The legal and fiscal conditions of our license and permit, and operations could be impaired by changes in law and fiscal policy in Israel.

Our license and permit are issued under the Israeli Petroleum Law, 5712-1952, which together with certain regulations issued pursuant to the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, sets out the basic terms of our rights and the royalty and tax regime to which we will be subject if we discover and produce petroleum. Over the last five years, several proposals were submitted by Israeli government authorities to amend various provisions of the Petroleum Law and the related fiscal regime which, if they had been adopted and applied to outstanding petroleum rights, might have resulted in increasing our costs of exploration and production. This adds to uncertainties attendant upon the conduct of petroleum activities in Israel, including possible increase of the tax burden to which we might have been subject in the event of a substantial discovery. While there are no specific proposals currently under consideration, it is possible that previous proposals may be resubmitted or new proposals presented. Until such time, if ever, as such proposals, if any, are presented, it is not possible to know whether and to what extent, if at all, amendments to the Petroleum Law or the related fiscal regime will affect our operations or, in the event of a discovery, potential results. See "BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES -Israel's Petroleum Law" and "-Petroleum Taxation" at pages 68-72 .

Our license and permit could be canceled or terminated, and we would not be able to successfully execute our business plan.

Our license and permit are granted for fixed periods and each requires compliance with a work program detailed in the license or permit respectively. If we do not fulfill the relevant work program, the Israeli government may terminate the license or permit before its scheduled expiration date. See " BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES - Properties", pages 62-66 .

There are   limitations on the transfer of interests in the license and permit, which could impair our ability to raise additional funds to execute our business plan .

The Israeli government has the right to approve any transfer of rights and interests in our license and permit and any mortgage of the license or permit to borrow money. If we try to raise additional funds through borrowings or joint ventures with other companies and are unable to obtain some of these approvals from the government, the value of your investment could be significantly diluted or even lost. See " BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES - Properties", pages 62-66.

Our dependence on the limited contractors, equipment and professional services available in Israel will result in increased costs and possibly material delays in our work schedule .

In Israel, as of the date of this prospectus, there is only one drilling contractor, one provider of seismic services and one provider of logging services. The drilling contractor has only one drilling rig in Israel capable of drilling to our target depth. Consequently, due to the lack of competitive resources, costs for our operations may be more expensive than costs for similar

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operations in other parts of the world. We are also more likely to incur some delays in our drilling schedule and be subject to a greater risk of failure in meeting our required work schedule. Similarly, some of the oil field personnel we need to undertake our planned operations are not necessarily available in Israel or available on short notice for work in Israel, a situation that may result in increased costs and some delays in the work schedule. See "Plan of Operation and Management's Discussion - Consequences of Delay", page 22.

Our dependence on Israeli local licenses and permits may require more funds than we have budgeted and may cause delays in our work schedule.

We are subject to a number of Israeli local licenses and permits. Some of these are issued by the Israeli security forces, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Israeli Water Commission, the Israel Lands Authority, the holders of the surface rights in the lands on which we intend to conduct drilling operations, including Kibbutz Ma'anit, the Department of Public Works, local and regional Planning Commissions, and Regional and Town Councils. In order to obtain necessary licenses and permits, more money than the amounts budgeted for those purposes may be required, and we may have to delay the planned work schedule.

Voting control is concentrated, which may diminish control of minority shareholders.

Five of our senior executives (John Brown, Eugene Soltero, Richard Rinberg, Philip Mandelker and Glen Perry) and Ralph F. DeVore hold proxies to vote the shares of common stock of some of our shareholders. Mr. Brown will also hold a proxy to vote 200,000 shares of common stock approved by our board for issuance (but not yet issued) to Richard Rinberg when he was elected as our president effective November 1, 2005. Including their own shares of common stock, the five executives hold 61% , and Mr. DeVore holds 9%, of our voting rights outstanding prior to this offering. After the completion of this offering, assuming the minimum shares offered are issued, the five executives and Mr. DeVore will have control of 57% and 9%, respectively, of our outstanding voting rights. If the maximum shares are issued they will hold 47% and 7%, respectively, of our outstanding votes. The ability of the five executives to exercise significant control over us may discourage, delay or prevent a takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider in his or her best interest and that might result in a shareholder receiving a premium for his or her common stock. Also, the five executives and Mr. DeVore (if they vote the same way) may have the ability to:

Some of the shares of common stock owned by the other officers and directors are not subject to the proxies held by the five executives and Mr. DeVore. When those shares are added in, the management of Zion (which does not include Mr. DeVore) now holds 64% of the voting control and would have 62% of the voting control if the minimum amount of the offering is placed and 51% of the voting control if the maximum is placed. After issuance of the 200,000 shares to Mr.

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Rinberg, management would have 65% currently, 63% after the minimum offering, and 52% after the maximum offering, of the voting control. For more details see "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management - Voting Agreements", page 41.

Cash dividends may not be paid to shareholders.

You may receive little or no cash or stock dividends on your shares of common stock. The board of directors has not directed the payment of any dividends, does not anticipate paying dividends on the shares for the foreseeable future and intends to retain any future earnings to the extent necessary to develop and expand our business. See "DIVIDEND POLICY", page 26. Payment of cash dividends, if any, will depend, among other factors, on our earnings, capital requirements, and the general operating and financial condition, and will be subject to legal limitations on the payment of dividends out of paid-in capital.

There will be a limited public market, if any, for the shares.

There is no public market for the shares of common stock being offered. We cannot assure you that a sufficient active trading market will develop or that you will be able to resell your shares at prices equal to or greater than your respective initial purchase price. The market prices for the securities of energy companies have historically been highly volatile. The market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of any particular company. The market price of the shares may be affected significantly by factors such as announcements by us or by our competitors, variations in our results of operations, and market conditions in the extractive industries in general. The market price may also be affected by movements in prices of stock in general. As a result of these factors, you may not be able to liquidate an investment in the shares readily or at all.

Shares currently outstanding may soon be eligible for future sale, which might put downward pressure on the price of all shares .

All of the shares of common stock that are currently held are restricted securities and were purchased at prices lower than the price of this offering. Such shares cannot be sold in the open market without a separate registration except in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). However, most of these shares have been held for more than the minimum holding period under Rule 144, and the holders may sell those shares into the public market, which might put downward pressure on the price. Of the 7,773,788 shares outstanding on January 24, 2006, approximately 3,355,296 of these shares (43%) may be sold, subject to certain volume restrictions, after the first closing of this offering. Of the remaining shares, 2,488,625 shares (32%) are subject to a lock-in agreement between Zion and Network 1 that terminates 90 days after the initial closing date and 1,929,867 shares (25%) are within the minimum holding period. See "SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE", page 58.

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There may be a limited market for natural gas, causing natural gas prices to decrease, which could negatively impact the results of our operations and financial condition.

 

To the best of our knowledge, as of the date hereof, there are three primary competitors for the sale of natural gas to the Israeli market. The source of the gas is from the recently discovered gas fields offshore Israel and the Gaza Strip and the gas fields offshore Egypt. In light of the relatively small size of the current Israeli market for natural gas, in the event that we and other groups exploring for natural gas in Israel succeed in discovering significant new reserves, such discoveries may result in a decrease in the market price for natural gas and impede our ability to sell any reserves we discover until such time as the Israeli market for natural gas increases to an extent where it is able to accommodate additional reserves.

Although our projects are primarily for oil reserves, we may find significant volumes of natural gas. If, as we develop and expand production of our Israeli gas reserves, the Israeli market for gas does not also develop and grow as projected by the Israeli government, there may be too much gas for the market to absorb in the short term, causing natural gas prices to decrease, which would negatively impact the results of our operations and our financial condition. At present, the gas pipeline in our area is still in the planning stages and we do not know when it will be available to transport large amounts of gas from our area of operation. For more details see "Plan of Operation and Management's Discussion - Markets", page 19.

 

If compliance with environmental regulations is more expensive than anticipated, it could adversely impact the profitability of our business.

 

Our operations are subject to laws and regulations relating to the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment, which can adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of our doing business. Many Israeli laws and regulations require permits for the operation of various facilities, and these permits are subject to revocation, modification and renewal. Governmental authorities have the power to enforce compliance with their regulations, and violations could subject us to fines, injunctions or both. Risks of substantial costs and liabilities related to environmental compliance issues are inherent in oil and gas operations. It is possible that other developments, such as stricter environmental laws and regulations, and claims for damages to property or persons resulting from oil and gas exploration and production, would result in substantial costs and liabilities.

 

Although environmental assessments are conducted on all acquired properties, in our use of existing or previously drilled well-bores such as the Ma'anit #1, we may not be aware of what environmental safeguards were taken at the time the well was drilled. Should it be determined that a liability exists with respect to any environmental clean up or restoration, the liability to cure such a violation could fall upon us.

Sales of only the minimum offering amount will limit our activities.

This offering is being made on a "best efforts minimum/maximum" basis. Failure to raise funds beyond the minimum subscription of 350,000 shares will limit the activities of Zion. We cannot

9


assure you that the minimum shares or all of the shares will be sold. Subscriptions are irrevocable, but we have the right to accept or reject a subscription. See "USE OF PROCEEDS", page 11 and "PLAN OF OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION - Basic Plan Modifications", page 18. The minimum purchase by any one investor will be $700, upon the terms and conditions described in this Prospectus.

There is significant competition in the oil and gas industry, and some of our competitors have more capital than we do.

The oil and gas exploration business is highly competitive and has few barriers to entry. We will be competing with other oil and gas companies and investment partnerships to develop oil and gas properties in Israel and to purchase equipment and obtain labor necessary to complete wells. Many of our competitors are larger than we are and have substantially greater access to capital and technical resources than we do and may therefore have a significant competitive advantage.

Fluctuation in oil and gas prices could adversely affect our financial condition.

Our revenues, operating results, financial condition and ability to borrow funds or obtain additional capital may depend substantially on prevailing prices for oil and natural gas. Declines in oil and gas prices may materially adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity, ability to obtain financing and operating results. Lower oil and gas prices also may reduce the amount of oil and gas that we can produce economically. Historically, oil and gas prices and markets have been volatile, with prices fluctuating widely, and they are likely to continue to be volatile. Depressed prices in the future would have a negative impact on our future financial results. The volatile nature of the energy markets make it impossible to predict with any certainty the future prices of oil and gas. In addition, we assess the carrying value of our assets annually in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles under the full cost method. If oil and gas prices decline, the carrying value of our assets could be subject to downward revision.

 

The loss of key personnel could adversely impact our business.

We are highly dependent on the services of Eugene Soltero, Richard Rinberg, Glen Perry and other key personnel. The loss of certain of our key employees would likely have a material adverse impact on the development of our business. We currently do not maintain key employee insurance policies on these employees.

Earnings will be diluted due to charitable contributions and key employees incentive plan.

We are committed to donating 6% of our gross sales revenues (after payout of exploration costs through the first discovery well) to two charitable trusts and allocating 1.5% (after payout of drilling costs on a well-by-well basis) to a key employees incentive plan. This means that the total royalty burden on our property (including the government royalty of 12.5%) will be 20%. As our expenses increase with respect to the amount of sales, these donations and allocation could significantly dilute future earnings and, thus, depress the price of the common stock. See "Plan of Operation and Management's Discussion-Charitable Trusts", page 20.

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Price of common stock was arbitrarily determined without regard to tangible book value.

The price of the common stock you would be purchasing from us has been arbitrarily set without regard to our tangible book value per share. We cannot promise that the shares will continue to be worth what you will pay for them.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds to us from the sale of a minimum of 350,000 and a maximum of 2,000,000 shares of common stock at an offering price of $7.00 per share are estimated to be approximately $2,000,000 and $12,300,000, respectively, after deducting estimated placement agent commissions and offering expenses.

Some of our officers, directors, their affiliates and associates have loaned (and/or have not been paid for services billed, or salaries earned) amounts totaling approximately $900,000 during the past three years. If only the minimum of $2,450,000 is raised in this offering, these persons have agreed to continue to defer receipt of these salaries and fees, as provided in "PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION", page 26. If the maximum of $14,000,000 is raised in this offering, somewhat more than half of these amounts will be paid out of the proceeds received. If an amount between the minimum and the maximum is raised, portions of the outstanding accounts payable will be exchanged for shares and/or deferred and the remainder paid, based upon the amount raised and our other financial conditions at the time of the termination of this offering.

We intend to use most of the net proceeds of this offering for geological and geophysical studies and exploration and development drilling on our Israeli license and permit areas. Our work program calls for the completion and testing of an existing well (the Ma'anit #1) at an estimated cost of $800,000 to $1,000,000 and the drilling of an appraisal/deep exploratory well in the license area at an estimated "dry hole" cost of $7,400,000 to $9,100,000 to drill to a total depth of approximately 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) to 5,500 meters (18,045 feet). We intend to evaluate the new well through a combination of electrical wireline tool investigations, recovery of samples from the target formation (coring) and testing. A "dry hole" is a well that for either geological or mechanical reasons is judged by us to be incapable of producing oil or gas in commercial quantities. If any well is not a "dry hole", a completion attempt would be made at an estimated completion cost of $1,000,000 to $2,500,000 in order to set production casing, perforate, install the production tubing and wellhead and conduct extended tests of the well. We cannot assure you that any wells will be completed or produce oil or gas in commercial quantities. If the minimum of approximately $2,000,000 net proceeds are raised, we will attempt to complete the Ma'anit #1. If the maximum of approximately $12,300,000 net proceeds are raised, we may drill an offset appraisal well to the Ma'anit #1 well or combination appraisal/deep exploration well offsetting the Ma'anit #1 before attempting to complete it. See "Plan of Operation and Management's Discussion", page 14.

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Our engineers estimate that, in order to be commercially productive, any of the wells we intend to drill to the approximate depth of 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), based on industry standards, should be capable of producing at least 100 barrels of oil per day or 600 thousand cubic feet of gas per day. Such production levels will not pay out the cost of drilling the well, but only the costs of operating the well on a current basis. In order to justify the costs of drilling of additional wells, there should be the expectation that each additional well would have initial production rates in excess of 1,000 barrels of oil per day or six million cubic feet of gas per day, or some combination of the two. The remaining net proceeds will be used for general and administrative expenses and working capital. We intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short-term, investment grade obligations or bank certificates of deposit in both Israel and the United States until they are used .

If the minimum amount is raised in this offering and assuming that the we are able to raise an additional approximate amount of $1,000,000 in net available funds from additional sources including currently open offerings to non-United States residents under Regulation S promulgated by the SEC and the exercise of warrants lapsing on December 31, 2006, the proceeds from this offering will satisfy our cash requirements through April 2007, including the completion attempt of the Ma'anit #1. This assumes that our officers would be willing, as they have done in the past, to defer some of their salaries until more cash is available. Thereafter, it will be necessary to raise additional funds for subsequent drilling. Out of the net proceeds of $2,000,000 in this minimum case, $900,000 would be used for general and administrative expenses (mostly salaries and professional fees), $900,000 would be available for the completion attempt on the first well and $200,000 would be set aside for contingencies on the completion attempt and exploration activities. Following completion of the first well, we will install gas separation facilities and storage tanks at an estimated cost of $600,000, which will be paid from other funds (such as borrowings or the proceeds from exercises of outstanding warrants expiring December 31, 2006) and not from the net proceeds of this offering.

To the extent this offering is successful in raising the maximum funds, we expect to have sufficient money to drill a new well to at least 17,000 feet, complete the Ma'anit #1, and pay overhead through April 2007. Funds for the completion of the new well, if successful, would have to come from other sources, including the exercise of outstanding warrants that expire December 31, 2006. Out of the net proceeds of $12,300,000, we would spend up to $500,000 to repay some of our outstanding notes and accounts payable to shareholders and officers. For the period ending April 30, 2007, we estimate that our general and administrative expenses will be $2,050,000, most of which would be spent on salaries, benefits and professional fees. With the maximum funds available, we estimate that we would spend $500,000 on geological and geophysical studies in our license and permit areas (including approximately $100,000 annually to maintain our current license and permit). We would spend up to $8,800,000 to drill a second well (including $1,000,000 set aside for drilling contingencies), $300,000 to complete the first well, $50,000 to set up the charitable trusts, and would reserve the remaining $100,000 for long lead time equipment required to complete the second well.

Our estimates for general and administrative costs below increase substantially from the minimum to the maximum case. This occurs because the maximum case would cause us to have

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a higher activity level, resulting in some higher expenses. Our salaries and benefits also increase substantially in the maximum case because we will be able to pay our officers and directors on a current basis, rather than on the deferred basis required by the minimum case. We would also need a larger staff for the increased activity. None of our experts, consultants, accountants, or legal counsel has been hired on a contingent fee basis.

Our position is that the additional funds paid to our officers and directors in the event of a maximum offering should not be considered compensation for their selling our shares in the offering because their basic compensation rates remain unchanged in either case. The only difference is that in the case of minimum offering some of our officers would be working less than full time for less than full salary. They would most likely also be deferring part of that salary as well.

The following table sets forth the use of the proceeds from this offering:

Minimum

Maximum

Priority

        ($)        

        ($)        

Order*

Total Proceeds

2,450,000

100.0%

14,000,000

100.0%

Less: Offering Expenses

450,000

18.4%

1,700,000

12.1%

(1)

Net Proceeds from Offering

2,000,000

81.6%

12,300,000

87.9%

Use of Net Proceeds:

Accounts Payable to Officers

-

-

500,000

3.6%

(2)

Compensation to officers

450,000

18.4%

1,400,000

10.0%

(3)

Other general & administrative

450,000

18.4%

650,000

4.6%

(3)

Exploration costs

-

-

500,000

3.6%

(3)

First well completion

900,000

36.6%

300,000

2.1%

(4)

Second well drill & test

-

-

7,800,000

55.8%

(4)

Second well completion equipment

-

-

100,000

0.7%

(4)

Establishment of charitable trusts

-

-

50,000

0.4%

(6)

Reserve for drilling and exploration contingencies

200,000

8.2%

1,000,000

7.1%

(5)

Total Use of Net Proceeds

2,000,000

81.6%

12,300,000

87.9%

 

*Priority:

(1) Immediately upon closing.

 

(2) Within two months after closing.

 

(3) Half over the first six months and half ratably over the following year.

 

(4) During the year(s) based on results of current engineering studies.

 

(5) As needed for drilling or completions.

 

(6) Upon availability of funds.

 

The foregoing reflects only estimates of the use of the proceeds if the minimum amount or maximum amount is attained. If more than the minimum but less than the maximum is raised, the amounts will be adjusted appropriately. Actual expenditures may vary materially from these estimates.

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PLAN OF OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION

Ma'anit #1 Well Status and Results

We complied with the work program required by the license and re-entered and deepened the existing Ma'anit #1 well bore to a depth of 4,740 meters (15,482 feet), although our minimum depth requirement was only 4,000 meters (13,123 ft). In re-entering and deepening the Ma'anit #1, we used oil industry service companies, as is the common practice in the industry. The service companies included drilling contractors, wireline evaluation services, engineering services, mud and chemical services, rock bit companies, and oil field tubular suppliers.

We finished drilling Ma'anit #1 on July 14, 2005 and for approximately ten weeks conducted completion operations. We have what appears to be a discovery of both oil and gas in a number of different zones, over a 2,100-foot interval between 12,500 and 14,600 feet deep. This has been determined through different indicators, including (but not limited to):

We first encountered Triassic Age sediments at a depth of 3,302 meters (10,833 feet) according to our consulting paleontologist. This was considerably higher (sooner) than the expected depth of approximately 3,850 meters (12,600 feet). By being approximately 550 meters (1,750 feet) higher than we expected, we saw a unique opportunity and decided to deepen the well to see if we could drill below the bottom of the Triassic and explore Permian age formations. (The additional cost incurred by this exercise was approximately $500,000.) While still in the Lower Triassic between 4,560 meters to 4,700 meters we encountered very difficult drilling conditions and drill pipe failures. We decided to stop drilling at 4,719 meters (15,482 feet), still 100 meters or so above the projected Permian formation, rather than risk a total loss of the well. See the enclosed simplified well schematic of the Ma'anit #1, at the back of this prospectus.

To begin the completion operations, we tested the two lowest zones in the well (of Scythian Age in the Lower Triassic) and found apparent oil on top of water in the upper zone at 4,611 meters (15,128 feet) and formation water in the lower zone at 4,640 meters (15,223 feet). Due to the small thickness of the oil zone (six feet), its depth, and the proximity to water, we abandoned that zone and plugged the well with cement back to 4,453 meters (14,610 feet). We then swab tested through drill pipe three zones of Anisian Age (a deep formation in the upper Triassic) between 4,342 and 4,448 meters (14,245 and 14,593 feet) with encouraging but inconclusive results. During the swab testing, we recovered very heavy salt water. This water was identical to that recovered from the Scythian. At the time, we believed this water to be Scythian water that had

14


entered the porosity and fractures of the Anisian from the lower hole. Realizing that it could take considerable time and expense to get the water out and because we were swabbing very inefficiently through drill pipe, we moved up to the Carnian (another, higher formation in the upper Triassic) to attempt to establish proved reserves. The combination of increased drilling penetration rate (drilling breaks), gas shows, analysis of rock cuttings and wireline log analysis throughout a 656-foot interval in the upper Triassic (Carnian Age) indicated possible productivity in six separate zones aggregating 250 feet of thickness. A temporary cast iron bridge plug was set in the casing between the Anisian and Carnian Age and the six zones between 3,828 and 4,028 meters (12,559 and 13,215 feet) were perforated for commingled production testing.

To prepare for production testing we laid down the drill pipe, picked up and installed 2-7/8" production tubing (which provides us much better swabbing efficiency) and a temporary production packer, disconnected the blowout preventors, and installed the permanent wellhead and valve assembly (Christmas tree). Once this installation was complete, we swab tested the six perforated zones. Rather than the expected gas, we received the same water as we had seen in the lower zones. A review of the log analysis was of no help in identifying the source of the water. With the aid of our independent petroleum consultants, Forrest A. Garb &Associates, Inc. ("FGA"), we deduced that the water must have been coming out of the numerous layers of volcanics. It now appears that this deduction was correct, as after many cementing operations and several weeks of work, we have shut off much of the water.

Our next step was to perforate what appears on the electric logs as a good hydrocarbon reservoir (based on porosity and thickness) in the well, the 30-meter zone from 3,903 to 3,933 meters in the Carnian. Once again we were surprised by the presence of water. This time the water was different from the heavy water seen previously. It appeared that the water was coming from the perforated interval. An analysis of the water revealed a different resistivity than that used in the log analysis, resulting in this zone being primarily salt water bearing rather than hydrocarbon bearing.

Using the information from the new water samples we obtained from the Carnian, we had our consulting engineers recalculate the well logs using new parameters derived from tests of the salt water. The overall effect of recalculating the logs was to reduce the amount of apparently available gas reserves and increase the amount of apparently available oil reserves from the well.

Knowing that water from the volcanic zones is a problem, we returned downhole to the Anisian, where we saw oil during drilling and in one swab test, and attempted to complete in the zone between 4,344 to 4,353 meters deep. From an analysis of the logs relating to that zone made with assistance of our consulting geologists and engineers, it appears that that zone should have the potential of commercial amounts of oil and gas. The decision to return to that zone was made because: (1) the cost of returning was roughly the same as the cost of plugging off the currently perforated Carnian zone and testing a new Carnian zone; and (2) oil was the more likely primary hydrocarbon from the Anisian and more immediately saleable. The operation required drilling the bridge plug at 4030 meters, setting one more cement plug at the bottom of the casing, drilling out the cement, re-perforating, a pressurized acid job, a cement squeeze job, an acid soak and

15


swab testing. After completing all these operations, on Monday, October 3, 2005, we swabbed and then reverse circulated the well for 90 minutes. During most of that time there was a 6 to 10 foot gas flare with occasional larger flares and we recovered completion water, drilling mud, spent acid water and cement fines, but no apparent formation or volcanics water. We then shut the well in for most of the month of October and put the rig on standby at that time. In early November 2005, we swab tested the zone between 4,344 and 4,353 meters deep and recovered gas and volcanics water, which we interpreted to indicate that the cement seal had failed once again. We released the rig and intend to spend up to three months evaluating the data before planning any additional completion operations.

General Operating Conditions

Land in Israel may be privately owned or owned by the State of Israel. The right to enter upon and use the surface of the land (the "surface rights") originate from the owner, but may be leased out long term for many different purposes including residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural, pastoral, recreational, etc. All minerals lying under the land are owned by the State of Israel and administered by the government through the Ministry of National Infrastructures.

The holder of the surface rights can charge a fee or rental to enter upon the land in order to conduct exploratory drilling and production activities. The basis for negotiation of the fee is typically the market value of the rights to enter and use the lands for the required period of use. If the holder of surface rights refuses to lease the rights to us on reasonable terms, so that we are prohibited from conducting exploration and production activities in an economically feasible manner, we have the right to demand that the Israeli government exercise eminent domain to acquire the required surface rights and lease them to us. If the government is required to exercise its right of eminent domain, all costs incurred by the government in acquiring the rights will be borne by us. Surface rights necessary to conduct drilling operations in connection with the reentry and deepening of the Ma'anit #1 well were acquired from Kibbutz Ma'anit for the period through September 30, 2005. An agreement has been reached with the Kibbutz for continued use of the surface rights through the termination of the license, currently April 30, 2007. This agreement is subject to the formal approval of the Israel Lands Authority, which approval must be granted under the terms of the Petroleum Law.

Givot Olam Oil Exploration L.P., a publicly traded limited partnership listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, holds a production lease just south of our Ma'anit-Joseph License. In 2002-03, they drilled a well about 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of our Ma'anit location. The well was drilled to a depth of 4,680 meters (15,450 ft.) to the same Triassic Age formation at approximately the same vertical depth to which we drilled the Ma'anit #1 well and intend to drill additional wells, but slightly shallower geologically. According to announcements filed by Givot Olam with the Israeli Securities Authority ("ISA") and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange ("TASE"), the entire target section of Triassic Age formation through which Givot Olam drilled (some 450 meters or 1,485 ft.) was "hydrocarbon saturated", meaning that all of the rock drilled had its entire pore space filled with either oil and/or gas. Subsequently, Givot Olam deepened the well to a total depth of 4,919 meters (16,140 feet) and set casing to that depth. A test in the uppermost section of the Triassic Age formation recovered 55 barrels of oil.

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Givot Olam also publicized that their consultant's technical report recommended completion of the zone of the Meged #4 using one or more 1000 meter horizontal drain holes, each expected to have an initial production rate of 900 barrels of oil per day declining to 250 barrels per day after two years. Based upon the results of the test, Givot Olam declared a "commercial discovery" and was granted a 30-year production lease by the Ministry of National Infrastructures, subject to certain conditions. During 2005, Givot Olam started the first horizontal drain hole, but was unsuccessful in taking it past 200 meters and abandoned its effort on the Meged #4. They have since announced plans to drill their Meged #5 on the same lease.

The "hydrocarbon saturated" statement above was originally made in an Immediate Report filed by Givot Olam on April 8, 2003 with the ISA and the TASE. The report is available (in Hebrew) on the Maya portal of the TASE website (www.tase.co.il). Information regarding Givot Olam's two earlier Meged wells, the No. 2 and No. 3, as well as the No. 4, can be found in Givot Olam's 2004 Annual Report, dated March 31, 2005, and in a prospectus dated May 31, 2005, both of which are posted in Hebrew on the Maya Portal of the TASE website and the MAGNA portal of the ISA website (www.isa.gov.il). Information concerning the results of the attempted horizontal drain hole, additional geologic analysis on the various areas in the Givot Olam lease and Givot Olam's plans for further operations (including the drilling of the Meged #5) can be found in an Immediate Report filed by Givot Olam with the ISA and the TASE on October 11, 2005 and is available (in Hebrew) on the Maya portal of the TASE website.

In its referenced prospectus and annual report, Givot Olam confirmed that: (i) effective April 1, 2004, the Israeli Oil Commissioner granted them a 30-year production lease on approximately 60,000 acres around their three Meged wells; and (ii) in the opinion of Givot Olam's general partner, the lease area is estimated to contain approximately 956 million barrels of oil in place from Triassic Age formations, of which Givot Olam estimates that approximately 20% may be possible to develop and produce.

In its disclosure, Givot Olam stresses that the size of the Meged field, the amount of oil in place and the potential rate of production are preliminary estimates only, based on limited data currently in Givot Olam's possession. This data Givot Olam acknowledges is not sufficient to fix the size of the reservoir and the extent to which the oil in place can be produced, data as to which can be confirmed only upon the drilling of and production from the wells themselves, such that the actual size of the reservoirs and the extent to which they can be commercially produced are subject to change.

Basic Plan

Our basic plan of operation consists of the following steps:

1. Complete an engineering study of the Ma'anit #1.

2. If justified before drilling another well, attempt to complete and test the Ma'anit #1.

3. Enter into a drilling contract for a rig capable of drilling to 17,000 feet or more.

4. Order the long lead time items

17


5. Drill the second well on the Ma'anit structure to confirm the zones in the Triassic and, if possible, to explore the zones in the Permian

6. Take full hole cores of the target formation during drilling for detailed laboratory analysis.

7. Using electric wireline tools investigate and evaluate the well for productivity.

8. If the cores, logs and test results indicate the presence of commercially producible oil and gas, run production casing and attempt to make the well into a commercial producer.

9. If the completion attempt on Ma'anit #1 was not made already (#2 above) then do so at this time, with a more focused approach as a result of the information gathered from the second well.

10. Conduct geological and geophysical investigations on the Asher permit towards the development of a drilling prospect and conversion of the permit into an exploration license.

At any time during any of the preceding steps, we might enter into negotiations to sell a portion of the Joseph Project (and our petroleum rights and prospect data) in order to spread our risk, conserve our capital and obtain co-owners with technical capability and local knowledge to supplement our efforts. There is no assurance that we will be able to attract any parties to join us. We cannot predict the terms and conditions upon which a joint venture agreement (if any) might be reached with one or more other oil and gas companies as the terms would be dependent upon the technical data that has been developed to date and the commercial and exploratory value of our holdings, as perceived by us and the professional advisers of potential partners, as well as general industry conditions at the time.

Basic Plan Modifications

If we are unable to raise at least $3,000,000 net funds during 2006 in a combination of warrant exercises, loans, foreign placements of our securities, and this offering, or we are unable to attract additional participants in the Joseph Project, we may not be able complete the steps in the Basic Plan before we no longer have sufficient funds to proceed at the minimum level. We would also need to raise an additional $14,000,000 in order to complete the steps at the maximum level. Our ability to take any subsequent steps would depend upon the result of completing and testing of the Ma'anit #1 Well and/or the drilling, logging and testing of a second well ("logging" of a well is the process of lowering different tools on a wireline to measure the physical, electrical, and radiation characteristics of the wellbore and the rock formations in the immediate vicinity of the wellbore). If the results of our efforts are not encouraging, there is no assurance we would be able to raise enough money to continue our exploration program. In this case you could lose your investment.

If, following additional completion activities, the Ma'anit #1 or, if following the drilling of a second well on the Ma'anit structure, the Ma'anit #1 or the second well is productive, then we plan to use the information to raise additional money to drill additional wells. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in such endeavors

18


Markets

If any of our exploratory wells are commercially productive, we will install oil and gas separation facilities and storage tanks. Initially, oil from the license area will be transported by truck to the oil refinery located near Haifa, a distance of approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles). Under the terms of the Petroleum Law, we may be required by the Minister of National Infrastructures to first offer any oil and gas discovered to Israeli domestic purchasers at market prices. Our long-range plans include laying a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) oil pipeline to join an existing crude oil transfer line between the refinery in Haifa and the refinery in Ashdod, Israel.

We plan to sell gas initially to a local manufacturing plant located within 200 meters of the Ma'anit # 1 location. Long-range plans include connecting the separation facility to a countrywide gas transportation line, now in the planning stage. We believe we can sell any of the liquid hydrocarbons in Israel at prices commonly received in the Mediterranean basin. Those prices, net to the wellhead, are expected to approximate Israeli market prices, plus or minus allowances for quality.

At the present time, Israel can absorb any discovery of oil, condensate or gas liquids. Israel's total energy and petrochemicals consumption of liquid hydrocarbons in 2003 was estimated by Israeli government sources to be the equivalent of 109 million barrels of oil, 15% of which is for electric power generation. This leaves approximately 93 million barrels per year of demand for liquid hydrocarbons if all the electric power generation are met by coal and the offshore gas discoveries. Even a giant oil field discovery (of which there can be no assurance) with a project life of almost 50 years, would not result in maximum production in any single year in excess of 93 million barrels. At this time there is almost no competition for locally produced oil. Only one oil field is currently producing in Israel and it is near the end of its economic life with daily production of about 60 barrels of oil. Production of the Givot Olam discovery could significantly increase that daily rate.

The current Israeli market for natural gas is in its infancy. There is now only a limited market in several regions of the country. The government is encouraging the power and industrial sectors to convert to gas energy and, jointly with the private sector, is developing a natural gas pipeline infrastructure intended to connect the newly discovered off-shore gas fields and Egyptian sources to the potential market in Israel. We believe that the electrical generating sector (which is building combined cycle, gas-fired generating units), together with the industrial, commercial and future residential sectors when developed, should be able to absorb any gas discovery within a reasonable period.

A contract for the supply and sale of natural gas in Israel has been signed between the Israeli offshore gas producer/supplier Yam Tethys and the Israeli Electric Company ("IEC"). A second contract for the supply of Egyptian gas to IEC has recently been signed between an Israeli-Egyptian pipeline consortium ("EMG") and IEC. Several additional contracts between Yam Tethys and EMG and Israeli independent power producers and heavy industrial plants have been signed or are in negotiation. From information publicly released, pricing terms of these contracts

19


provide for prices tied to the weighted average price of a basket of fuels with an apparent current price in the range of approximately $2.50 -$3.25 per million British Thermal Units ("BTU"). Initial deliveries from Yam Tethys to IEC commenced in the second quarter of 2004 and have averaged approximately 200 million cubic feet of gas per day. Initial deliveries from EMG to IEC are scheduled to commence in 2007. We believe we will be able to sell our natural gas, if any, to IEC and other potential industrial users in the vicinity of any producing wells at a commercial price estimated to average at least $2.85 per million BTU under a standard industry contract. There is no assurance that we will be able to sell any gas we may discover in a timely manner or at the price we suggest.

Since the market for crude oil is currently limited in Israel to Oil Refineries, Ltd. ("ORL"), an Israeli government company with two refineries (one - the larger one in Haifa near our license and permit areas - and the second in Ashdod), no special marketing strategy will be employed. If we are successful in our exploration effort, we are confident that we will enter into a long-term sales agreement with ORL, as the relationship will be beneficial to both parties. ORL will benefit from not having to rely upon imported oil purchased primarily at spot oil prices and we expect to enter into a long-term contract for the sale of our oil fixed to an agreed upon index as is normal practice in the oil industry. Plans are currently under way to sell the Ashdod refinery by international tender and privatize the Haifa refinery on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. We do not believe that our ability to enter into long terms sales agreements with ORL or its successors will be affected even if the current plans are implemented. If we cannot reach agreement with ORL or its successors, we will have the option of exporting the crude oil. In this case, we would seek to enter into a long-term contract with an oil trading/shipping company.

Charitable Trusts

If we are successful in finding commercial quantities of oil and gas in Israel, we intend to donate a portion of our gross revenues to charities in Israel, the United States and elsewhere in the world. The donations will be made through entities we intend to establish. These entities have not been as yet fully defined. For purposes of this discussion, we call them charitable trusts, but they may be tax-exempt corporations, foundations, associations or some other form of charitable entity. The exact form of the charitable trusts, the domicile of the charitable trust for contributions outside Israel, and the exact form of the royalty interests to be donated have not yet been determined. Those forms will depend to an extent upon advice of tax counsel and the outcome of negotiations with the Israeli Income Tax Authority. Independent of the form of organization and the form of interest donated, our board of directors has established the following parameters for the charitable trusts:

  1. There will be two separate and distinct charitable trusts, one to be established in Israel and one to operate outside Israel. Each of the charitable trusts will have its own board of directors (or board of trustees) consisting of up to nine members each, a majority of which shall not be our officers, directors or shareholders owning more than 1% of Zion.
  2. At least two-thirds of the Israeli charitable trust's board will be resident citizens of Israel. Our founder, John Brown, will serve as the initial chairman.
  3. 20


  4. At least two-thirds of the non-Israeli charitable trust's board will be resident citizens of the United States. John Brown will serve as the initial chairman of the board.
  5. The two charitable trusts will be set up with the objective that to the extent possible our donations to them will be tax deductible under both Israel and U.S. tax law.
  6. We will assign to each of the two charitable trusts an after payout (of exploration costs through the first discovery well) an overriding royalty interest of 3% in the Joseph Project petroleum rights and any other petroleum rights that we acquire in Israel. This means that 6% of the gross proceeds of oil and gas production would go to the two charitable trusts for charitable purposes, one-half (3%) to be used for charitable activities in Israel by one charitable trust and one-half (3%) to be used for such purposes in the United States and internationally by the other.
  7. The funds to be distributed by the two charitable trusts may only be given to charities that meet the qualification of section 501(c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code or the equivalent section of the Israel Income Tax Code.
  8. If we are unsuccessful in our exploration efforts, no funds will be available for donation.
  9. The general application of the funds will be to support projects for the restoration of the land and people of Israel and social and educational and rehabilitative projects in the United States and internationally. Our board will establish more specific guidelines at the time the charitable trusts are formed.

We plan to establish these charitable trusts as soon as sufficient funds are available to establish the trust without derogating from our ability to efficiently comply with our commitments under our license and permit.

Our shareholders, in a resolution passed at the 2002 Annual Meeting, approved the concept in principle, as well as the specific sources of interest to be donated to the trusts. Specifically, the shareholders resolution gave the board the authority to transfer to each charitable trust a (i) 3% "overriding royalty", (ii) net operating profits interest, or (iii) substantially equivalent interests.

We have elected to donate the 3% overriding royalties and not the other interests, subject to any legal and tax restrictions under Israeli law as may be in effect at the time of the transfer of the interest. If, due to increased tax liability, we elect not to donate the overriding royalty but rather donate a substitute interest (such as a net profits interest) then the amount of the substitute interest would be calculated and specified such that it would have the same economic value to the charitable trust as would a 3% overriding royalty.

These charitable trusts are to be new, separate and independent of The WendyArts Foundation, Beit Issie Shapiro, JlivesNMe Workplace Ministries, or any other charitable organization supported by (or affiliated with) any of our officers or directors (a "Related Charitable Organization"). Nothing in the charters, organizational documents or bylaws of our charitable trusts will prohibit any Related Charitable Organization from applying for a grant or other financial support from one of the Zion charitable trusts. However, any member of the governing body or committee recommending allocation of grants of one of the charitable trusts who is affiliated with a Related Charitable Organization applying for such financial aid will be precluded from voting on the grant.

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Milestones for the Plan of Operations

We have not been profitable since inception. We therefore list below in chronological order the events that in our opinion must or should occur or the milestones, which in our opinion we must or should reach in order to become profitable. THESE MILESTONES ARE GENERAL TARGETS AND ARE NOT TO BE CONSIDERED DEFINITIVE IN NATURE.

Event or
Milestone

Expected manner of
occurrence or method
of achievement

Date or number of months
after receipt of proceeds
when should be accomplished

The completion of an engineering and geologic review of the Ma'anit #1

Using our internal technical personnel, supplemented by outside consultants and the technical committee of our board

Two to four months

The completion and testing of the Ma'anit #1 exploratory well on the license

We will mobilize and use a smaller completion rig.

Depending upon the amount raised in this offering and the results of engineering studies now underway, this work could be finished in late 2006 or might be delayed until early 2007

If Ma'anit #1 (or the second well) is commercial, we would have to contract for and make the first sales of oil and/or gas

Contracts with Israeli purchasers

Six months to two years following the final closing of this offering

The drilling and completion of the second well on the license

The location will be determined following the completion of the current engineering studies of the Ma'anit #1, and the well will most likely be drilled by Lapidoth based upon rig availability

Six to twelve months following the receipt of sufficient funds from our financing activities, based upon rig availability

Consequences of Delay

In the following paragraphs we set forth the probable consequences to us of delays in achieving each of the events or milestones within the above time schedule, and particularly the effect of any delays upon our liquidity in view of the then anticipated level of operating costs.

If the net proceeds of this offering, the exercise of warrants, new borrowings, international financings, and production (if any) combined together provide less than $20,000,000, we may seek joint venture partners to participate in our currently planned drilling activities. The partner

22


would be required to take a sufficiently high interest to make up the difference in the amount of funds available and the cost of drilling the second well. If the joint venture participation exceeds 50%, we may not be able to remain operator of the project, which means we would not necessarily control the timing of the project. We cannot assure you that we would be able to bring in joint venture partners in time to meet our work program obligations or, if we found the partners in time, that the terms and conditions of their participation would be favorable to us.

In the event that we are forced to "sell down" our interest in the project by bringing in a joint venture participant, the overall return to Zion would be reduced. However, a reduced interest would not mean that we would not be profitable. We would expend fewer funds due to our reduced interest and the promotion that a joint venture participant would pay. We therefore could become profitable sooner in this scenario, although our gross returns would be less.

In the event that the first wells are non-commercial, we would not become profitable until such time as we raised additional funds and drilled at least one successful commercial well. It is possible that all of our funds will be spent on unsuccessful wells, and we never become profitable.

After reviewing the nature and timing of each event or milestone, potential investors should reflect upon whether achievement of each within the estimated time frame is realistic and should assess the consequences of delays or failure in making an investment decision. A potential investor should recognize that oil and gas exploration is risky and should not invest any more money in purchasing our common stock than he or she could afford to completely lose in the event of unsuccessful drilling.

 

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our total capitalization as of September 30, 2005, as reflected in our unaudited financial statements, and our pro forma capitalization on the same date giving effect to the sale of a minimum of 350,000 shares and a maximum of 2,000,000 shares at $7.00 per share in this offering and application of the estimated net proceeds as described in this prospectus. You should read the information presented below together with our consolidated financial statements and notes and "PLAN OF OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION", page 14.

Amount of Capitalization as of September 30, 2005

_______ As Adjusted _______

($)

Minimum ($)

Maximum ($)

Long-term deferred compensation and notes payable

705,595

705,595

705,595

Stockholders equity:

Common stock - par value $0.01 per share

73,523

77,023

93,523

Additional paid in capital

10,006,525

12,003,025

22,286,525

Retained earnings (deficit)

(3,951,731)

(3,951,731)

(3,951,731)

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Total stockholders equity

6,128,317

8,128,317

18,428,317

Total Capitalization

6,833,912

8,833,912

19,133,912

 

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price of our common stock was determined solely by us. The factors considered in determining the public offering price include the initial cost by others for the technical data made available to us by the Israeli government or otherwise available to us from publicly accessible sources, our business potential and earnings prospects, the oil and gas industry, the general condition of the securities markets at the time of the offering, as well as the purchase price for our shares in our most recent private placements. The offering price does not bear any direct relationship to our assets, revenue, book value, net worth or other recognized objective criteria of value. The estimated initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors.

 

DILUTION

As of September 30, 2005, our net tangible book value was $6,128,317 or $0.83 per share of common stock. Net tangible book value is the aggregate amount of our tangible assets less our total liabilities. Net tangible book value per share represents our total tangible assets less our total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding.

Minimum Offering

After giving effect to the sale of a minimum of 350,000 shares of common stock at an offering price of $7.00 per share of common stock and after deducting placement agent commissions and other offering expenses, our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2005 would increase from $6,128,317 to $8,128,317, and the net tangible book value per share would increase from $0.83 to $1.06. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.23 per share to current shareholders, and immediate dilution of $5.94 per share to new investors or 85%, as illustrated in the following table:

Public offering price per share of common stock

 

$7.00

Net tangible book value per share before this offering

$0.83

 

Increase per share attributable to new investors

$0.23

 

Adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

 

$1.06

Dilution per share to new investors

 

$5.94

Percentage dilution

 

85%

Another view of dilution is the differences in shares purchase price as of September 30, 2005:

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Shares Purchased

Total Consideration

Average

Number

Percent

Amount

Percent

Per Share

Current shareholders

7,352,288

95%

$10,080,048

80%

$1.37

New investors

350,000

5%

2,450,000

20%

$7.00

7,702,288

100%

$12,530,048

100%

Maximum Offering

After giving effect to the sale of a maximum of 2,000,000 shares of common stock at an offering price of $7.00 per share of common stock and after deducting placement agent commissions and other offering expenses, our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2005 would increase from $6,128,317 to $18,428,317 and the net tangible book value per share would increase from $0.83 to $1.97. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $1.14 per share to current shareholders, and immediate dilution of $5.03 per share to new investors or 72%, as illustrated in the following table:

Public offering price per share of common stock

 

$7.00

Net tangible book value per share before this offering

$0.83

 

Increase per share attributable to new investors

$1.14

 

Adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

 

$1.97

Dilution per share to new investors

 

$5.03

Percentage dilution

 

72%

Another view of dilution is the differences in shares purchase price as of September 30, 2005:

Shares Purchased

Total Consideration

Average

Number

Percent

Amount

Percent

Per Share

 

 

 

Current shareholders

7,352,288

79%

$10,080,048

42%

$1.37

New investors

2,000,000

21%

14,000,000

58%

$7.00

9,352,288

100%

$24,080,048

100%

 

ADDITIONAL SHARES TO BE REGISTERED

In addition to the shares of common stock being sold by us, we are registering 100,000 shares of common stock held by three of our executive officers (the "Gift Shares"), to be gifted by them to specific individuals and entities after the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC. The list of gift recipients from each gifting officer will be delivered to our transfer agent prior to the date the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC. There will be at least 800 but no more than 1,000 recipients of the gifts. The gifting officers and the number of shares each is

25


giving are: John Brown, 65,500 shares; Eugene Soltero, 19,500 shares; and Glen Perry, 15,000 shares.

DIVIDEND POLICY

In 2002, we issued a series of preferred stock entitled to an annual stock dividend of 10%. In February 2003 we paid the stock dividend to the preferred shareholders of record on December 31, 2002. In July 2003 all the shares of preferred stock were exchanged for shares of common stock as part of our reorganization to become a Delaware corporation. We are no longer authorized to issue any preferred shares and would not be able to issue any preferred shares or pay any dividends with respect to preferred shares without first obtaining the approval of our shareholders to amend our certificate of incorporation.

We have never paid dividends on our common stock and do not plan to pay dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable future. Whether dividends will be paid in the future will be in the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on various factors, including our earnings and financial condition and other factors our board of directors considers relevant. We currently intend to retain earnings to develop and expand our business. See "Plan of Operation and Management's Discussion", page 14 for more information on our business plans

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Placement Agents

We will offer our shares for cash to residents of the United States on an exclusive basis through Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. (the "Underwriter") and other licensed securities dealers retained by the Underwriter who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), and to residents of other countries directly by our officers and/or through persons authorized under the laws of the jurisdictions in which such shares are offered and sold. Collectively, the Underwriter and the other licensed securities dealers retained by the Underwriter are called the "Placement Agents". The Placement Agents will offer and sell the shares for cash to United States residents on a best-efforts basis. To the extent the Placement Agents are qualified in jurisdictions outside the United States, they may offer and sell the shares to non-U.S. residents on a non-exclusive basis. Our officers and directors will also place the shares to purchasers who are residents outside the United States, and may also retain sales agents in certain countries outside the United States (the "Non-U.S. Agents"). In addition, our officers and directors will be authorized to offer shares in exchange for outstanding accounts payable and/or prepayments for professional and oilfield services, including completion services on the Ma'anit #1 well and drilling services for subsequent wells.

Under the terms of our agreement with the Underwriter, we will pay a commission on completed cash sales to all United States residents, and to any non-residents of the United States subscribing through the Underwriter, of 7% of the subscription amount provided, however, that in no event shall the Underwriter be entitled to less than a commission of 3.5% of the public offering price of

26


the aggregate Shares sold in the offering. We will also pay a non-accountable expense allowance of three percent (3%) of the aggregate cash subscription amount placed with all United States residents and any non-United States residents subscribing through the Underwriter provided, however, that in no event shall the Underwriter be entitled to less than a non-accountable expense allowance of 1.5% of the public offering price of the aggregate Shares sold in the offering. Also, we have agreed to pay to the Underwriter a 24-month financial advisory and investment banking fee for an aggregate amount of $60,000 payable in full at the closing(s) of the offering in the minimum aggregate amount of $4,000,000.

In addition, the Underwriter will receive warrants (the "Underwriter's Warrants") to purchase up to 10% of the shares sold by it and other Placement Agents at a price of $9.00 per share (or 128% of the offering price). The Underwriter's Warrants are exercisable for a period of five (5) years, beginning six months after the final closing, and expiring five (5) years after the date of the initial closing provided, however, that in no event shall the Underwriter be entitled to Underwriter's Warrants to purchase less than 5% of the aggregate Shares sold in the offering. The Underwriter's Warrants shall not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated by any person, for a period of one year following the date of the issuance of the warrants, but may be transferred to any other Placement Agent or any other person participating with the Underwriter in connection with the offering and its bona fide officers or partners, providing the transferred Warrants remain subject to the one-year transfer restriction.

The Underwriting Agreement also provides for indemnification by us of the Underwriter against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Neither the Underwriter nor any other Placement Agent has the right to designate or nominate a member of our board of directors. We are not aware of any Placement Agent, including the Underwriter, that intends to sell to any discretionary account or that intends to engage in passive market-making or stabilizing transactions at this time.

Marketing of the Offering

In addition to this prospectus, we will be promoting the offering through "tombstone" advertising and free writing prospectuses in print and on the internet. Our officers and directors will be participating with the Underwriter and independently in road shows to brokers and groups of prospective investors.

Escrow Account

We will establish an escrow account with ____________ (the "Escrow Agent"), under an escrow agreement among us, the Escrow Agent and the Underwriter. Under the terms of the escrow agreement, all checks from investors will be deposited into such account until we receive and accept funds representing the minimum offering amount. Funds in the escrow account may be invested in obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States government, bank money market accounts, or certificates of deposit of national or state banks that have deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (including certificates of deposit of any

27


bank acting as depositary or custodian for any such funds). If we do not accept an investor's subscription, we will return his funds promptly, with interest, without deduction.

At any time after the minimum offering amount of $2,450,000 (representing 350,000 shares) has been deposited into the escrow account, an initial closing will be scheduled and the funds, less the Underwriter's fees and expenses, will be transferred at the closing into one of our operating accounts. Following the initial closing, funds will continue to be deposited in the escrow account until the final closing at the end of this offering, which will take place promptly after the receipt and acceptance of the maximum offering amount of $14,000,000 or 180 days following the date of this Prospectus (which date may be extended by us for up to another 60 days), whichever occurs first. One or more interim closings may take place between the initial closing and the final closing.

If the minimum offering amount is not reached by the Minimum Date of this offering (which is now set at 120 days following the date of this prospectus, but which may be extended by us for up to another 120 days), we will promptly refund and return all monies to investors, with interest, without deduction. You will therefore receive 100% of your money back if the minimum offering is not subscribed, plus interest at money market rates.

American Stock Exchange Listing Application

We have applied to the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX") to have our shares of common stock listed for trading immediately upon completion of the initial closing.

State Securities ("Blue Sky") and Foreign Securities Laws

In order to comply with certain blue sky and foreign securities laws, if applicable, our shares will be sold in such jurisdictions only through brokers or dealers that are registered or licensed in the applicable jurisdiction or, in the case of foreign jurisdictions, through our officers and directors if permitted under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction. In addition, in certain states and foreign countries our shares may not be sold unless the shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is satisfied. In certain states and foreign countries, the amount of investment you might make, or whether or not you would be allowed to invest, could depend upon you meeting the "suitability standards" established by the state or country in which you reside. "Suitability standards" are defined as "minimum net worth required, minimum income required and/or maximum investment allowed" of or by a potential purchaser in this offering. Our officers, directors and Placement Agents will all be provided information on a current basis as to those states and foreign jurisdictions in which we have qualified or in which we have an opinion of counsel that our shares are exempt from registration, and the suitability standards, if any, required by such states and foreign jurisdictions.

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are not a party to any legal proceedings.

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MANAGEMENT

Our directors, executive officers and key employees, their present positions and their ages follow:

Name

Age

Position

John M. Brown

66

Founder, Chairman of the Board

Eugene A. Soltero

62

Director, Chief Executive Officer

Richard Rinberg

53

Director, President

Glen H. Perry

63

Director, Executive Vice President

Philip Mandelker

59

Director, General Counsel and Secretary

Paul Oroian

56

Director

Kent S. Siegel

49

Director

Robert Render

James Barron

Yehezkel Druckman

76

45

67

Director

Director

Director

Forrest A. Garb

76

Director

David Patir

64

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

William H. Avery

58

Vice President and Treasurer

Elisha Roih

79

Vice President - Administration of Israeli Operations

Eliezer L. Kashai

83

Vice President - Israeli Exploration

     

Except as noted, all of the officers currently work for us full time. Mr. Rinberg is available to the company and provides as much of his time as is required to fulfill his duties as president. Mr. Mandelker will be joining us as a full time employee as such time as his law practice enables it, but he currently devotes substantially all his time to Zion business. Mr. Avery will be devoting 20% to 50% of his time to our business, as required. Dr. Kashai provides services to us on an as needed part-time basis at an hourly consulting rate, subject to a minimum monthly commitment. Mr. Roih and Dr. Kashai are officers of our Israeli branch, but not the corporation. None of our officers or directors has been the subject of any court or regulatory proceeding relating to violation or possible violation of federal or state securities or commodities law.

The following biographies describe the business experience of our directors, officers and key employees. Positions and experience with Zion include positions and experience with our predecessor, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida corporation.

Officers and Directors

John M. Brown is the founder of Zion and has been a director and chairman of the board of directors of Zion since its organization in April 2000. He also served as chief executive officer of Zion until September 2004 when Mr. Soltero was elected to that position, and as president of Zion until October 2001, when Mr. Soltero was elected to that position. Mr. Brown has extensive

29


management, marketing and sales experience, having held senior management positions in two Fortune 100 companies - GTE Valenite, a subsidiary of GTE Corporation and a manufacturer of cutting tools, where he was employed from 1966-86, and Magnetek, Inc., a manufacturer of digital power supplies, systems and controls, where he was employed from 1988-89. Mr. Brown was a director and principal stockholder in M&B Concrete Construction, Inc. from 1996 to 2003. Mr. Brown is an officer and principal owner of M&B Holding Inc. (a Nevada corporation) based in Dallas, Texas. This corporation owns M&B General Contracting Inc. (a Delaware corporation). These companies primarily provide cement walls and floors for industrial buildings, office buildings and home developers. Prior to founding Zion, Mr. Brown had been actively pursuing a license for oil and gas exploration in Israel for many years. He led the efforts leading to Zion obtaining, in May 2000, the Ma'anit License in the Joseph Project. Mr. Brown holds a BBA degree from Fullerton College.

Eugene A. Soltero has been a director of Zion since June 2001, and was elected president and chief operating officer in October 2001 and chief executive officer in September 2004. He served as president until October 2005 when Mr. Rinberg was elected to that position. Previously, he was a financial consultant to Zion since June 2000 and served as treasurer from February 2002 to January 2003. Mr. Soltero is also president and chief executive officer of Cimarron Resources, Inc., an independent private energy production and consulting company he formed in 1985. He served, during the period 1995-1999, as a director, chairman and chief executive officer of Cotton Valley Resources Corporation [ASE:KTN], an independent oil and gas producer with principal properties in Oklahoma and Texas, which is now Aspen Group Resources Corporation [OTCBB:ASPGF and TSE:ASR]. During 1991-94, he was chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Aztec Energy Corporation [NASDAQ:AZCE], an independent oil and gas exploration company with principal properties in Oklahoma. During 1989-91 he was president and chief operating officer of American International Petroleum Corporation [NASDAQ:AIPN], a small integrated petroleum company with oil and gas production and gas gathering systems in Louisiana, a 30,000 barrels per day refinery in Louisiana and oil production and exploration on 500,000 acres of concessions in the country of Colombia. Mr. Soltero has served as chief operating officer and/or chief executive officer for private and public oil and gas exploration and production companies for the past 20 years, including directing the formation and growth of a number of start-up companies. Early in his career, he was trained at Sinclair Oil Corporation (a large independent international integrated petroleum company) in exploration and production management (1965-69), served as manager of planning (1969-70) for Texas International Petroleum Corporation (an independent oil and gas production company with principal interests in Louisiana and Argentina) and petroleum economist (1970-72) for DeGolyer and MacNaughton, petroleum consultants. For nine years (1972-81) he managed all the oil and gas subsidiaries of Moore McCormack Resources, an independent oil and gas exploration company in the United States with significant interests in gas gathering, transportation and trading as well as crude oil and refined products trading. Mr. Soltero is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and a former director of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners. He has also served as a director of the Independent Petroleum Refiners Association of America. He is a master's graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in business (where he was awarded the Sinclair Research Fellowship in Petroleum Economics) with an undergraduate

30


bachelor of engineering degree from The Cooper Union. Mr. Soltero is a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas. He currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the WendyArts Foundation, a charity dedicated to making arts activities available to children and young adults.

Richard Rinberg was appointed a director in November 2004 and elected President in October 2005. Since 1996, Mr. Rinberg has been a private investor and manager of his own and his family funds. From 1979 through 1996, he served as Managing Director of the Rinberg Group, a corporate group based in England active in the casting of precious metals for the jewelry industry, jewelry manufacturing, property development and securities trading. In the early 1980s Mr. Rinberg was elected a Member of the London Diamond Bourse and in 1987 he was elected an Underwriting Member at Lloyd's of London Insurance Market. Between 1975 and 1978, Mr. Rinberg was on the staff of Spicer & Pegler (Chartered Accountants); and in 1978 he was admitted as a Member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Mr. Rinberg holds a Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Mathematics from the University College, University of London. He is currently a member of the International Executive Committee of Beit Issie Shapiro, a charitable organization based in Ra'anana, Israel that helps developmentally disabled children.

Glen H. Perry has been executive vice president of Zion since April 2000 and was elected a director in November 2000. He first started working with Mr. Brown and the Joseph Project in September 1999. During 1998 and 1999 Mr. Perry was a consultant to Delek Drilling, Ltd., with respect to its participation in the major gas discoveries offshore Israel. From 1993-98 he worked for National Petroleum Limited, an international oil and gas company with representative offices in Geneva, Switzerland. In this capacity, Mr. Perry served as manager of project development, seeking viable projects and negotiating contracts in the C.I.S. Republics, and general director of an oil and gas project in the Republic of Georgia. Previously, he was an officer and director of Prairie Producing Company ("Prairie"), an independent oil company operating mainly in Louisiana and Texas, from 1985 until Prairie was sold in 1990 to UNOCAL for approximately $330 million. While with Prairie, Mr. Perry had responsibility for design, construction and operation of all operational projects, including production facilities, pipelines, and plants. In addition to all engineering, drilling and production functions, he also had responsibility for marketing. Mr. Perry joined Prairie in December 1976 as a production engineer, was appointed chief engineer in October 1979, and served as vice president, production and operations from 1985-89, and senior vice president from 1989-90. Prior to joining Prairie, Mr. Perry's experience was in drilling and production for Exxon Company, USA (now ExxonMobil Corporation) and Energy Reserves Group (now BHP). Mr. Perry holds a Masters in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee.

Philip Mandelker has been general counsel of Zion since April 2000 and was elected as director in June 2001. He was elected secretary of Zion in February 2002. He holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree (1971, cum laude) from Columbia University School of Law and was of counsel to I. Amihud Ben-Porath, Hamou and Company, a law firm in Tel-Aviv, Israel, from May 2000 through April 2003, a position he also held in1994-96. He is currently of counsel to ADAM Law Firm in Tel Aviv. Mr. Mandelker is admitted to practice in both the United States

31


and Israel. He has practiced in New York, Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv and has extensive experience with the oil and gas exploration industry in both the United States and Israel. While at the Israeli Ministry of Finance (1974-76), Mr. Mandelker acted inter alia as Legal Advisor to the Israeli Petroleum Commissioner and represented the Israeli Government in negotiating the Petroleum Concessions and Production Sharing Agreements in the Sinai Peninsula and Gulf of Suez. In New York between 1981 and 1993, as counsel to the firm of Rosenman and Colin (now KMZ Rosenman), Mr. Mandelker advised oil and gas exploration companies and sponsors of oil and gas drilling programs in structuring public and private investment vehicles; he has also advised investors in such programs. From 1992-94, Mr. Mandelker served as an advisory director of Aztec Energy Corp., then an independent oil and gas exploration and production company listed on NASDAQ. He has published and lectured on subjects related to investment in oil and gas exploration activities in Israel and in the United States. As Deputy and then Acting Legal Advisor to the Military Government of the Judea and Samaria Area (1978-80), he drafted a model oil and gas exploration and production concession agreement for use in the Area. From 1997-99, Mr. Mandelker was Chief Legal Advisor of the United Mizrahi Bank, Ltd., a major Israeli banking group headquartered in Tel-Aviv. Mr. Mandelker has been associated with Mr. Brown and the Joseph Project since February 2000.

Paul Oroian was appointed a director in November 2003. Since its founding in 1983 he has served as president and managing partner of Oroian, Little and Rawie, P.C., a certified public accounting and consulting firm based in San Antonio, Texas. From 1980-1983, Mr. Oroian was a tax senior in the San Antonio offices of Arthur Young and Company. Mr. Oroian holds a Bachelors of Science - Business Administration from Bryant College. He has served as a board member of Technology Oversight Committee and the IRS Regional Liaison Committee of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and was vice president and a director of the San Antonio CPA Society between 1992-1998. He currently serves as treasurer of the Good Samaritan Center in San Antonio.

Kent S. Siegel was appointed a director in November 2003. Mr. Siegel has served as president and chief operating officer of Siegel and Siegel, P.C. since 1984. Siegel and Siegel is a firm of certified public accountants and attorneys at law based in West Bloomfield, Michigan, at which Mr. Siegel practices as a tax and bankruptcy attorney and CPA. Mr. Siegel holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Michigan State University School of Business, a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University School of Engineering. He currently serves as chairman of the Temple Israel School Board Fund Raising Committee.

Robert Render was appointed a director in September 2004. Mr. Render served from 1994 to 2002 as Chairman and CEO of the Green Thumb Companies and Milburn Peat, manufacturers and distributors of peat moss, soils and mulches for the lawn and garden industries. Prior thereto, from 1985 to 1992, he was a director of and consultant to Hyponex Corporation (NASDAQ) and thereafter, from 1992 to 1994, he was a consultant to the Scotts' Corporation (NYSE), the controlling shareholder of Hyponex. Between 1978 and 1985, Mr. Render served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hyponex Corporation (NASDAQ) previously known as Old Fort Industries. From 1964 until its acquisition by Old Fort Industries in 1969, Mr. Render

33


served as President of Anderson Peat Company and, from 1969 to 1978, he served as Executive Vice President of Old Fort Industries. From 1952 to 1963, Mr. Render served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Sno-Bol Company. In 1957 he founded Render Associates, a national sales company specializing in lawn and garden products which later merged into Anderson Peat Company. In 1962-1963 Mr. Render was President of the Christian Businessmen's Club in Pontiac, Michigan and in 1964-1965, he served as Chairman of the Industrial Group of the United Fund in Pontiac. In 1967-1968, Mr. Render was a member of the Executive Committee of the American Society of Testing and Materials and in 1969-1970, he served as President of the U.S. Peat Producers Association.

Dr. James (Andy) Barron was appointed a director in April 2005. He has been in private practice in orthodontics since 1991. Dr. Barron is board certified by the American Board of Orthodontists and has served as president of the Central Texas Dental Society and president of the Texas Association of Orthodontists. Dr. Barron represents the Southwestern Association of Orthodontists as a representative to the Council of Orthodontic Practice to the American Association of Orthodontists. Dr. Barron has lectured on orthodontics for the University of Texas, the University of Tel-Aviv, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the University of Manipur, India. Prior to entering the orthodontic field, Dr. Barron worked in his family's publishing company while at the same time representing a Fortune 500 company in marketing. He currently is president of JlivesNMe Workplace Ministries which sponsors conferences for couples to learn how to bring the gospel into the workplace. He serves on the board of Christian Farms Rehabilitation Center and serves on the advisory board of American Family Radio in Waco, Texas. The D.A.R.E. program in Temple, Texas (Drug Assistance Resistance Education) recognized Dr. Barron for his contributions in 1995 with an award of appreciation. Dr. Barron has a degree in Chemistry form Texas Tech University, a Master of Science Degree in Biology from University of Missouri at Kansas City, a Doctoral Degree in Dentistry from Baylor College of Dentistry, a certificate of specialization in Pediatric Dentistry from University of Missouri at Kansas City and a certificate of specialization in Orthodontic Dentistry from the University of Texas at Houston. As a resident Dr. Barron won the Albert Westphall award of the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists.

Dr. Yehezkel (Charlie) Druckman was appointed a director of Zion Oil effective November 1, 2005 to replace Eitan Lubitch who resigned in September 2005. Dr. Druckman was Petroleum Commissioner for the State of Israel from 1995 until his retirement in 2004, where he supervised the licensing of petroleum rights in the onshore and offshore Israel. These efforts led to the discovery of 1.5 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Israeli offshore Mari B and other smaller fields during 1999-2000. Since 1965 he has been a member of the professional staff of the Geological Survey of Israel, where he headed the Mapping, Stratigraphy and Oil Division during 1982-1985 and 1991-1994. He was also affiliated with the Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge as Research Associate in Geology during 1978-1980 and 1989-1990. He was awarded in 1974 the Israel Geological Society's Perez Grader award. He is an active member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Geological Society of Israel (where he served as president in 1982, and for a number of years on the Society's editorial board). He also served as member of the Israeli National Petroleum Commission and Board of Directors of Oil Exploration (Investments) Ltd., an Israeli government company. Dr. Druckman graduated from

33


the Hebrew University in Jerusalem where he was awarded BSc, MSc and PhD degrees in geology.

Forrest A. Garb was appointed a director of Zion Oil, effective November 1, 2005, to replace Sheldon Fink, who resigned in October 2005. Mr. Garb is petroleum engineer providing independent consulting services for more than 45 years. His consulting career began with H.J. Gruy and Associates, Inc. and its successors, where he served as a vice president for four years, executive vice-president for ten years, and president for fifteen years, until leaving in 1986, following Gruy's merger into a public company. In his capacity as president, Mr. Garb contracted, performed and supervised over 12,500 projects ranging from simple evaluations to sophisticated reservoir simulations. In 1988, Mr. Garb founded Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc. a privately-owned petroleum consulting firm, where he served as chairman and chief executive officer until his retirement in 2003 and sale of his interests in the company to its key employees. Prior to entering into consulting, Mr. Garb was educated in petroleum engineering at Texas A&M University (BSc and Professional MSc) and received his early training at Socony Mobil Oil Company in Kansas, Texas, Louisiana and Venezuela. Mr. Garb is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and is a past President of the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers. He is a member of the Association of Computing Machinery, the American Arbitration Association, the Petroleum Engineers Club of Dallas, the Dallas Geological Society, and is a member of the AAPG. He is a charter member of The American Institute of Minerals Appraisers. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Texas.

David Patir was elected senior vice-president and chief financial officer in October 2005. He has over thirty years of progressive domestic and international experience in both oil and gas finance and public accounting. Since 1999 he has been a principal consultant with BRI Consulting Group in Houston, Texas, conducting due diligence, joint ventures, and internal controls audits on behalf of major oil companies for their subsidiaries and ventures in the U.S. and Overseas. He previously served as chief financial officer for American Energy Fund in Los Angeles, California, and financial director for MFC International, a Russian-American oil development and marketing joint venture. For the prior nine years he held senior financial and accounting positions with Felmont Oil Corporation and its predecessors in Houston, Texas. After graduation from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1968 with a BBA in accounting, Mr. Patir went to work for the Arthur Andersen affiliate in Israel where he rose to audit manager. In 1976, Superior Oil, an Arthur Andersen client based in the United States, hired him as chief financial officer of Neptune Oil Company, its wholly-owned Israeli subsidiary, whose operations in the Sinai area produced more than 40,000 barrels of oil per day. For ten years, Mr. Patir served as vice-president and chief financial officer for Superior Oil's subsidiaries in Israel and Peru and then as director of international operations in over ten different countries while based in Houston, Texas. He is a certified public accountant in both Israel and Texas.

William H. Avery was elected Vice President - Finance and Treasurer in January 2003. For the past ten years he has practiced as independent attorney in transactional work, concentrating in the area of real property law, including oil and gas transactions. Before that he was a partner for seventeen years and an associate for four years at Storey, Armstrong, Steger and Martin, a full-

34


range Dallas law firm, concentrating his practice in the representation of financial institutions in loan transactions. In addition he has more than twenty years experience as an oil and gas property investor and investment manager for his own account and for members of his family. Mr. Avery holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Southern Methodist University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Duke University Law School.

Key Employees

Elisha Roih has served as Vice President - Administration of Israeli Operations of Zion since April 2000. Mr. Roih holds a BA degree in Political Science and Oriental Studies from Hebrew University, Jerusalem, and has continuing educational course certificates in Business Administration, Production Technology and Offshore Operations. Mr. Roih has over forty years experience in senior management positions in the Israeli petroleum industry. Most recently, between 1997-1998, he served as acting general manager of Lapidoth, Israel Oil Prospectors Company, Ltd. and its subsidiary Metsada-United Drilling Co. (oil and gas producers and oilfield service providers). During 1983-89 Lapidoth and Metsada-United were subsidiaries of Naphta-Israel Petroleum Corp. (an oil and gas exploration and production company), and Mr. Roih served during that period as general manager for all three companies. Prior to 1983, Mr. Roih served as deputy general manager of the Israel National Oil Company, the government-owned holding company that owned Naphta-Israel, Lapidoth, Metsada-United, and Oil Exploration (Investments) Ltd. and Southern Sinai Petroleum (both oil and gas exploration and production companies); general manager of Southern Sinai Petroleum's exploration and production project in the Gulf of Suez; operations manager for Sinai Oil Fields (another government-owned production company) in the Gulf of Suez and various management positions with Naphtha - Israel Petroleum Corporation. Between 1990-1996 and from 1998 to 2000, Mr. Roih was a management consultant to the petroleum industry in Israel, during which periods he also consulted for Mr. Brown in connection with the Joseph Project.

Dr. Eliezer Kashai has been Vice President - Israeli Exploration of Zion since October 2000. Dr. Kashai studied geology in the University of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary, holds Masters and Ph.D. degrees from Hebrew University, Jerusalem and is a widely recognized authority on the Triassic formation of Israel. Dr. Kashai has over fifty years of geological experience in Israel working until his retirement in 1987 for the national petroleum companies of Israel, including almost thirty years for Lapidoth Israel Oil Prospectors Company, Ltd. and Oil Exploration (Investments) Ltd., where he served in progressively responsible positions. At Lapidoth during 1959-75, he served as senior geologist, assistant chief geologist, acting chief geologist and chief geologist. At Oil Exploration (Investments) Ltd. during 1975-87 he was first chief geologist, then deputy managing director responsible for all of that company's exploration efforts. Following his retirement in 1987 and through 1998, Dr. Kashai worked as an exploration consultant for various companies active in petroleum exploration in Israel, including Israel National Oil Company, Lapidoth, Naphta Petroleum, ABJAC-Mazal Ltd., Nordan Oil and Gas, and Sedot Neft, Ltd. where he was responsible for the original geological interpretation of Ma'anit. He began consulting for Mr. Brown in connection with the Joseph Project in late 1999 and for us in April 2000. Dr. Kashai has served as president of the Israel Geological Society and is responsible for five geological publications and nearly one hundred unpublished company

35


reports on exploration projects, drilling recommendations, subsurface geological analysis and well evaluations.

Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Committees

Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors, with each class (except for the initial classes) elected to a three-year term every third year and holding office until their successors are elected and qualified. The class whose term of office will expire at our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders consists of John M. Brown, Forrest A. Garb, Robert Render and James Barron. The class whose term will expire at our 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders consists of Philip Mandelker, Glen H. Perry, Kent S. Siegel and Richard Rinberg. The class whose term of office will expire at our 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders consists of Eugene A. Soltero, Yehezkel Druckman and Paul Oroian.

As described below our board of directors has established five committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee, a nominating committee, a corporate governance committee and a technical committee. Members of the committees are appointed annually by the board of directors to serve at the discretion of the board until their successors are appointed or the earlier of their resignation or removal.

Of the eleven current members of our board of directors, five meet the criteria of independence set by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and SEC regulations for audit committee membership ("SEC independence criteria"). These are Messrs. Oroian, Siegel, Barron, Druckman and Garb. Six of our directors (Messrs. Oroian, Siegel, Barron, Druckman, Garb and Render) meet the criteria of independence set by the NASD and the American Stock Exchange for membership on the board of a NASDAQ market or AMEX listed company ("NASD and AMEX independence criteria").

SEC independence criteria provide that an "independent" director cannot be one of our officers or be in a position, directly or indirectly, to control our management or policies (other than in his position as a director). Neither can he be, or be affiliated with, a paid consultant or provider of services to Zion. Even though we are not currently subject to the SEC requirements concerning director independence and will not be until at least such time as we become a reporting company under the Exchange Act, we have decided to voluntarily comply now.

NASD and AMEX independence criteria provide, among other requirements, that an independent director: (i) cannot be and, over the past three years, cannot have been an officer or employee of Zion and cannot be a family member of such person; (ii) cannot, directly or indirectly, control or be a family member of a person who directly or indirectly controls our management or policies (other than in his position as a director); (iii) cannot receive or, over the past three years, have himself received or have a family member who receives or received from Zion more than $60,000 in any one year for services other than as one of our directors (or, with respect to a family member, as a Zion employee); (iv) cannot be affiliated, or be a family member of a person affiliated with, any entity which receives, or during any of the past three years, received from Zion more than $200,000 for services in any one year.

36


Audit Committee. Our audit committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Oroian and Siegel. Mr. Oroian was elected to serve as chairman. Both current members of the audit committee satisfy the SEC independence criteria. Mr. Oroian satisfies the criteria of audit committee financial expert.

The audit committee has been charged by our board of directors with the following responsibilities and granted the following authority:

The audit committee has adopted a formal written audit committee charter that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing and corporate governance requirements of the NASD and the AMEX. A copy of the charter is available on our website at www.zionoil.com/company/corpgov.html.

Compensation Committee. Our board of directors also established a compensation committee currently comprised of three directors, two of whom, James Barron and Robert Render, satisfy NASD and AMEX independence criteria. The other member is John Brown. Full scale activation of the committee shall commence at such time as our shares become publicly traded.

The compensation committee is charged with the following responsibilities:

We have adopted a formal, written compensation committee charter that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act, SEC rules and regulations and the listing and corporate governance requirements of the NASD and the AMEX. In establishing the compensation committee, our board of directors provided that, if our shares become publicly listed and the

37


listing and corporate governance rules of the NASD or any other securities exchange or market on which are securities are listed for trading (such rules being the "exchange governance rules") require that all members of our compensation committee meet NASD independence criteria, Mr. Brown's participation in the committee shall terminate or be otherwise modified to comply with such requirements and the committee will be reconstituted to meet the applicable exchange governance rules. A copy of the charter is available on our website at www.zionoil.com/company/corpgov.html.

Nominating Committee. Our board of directors established a nominating committee currently comprised of three directors, two of whom - Paul Oroian and Kent S. Siegel - satisfy the NASD and AMEX independence criteria. The other member is John Brown, our chairman and chair of the committee. Activities of our Nominating Committee shall commence at such time as our shares become publicly traded.

The nominating committee is charged with selecting and recommending for the approval of the board of directors director nominees to be submitted to the shareholders for election. We have adopted a formal, written nominating committee charter addressing the process for identifying and evaluating nominees, including nominees recommended by security holders, to serve as directors, and describing any specific minimum qualifications to be met by a nominee and any specific standards for the overall structure and composition of our board of directors. A copy of the charter is available on our website at www.zionoil.com/company/corpgov.html.

In establishing the nominating committee, our board of directors provided that, if our shares become publicly listed and the applicable exchange governance rules require that all members of our nominating committee be independent directors, and that Mr. Brown's participation in the committee would terminate at such time if required by the rules and that the committee be reconstituted or be otherwise modified so as to meet the required independence criteria.

Corporate Governance Committee. Our board of directors also established a corporate governance committee currently comprised of three directors, one of whom (Forrest Garb) meets

NASD and AMEX independence criteria. The other two members are Philip Mandelker, our general counsel (chairman), Forrest Garb and Richard Rinberg, our president.

The corporate governance committee is charged with the responsibility of developing controls and procedures as necessary and appropriate to ensure compliance with the securities laws, the rules and regulations of the SEC and the applicable exchange governance rules.

Technical Committee. Our board of directors established a technical committee, composed of four directors two of whom (Forrest Garb and Yehezkel Druckman) meet NASD and AMEX independence criteria. The other directors are Glen Perry (chairman) and Eugene Soltero. Dr. Eliezer Kashai and Stephen Pierce are advisors to the committee.

The technical committee is charged with reviewing, on behalf of the whole board, proposed technical recommendations of management for exploration and development of the Joseph Project.

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Code of Ethics. We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to each of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions. A copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.zionoil.com/company/ethicscode.pdf.

We intend to disclose any amendment to a provision of, and the grant of any waiver of from a provision of, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies or relates to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions by posting such information on our website at www.zionoil.com/company/corpgov.html

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table provides information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of January 24, 2006, and as adjusted to reflect the transfer of the Gift Shares for the intended recipients at or before the initial closing (see "ADDITIONAL SHARES TO BE REGISTERED", page 25) and sale of shares in this offering, by:

Except as otherwise indicated, to our knowledge, all persons listed below have sole voting power and investment power and record and beneficial ownership of their shares, except to the extent that authority is shared by spouses under applicable law. Except as noted below, all persons listed have an address in care of our principal executive offices.

The information contained in this table reflects "beneficial ownership" as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options and warrants held by that person (and/or pursuant to proxies held by that person) that were exercisable on January 24, 2006 or became exercisable within 60 days following that date are considered outstanding, including those shares and warrants to officers and directors authorized by board resolution, but not yet issued. However, such shares are not considered outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Percentages in the table under "After Minimum" and "After Maximum" also assume exercise of a person's warrants. Percentage of ownership is based on 7,773,788 shares of common stock outstanding as of January 24, 2006 and 8,123,788 shares of common stock outstanding after the completion of the minimum offering of 350,000 shares and 9,773,788 outstanding after completion of a maximum offering of 2,000,000 shares. As of January 24, 2006 we had 442 holders of record of our common stock.

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The address of John Brown, Eugene Soltero, Richard Rinberg, Glen Perry, James Barron, Robert Render, Paul Oroian, Kent S. Siegel, Forrest A. Garb, David Patir and William Avery is 6510 Abrams Rd., Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75214. The address of Philip Mandelker and Yehezkel Druckman is 15 Bareket St., Caesarea Industrial Park, 38900 Israel.

Amount and

Percentage of

Percentage

Percentage

Nature of Beneficial

Outstanding

After

After

Name

Ownership

Common Stock

Minimum

Maximum

John M. Brown

3,321,833

(1)

42.7%

40.1%

33.3%

Eugene A. Soltero

825,626

(2)

10.6%

9.9%

8.2%

Richard J. Rinberg

786,767

(3)

9.8%

9.4%

7.9%

Ralph DeVore

743,247

(4)

9.6%

9.1%

7.6%

Philip Mandelker

663,533

(5)

8.5%

8.0%

6.7%

Glen H. Perry

600,083

(6)

7.7%

7.2%

6.0%

William Avery

241,334

(7)

3.1%

3.0%

2.5%

Robert Render

178,000

(8)

2.3%

2.2%

1.8%

James Barron

172,067

(9)

2.2%

2.1%

1.7%

David Patir

85,000

(10)

1.1%

1.0%

0.9%

Kent S. Siegel

43,325

(11)

0.6%

0.5%

0.4%

Paul Oroian

30,900

(12)

0.4%

0.4%

0.3%

Yehezkel Druckman

25,000

(13)

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

Forrest A. Garb

25,000

(13)

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

All directors and

5,309,968

(14)

64.9%

62.3%

51.5%

officers as a group (14 persons)

(1)

Includes 2,756,333 shares of common stock owned by others for which Mr. Brown holds voting proxies, including 100,000 shares owned by his wife, 370,000 shares owned by Mr. Soltero, 460,000 shares owned by Mr. Mandelker and a trust for his family, 405,000 shares owned by Mr. Perry, 5,000 shares owned by Mr. Patir, 210,000 shares owned by Mr. Avery and 50,000 shares owned by Mr. DeVore. Does not include 200,000 shares to be issued to Mr. Rinberg, for which Mr. Brown will have voting rights upon their issuance.

(2)

Includes (a) 311,918 shares of common stock owned by others for which Mr. Soltero holds voting proxies; and (b) 370,000 shares over which Mr. Brown has voting control.

(3)

Includes (a) 10,000 shares owned by Mr. Rinberg's wife; (b) warrants to purchase 26,600 shares of common stock through December 31, 2006 at an average price of $4.06 per share; (c) 423,834 shares of common stock owned by others for which Mr. Rinberg holds voting proxies; and (d) an award of 200,000 shares of common stock that has been authorized by the board of directors in connection with his retention and election as president of Zion (but not yet issued to Mr. Rinberg or his nominee) and will be subject to a pro rata repurchase option by Zion in the event of termination of Mr. Rinberg's retention as president of Zion within the 24-month contract retention period, and further subject to a voting proxy in favor of Mr. Brown.

(4)

Includes (a) 525,631 shares of common stock owned by others for which Mr. DeVore holds voting proxies; and (b) 50,000 shares over which Mr. Brown has voting control.

(5)

Includes (a) warrants to purchase 1,500 shares of common stock through December 31, 2006 at a price of $5.00 per share; (b) 400,000 shares of common stock owned by a trust for Mr. Mandelker and his family over which Mr. Brown has voting control; (c) 157,450 shares of common stock owned by others for which Mr. Mandelker holds voting proxies; and (d) 60,000 additional shares over which Mr. Brown has voting control.

(6)

Includes: (a) warrants to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock through December 31, 2006 at a price of $5.00 per share; (b) 136,583 shares of common stock owned by others for which Mr. Perry holds voting proxies; and (c) 400,000 shares over which Mr. Brown has voting control.

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(7)

Includes (a) 12,000 shares owned by Mr. Avery's mother over which Mr. Avery holds a power of attorney; and (b) 210,000 shares over which Mr. Brown has voting control.

(8)

Includes (a) warrants to purchase 89,000 shares of common stock through December 31, 2006 at an average price of $3.82 per share; and (b) 2,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Render's wife.

(9)

Includes (a) 45,000 shares held by trusts for Dr. Barron's children; (b) warrants to purchase 39,400 shares of common stock through December 31, 2006 at an average price of $3.37 per share; and (c) 46,000 shares owned by a ministry of which Dr. Barron is president and a director, and in which shares Dr. Barron disclaims any beneficial interest.

(10)

Includes (a) 5,000 shares over which Mr. Brown has voting control; and (b) employee stock options to purchase 80,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share through December 31, 2010.

(11)

Includes (a) warrant exercisable commencing July 1, 2007 (deferrable by Zion) to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock through December 31, 2008 at $5.00 per share; (b) a warrant to purchase 1,000 shares of common stock through December 31, 2006 at $5.00 per share; and (c) the following securities held by Mr. Siegel's wife, of which Mr. Siegel disclaims ownership: (i) 6,125 shares of common stock and (ii) a warrant to purchase 1,850 shares of common stock through December 31, 2006 at $5.00 per share.

(12)

Includes (a) warrant exercisable commencing July 1, 2007 (deferrable by Zion) to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock through December 31, 2005 at $5.00 per share; and (b) warrant to purchase 1,900 shares of common stock through December 31, 2006 at $5.00 per share.

(13

Includes a director's stock option to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share through December 31, 2008, that is not exercisable until July 1, 2007, a date that is subject to deferral by Zion.

(14)

Includes: (a) warrants options and warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share through December 31, 2008, that are not exercisable until July 1, 2007, a date that is subject to deferral by Zion; (b) warrants to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at $4.00 per share through December 31, 2006; (c) warrants to purchase 62,100 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share through December 31, 2006; (d) warrants to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock at $3.00 per share through December 31, 2006; (e) 200,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance to Richard Rinberg; and (f) 100,000 Gift Shares.

Voting Agreements

Five of our senior executives (John Brown, Eugene Soltero, Richard, Rinberg, Philip Mandelker and Glen Perry) and Ralph F. DeVore hold proxies to vote the shares of common stock of some of our shareholders. Mr. Brown will also hold a proxy to vote 200,000 shares of common stock approved by our board for issuance (but not yet issued) to Richard Rinberg when he was elected as our president effective November 1, 2005. Including their own shares of common stock, the five executives hold 61% , and Mr. DeVore holds 9%, of our voting rights outstanding prior to this offering. After the completion of this offering, assuming the minimum shares offered are issued, the five executives and Mr. DeVore will have control of 57% and 9%, respectively, of our outstanding voting rights. If the maximum shares are issued they will hold 47% and 7%, respectively, of our outstanding votes. The ability of the five executives to exercise significant control over us may discourage, delay or prevent a takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider in his or her best interest and that might result in a shareholder receiving a premium for his or her common stock. Also, the five executives and Mr. DeVore (if they vote the same way) may have the ability to:

Some of the shares of common stock owned by the other officers and directors are not subject to the proxies held by the five executives and Mr. DeVore. When those shares are added in, the management of Zion (which does not include Mr. DeVore) now holds 64% of the voting control and would have 62% of the voting control if the minimum amount of the offering is placed and 51% of the voting control if the maximum is placed. After issuance of the 200,000 shares to Mr.

41


Rinberg, management would have 65% currently, 63% after the minimum offering, and 52% after the maximum offering,

All of the voting agreements provide that any shares sold in the public market pursuant to an exemption from registration would be automatically released from the agreement. To the extent that any shareholder sells any stock that is then automatically released from one of the agreements, the beneficial ownership of the five executives or Mr. DeVore will be automatically reduced and their respective voting rights will also be accordingly reduced.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There have been no material transactions between Zion and any of our directors, officers, candidates for director, or shareholders, except as described in the following paragraphs.

John M. Brown may be deemed the promoter of Zion. Upon the formation of Zion, Mr. Brown purchased 520,000 shares of common stock at the price of 1/10 cent per share, which was the price at which 1,880,000 other shares were sold to 25 other people, including 100,000 shares to his wife and 50,000 shares to his son. At the same time Mr. Brown extended a $50,000 line of credit to Zion against which we initially borrowed approximately $25,000 to make our first license fee payment to the Israeli government and a down payment for our first seismic survey. The loan bore an interest rate of 7% per annum and we eventually borrowed to the maximum amount. During 2001, we repaid the outstanding $50,000 principal amount of the loan by delivering to Mr. Brown 50,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 33,333 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $1.00 per share, in accordance with the same terms and conditions as the shares of common stock and warrants were being sold to unrelated third parties in private transactions during 2001. Mr. Brown waived the interest.

During 2002, Mr. Brown entered into a new loan agreement with Zion at a 7% interest rate and advanced $50,000 to us under the loan agreement. At the end of the year, Mr. Brown participated in our private placement of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and received 5,000 shares of the preferred stock and warrants to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at $1.50 per share in exchange for cancellation of our $50,000 indebtedness. The exchange was made under the same terms and conditions as the sale at the same time by us to unrelated third parties of our preferred stock and $1.50 warrants. Mr. Brown waived the interest.

During the year 2000, M&B Concrete Construction, Inc. and M&B Concrete, Inc. (collectively, "M&B"), companies in which John Brown, our chairman, is a director and principal shareholder, provided a "financial comfort letter" to the Israeli Petroleum Commissioner in connection with our application for our first license. The "financial comfort letter" was a non-binding letter of intent that showed M&B having more than $2,000,000 net worth and confirmed that M&B supported the efforts of Zion in its application for petroleum rights. M&B received no direct compensation for the letter, but the three shareholders of M&B, John Brown, his son Mark Brown, and Robert Jarvis, all participated in the initial purchase of shares of our common stock at the price of $0.001 per share. In October 2002, in connection with our application to

42


consolidate our petroleum rights into a single license and extend its term, M&B provided the Petroleum Commissioner with a renewal and extension of the comfort letter for which we agreed to pay a fee to M&B of 50,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at $1.50 per share through December 31, 2004, which securities in the aggregate were valued at $50,000. M&B directed that the preferred stock and warrants be issued in equal amounts to Mark Brown and Robert Jarvis.

In July 2000, Zion entered into a financial advisory and services agreement with Ralph DeVore, whereby Mr. DeVore assisted us in a number of areas, including business structuring, investor relations, introductions to investment bankers and investors, and other related financial services. On December 31, 2000, Mr. DeVore was awarded a warrant (as provided in the agreement) giving him the right to purchase 80,000 shares of our common stock at $0.20 per share through December 31, 2004. In February 2001, the agreement was modified and extended through June 30, 2001. In August 2001 the agreement was extended through September 30, 2001 and Mr. DeVore was awarded another warrant, this one (as provided in the agreement) giving him the right to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock at $0.20 per share through December 31, 2004. As the 120,000 shares, upon purchase, would be restricted shares and there was no public market, the awards were valued at $0. Following the expiration of the agreement, Mr. DeVore continued to provide financial advisory services on an as needed basis. In 2002, for financial services rendered, he invoiced us $2,500 and he subsequently used our $2,500 payable to him to purchase 2,500 shares of common stock and a warrant to purchase 1,250 shares for $1.50 per share through December 31, 2004 (on the same terms as our sales of stock and warrants to outside third parties). In 2003, for financial services rendered, he was paid $24,000, which he used to exercise his warrants to purchase 120,000 shares for $0.20 per share. Mr. DeVore served as a director of the company between June 2001 and December 2004, when he resigned from his position on the board.

Commencing in 2002, we had an arrangement with Elisha Roih (our Vice-President of Israeli Administration) to use an apartment owned by him in Herzliya as the corporate offices in Israel. The terms of arrangement were that we pay Mr. Roih's out-of-pocket carrying costs for the apartment including utilities, in consideration for use of the apartment and utilities as the Company's Israeli offices, rent free. The out-of-pocket carrying costs included: municipal occupancy tax; monthly maintenance charges due to the building's management committee; electricity; water; telephone (2 lines - one phone and one fax); monthly cleaning services; insurance premium for contents of apartment. The total monthly cost to us was less than $400. These terms were more favorable than we could have obtained from unrelated parties. With the exception of certain minimal expenses pre-paid through the end of 2005, these arrangements were terminated at the end of September 2005 following the entry of the company into its current offices in the Caesarea Industrial Park.

In early 2002, Zion borrowed $50,590 under a loan facility with Cimarron Resources, Inc, which is owned by Eugene Soltero, the chief executive officer of Zion. Cimarron obtained the monies to lend to Zion through a loan facility with Bank One (now Chase Bank, N.A.) (the "Bank One Facility"). The interest charged to us is the Cimarron's interest cost which accrues at Bank One's prime rate (6.5% at December 31, 2005) plus 2.5%. The note was due on the earlier of (a) 30

43


days following the closing of an initial public offering by Zion; (b) the determination by the Board of Directors of Zion that Zion had raised funds in sufficient amounts to enable Zion to conduct operations prior to the closing of an initial public offering without need for recourse to the loan facility; or (c) the date or dates the principal amount of the monies advanced to Cimarron under the Bank One facility was due. At the time the terms of the Bank One facility to Cimarron were amended, the terms of Cimarron's loan facility to Zion were amended to convert the loan principal outstanding on September 30, 2003 of $50,000 into a 100 month term loan repayable monthly commencing November 15, 2003 in $500 increments, with Cimarron having the option commencing January 15, 2005 to call the loan in whole or in $5,000 increments on 30 days notice. In connection with the conversion of the Cimarron loan to Zion to a 100 month term loan, an option which had been granted to Cimarron to convert $50,000 of the loan principal into 50,000 shares of common stock was severed from the note and became a stand-alone option allowing Cimarron to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at $1.00 per share for cash or other consideration. Effective September 30, 2003, Cimarron exercised the option in consideration for the forgiveness of $50,000 of accounts payable. Cimarron transferred the shares to Mr. Soltero. As of December 1, 2005, the terms of the Cimarron loan facility were amended to provide that the option to call the loan in whole or in $5,000 increments was deferred to July 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2005, the outstanding balance of the note was $38,000.

Effective October 1, 2004, Ms. Karen Soltero, Mr. Eugene Soltero's daughter, was retained on a part time basis as Director of Marketing/Investor & Public Relations at an annual salary of $48,000, increased during April 2005 to $60,000. Ms. Soltero reports to Mr. Brown as Chairman of the company. Ms. Soltero holds a Master of Business Administration with concentration in Marketing and Strategy from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management at Claremont University and a Bachelor of Arts degree (Cum Laude) in Theatre Arts from UCLA. Ms. Soltero's employment by the company as Director of Marketing/Investor & Public Relations has been reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. Prior to her employment as Director of Marketing/Investor & Public Relations, from January through September 2004, as a consultant to the company, Ms. Soltero served as Manager of Shareholder Relations for an hourly consulting fee of $35. During this eight-month period, Ms. Soltero was paid $23,716 in consulting fees. From November 2001 through December 2003, Ms. Soltero periodically provided marketing services, including web site design, brochure design, document rewriting and Edgarizing services, to the company at $25-$35 an hour. During this 26-month period she was paid approximately $16,000 by the company. On September 28, 2004, in recognition for her services in connection with the company's attempted Initial Public Offering (terminated on August 30, 2004), the Board awarded Ms. Soltero a deferred bonus of $10,000 to be paid in cash or shares of common stock of the company valued at $4.00 per share to be paid at such time as management deems it appropriate, provided that, if paid in shares of stock, the shares may be legally issued without limiting the company's ability to benefit from exemptions from registration under the securities laws. The bonus has not yet been paid.

Prior to Robert Render's appointment as a director of Zion on September 28, 2004, on July 30, 2004 and August 25 and 31, 2004, pursuant to a loan agreement dated June 30, the Robert E. Render Trust, a trust controlled by Mr. Render (the "Render Trust"), loaned the company $100,000, $80,000 and $20,000 respectively ($200,000 in the aggregate) (each such loan, a

44


"Render Loan" and, collectively the "Render Loans".) Each Render Loan bore interest at the rate of 10% annually and was due on March 2, 2005, subject to Mr. Render's right to convert each Render Loan into a five year amortized term loan. In connection with each Render Loan, the company granted the Render Trust a warrant to purchase respectively 20,000, 16,000 and 4,000 (40,000 in the aggregate) shares of common stock of the company at $3.00 per share, exercisable at any time between January 1 and December 31, 2006. On September 30, 2004, the Render Trust forgave all of the Render Loans in consideration for 50,000 shares of common stock of the company and warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock of the company at $5.00 per share, exercisable at any time through December 31, 2006.

Commencing October 1, 2004, Mr. Render was retained by the company as a consultant to render marketing, financial and management services as the company may from time to time request in consideration of a $2,500 monthly retainer fee. Mr. Render's retention as a consultant was approved by all members of the Board participating in the September 28 Annual Meeting of the Board, including three of the company's four independent directors, being all of the independent directors present at the meeting.

Prior to Richard Rinberg's appointment as a director of Zion on November 4, 2004, on February 28, 2004, pursuant to a loan agreement dated February 17, 2004, Mr. Rinberg loaned the company $100,000 (the "Rinberg Loan"). The Rinberg Loan bore interest at 10% annually and was due on February 28, 2005, subject to prepayment in certain circumstances. In connection with the Rinberg Loan, the company granted Mr. Rinberg a warrant to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock of the company at $3.00 per share, which Mr. Rinberg exercised for $30,000 in December 2005. On September 30, 2004, Mr. Rinberg forgave the Rinberg Loan and the accrued interest thereon and in consideration therefore and an additional cash amount of $4,167, was issued 27,500 shares of common stock of the company and warrants to purchase 11,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share exercisable at any time through December 31, 2006. In connection with placing two other loans of $100,000 each in February 2004, Mr. Rinberg was paid a finder's fee in the amount of 2,500 restricted shares of the company's common stock valued at $7,500. In February 2003, Mr. Rinberg participated in our Series A Convertible Preferred stock offering, purchasing 1,000 shares of preferred stock and associated warrants for $10,000. In September 2003, for $7,500, he exercised the warrants issued in connection with that February offering to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock.

Effective November 1, 2005, Mr. Rinberg was elected our president. In connection with this appointment, the board authorized the chairman and the chief executive officer of the company to negotiate a two year retention agreement commencing November 1, 2005 subject to audit committee review and approval and ratification by the board, the principle element of compensation to be prepaid in the form of 200,000 shares of Zion common stock, subject to certain pro-rated vesting requirements over the two year retention period and voting agreement requirements. Due to the nature of the restrictions and requirements related to the stock, the transaction was valued at $500,000, and will be accounted for as prepaid expenses that are pro rated at $20,833 per month for the twenty-four months commencing November 2005 through October 2007. If Mr. Rinberg's retention shall be terminated prior to the end of the term, the company shall have the right to repurchase the unearned shares at par. The retention agreement

45


has not yet been finalized. The company has also agreed to pay the fees for certain tax advisory and related services to Mr. Rinberg in connection with his retention, which such fees are estimated at approximately $7,000.

In February 2003, the Board of Directors voted to accept an offer by Ms. Irith Rappaport, a shareholder of Zion, to advance the sum of up to $100,000, subject to the payment of a commitment fee in the form of 1,000 shares of preferred stock and a warrant (to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock at $1.50 per share through December 31, 2004) of Zion valued at $10,000, to her or her designees. Monies advanced under this facility bear interest at the rate of 10% per annum and were originally due on February 28, 2004, which date was subsequently extended to December 31, 2004. On December 9, 2004, the due date was extended to June 30, 2005, in consideration for which Ms. Rappaport was granted the option, to convert monies outstanding under the facility into equity securities of Zion in increments of $5,000 (a "unit"), each unit being convertible into 1,250 shares of common stock of the company and warrants to purchase 500 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share at any day through December 31, 2006. On June 30, 2005, the note was extended to December 31, 2005. As of December 1, 2005, the note was further extended to the earlier of (a) July 31, 2006 provided that, if by July 31, 2006, the company has not closed in a public offering an aggregate minimum amount which provides to the company proceeds from the offering of at least $2,500,000, such date may be further extended by mutual agreement of the parties or (b) at such time or times as in the opinion of the directors of Zion, funds available to Zion so permit. On December 31, 2005, there was $75,000 principal balance outstanding under the facility.

Philip Mandelker and William Avery are paid (and/or payments were accrued) as consultants for providing services to Zion. The amounts paid to Mr. Mandelker and Mr. Avery are set forth in the "Summary Compensation Table" under "Executive Compensation", on page 49. Mr. Patir was retained as a consultant since July 1, 2005 at the rate of $7,500 per month for July through September 2005, and for October through December 2005, at the rate of $10,000 per month. Portions of the amounts above are also separately reflected in the notes to the audited financial statements because they were allocated to financing costs or professional fees that require special accounting treatment.

As noted under the "Summary Compensation Table" on page 49, for such period as Philip Mandelker renders service as a consultant to the company, the company pays a monthly fee of $2,500 to Adam Law Offices, the law firm of which Mr. Mandelker is "Of Counsel", for office and secretarial services.

During July 2005, the company entered into a consulting agreement with Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc. ("FGA"), a petroleum engineering and consulting company for the provision of petroleum consulting services and the preparation of a due diligence report on the company's Joseph Project. The fees to be paid under the agreement are based on FGA's standard hourly fee structure. On September 1, 2005, FGA issued a due diligence report on the Joseph Project. Both prior thereto and since FGA has provided the company consulting services relating to the Ma'anit #1 well, analysis of the results thereof and completion and testing operations thereon. A portion of the services under this agreement, particularly in connection with the due diligence report,

46


were rendered by Forrest A. Garb, founder and former chairman and former controlling shareholder of FGA. Mr. Garb retired from and sold all his interests in FGA in 2003, but continues to render consulting services to FGA on an hourly fee basis. Mr. Garb rendered such services to FGA in connection with FGA's retention by the company during July and August, 2005. In late October 2005, Mr. Garb was appointed director of the company effective November 1. When discussions commenced in October 2005 with Mr. Garb concerning the possibility of his joining the board, Mr. Garb ceased rendering services to FGA in connection with its retention by the company. Since its retention by the company FGA has billed the company for services in the amount of approximately $20,000.

We believe that the foregoing transactions were on no less favorable terms than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. Any future transactions between our affiliates and us will be approved by our audit committee or a majority of independent directors and will be on terms no less favorable to us than those that could be obtained from unrelated third parties. We have extended no loans to and provided no loan guarantees in connection with extension of credit to our officers, directors, employees or promoters.

On July 11, 2003, we expanded our board of directors from five to seven members and appointed two directors. On November 17, 2003, we further expanded our board to nine directors and appointed two additional directors. These four directors (Eitan Lubitch, Z. Sheldon Fink, Paul Oroian and Kent Siegel, two of whom have since resigned from the board) are not (and, during their course of service as directors, were not), and since its incorporation have not been, officers, employees or promoters of Zion or any of Zion's affiliates or associates. On September 28, 2004, we amended our bylaws to provide for the increase and subsequently increased the number of its directors from nine to eleven. Transactions between the two new directors, Messrs. Render and Rinberg, and their relations with the company prior to and since their appointment, are described above in this section. On April 4, 2005, the company appointed a new director, Dr. James Barron to replace a director, Ralph DeVore who resigned on December 30, 2005. Dr. Barron is not, and since its incorporation has not been an officer, employee or promoter of Zion. On October 27, 2005, the company appointed effective November 1, 2005 two new directors, Dr. Yehezkel Druckman and Mr. Forrest A. Garb, to replace two directors, Eitan Lubitch and Z. Sheldon Fink, who resigned, respectively, during September and October 2005. Neither Dr. Druckman nor Mr. Garb are, and since incorporation have not been, an officer, employee or promoter of Zion.

Upon their appointment each of the non-management directors of the company was awarded warrants and/or options to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock of the company. The warrants awarded the four directors appointed in 2003 are exercisable at $3.00 per share through December 31, 2005, and the warrants awarded to the three directors appointed in 2004 and 2005 are exercisable at $4.00 per share through December 31, 2006. Following his resignation, Mr. Lubitch was awarded for services rendered to the company a warrant to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock exercisable during the period July 1, 2007 (subject to deferral of up to six months by the company) through December 31, 2008 at a price of $5.00 share (hereinafter an " F Warrant"). Upon his resignation, Mr. Fink was awarded for services rendered to the company an F Warrant to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock. F Warrants to purchase 25,000 shares of

47


common stock of the company were also awarded for services rendered to each of Messrs. Oroian and Siegel. The two new directors appointed during October 2005 were each awarded the equivalent of an F Warrant to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock. The equivalent F Warrants awarded to the new directors may be issued in the form of options in the company's 2005 Stock Option Plan (the "Stock Option Plan").

It is our intention that prior to any time we become listed on any stock exchange, a majority of our board of directors will fulfill the independence criteria as set by the SEC and the corporate governance requirements of the NASD, AMEX or such other stock exchange or market on which our common shares are listed for trading. Zion also intends that, to the extent required by the NASD, AMEX or such other relevant stock exchange or market listing and corporate governance rules, all future related party transactions be reviewed and approved by our audit committee, which is comprised solely of directors meeting the independence criteria of both the SEC and the NASD or AMEX. The audit committee shall have the authority to engage independent counsel at our expense. See "MANAGEMENT - Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Committees", page 36. All future material related party transactions and loans, if any, shall be made and entered into on terms no less favorable to Zion than can be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Director Compensation

Directors who are not company employees or officers receive $1,000 per month. Directors who are Company officers receive no extra compensation for service on the board.

Corporate Officer Compensation

The following table provides the compensation of our corporate officers, direct or indirect, for services rendered in all capacities for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, of which all has been paid except approximately $261,029 to Mr. Soltero, $219,673 to Mr. Perry, and $231,360 to Mr. Mandelker, $20,000 to Mr. Patir and $10,000 to Mr. Avery.

Summary Compensation Table

 

Long Term Compensation

 

Annual Compensation

Awards

Payouts

 

Name and Principal Position

Year

Salary ($)

Bonus ($)

Other Annual Compensation ($)

Restricted Stock Award(s) ($)

Securities Underlying Options/SARs (#)

LTIP Payouts ($)

All Other Compensation ($)

John Brown

2001

7,500

-

-

-

-

-

-

Chairman

2002

30,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

2003

60,000

80,000

10,000

-

-

-

-

 

2004

120,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

2005

120,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

48


 

Eugene Soltero

2001

25,000

-

-

-

310,000

-

-

President &

2002

60,000

80,000

-

-

100,000

-

-

CEO  (1)

2003

120,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

2004

212,500

-

-

-

-

-

-

2005

250,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

Richard Rinberg

President (2)

2005

-

-

-

200,000

-

-

-

Glen Perry

2001

60,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

Executive VP

2002

60,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

2003

120,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

2004

200,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

2005

200,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

Philip Mandelker 

2001

63,750

-

-

-

-

-

-

Secretary &

2002

75,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

General Counsel (3)

2003

114,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

2004

150,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

2005

150,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

David Patir

Senior VP & CFO

2005

52,500

-

-

-

-

-

-

William Avery 

2003

60,000

-

-

-

200,000

-

-

Vice President &

2004

60,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

Treasurer 

2005

65,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1) The compensation of Eugene A. Soltero was increased from $200,000 to $250,000 annually effective October 1, 2004, upon Mr. Soltero's election to the additional position of Chief Executive Officer at the September 28, 2004 Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors.

(2) Includes an award of 200,000 shares of common stock that has been authorized by the board of directors in connection with his retention and election as president of Zion (but not yet issued to Mr. Rinberg or his nominee) and will be subject to a pro rata repurchase option by Zion in the event of termination of Mr. Rinberg's retention as president of Zion within the 24-month contract retention period.

(3) Mr. Mandelker is remunerated as an outside consultant to the company under a retainer agreement. The law firm with which Mr. Mandelker is "Of Counsel" received during 2004 and 2005, $25,500 and $30,000, respectively, in payments from Zion for providing Mr. Mandelker with office and secretarial services. See "Executive Employment Arrangements", page 50.

None of our executive officers receive personal benefits in addition to the basic compensation listed above. Through 2003, each officer employed at the time received such compensation for providing consulting services to Zion. Mr. Soltero received his compensation through his personal consulting company, Cimarron Resources, Inc. The others were directly compensated. Commencing in 2004, Messrs. Brown, Soltero and Perry were employed directly by Zion. Mr. Rinberg and Mr. Patir received their compensation during 2005 for providing consulting services to Zion. There were no options and warrants granted to our executive officers in fiscal 2003, 2004 or 2005, except that Mr. Avery was awarded warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock of the company at $1.00 per share upon his retention in January, 2003 and the

49


award of 80,000 options was authorized for award to Mr Patir upon his appointment as an officer of the company in October 2005 ("Executive Employment Arrangements", page 50). The warrants granted to Mr. Avery were exercised in January 2005. None of our executive officers exercised any options related to compensation during 2003, 2004 or 2005, except that in 2004 Mr. Avery exercised warrants to purchase 40,000 shares of Zion's common stock awarded upon his retention through reduction of accounts payable to him.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

At Zion's 2002 Annual Meeting, the shareholders approved the establishment of a long-term key employee incentive plan, which may be structured as an employees' royalty pool, to be funded by the equivalent of a 1.5% overriding royalty interest (after pay out of investment on a well by well basis) in the wells we drill. According to board resolutions, Mr. Brown, Mr. Soltero, Mr. Mandelker and Mr. Perry will be awarded each a 10% interest in the plan, if, as and when the plan may be established. Mr. Avery, Mr. Roih and Dr. Kashai will each be awarded a 5% interest in the plan. The remaining 45% of the pool has not been allocated and is reserved for future allocation by the board of directors or the plan's management committee, subject to the approval of the compensation committee of the board, as new key employees are hired. The definitive plan is being developed by our attorneys and tax experts and we do not expect it to be finalized until after the completion of this offering.

Executive Employment Arrangements

We have entered into five-year employment agreements, effective January 1, 2004, with the executive officers set out below.

Executive Officer

2003 Annual Compensation

2004-2008 Annual Salary

John Brown

$ 60,000

$ 120,000

Eugene Soltero

120,000

200,000 before 10/1/04 and 250,000 thereafter

Glen Perry

120,000

200,000

Philip Mandelker

114,000

200,000 (1)

(1) For such period as Mr. Mandelker is an employee of Zion. For periods that Mr. Mandelker continues to render services pursuant to a retainer agreement as outside counsel, he will be compensated on the basis of $12,500 per month and the law firm with which he is associated will be paid a monthly office services fee of $2,000. The fee paid to Adam Law Offices with which Mr. Mandelker is associated was increased to $2,500 per month effective commencing in October 2004, to include secretarial services.

Each of the agreements are substantially in the same form (except to comply with the law of the country in which the officer is based) and provide for:

50


Effective October 1, 2005, we entered into a three year and three month consulting and employment agreement with David Patir to serve as our chief financial officer. For October, November and December, 2005 Mr. Patir provided consulting services part time at the rate of $10,000 per month. Effective January 1, 2006, he became a full-time employee at the annual salary of $175,000. The agreement also provides that Mr. Patir will be awarded a 5-year option to purchase 80,000 shares of the company's common stock at $5.00 per share, vesting one third at the end of each year of full-time employment, and, upon the establishment of the company's Long Term Incentive Plan, Mr. Patir will be eligible for a grant of an interest in the plan income attributable to wells drilled subsequent to the Ma'anit #1 as determined by the plan's management committee and subject to approval of compensation committee of the board. In other respects the agreement is substantially the same as for the other executive officers. During the period July 1 - September 30, 2005, Mr. Patir was a consultant to the company with a monthly retainer of $7,500.

In connection with his appointment as our president effective November 1, 2005, our board approved the retention of Richard Rinberg's services for a two-year period, commencing November 1, 2005 on terms to be negotiated by our chairman and our chief executive officer, subject to audit committee review and approval and board ratification, with Mr. Rinberg's primary annual compensation being $250,000 pre-payable in the form of 200,000 shares of the company restricted common stock, subject to a voting agreement granting a proxy to Mr. Brown, such shares to vest monthly ratably over the two year retention period. Mr. Rinberg will also be eligible for a grant of an interest in the company's Long Term Incentive Plan, on establishment, as determined by the plan's management committee and subject to the approval of the compensation committee of the board. If Mr. Rinberg's retention is terminated prior to October 31, 2007, the company shall have the right to repurchase the unearned portion of his compensation at par. The company has also agreed to pay the fees for certain services in the nature of tax advisory and related services in connection with Mr. Rinberg's retention, which such fees are estimated at about $7,000. The retention agreement is presently in preparation.

51


STOCK OPTION PLAN

At our 2005 annual meeting of shareholders, following authorization by and on the recommendation of our board and compensation committee, our shareholders approved the adoption of a 2005 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), pursuant to which 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the company, being 5% of our authorized share capital, would be reserved for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants. The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility whose performance will affect the interests and business prospects of the Company and to align the interests of the Company's employees with those of its shareholders . The Plan would be administered by the Board of Directors or one or more committees appointed by the board (the "Administrator"). At present, under its charter, the Compensation Committee of the board would have responsibility for administering the Plan.

Up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock will be made available for issuance to grantees over the life of the Plan. These shares represent up to 12.8% (calculated as of January 24, 2006) of the outstanding share capital of the company (or 11.4% of the outstanding share capital of the company as of January 24, 2006 if options are granted and exercised for all shares authorized under the Plan - 10.9% of the outstanding share capital in the event of a minimum offering and 9.3% in the event of a maximum offering.)

The Plan contemplates the issuance of stock options by the Company both as a private company and as a publicly traded company and will be available to residents of the United States of America, the State of Israel and other jurisdictions as determined by the Administrator. The award of stock options under the Plan will be made pursuant to an agreement between the Company and each grantee. The agreement will, among other provisions, specify the number of shares subject to the option, intended tax qualifications, the exercise price, any vesting provisions and the term of the stock option grant, all of which shall be determined on behalf of the Company by the Administrator. The Plan will remain in effect for a term of ten years unless terminated or extended according to its provisions.

Upon adoption of the Plan, it is intended that options under the plan be awarded to substitute for and replace the equivalent F Warrants granted to Messrs. Druckman and Garb upon their appointment to the board for the purchase of a total of 50,000 shares of common stock, the options granted to David Patir under the terms of his employment agreement to purchase 80,000 shares of common stock and the options granted to Stephen Pierce, the company's senior geologist, under the terms of his employment to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock. Other than as set forth above, the company has at this time no commitments relating to the grant of any awards under the Plan.

It is the company policy that we will not issue options or warrants with an exercise price of less than 85% of the fair market value of Zion stock on the date of grant to officers, directors or employees.

52


DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

General

Our certificate of incorporation provides for the authorization of 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share. As of September 30, 2005, our issued and outstanding capital securities consist of 7,352,288 shares of common stock, and warrants to acquire 690,700 shares of common stock. After giving effect to issuances of securities between October 1, 2005 and January 24, 2006, our outstanding securities consist of 7,773,788 shares of common stock and options to purchase 120,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 725,325 shares of common stock. An additional 200,000 shares of common stock have been authorized for issuance to Mr. Rinberg in connection with his retention as our president (see "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION - Executive Employment Arrangements", page 50) and 1,000,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under the company's 2005 Stock Option plan (see "STOCK OPTION PLAN", page 52), of which 170,00 shares have been authorized for award.

Common Stock

Our shareholders are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. They are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds and to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Shareholders do not have subscription, redemption or conversion rights, or preemptive rights. The common stock will be, when issued and paid for, fully paid and nonassessable.

Our shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights, the effect of which is that the holders of more than half of all voting rights with respect to common stock can elect all of our directors. The board of directors is empowered to fill any vacancies on the board of directors created by expansion of the board or resignations, subject to quorum requirements.

Except as otherwise discussed below at "Business combination provision" and "Amendments", all shareholder action is taken by vote of a majority of voting shares of our capital stock present at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum (a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the voting capital stock) is present in person or by proxy. Directors are elected by a plurality vote.

Preferred Stock

Our predecessor Florida corporation had authorized 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which it had issued 63,564 shares in a private placement and as stock dividends. Upon the merger of the Florida corporation into the Delaware subsidiary on July 9, 2003, all of the shares of outstanding preferred stock of the Florida corporation were converted into 762,768 shares of our common stock at the ratio of 12 shares of common stock for each outstanding share of preferred stock and each Florida warrant was exchanged for a Delaware warrant for the same number of Delaware common shares . Neither we nor any of the exchanging shareholders incurred any gain

53


or loss as a result of the exchange. Of the 63,564 shares of preferred stock exchanged, 25,364 (40%) were held by eight officers, directors and/or holders of more than 5% of our outstanding stock. Since our reincorporation in Delaware, we have not authorized any shares of preferred stock. We would need the affirmative vote of our shareholders to authorize and issue shares of preferred stock. We will not offer any preferred stock to any of our officers, directors or 5% shareholders except on the same terms as it is offered to all other existing shareholders or new shareholders.

Warrants and Options to Officers, Directors and Key Employees

Zion issued warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock at $1.00 per share through December 31, 2004 (and extended to January 31, 2005) to William Avery, our vice-president, finance in connection with his retention, of which all warrants have been exercised and all shares have been purchased. Zion issued warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $3.00 per share through December 31, 2005 to four outside directors upon their election to the board of directors in 2003. The four outside directors assigned the warrants to several accredited shareholders of Zion, who have since exercised them. F Warrants to purchase 85,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share between July 1, 2007 (which date we may defer by up to six months) and December 31, 2008 were issued to these four outside directors, two of whom have recently resigned. Warrants to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at $4.00 per share through December 31, 2006 were issued to three additional directors upon their election to the board in 2004 and 2005. Equivalent F Warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock were approved for issuance to two additional directors upon their election to the board in October 2005, which such equivalent F Warrants may be replaced with options under our 2005 Stock Option Plan.

While he was a director, but before he became an officer in 2001, Mr. Soltero was granted a warrant to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at $1.00 per share through December 31, 2004. At the same time, similar warrants were granted to Dr. Kashai in the amount of 7,500 shares and to Mr. Roih in the amount of 5,000 shares. In October 2002, Dr. Kashai was granted an option to purchase 45,000 shares of common stock at $0.20 per share through December 31, 2004. Upon being named president in 2001, Mr. Soltero was granted warrants to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock at $0.20 per share. He was awarded a warrant in 2002 for 100,000 shares at $0.20 per share. All these warrants, compensation warrants and options granted to Messrs. Soltero, Roih and Kashai have been exercised.

Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Patir is entitled to an award of a five-year option to purchase 80,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share, vesting one-third at the end of each year of full time employment. Under the terms of his employment, Mr. Stephen Pierce, our senior geologist, is entitled to an award of a five-year option to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share, vesting one-third at the end of each year of full time employment.

There are no other officer and director compensation related options or warrants outstanding. Any other warrants held by officers, directors or key employees were acquired by them in connection with the purchase of common stock or preferred stock (at the same price as unrelated

54


third party purchasers) or for reduction of amounts due them for consulting services. We will not issue options or warrants with an exercise price of less than 85% of the fair market value of Zion stock on the date of grant to officers, directors, employees, 5% shareholders or affiliates.

Warrants

In addition to the warrants and options to purchase 330,000 shares issued as noted above to non-management directors, former directors and key employees, we have outstanding as of January 24, 2006 warrants to purchase 40,000 shares at $3.00 per share exercisable at any time through December 31, 2006, for 445,700 shares exercisable at $5.00 per share at any time through December 31, 2006, for 10,000 shares at $5.00 per share at any time commencing July 1, 2007 (subject to deferral of up to six months by the company) through December 31, 2008, and for 19.625 shares at $5.50 per share at any time commencing July 1, 2007 (subject to deferral of up to six months by the company) through December 31, 2008.

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws Provisions

The following summary describes provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. They may have the effect of discouraging a tender offer, proxy contest or other takeover attempt that is opposed by our board of directors. These provisions include:

Classified board of directors and removal. Our certificate of incorporation provides that the board of directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible. The term of office of each class expires at the third Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the election of directors following the election of such class (except for the initial classes). Directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of our voting stock at a Special Meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose. The classification of directors could have the effect of making it more difficult for shareholders to change the composition of the board of directors. At least two Annual Meetings of Shareholders, instead of one, are generally required to effect a change in a majority of the board of directors.

The classification provisions could also have the effect of discouraging a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of Zion, even though such an attempt might be beneficial to us and our shareholders. The classification of the board of directors could thus increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. In addition, because the classification provisions may discourage accumulations of large blocks of stock by purchasers whose objective is to take control of Zion

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and remove a majority of the board of directors, the classification of the board of directors could tend to reduce the likelihood of fluctuations in the market price of the common stock that might result from accumulations of large blocks. Accordingly, shareholders could be deprived of opportunities to sell their shares of common stock at a higher market price than might otherwise be the case.

Shareholder action by written consent and special meetings. Our bylaws provide that shareholder action can be taken only at an Annual or Special Meeting of shareholders and may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting once our number of shareholders exceeded sixty, which occurred in the first quarter of 2003. Special Meetings of shareholders can be called only upon a resolution adopted by the board of directors. Moreover, the business permitted to be conducted at any Special Meeting of shareholders is limited to the business brought before the meeting under the Notice of Meeting given by us. These provisions may have the effect of delaying consideration of a shareholder proposal until the next Annual Meeting. These provisions would also prevent the holders of a majority of our voting stock from unilaterally using the written consent or Special Meeting procedure to take shareholder action.

Advance notice provisions for shareholder nominations and shareholder proposals. Our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for shareholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or bring other business before a meeting of shareholders. The shareholder notice procedure provides that only persons who are nominated by, or at the direction of, the board of directors, or by a shareholder who has given timely written notice containing specified information to our secretary prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be eligible for election as our directors. The shareholder notice procedure also provides that at a meeting of the shareholders only such business may be conducted as has been brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, the chairman of the board of directors, or in the absence of the chairman of the board, the president, or by a shareholder who has given timely written notice containing specified information to our secretary of such shareholder's intention to bring such business before such meeting.

Although our bylaws do not give the board of directors any power to approve or disapprove shareholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals for action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of shareholder proposals if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to Zion and our shareholders.

Business combination provision. Our certificate of incorporation contains a provision for approval of specified business combination transactions involving any person, entity or group that beneficially owns at least 10% of our aggregate voting stock. Such person, entity or group is sometimes referred to as a "related person". This provision requires the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of our voting stock to approve specified transactions between a related person and Zion, including:

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This voting requirement will not apply to certain transactions, including any transaction approved by a majority vote of the directors (called "Disinterested Directors") who are not affiliated or associated with the related person described above, provided that there are at least three Disinterested Directors. This provision could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of Zion in a transaction or series of transactions.

Liability of directors and indemnification. Our certificate of incorporation provides that a director will not be personally liable to Zion or our shareholders for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent that such exemption or limitation of liability is not permitted under Delaware General Corporation Law. Any amendment or repeal of such provisions may not adversely affect any right or protection of a director existing under our certificate of incorporation for any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that each person who at any time serves or served as one of our directors or officers, or any person who, while one of our directors or officers, is or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, is entitled to indemnification and the advancement of expenses from Zion, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Delaware law. However, as provided under applicable Delaware General Corporation Law, this indemnification will only be provided if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of Zion.

Amendments. Our certificate of incorporation provides that we reserve the right to amend, alter, change, or repeal any provision contained in our certificate of incorporation, and all rights conferred to shareholders are granted subject to such reservation. The affirmative vote of holders of not less than 80% of our voting stock, voting together as a single class, is required to alter, amend, adopt any provision inconsistent with, or to repeal certain specified provisions of our certificate of incorporation. However, the 80% vote described in the prior sentence is not required for any alteration, amendment, adoption of inconsistent provision or repeal of the "business combination" provision discussed under the "Business combination provision" paragraph above which is recommended to the shareholders by two-thirds of our Disinterested

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Directors, and such alteration, amendment, adoption of inconsistent provision or repeal shall require the vote, if any, required under the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws. In addition, our bylaws provide that shareholders may only adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than 66-2/3% of our voting stock, voting together as a single class. Our bylaws may also be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of our board of directors.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Upon completion of this offering in the minimum number of securities, Zion's registrar and stock transfer agent will be Registrar and Transfer Company, Cranford, New Jersey.

 

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Upon completion of this offering, a minimum of 8,123,788 and a maximum of 9,773,788 shares of common stock will be outstanding. All shares sold in this offering, as well as the 100,000 Gift Shares, will be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except that shares purchased by an affiliate of ours (in general, a person who is in a control relationship with us), will be subject to the resale limitations of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The remaining 7,673,788 shares of common stock outstanding will be "restricted securities" as defined in Rule 144, of which 3,355,296 shares as of January 24, 2006 will have been held for more than twelve months by non-affiliates of ours and will also become freely tradable under Rule 144, subject to the limitations described in the following paragraph. In addition, we have granted warrants and options to purchase 845,325 shares of common stock to certain individuals, including certain of our officers, directors and key employees.

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, if a period of at least one year has elapsed after the later of the date on which "restricted" shares were acquired from us or the date on which they were acquired from an "affiliate", then the holder of these shares, including an affiliate, is entitled to sell a number of shares within any three-month period that does not exceed the greater of:

Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to requirements pertaining to the manner of such sales, notices of such sales and the availability of current public information concerning Zion. Affiliates may sell shares not constituting "restricted" shares in accordance with the above volume limitations and other requirements but without regard to the one-year period. Under Rule 144(k), if a period of at least two years has elapsed between the later of the date on which "restricted" shares were acquired from us and the date on which they were acquired from an affiliate, a holder of such shares who is not an affiliate at the time of the sale and has not been an affiliate for at least three months prior to the sale would be entitled to sell the shares immediately without

58


regard to the volume limitations and other conditions described above. This description of Rule 144 is not intended to be a complete description thereof.

Sales of significant amounts of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering, or the perception that such sales could occur, could have an adverse impact on the market price of the common stock.

Our officers and directors and persons owning 5% or more of our outstanding common stock have agreed, pursuant to lock-up agreements relating to the transfer of shares of our common stock, that they will not sell, transfer, hypothecate or convey any of the 2,488,625 shares of common stock they now own or shares of our common stock underlying warrants they currently own, by registration or otherwise, for a period of 90 days from the date of the final closing of the offering, without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters. The representatives of the underwriters have informed us that they have no current intentions of releasing any shares subject to the aforementioned lock-up agreements. Any determination by the representatives of the underwriters to release any shares subject to the lock-up agreements would be based on a number of factors at the time of determination, including the market price and trading volumes of the common stock, the liquidity of the trading market for the common stock, general market conditions, the number of shares proposed to be sold, and the timing, purpose and terms of the proposed sale.

 

INTEREST OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

No named expert or counsel was hired on a contingent basis or will receive any direct or indirect interest in Zion in connection with this offering. No named expert or counsel has ever been a promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer or employee of Zion. As discussed above, "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS", page 42, Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc. ("FGA") has issued a due diligence report dated September 1, 2005, on the company and its Joseph Project. Forrest A. Garb, founder and former chairman and former controlling shareholder of FGA rendered services as a consultant to FGA for an hourly-based fee in connection with the preparation of the due diligence report. Following the issuance of the report, Mr. Garb was appointed a director of the company effective November 1, 2005. See "EXPERTS", page 77.

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BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

We explore for oil and gas in Israel. Our principal assets are petroleum rights issued by the Ministry of National Infrastructures of the State of Israel, specifically an exploration license covering 397,000 Israeli dunam (approximately 98,100 acres), entitled License No. 298/Ma'anit-Joseph. We also hold a preliminary permit with priority rights covering 490,000 dunam (approximately 121,100 acres) entitled Preliminary Permit No. 186/Asher, abutting on and immediately to the north and west of the Ma'anit-Joseph License. We have named the project to explore the license and the permit areas the "Joseph Project."

We hold 100% of the working interest in our license and permit, which means we are responsible for 100% of the costs of exploration and, if established, production. Our net revenue interest is 87.5%, which means we would receive 87.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of oil and gas from the license and the permit if converted into a license, if there is any commercial production. The 12.5% we don't receive is a royalty reserved by the State of Israel. The State of Israel may take its royalty in kind. If the State of Israel elects not to take the royalty in kind, then we would pay the royalty based upon our arranging the sales, if any, of all the oil and gas. Other than its option to take its 12.5% royalty in kind, the government has no right of participation in any portion of our project. No royalty would be payable to any landowner with respect to production from our license or permit areas as the State of Israel owns all the mineral rights. In the event commercial production is established, we will be setting aside a royalty (or equivalent net profits interest) of 6% for charitable contributions. See "PLAN OF OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION - Charitable Trusts", page 20. In addition, our key employee incentive plan will receive a royalty (or equivalent net profits interest) of up to 1.5%. See "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION - Long-Term Incentive Plan", page 50. This means our effective net revenue interest will be no less than 80%.

Our executive offices are located at 6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75231 and our telephone number is (214) 221-4610. Our website address is www.zionoil.com. Our office in Israel is located at 15 Bareket St., Caesarea Industrial Park, 38900 Israel, and the telephone number is +972 (4) 623-1425.

Background

In 1985, during a visit to Israel, John M. Brown (our founder and CEO) became inspired and dedicated to finding oil and gas in Israel, and he started the process that led to the Joseph Project. During the next fourteen years he made several trips each year to Israel, hired oil and gas consultants in Israel and Texas, met with Israeli government officials, made direct investments with local exploration companies, and assisted Israeli exploration companies in raising money for oil and gas exploration in Israel. This activity led Mr. Brown to form Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. in April 2000 in order to receive the award of a small onshore petroleum license from the Israeli government. Mr. Brown and 25 different persons who had assisted him during the fourteen-year period started Zion with an initial cash contribution of $2,400 for which they received 2,400,000 shares of common stock at the price of 1/10 of one cent per share. Upon its formation, Mr. Brown and the others contributed to Zion all of the technical, economic, legal and financial data

60


they had accumulated over the years relating to oil and gas exploration in Israel. For accounting purposes, no monetary value was attached to the data and we are unable to provide you with any estimate of its cost of acquisition or current market or replacement value, if any.

Upon the award of our first petroleum right (the License No. 298/Ma'anit, which is referred to as the "Ma'anit License") in May 2000, the Israeli government gave us access to most of its data with respect to previous exploration in the area, including geologic reports, seismic records and profiles, drilling reports, well files, gravity surveys, geochemical surveys and regional maps. We also gathered information concerning prior and ongoing geological, geophysical and drilling activity relevant to our planned activities from a variety of publicly accessible sources. The map at page 66 of this Prospectus shows the outline of our current Ma'anit-Joseph License and Asher Permit. It also shows the location of the approximately 500 kilometers of seismic lines and relative locations of eight mid-range (to 7,500 feet) and deep (to 21,000 feet) wells in our immediate area, data and information concerning which we have acquired and analyzed. The Israeli government itself conducted most of the seismic surveys during the 1970's and 1980's in order to provide data to encourage oil companies to invest in exploratory drilling. Private and public Israeli, American and international companies conducted additional seismic survey and drilled most of the eight wells in the period since 1980. Our best estimate of the cost of the exploration activities in our license area through 2003 (in actual dollars spent at the time) is shown in the table below. Most of the numbers are from sources that we consider verifiable, including reports to the Israeli government, press releases, filings with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and personal involvement of some of our officers. Some numbers we estimated based upon the scope of the completed work.

Year

Company

Activity

Amount ($)

Notes

1975-80

Israeli Government

Gravity Studies

750,000

1

1978

Weeks Exploration

Area Geology

40,000

2

1980

Superior Oil

Basin Analysis

50,000

2

1977-82

Israeli Government

Seismic

2,500,000

3

1977-2002

Academic Groups

Various Technical Studies

200,000

2

1978-84

Energy Exploration

Drilled Asher-Atlit Well

25,000,000

4

1979-81

OEIL- Naphtha

Drilled Ga'ash Well

6,500,000

5

1983-85

OEIL

Basin Analysis

100,000

2

1993-2000

Givot Olam

Seismic, G&G, G&A

3,000,000

6

1993-4

Givot Olam

Drilled Meged #2 Well

9,200,000

6

1993-5

Modi'in Ltd. Partnership

Drilled David Well

17,800,000

7

1994

Sedot Neft

Drilled Ma'anit Well

5,000,000

8

1999

Givot Olam

Test Meged #2 Well

1,140,000

6

2000

Givot Olam

Drilled Meged #3 Well

7,010,000

6

2002-3

Givot Olam

Drilled Meged #4 Well

6,490,000

9

2000-3

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Seismic, G&G, G&A

1,170,000

10

1975-2003

Totals

85,960,000

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Notes:

  1. Engineering estimate by us, based upon approximately 1,000 square kilometers of gravity survey at an average price of $750 per square kilometer.
  2. Estimate by our executive vice-president based upon his personal experience and knowledge of costs of similar studies in the international petroleum industry, cost adjusted to the period in question.
  3. Engineering estimate by us, based upon approximately 500 kilometers of seismic lines upon and around our project area at an average acquisition and processing cost of $5,000 per kilometer, the average cost that Dr. Kashai and Elisha Roih observed for onshore seismic data acquisition in their companies at that time. Please note that we are counting only lines that we used in our analysis and not the additional 500 kilometers of lines that were used in our area to designate drilling locations for the other wells near our license.
  4. Oral report to us by Jack Sherman, the well site geologist on location at the time the well was being drilled. Mr. Sherman assisted Mr. Brown in his early investigation of oil and gas opportunities in Israel and served as our senior consulting geologist until his death in 2003. Oral confirmation by the general manager of the operator (Andy SoRelle) to Mr. Brown.
  5. Engineering estimate by us of the cost at the time for the drilling and testing of an 18,000-foot well in Israel that encountered no major problems during drilling.
  6. Prospectuses in Hebrew filed by Givot Olam with the Israeli Securities Authority in 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2003, and on file at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
  7. Prospectus in Hebrew filed by Modi'in Ltd. Partnership with the Israeli Securities Authority in January 1996 and annual report for 1997, both on file at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
  8. Prospectus in Hebrew filed by Sedot Neft with the Israeli Securities Authority in November 1993 and on file at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange; joint venture agreement signed in February 1999 between Sedot Neft and a predecessor of Zion.
  9. Prospectus in Hebrew filed by Givot Olam with the Israel Securities Authority in January 2004, on file at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
  10. Invoices and accounting records in our files.

Properties

Our properties consist of petroleum rights, seismic data and computer analyses acquired as follows:

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geological operations, including interpreting and mapping approximately 250 kilometers of previously shot seismic lines, reprocessing 70 kilometers of existing seismic, and shooting 11 kilometers of new seismic. As a result, we began to intensely focus on an exploration target that looked very promising, and a new exploratory trend concept in the Upper Triassic Age formations (approximately 200 million years old) under the Ma'anit License and the adjacent area. In interpreting the seismic, we identified a structural feature associated with a basement to Paleozoic Age structural high existing roughly parallel to the current coast of Israel. The concept is that this geological feature became the underlying platform for what appeared to be reefal buildups during the Triassic Age. These apparent reefal structures comprised the exploratory trend and could provide suitable reservoirs for the accumulation and storage of hydrocarbons (either gas or oil) in commercial quantities.

  • With the assistance and support of the Geophysical Institute of Israel, we intensified our exploration efforts in 2001 and 2002, incorporating an additional 250 kilometers of seismic data into the interpretation and reprocessing another 60 kilometers of existing seismic data. For most of 2002, we maintained a temporary exploration office at the Institute and used its Landmark/Paradigm software at a workstation there to analyze seismic lines and draw a complete series of geologic maps of the different formations.

  • In 2002, we also conducted a new seismic survey on the Joseph Permit area, acquiring an additional 21 kilometers of seismic data for the expressed purpose of correlating nine of the existing lines and enhancing our ability to interpret those lines. Based upon our interpretation of that line and resulting enhanced interpretation of the existing lines, we revised our maps and selected

63


drilling sites for the first exploratory wells on each of two prospects - the Ma'anit Prospect on the Ma'anit License area and the Joseph Prospect on the Joseph Permit area. In October 2002, we submitted a detailed prospect description to the Israeli Oil Commissioner. Our report summarized our exploration and computer analysis studies and findings, and presented two fully developed drilling prospects. With the report, we submitted a request to exercise our priority rights under the Joseph Permit by incorporating the southern portion of the Joseph Permit area into the Ma'anit License (to be renamed the Ma'anit - Joseph License) and extending the term of the Ma'anit License through April 30, 2005. During November and December 2002, we updated and revised our report as additional analysis was completed at the workstation. This updated report, dated January 2003, was submitted to the Oil Commissioner and is currently on file with the Israel Geological Institute. Although the report focused primarily on Triassic Age sediments, it also described lower Paleozoic prospect opportunities that we planned to explore in the future.

64


in the Lower Triassic and performed required tests. We are presently preparing a completion report of operations on and results of the well for submission to the Petroleum Commissioner in accordance with the requirements of the Petroleum Law. Concurrently, as required by the work program, we are preparing for submission to the Petroleum Commissioner a proposed work program for the remaining term of the license. It is expected that the completion report and proposed work program will be submitted early in 2006, in accordance with the provisions of the Law and the terms of the license.

Declaration of a commercial discovery on the Ma'anit-Joseph License prior to the end of the license term, as may in certain circumstances be extended, will entitle us to receive a 30-year lease (extendable on certain conditions for an additional 20 years) subject to compliance with a field development work program and production. If at the license's currently set termination date, April 30, 2007, we are in the process of drilling, testing or completing a well under an approved work program, it is the policy of the Petroleum Commissioner to grant a de facto extension of the license through the

65


completion of operations and for a sufficient period thereafter to permit analysis of the results of the well.

As concerns the Asher Permit, upon the satisfactory performance of the work program, as may be amended, and the submission to the Petroleum Commissioner of an acceptable drilling prospect, we will be entitled to the grant of an exploration license for a period of up to seven years on a portion of the Asher Permit area not to exceed 400,000 dunam (approximately 98,800 acres).
If we do not comply with the license's or the permit's work program, the Commissioner may issue a notice to us requiring that we cure the default within 60 days of the giving of the notice, together with a warning that failure to comply within the 60-day cure period may entail cancellation of the Ma'anit-Joseph License or the Asher Permit, as relevant. If the license or permit is cancelled following such notice, we may, within 30 days of the date we received notice of the Commissioner's decision, appeal such cancellation to the Minister of National Infrastructures. Neither the license nor the permit shall be cancelled until the Minister has ruled on the appeal.
The surface rights to the drill site from which we drilled the Ma'anit #1 are held under long-term lease by Kibbutz Ma'anit. The rights are owned by the State of Israel and administered by the Israel Lands Authority. To enter and use the drillsite, in February 2005, we entered into an agreement with Kibbutz Ma'anit to lease the necessary lands through August 31, 2005 (the period estimated as required for drilling and testing of the Ma'anit #1 well). This agreement was extended through September 30, 2005. We reached an agreement with the Kibbutz extending our right to enter and use the drill site through the termination of the Ma'anit-Joseph License, currently April 30, 2007, for a monthly fee of $1,500. The agreement is subject to the formal approval of the Israel Lands Authority, which under the Petroleum Law it is required to provide.

66


We lease approximately 3,600 square feet of office space in Dallas under a lease which expires October 31, 2008, but which may be terminated effective October 31, 2006 with an early termination payment. The monthly rent is $4,104, $4,262 and $4,262 for each of the twelve-month periods ending October 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively, less any sublease payments received. Currently approximately 800 square feet (and access to the common areas) are subleased month-to-month for payments of $920 per month.

We lease approximately 4,000 square feet of office space in Caesarea Industrial Park, Israel under a six-month lease that began on August 1, 2005, and which is extendable at our option for up to an additional six months. The monthly rent is $2,500, all of which has been prepaid for the primary term.

Drilling Operations

On December 29, 2004, Zion signed a drilling contract with Lapidoth Israel Oil Prospectors Corp., Inc. (the "contractor") for the reentry and drilling of the Ma'anit #1 well on Zion's Ma'anit-Joseph License to a depth of between 4,000 and 5,000 meters. The contract, based in large part on the International Association of Drilling Contractor 1998 - Form Daywork Drilling Contract - U.S., provided for the well to be drilled on a daywork basis with payment to the contractor at the rate of $14,000 per drilling day, and other scheduled rates for non-operating days. Following the preparation of the drillsite, Lapidoth commenced mobilization of the rig to the site in mid-March 2005. On April 10, 2005, following inspection of the rig by us, the Ma'anit #1 well was reentered and operations to deepen the well to the Mohilla formation as required under the License were commenced. On July 14, we reached our total depth of 15,842 feet and then commenced an attempt to complete the well. After significant expenditure of time and money, we temporarily abandoned the completion attempt on November 4, 2005 and released the rig.

To assist us in drilling, analyzing, testing and assessing the Ma'anit #1 well, in February 2005, we retained the services of a consulting geologist, Stephen E. Pierce, and a drilling superintendent, Stacy Allen Cude, each of whom has substantial experience with major oil and gas exploration companies in projects similar to the company's Joseph Project and wells similar to the Ma'anit #1 well. As of the date hereof, Mr. Pierce has joined Zion as our senior geologist on a full time basis and Mr. Cude continues to assist us as a consultant in planning the drilling of our next well. Their resumes follow:

Stephen E. Pierce was retained as our consulting geologist for the drilling of the Ma'anit #1 and subsequent exploration and development in February 2005, and joined us on a full-time basis in September 2005. From 1995-2005, Mr. Pierce served as project geologist for Murfin Drilling Co. in the Caribbean, primarily in the Dominican Republic. For the period of 1992-1995, Mr. Pierce was consulting geologist for several small independent companies, including Petrolera Once of Dominican Republic, Century Guyana, Ltd. Of Guyana, and Hydrocarbons International of Colombia. He also worked as consulting geologist for Dames and Moore in Texas, Wyoming, Costa Rica and Mexico during this time, as well as doing independent consulting work in Panola and Shelby Counties in East Texas. From 1985-1992, he acted as senior geological advisor for

67


Mobil Oil Corporation, and from 1980-1985, he worked as senior geologist for Superior Oil Co. He served as senior geologist in Pakistan for AMOCO from 1979-1980 and as geologist for UNOCAL from 1974-1979. Mr. Pierce received his M.S. in geology from San Diego State University in 1974 and his B.S. in geology from California State University in 1971. Prior to this, he was an aerographer for the United States Navy from 1961-1965. Mr. Pierce holds the title of Professional Geologist with the State of Wyoming and holds memberships with the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the American Institute of Professional Geologists.

Stacy Allen Cude was retained as our drilling manager for the drilling of the Ma'anit #1 well and the planning of our next well. Mr. Cude is an independent drilling consultant and owner of Cude Petroleum, a company he started in 1997. Prior to establishing Cude Petroleum, he was owner of Computer Creations in College Station, TX for two years. From 1980 to 1994, he held the position of drilling supervisor with Exxon Company, USA in Houston, TX. He attended numerous drilling-related schools and instructional programs from 1980-1994. He also attended Texas A&M University from 1974-1977 and majored in economics. Mr. Cude has been a member of several professional societies, including Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity from 1974-1977, the National Association of Corrosion Engineers from 1986-1994, and the National Christian Counselors Association from 1989 to the present.

Current Status of Drilling Operations

For a discussion of the status and results of the operations on the Ma'anit #1, see "PLAN OF OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION - Ma'anit #1 Well Status and Results", pages 14-15.

We are currently in the process of a detailed analysis of the results of the Ma'anit #1 with the intention of planning continued completion, drilling, appraisal and development activities on the Ma'anit structure. To assist management in this analysis and in planning further operations, we have established a technical committee of our board consisting of two of our independent directors, Dr. Druckman and Mr. Garb, together with Messrs. Perry and Soltero. Dr. Kashai and Mr. Pierce are advisors to the committee. We have also commenced discussions with our drilling contractor concerning the possibility of commencing drilling a second well on the Ma'anit structure towards the end of 2006 or in early 2007 and renewing completion activities on the Ma'anit #1 either before or after drilling the second well.

Israel's Petroleum Law

Our business in Israel is subject to regulation by the State of Israel pursuant to the Petroleum Law, 5712-1952. The administration and implementation of the Petroleum Law is vested in the Minister of National Infrastructures, the Petroleum Commissioner and an advisory commission (the "Petroleum Commission"). The following discussion includes brief statements of certain provisions of the Petroleum Law in effect at the date of this prospectus.

Petroleum resources are owned by the State of Israel, regardless of whether they are located on state lands or the offshore continental shelf. No person is allowed to explore for or produce

68


petroleum without being granted a specific right under the Petroleum Law. The law provides for three types of rights, two relevant to the exploration stage and the third for production.

Preliminary permit. The most basic right is the "preliminary permit", which may be granted for a period not exceeding 18 months. The permit allows the prospector to conduct preliminary investigations, such as field geology, airborne magnetometer surveys and seismic data acquisition, but does not allow test drilling. The holder of a preliminary permit is entitled to request a priority right on the permit area, which, if granted, prevents an award of petroleum rights on the permit area to any other party. There are no restrictions as to size of the permit area or to the number of permits that may be held by one prospector. However, Israeli policy is to award an area no larger than that for which the applicant has a reasonable plan of operation and has shown evidence of the necessary financial resources to execute the plan.

License. The next level of petroleum right is the "license", bestowing an exclusive right for further exploration work and requiring the drilling of one or more test wells. The initial term of a license is up to three years and it may be extended for up to an additional four years. A license area may not exceed 400,000 dunam (approximately 98,800 acres). One dunam is equal to 1000 square meters (approximately .24711 of an acre). No one entity may hold more than twelve licenses or hold more than a total of four million dunam in aggregate license area.

Production lease. Upon discovery of petroleum in commercial quantities, a licensee has a statutory "right" to receive a production "lease." The initial lease term is 30 years, extendable up to a maximum period of 50 years. A lease confers upon the lessee the exclusive right to explore for and produce petroleum in the lease area and requires the lessee to produce petroleum in commercial quantities (or pursue test or development drilling). The lessee is entitled to transport and market the petroleum produced, subject, however, to the right of the Government to require the lessee to supply local needs first, at market price.

Petroleum Rights Fees. The fees payable to the government to maintain the various petroleum rights are currently (as of December 1, 2005) as follows:

(a) Fee for Preliminary Permit without priority rights - None.

(b) Fee for Preliminary Permit with Priority Rights - New Israeli Shekels (NIS) 4.95 (approx. US $1.06) per 1,000 dunam (approximately 247.11 acres) per month.

(c) Fee for License (on-shore) per 1,000 dunam or part thereof:

First and second years

- NIS

90.14

(approx. US $19.34) per year

Third year

- NIS

150.01

(approx. US $32.19) per year

Fourth year

- NIS

299.32

(approx. US $64.23) per year

Fifth and subsequent years

- NIS

896.97

(approx. US $192.48) per year

(d) Fee for License (off-shore) per 1,000 dunam or part thereof: NIS 59.90 (approx. US $12.85) annually.

(e) Fee for Lease - NIS 899.35 (approx. US $192.99) per 1,000 dunam or part thereof per year. A lessee who pays a royalty shall be exempt from a leasehold fee for a contiguous area, as approved by the Petroleum Commissioner, of 50,000 dunam around each producing well. The fees are adjusted quarterly to reflect changes in the Israeli consumer price index. The US

69


Dollar values appearing above are calculated at the Representative Rate of US $1.00 equal NIS 4.66 as published by the Bank of Israel on December 1, 2005.

Requirements and entitlements of holders of petroleum rights. The holder of a petroleum right (permit, license or lease) is required to conduct its operations with due diligence and in accordance with the accepted practice in the petroleum industry. The holder is required to submit progress and final reports; provided, however, the information disclosed in such reports remains confidential for as long as the holder owns a petroleum right on the area concerned. The holder is required to pay a royalty to the government of 12.5% of production. The government may elect to take the royalty in kind, or take payment in cash for its share of production as we sell the oil and gas.

Under the Petroleum Law, the holder of a Petroleum Right that has failed to pay or deliver any royalty due and continues to fail to so pay or deliver following written notice to cure from the Commissioner is subject to having its stocks of petroleum, installations and other assets belonging to the undertaking attached, seized and removed pending settlement in full of the royalty due. If the royalty has not been settled in full within 30 days of the attachment, anything attached may be sold by the Minister of National Infrastructures, on terms deemed fit by the Minister, until the royalty due is discharged, with the excess to be returned to the holder of the Petroleum Right. In addition, the Petroleum Right on which royalty is overdue is subject to cancellation if the royalties in arrears are not paid within 60 days of receipt of written notice to cure given by the Petroleum Commissioner, which notice gives warning that failure to pay may result in cancellation of the Right. The notice gives warning that failure to pay may result in cancellation. Cancellation of the Right by the Commissioner is subject to appeal to the Minister.

The grant of a petroleum right does not automatically entitle its holder to enter upon the land to which the right applies or to carry out exploration and production work. Entry requires the consent of the private or public holders of the surface rights and of other public regulatory bodies ( e.g. planning and building authorities, Nature Reserves Authority, municipal and security authorities, etc.). The holder of a petroleum right may request the Government to acquire, on its behalf, land needed for petroleum purposes. The petroleum right holder is required to obtain all other necessary approvals.

Proposed Changes in the Petroleum Law

 

On October 23, 2002, in conjunction with the 2003 Budget, a bill was submitted to the Israeli Knesset by the Government which, if it had been adopted, would have introduced major changes in the Petroleum Law and repealed many rights currently available to persons involved in petroleum exploration and production activities. Specifically, it proposed to change the regime pursuant to which petroleum rights were granted and held, to repeal certain rights of holders of petroleum rights to enter surface lands in order to conduct petroleum operations and receive allocations of water for drilling operations and to rescind exemptions granted to holders of petroleum rights and petroleum contractors from certain customs duties and sales and excise taxes. While this proposal was rejected in Knesset committee, was not passed in conjunction with the 2003 Budget, and has not been resubmitted in connection with either the 2004, 2005 or

70


2006 budgets, it may be resubmitted in the future. If resubmitted and adopted as proposed, the effect of various of the proposed amendments could likely result in increasing our costs of conducting petroleum drilling and production operations in Israel and, in certain instances, where reasonable arrangements could not be reached with holders of surface rights, might result in our inability to pursue certain operations.

 

In February 2004, the Petroleum Commissioner and staff of Ministry of National Infrastructures proposed a series of amendments to the Petroleum Law that were sent in February 2004 to us and others in the Israeli petroleum industry for comments. The principal amendments proposed were: (1) repeal of the exemptions granted to holders of petroleum rights from certain purchase and excise taxes; (2) requiring holders of petroleum rights to post bonds to ensure the performance of work commitments and post-operations site remediation; (3) inclusion of environmental and safety standards for petroleum exploration and production activities; (4) limitation of production leases to geological strata rather than to geographically defined surface areas; (5) providing for forced pooling where reservoirs underlie lands subject to more than one petroleum right; (6) introduction in certain circumstances of a mandatory tender regime for the issuance of petroleum rights, including preliminary permits; (7) restriction (in certain circumstances) on rights to enter or use surface lands for petroleum operations and rescission of preferential water rights for drilling operations; (8) repeal of the automatic rights granted to holders of production leases to import, refine, export and trade in petroleum and petroleum products; (9) amendment of conditions for the granting of preliminary permits and licenses, introduction of limitations to data secrecy rights and provision for restructuring of the Petroleum Commission. Following comments made by us and other Israeli petroleum industry participants, the proposed amendments were reviewed and analyzed in anticipation of significant revisions to the proposals.

In November 2005, we were informed by the Petroleum Commissioner's office that the proposed amendment of the Petroleum Law has been frozen and will not be on the table during the coming year. However, it is not possible to predict whether the revision of the Law will again be raised and, if so, what the revisions will be or whether or to what extent such proposed revisions will be adopted by the government and enacted into law or to what extent our operations will be affected by any or all of such revisions to the Petroleum Law as may ultimately be enacted, although it is likely that adoption of certain of the proposals previously made and now frozen would increase the costs of our operations and, in certain scenarios, may limit our ability to benefit from the entire economic life of our discoveries, if any.

Petroleum Taxation

Our activities in Israel will be subject to taxation both in Israel and in the United States. Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, we will be entitled to claim either a deduction or a foreign tax credit with respect to Israeli income taxes paid or incurred on our Israeli source oil and gas income. As a general rule, Zion anticipates it will be more advantageous for it to claim a credit rather than a deduction for applicable Israeli income taxes on its United States tax return. A tax treaty exists between the United States and Israel that would provide opportunity to use the tax credit. 

71


Exploration and development expenses. Under current Israeli tax laws, exploration and development expenses incurred by a holder of a petroleum right can, at the option of such holder, either be expensed in the year it occurs or capitalized and expensed (or amortized) over a period of years. Most of our expenses to date have been treated for Israeli income tax purposes as accumulated revenue expenses.

Depletion allowances. Under current Israeli tax laws, the holder of an interest in a petroleum license or lease is allowed a deduction for income tax purposes on account of the depletion of the petroleum reserve relating to such interest. This may be by way of percentage depletion or cost depletion, whichever is greater. Percentage depletion is at the rate of 27.5% of the gross income, but subject to a limit of 50% of the net income attributed to the relevant petroleum license or lease in that tax year. Cost depletion is the amount calculated by dividing the "adjusted cost" of the petroleum interest, being the cost less accrued depletion allowances to date, at the beginning of the tax year, by the number of units remaining in the estimated petroleum reservoir at the beginning of such year, and multiplying this sum by the number of units of petroleum produced from the interest and saved during the tax year.

Corporate tax. Under current Israeli tax laws, whether a company is registered in Israel or is a foreign company operating in Israel through a branch, it is subject to Israeli Companies Tax on its taxable income (including capital gains) from Israeli sources at a flat rate of 34% in 2005, which rate is scheduled to reduce annually thereafter to a minimum rate of 25% by 2010.

Import duties . Insofar as similar items are not available in Israel, the Petroleum Law provides that the owner of a petroleum right may import into Israel, free of customs, purchase taxes and other import duties, all machinery, equipment, installations, fuel, structures, transport facilities etc. (apart from consumer goods and private cars and similar vehicles) that are required for the petroleum exploration and production purposes.

Currency control . If the necessary taxes have been paid and a foreign currency source has been established for the relevant investment, foreign investors may repatriate principal and profits of investments without restriction.

Royalties on production . Under the Petroleum Law, the holder of a petroleum lease is required to pay a royalty of one-eighth in kind or cash (at the option of the Petroleum Commissioner) of the quantity of petroleum produced and saved from the leased area excluding the quantity of petroleum used by the lessee in its operations. Royalties are treated as revenue expenses.

Proposed Changes in Petroleum Taxation

 

On October 23, 2002, in conjunction with the 2003 Budget, a bill was submitted to the Israeli Knesset by the Government that, if it had been adopted, would have led to a major restructuring of the Israeli system for taxing oil and gas operations and income. Pursuant to the proposal, the applicable taxes would have been imposed in accordance with rules to have been established by the Minister of Finance and would have been deductible against the Companies Tax. While this proposal was rejected in Knesset committee and was not passed in conjunction with the 2003

72


Budget and was not resubmitted in connection with either the 2004, 2005 or 2006 budget, it may be resubmitted in the future.

 

An alternative initiative to amend the fiscal regime applicable to oil and gas operations was proposed in 2003 by the Ministry of National Infrastructures on a preliminary basis for further study. Under this proposal, the current royalty-based system would be replaced by a Petroleum Revenue Tax regime in which tax rates for on-shore production would vary between 0 - 30% (up to 75% for certain off-shore production), following recapture of costs, depending on the size of the discovery. It has been the position of the Ministry of National Infrastructures that any new fiscal regime should not apply to holders of outstanding exploration licenses and production leases and that such holders be governed by the existing fiscal regime ("grandfather rights"). The staffs of the Israeli Finance and Justice Ministries have taken issue with the Ministry of National Infrastructures on this point. Zion does not know and cannot predict how this dispute would be resolved or, if "grandfathered" status were not granted, how the courts would treat a challenge to any attempt to subject existing rights holders to the proposed new fiscal regime, which in many circumstances would result in substantially higher government takes than provided under the current regime.

Petroleum Revenue Tax regimes, as that which was preliminarily proposed by the Ministry of National Infrastructures, are as a general matter not entitled to foreign tax credit for U.S. tax purposes unless specifically provided in a tax treaty between the United States and the taxing jurisdiction. The current U.S. - Israel Tax Treaty does not provide for a credit for any Israeli tax in the nature of a Petroleum Revenue Tax. Thus, if the proposal of the Ministry of National Infrastructures were to be adopted, and if the U.S. - Israel Tax Treaty is not amended to provide for such credits, to the extent we would be subjected to the new tax in Israel, our United States tax liability will likely be increased significantly. Moreover, if the regime proposed were adopted and if we were successful in discovering major reserves resulting in multiple payout, our tax liabilities in Israel might in certain circumstances be substantially greater than our combined royalty and Companies Tax liability in Israel under the current regime.

We have been informed by the Petroleum Commissioner's office that all further work on this matter has been frozen.

 

The law relating to taxation of petroleum exploration and production operations and related transactions is not well developed in Israel, and many issues relating to the transactions described herein and in which we may be involved, including transactions relating to the transfer of certain interests to our Key Employee Incentive Fund and the Charitable Trusts. The Israeli tax liabilities for the Fund and Trusts have neither been reviewed by Israeli tax authorities nor been subject to judicial scrutiny. As a result, we cannot predict how the Israeli tax authorities or courts will rule in the event issues relating to our contemplated operations and transactions are presented to them.

73


Change in Accountants

During October 2005, our audit committee appointed and our board ratified KPMG-Somekh Chaikin ("KPMG") as our independent registered accounting firm and did not reappoint Lane Gorman Trubitt, L.L.P. The change was made in connection with our increased activity in Israel as we wanted to appoint independent auditors having greater experience with both Israeli practice as well as public companies and SEC reporting requirements. The opinions of Lane Gorman Trubitt, L.L.P. on the audited financial statements for the period January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2004, did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. Since our incorporation, there were no disagreements with Lane Gorman Trubitt, L.L.P., on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, nor have there been any other events that required reporting under SEC regulations.

Employees

We currently employ five consultants and eleven employees, six of whom (out of the sixteen total) are on a part time basis. During the next twelve months, we expect to hire more full-time employees and some of our consultants will change over to full-time employee status. We also expect to hire several consultants for specific short-term services. None of our current employees are subject to any collective bargaining agreements and there have been no strikes. It is contemplated that in a year's time our staffing will be as follows, assuming that the maximum amount is raised in this offering:

Location

Position

Full Time

Part time

Dallas, Texas USA

Administrative

5

1

Operations

2

Clerical

1

1

Los Angeles, California USA

Administrative

2

Caesarea, Israel

Administrative

3

1

Operations

2

1

Clerical

1

1

We intend to establish a key employee incentive Fund. At Zion's 2002 Annual Meeting, our shareholders approved the establishment of such a fund, in which 1.5% of the gross proceeds of our production would be set aside for distribution as bonuses to key employees and consultants. As currently approved by the Board of Directors, the funds would not become available for bonus distribution with respect to any single well until we have received back from production cash amounts equal to the amount of money we spent on the well. The plan is designed to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified oil and gas professionals who would have their personal financial interests aligned with ours. See "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION - Long Term Incentive Plan", page 50. We have also established a Stock Option Plan designed for

74


participation of employees, as well as officers, directors and consultants, that is also designed to attract, retain and motivate the company's employees. See "STOCK OPTION PLAN", page 52.

Provision for Severance Pay

Under Israeli law and labor agreements, an Israeli employer is required to make severance payments to its Israeli employees who leave its employment under certain circumstances. The liability in respect of certain of the company's employees is discharged in part by participating in a defined contribution pension plan and making regular deposits with recognized pension funds. The deposits are based on certain components of the salaries of the said employees. The custody and management of the amounts so deposited are independent of the company's control and accordingly such amounts funded (included in expenses on an accrual basis) and related liabilities are not reflected in the balance sheet. Part of the liability is discharged by deposits made with severance pay funds.

The liability for severance pay is calculated on the basis of the latest salary paid to each employee multiplied by the number of years of employment. The liability is covered by the amounts deposited including accumulated income thereon as well as by the unfunded provision. The expenses in respect of severance pay for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 amounted to $45,209. Withdrawals from the funds may be made only upon termination of employment.

The Company's liability for termination of the employer-employee relationship is composed as follows:

 

September 30, 2005

Provision for severance pay

$45,209

Amounts funded including accumulated income

5,122

 

$40,087

Books and Records

Our shareholders shall have the right, to the extent required by and in accordance with the criteria and procedures set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, during the usual hours for business, to inspect for any proper purpose our stock ledger, a list of our stockholders, and our other books and records, and to make copies or extracts from such books and records.

Environmental Legislation

There is no environmental legislation in Israel directed specifically to on-shore petroleum exploration activities. Conduct of petroleum exploration and drilling activities in compliance with "good oil field practices" will as a general matter meet the requirements of Israeli law regarding petroleum exploration activities. We intend to conduct all activities in compliance with "good oil field practices" and our proposed budgets and authorizations for expenditures have been and will be prepared on such basis. In the circumstances, no additional costs have been budgeted for the specific purpose of complying with environmental laws.

75


 

Summary of Material Corporate Events

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. was incorporated in Florida on April 6, 2000, and we were awarded our first petroleum right in Israel in May 2000, the Ma'anit License. In January 2002, a wholly-owned subsidiary with the same name was incorporated in Delaware. The Florida corporation was merged into the Delaware corporation on July 9, 2003, the purpose of which was solely to reincorporate from Florida to Delaware in anticipation of this offering. We believe investors, investment bankers and attorneys are generally more familiar and comfortable with Delaware corporation law than any other state. Upon the reincorporation, all the outstanding shares of common stock in the Florida corporation were converted into common stock of the Delaware corporation on a one-to-one basis and all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock in the Florida corporation were converted into common stock of the Delaware corporation at the ratio of twelve shares of common stock for each share of preferred stock and all warrants of the Florida corporation were converted into warrants issued by the Delaware corporation for the same number of Delaware common shares.

The shareholders at the February 2002 Annual Meeting gave our board of directors the authority to reverse split Zion's common stock. The board of directors did not exercise that authority and it expired at the next Annual Meeting of Zion, held June 30, 2003. The shareholders at the 2002 Annual Meeting also authorized our board of directors to establish two charitable trusts, one to support charitable projects in Israel and one to support charitable projects in the United States and other countries. See "PLAN OF OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION - Charitable Trusts", page 20.

In May 2002, we filed an amendment to our articles of incorporation changing the par value of our common stock from $0.001 per share to $0.01 per share. In September 2004, we amended our bylaws to increase the maximum number of directors of the company from nine to eleven, and to clarify that an officer other than the chairman would serve as our chief executive officer.

In October 2005, we amended our bylaws to provide that the chief executive officer of the company need not serve as either our chairman or president, but could be appointed to serve independently of holding any other office. Certain additional technical amendments were also adopted to implement that possibility and to clarify that the company's treasurer could report to the chief financial officer, as well as to the president and chief executive officer.

 

TAX CONSEQUENCES

We are not including in this prospectus a section on material federal income tax consequences for non-US investors because neither we nor the underwriters' representatives have entered into any agreements with Non-U.S. Agents the United States. If any such agreements are entered into, we will file a post-effective amendment containing federal income tax information for non-US residents.

We are not including in this prospectus a section on material Israeli income tax consequences for US investors because the holders of our common stock will not be directly subject to any Israeli

76


income taxes related to their holdings. All Israeli income taxes will be paid by us and either credited or expensed against any United States federal income tax liability we may incur.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

Alice A. Waters, Attorney at Law, Waxahachie, Texas, will pass on the validity of the issuance of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Virginia K. Sourlis, Esq., Red Bank, New Jersey. Ray, Cho, Wiley, Van Brauman & Gibson, LLPC, Dallas, Texas, will pass on certain tax consequences of an investment in the shares.

 

EXPERTS

The audited financial statements included in this prospectus have been audited by Lane Gorman Trubitt, L.L.P., independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.

The report of Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc., ("FGA")is referred to in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in oil and gas exploration and production. Since participating in the preparation of the report as a consultant to FGA, Mr. Forrest A. Garb, the former principal owner and former chief executive of FGA, has joined our board of directors. See "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS", page 42 and "INTEREST OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL", page 59.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act, relating to our shares. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we filed with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, exhibits and schedules for more information about us and our shares. You can read and copy the registration statement, exhibits and schedules at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. We will be required to file current reports, quarterly reports, annual reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy those reports, proxy statements and other information at the SEC's Public Reference Room and regional offices or through its Internet site. We intend to furnish our shareholders with annual reports that will include a description of our operations and audited consolidated financial statements certified by an independent public accounting firm.

 

77


 

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AND REPORT OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTING FIRM

DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003

 

 

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm..........................................F-2

Balance Sheets - December 31, 2004 and 2003..............................................................F-3

Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003..............F-4

Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity................................................................F-5

Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003..............F-9

Notes to Financial Statements...........................................................................F-11 to F-19







F-1


Report of Independent Registered Accountants

F-2


ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

BALANCE SHEETS

December 31,

ASSETS

2004

2003

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 468,409

$ 13,264

Prepaid expenses and other

18,284

2,067

Refundable value-added tax

14,036

18

Total current assets

500,729

15,349

UNPROVED OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

1,394,938

796,463

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

net of accumulated depreciation of $485 and $405

14,439

8,029

OTHER ASSETS

Cost associated with public offering

-

251,420

Assets held for severance benefits

4,668

4,237

Total other assets

4,668

255,657

Total assets

$ 1,914,774

$ 1,075,498

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Notes payable to related parties

$ 144,000

$ 95,000

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

1,009,402

609,387

Accrued liabilities

23,729

6,072

Total current liabilities

1,177,131

710,459

NOTES PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTIES,

LESS CURRENT MATURITIES

-

43,500

PROVISION FOR SEVERANCE PAY, NET

35,985

11,333

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Common stock, par value $.01; 20,000,000 shares

authorized; 2004 5,537,787 shares; 2003 4,858,851

shares issued and outstanding

55,378

48,589

Additional paid-in capital

3,696,107

1,636,200

Deficit accumulated in development stage

(3,049,827)

(1,374,583)

Total stockholders' equity

701,658

310,206

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 1,914,774

$ 1,075,498

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

F-3


 

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Period from

Year Ended

Year Ended

April 6, 2000 (inception)

December 31, 2004

December 31, 2003

to December 31, 2004

REVENUE

$                  -

$                  -

$                  -

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Legal and Professional

431,457

585,825

1,447,443

Salaries

452,149

80,007

575,479

Other

247,904

131,837

461,842

Total

1,131,510

797,669

2,484,764

Loss from operations

(1,131,510)

(797,669)

(2,484,764)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Termination of initial public offering

(507,380)

-

(507,380)

Interest expense

(36,354)

(17,645)

(57,683)

Loss before income tax

(1,675,244)

(815,314)

(3,049,827)

Income taxes

                  -

                  -

                  -

NET LOSS

$ (1,675,244)

$   (815,314)

$ (3,049,827)

NET LOSS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK -

BASIC AND DILUTED

$          (0.34)

$          (0.19)

$          (0.92)

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES

OUTSTANDING - BASIC AND DILUTED

4,985,392

4,216,921

3,324,365

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

F-4


ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to December 31, 2004

Deficit

Accumulated

Additional

in

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in

Development

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Capital

Stage

Total

Balances, April 6, 2000

-

$         -

-

$         -

$         -

$         -

$         -

Issued for cash ($0.001 per share)

-

-

2,400,000

240

2,160

-

2,400

Issuance of shares and warrants in a private

offering which closed in January 2001

($1 per share)

-

-

100,000

10

99,990

-

100,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(22,250)

-

(22,250)

Net loss

         -

         -

         -

         -

         -

(5,364)

(5,364)

Balances, December 31, 2000

-

-

2,500,000

250

79,900

(5,364)

74,786

Issuance of shares and warrants in a private

offering which closed in January 2001

($1 per share)

-

-

135,000

13

134,987

-

135,000

Issuance of shares and warrants in a private

offering which closed in September 2001

($1 per share)

-

-

125,000

12

124,988

-

125,000

Payment of accounts payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

40,000

4

39,996

-

40,000

Payment of note payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

25,000

3

24,997

-

25,000

Issuance of shares and warrants in a private

offering which closed in November 2001

($1 per share)

-

-

175,000

18

174,982

-

175,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(84,676)

-

(84,676)

Net loss

         -

         -

         -

         -

         -

(166,753)

(166,753)

Balances, December 31, 2001

-

-

3,000,000

300

495,174

(172,117)

323,357

(Continued on following page)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements

F-5


 

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to December 31, 2004

(Continued)

Deficit

Accumulated

Additional

in

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in

Development

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Capital

Stage

Total

Change in par value of common shares

from $0.0001 per share to $0.01 per share

-

-

-

29,700

(29,700)

-

-

Issuance of shares and warrants in

a private offering which closed in

January 2002 ($1 per share)

-

-

20,000

200

19,800

-

20,000

Issuance of shares and warrants in

a private offering which closed in

November 2002 ($10 per share)

25,400

254

-

-

253,746

-

254,000

Payment of accounts payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

12,700

127

532,500

5,325

334,048

-

339,500

Payment of note payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

5,000

50

-

-

49,950

-

50,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(159,449)

-

(159,449)

Net loss

         -

         -

         -

         -

         -

(387,152)

(387,152)

Balances, December 31, 2002

43,100

$ 431

3,552,500

$ 35,525

$ 963,569

$ (559,269)

$ 440,256

(Continued on following page)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements

F-6


ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to December 31, 2004

(Continued)

Deficit

Accumulated

Additional

in

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in

Development

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Capital

Stage

Total

Issuance of shares in connection

with executive employment

-

-

50,000

500

49,500

-

50,000

Issuance of shares on warrants exercise

-

-

165,000

1,650

31,350

-

33,000

Issuance of dividend shares to

record holders as of December 31, 2002

4,310

43

-

-

(43)

-

-

Issuance of shares and warrants in

a private offering which closed in

February 2003 ($10 per share)

for cash consideration

10,500

105

-

-

104,895

-

105,000

for reduction of accounts payable

4,554

46

-

-

45,494

-

45,540

Issuance of shares and warrants as

compensation for extension of

$100,000 line of credit

1,000

10

-

-

9,990

-

10,000

Payment of account payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

100

1

-

-

999

-

1,000

Conversion of preferred shares to common

shares in reincorporation merger

(63,564)

(636)

762,768

7,628

(6,992)

-

-

Issuance of shares in a private offering

which closed in July 2003 ($3 per share)

for cash consideration

-

-

33,000

330

98,670

-

99,000

for reduction of accounts payable

-

-

3,000

30

8,970

-

9,000

Issuance of shares upon

exercise of options and warrants:

for cash consideration

-

-

25,000

250

24,750

-

25,000

for reduction of accounts payable

-

-

124,083

1,241

142,217

-

143,458

Issuance of shares upon

Exercise of warrants for cash consideration

-

-

63,500

635

82,115

-

82,750

Payment of account payable through

issuance of shares

-

-

80,000

800

139,200

-

140,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(58,484)

-

(58,484)

Net loss

         -

         -

         -

         -

         -

(815,314)

(815,314)

Balances, December 31, 2003

         -

$         -

4,858,851

$ 48,589

$ 1,636,200

$(1,374,583)

$ 310,206

(Continued on following page)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements

F-7


 

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to December 31, 2004

(Continued)

Deficit

Accumulated

Additional

in

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in

Development

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Capital

Stage

Total

Issuance of shares on warrants exercise

-

-

122,000

1,225

182,525

-

183,750

Issuance of shares and warrants in

a private offering

-

-

263,083

2,631

1,007,619

-

1,010,250

Payment of officer salaries through

isuance of shares and warrants

-

-

114,603

1,146

278,050

-

279,196

Payment of director honorariums through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

11,250

112

44,888

-

45,000

Payment of account payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

12,500

125

49,875

-

50,000

Payment of bridge loan through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

125,000

1,250

498,750

-

500,000

Payment of bridge loan interest and commitment fee

through issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

7,500

75

29,925

-

30,000

Payment of bridge loan finders fee through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

2,500

25

7,475

-

7,500

Payment of service bonus through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

20,000

200

19,800

-

20,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(59,000)

-

(59,000)

Net loss

-

-

-

-

-

(1,675,244)

(1,675,244)

Balances, December 31, 2004

-

-

5,537,787

$ 55,378

$ 3,696,107

$(3,049,827)

$ 701,658

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements

F-8


ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Period from

Year Ended

Year Ended

April 6, 2000 (inception)

December 31, 2004

December 31, 2003

to December 31, 2004

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net loss

$ (1,675,244)

$ (815,314)

$ (3,049,827)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash

used in operating activities

Depreciation

80

69

485

Officer, director and other fees, paid via common stock

364,196

60,000

424,196

Interest paid through issuance of common stock

17,500

-

17,500

Write-off of costs associated with public offering

507,380

-

507,380

Change in assets and liabilities, net:

Refundable value-added tax

(14,018)

5,024

(14,036)

Prepaid expenses and other

(16,217)

-

(18,284)

Accounts payable

450,015

501,066

1,451,891

Accrued liabilities

17,657

6,072

23,729

Severance pay

24,221

6,325

31,317

Net cash used in operating activities

(324,430)

(236,758)

(625,649)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Acquisition of property and equipment

(6,490)

(7,042)

(14,924)

Investment in oil and gas properties

(598,475)

(101,928)

(1,394,938)

Net cash used in investing activities

(604,965)

(108,970)

(1,409,862)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Loan proceeds - related party

11,000

106,192

258,620

Loan principal repayments - related party

(5,500)

(18,282)

(77,160)

Loan proceeds--other

500,000

-

500,000

Proceeds from sale of stock

1,194,000

326,750

2,307,150

Financing costs of issuing stock

(314,960)

(87,804)

(484,690)

Net cash provided by financing activities

1,384,540

326,856

2,503,920

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

455,145

(18,872)

468,409

Cash - Beginning of period

13,264

32,136

-

Cash - End of period

$ 468,409

$ 13,264

$ 468,409

(Continued on following page)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

F-9


 

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Continued)

Period from

Year Ended

Year Ended

April 6, 2000 (inception) to

December 31, 2004

December 31, 2003

December 31, 2004

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Cash paid for interest

$ 16,050

$ 13,502

$ 30,331

Cash paid for income taxes

-

-

-

Payment of accounts payable through

issuance of preferred and common stock

50,000

356,998

786,498

Payment of note payable through issuance

of common stock

500,000

-

575,000

Payment of accounts payable through

issuance of note payable

-

-

34,678

Financing costs paid through issuance of

common stock

-

-

25,000

Increase in accounts payable for

financing costs

-

222,100

381,549

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

F-10


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature of Operations

Effective July 9, 2003, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida corporation ("Zion Florida") was merged into its wholly owned Delaware subsidiary, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (the Company), the purpose of which was solely to reincorporate from Florida to Delaware in anticipation of a public offering. Upon the reincorporation, all the outstanding shares of common stock in the Zion Florida were converted into common stock of the Company on a one-to-one basis and all the outstanding shares of preferred stock in Zion Florida were converted into common stock of the Company at the ratio of twelve shares of common for each share of preferred stock. All of the outstanding warrants and options of Zion Florida were converted into equivalent warrants and options of the Company.

The Company holds a petroleum exploration license on approximately 95,800 acres of unproved properties in north-central Israel called the "Ma'anit-Joseph License", issued to the Company by the state of Israel. The primary term on the license expires April 30, 2005 and it contains a commitment to start the drilling or re-entry of a well on or before the later of (a) March 1, 2005 or (b) forty-five (45) days following the receipt of notice of rig availability from the drilling contractor. Re-entry of the Ma'anit #1 well began on April 10, 2005. Because re-entry of the well commenced prior to April 30, 2005, the Company became entitled to receive, and effective April 10, 2005 has received, an extension of the License through April 30, 2007, subject to completion of the drilling and testing of the Ma'anit well and submission of a satisfactory plan for continuation of exploration in the License Area. On December 29, 2004, the Company signed a drilling contract with Lapidoth Israel Oil Prospectors Corp., Ltd. (the "Drilling Contract") which provides for commencement of the re-entry and deepening of the Ma'anit #1 well to a depth of between 4,000 and 5,000 meters on the later of (a) March 15, 2005 or (b) forty-five (45) days following release of the rig from its current project. The Drilling Contract was submitted to the Israeli Petroleum Commissioner (the "Commissioner") and found to be in compliance with the terms of the License. The Company holds net assets of $910,403 in Israel. The net loss associated with operations in Israel was $121,043 and $90,162 for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively. The net loss associated with U.S. operations was $1,554,201 and $725,152 for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Operations in Israel are conducted through a branch office and the License is held directly in the name of the Company.

Basis of Presentation

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. Since the Company is in the development stage, it has limited capital resources, insignificant revenue, and a loss from operations. The appropriateness of using the going concern basis is dependent upon the Company's ability to obtain additional financing or equity capital and, ultimately, to achieve profitable operations. The uncertainty of these conditions in the past has created doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. However, the success of the Company's recent private placement of $3,955,000 in common stock and warrants and the recent extension of the Company's exploration license in Israel have put much of that doubt to rest. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Management Presentation

On February 11, 2004, the Company filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to offer 7,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock to the public. The minimum offering requirement of $6,500,000 was not subscribed by the offering termination date of August 30, 2004. As a result, no securities were sold to the public, all escrow subscription funds (approximately $3.7 million) which had been received relating to the offering were sent back to the subscribers by the escrow agent, and the Company removed from registration the 7,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Management plans to continue to raise capital through debt and private offerings, and intends during 2005 to file a registration statement for a public offering, without minimum. Management intends to continue to use the proceeds from debt and/or equity sales to explore for and develop oil and gas reserves in Israel. The Company believes that these actions will enable the Company to carry out its business plan and to achieve profitable operations.

F-11


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Financial Statements in United States Dollars

The currency of the primary economic environment in which the operations of the Company are conducted is the United States dollar ("dollar"). Therefore, the Company uses the dollar as its functional and reporting currency. Certain of the dollar amounts in the financial statements may represent the dollar equivalent of other currencies, including the New Israeli Shekel ("NIS"), and may not be exchangeable for dollars.

Cash

The Company maintains its cash balance at two banks with one bank located in the United States and one bank located in Israel. The account at the bank located in the United States is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $100,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Oil and Gas Properties

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 income from continuing operations before income taxes and the adjusted carrying amount of the unproved properties is amortized on the unit-of-production method.

Abandonments of properties are accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs with no loss recognized. During the years ending December 31, 2004 and 2003, no unproved property was found to be impaired.

The net capitalized costs are subject to a "ceiling test" which limits such costs to the aggregate of the estimated present value of future net revenues from proved reserves discounted at ten percent based on current economic and operating conditions, plus the lower of cost or fair market value of unproved properties.

The recoverability of amounts capitalized for oil and gas properties is dependent upon the identification of economically recoverable reserves, together with obtaining the necessary financing to exploit such reserves and the achievement of profitable operations.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment other than oil and gas property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives of five to ten years using accelerated methods. Depreciation charged to expense amounted to $80 and $69 for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $485 for the period April 6, 2000 (inception) to December 31, 2004.

 

 

 

F-12


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, other than oil and gas properties, are periodically reviewed for impairment based on an assessment of future operations. The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets'

carrying amount. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the fair market value of the asset. Impairment for oil and gas properties is computed in the manner described above under "Oil and Gas Properties."

Costs Associated With Public Offering

Costs associated with each specific private or public offering are accumulated until either the closing of the offering or its abandonment. If the offering is abandoned, the costs are expensed in the period the offering is abandoned. If the offering is completed and funds are raised, the accumulated costs are a reduction to the paid-in capital attributable to the offering. As of December 31, 2003, $251,420 of equity offering costs were attributable to the public offering of common stock pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2004. On August 31, 2004 the Company charged to expense $507,380 associated with the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2004 which was terminated. Included as a reduction to paid-in capital during 2004 and 2003 is $59,000 and $58,484 associated with private offerings of common stock.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due, if any, plus net deferred taxes related primarily to differences between the bases of assets and liabilities for financial and income tax reporting. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax return consequences of those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets include recognition of operating losses that are available to offset future taxable income and tax credits that are available to offset future income taxes. Valuation allowances are recognized to limit recognition of deferred tax assets where appropriate. Such allowances may be reversed when circumstances provide evidence that the deferred tax assets will more likely than not be realized.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is accrued and recognized in the month the oil and gas is produced and sold. Reimbursement of costs from well operations is netted against the related oil and gas production expenses.

Stock-Based Compensation

Prior to 2003, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB No. 25) and related interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation expense for stock options was reflected in net income for the year ended December 31, 2004, as all stock options granted under those plans had and exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the preferable fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS No. 123). The Company selected the prospective method of adoption described in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure. Compensation cost recognized in 2003 and 2002 is the same as that which would have been recognized had the fair value method of SFAS No. 123 been applied from its original effective date. In accordance with the prospective method of adoption, results for years prior to 2003 have not been restated.

F-13


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

New Accounting Standards

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (FAS 123R), which requires that compensation costs relating to share-based payments be recognized in the Company's financial statements. The Company currently accounts for those payments under the recognition and measurement principles of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. The Company believes FAS 123R will have no impact on the Company's financial statements.

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, - an Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29, (FAS 153), which is effective for the Company for asset-exchange transactions beginning July 1, 2005. Under APB 29, assets received in certain types of nonmonetary exchanges were permitted to be recorded at the carrying value of the assets that were exchanged (i.e. recorded on a carryover basis). As amended by FAS 153, assets received in some circumstances will have to be recorded instead at their fair values. The Company believes the FAS 153 will have no impact on the Company's financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company's financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

3. PROVISION FOR SEVERANCE PAY

Under Israeli law and labor agreements, an Israeli employer is required to make severance payments to its dismissed

Israeli employees and to Israeli employees who leave its employment under certain circumstances.

a.

The liability in respect of certain of the Company's employees is discharged in part by participating in a defined

contribution pension plan and making regular deposits with recognized pension funds. The deposits are based on

certain components of the salaries of the said employees. The custody and management of the amounts so deposited

are independent of the Company's control and accordingly such amounts funded (included in expenses on an accrual

basis) and related liabilities are not reflected in the balance sheet.

b.

Part of the liability is discharged by deposits made with severance pay funds.

c.

The liability for severance pay is calculated on the basis of the latest salary paid to each employee multiplied by the

number of years of employment. The liability is covered by the amounts deposited including accumulated income

thereon as well as by the unfunded provision.

d.

The income (expenses) in respect of severance pay for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the period

from April 6, 2000 to December 31, 2004 amounted to $16,888, $6,325 and $31,317, respectively.

e.

Withdrawals from the funds may be made only upon termination of employment.

f.

The Company's liability for termination of the employer-employee relationship is composed as follows at December

31:

 

2004

2003

Provision for severance pay

$ 35,985

$11,333

Amounts funded including accumulated income

4,668

4,237

 

$ 31,317

$ 7,096

F-14


 

 

 

 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

The Company has reserved 977,334 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2004 for the exercise of warrants. These warrants have been excluded from earnings per share calculations because they are anti-dilutive at December 31, 2004 and 2003. These warrants could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in future years. The warrants exercise prices and expiration dates are as follows:

Exercise

Number

Expiration

Price

of Shares

Date

$ 1.00

378,834

January 31, 2005

1.50

197,000

January 31, 2005

3.00

130,000

December 31, 2005

3.00

40,000

December 31, 2006

4.00

50,000

December 31, 2006

5.00

181,500

December 31, 2006

977,344

Number

Weighted Average

of Shares

Exercise Price

Outstanding, January 1, 2003

890,333

$ 1.08

Granted to:

Employees, officers and directors

325,270

1.66

Others

65,500

1.50

Expired/canceled

-

-

Exercised

(382,583)

.76

Outstanding, December 31, 2003

898,520

1.42

Granted to:

   Employees, officers and directors

90,000

4.72

   Others

211,500

4.22

   Expired/canceled

-

-

   Exercised

(222,686)

1.36

Outstanding, December 31, 2004

977,334

2.34

In connection with the recapitalization merger on July 9, 2003, all outstanding options were converted to warrants. If not previously exercised, of those warrants from the recapitalization merger outstanding at December 31, 2004, warrants to purchase 575,834 shares of common stock will expire on January 31, 2005.

The fair value of each warrant granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Minimum Value option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate

2.00%

Expected dividends

-

Expected terms (in years)

3.0

Compensation cost is determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards. The fair value and compensation cost associated with grants of warrants during 2004 and 2003 is $0 for each year. The fair values generated by the Minimum Value model may not be indicative of the future benefit, if any, that may be received by the option or warrant holder.

F-15


 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Included in accounts payable at December 31, 2004 and 2003 are payables to officers and directors of the Company totaling $642,189 and $248,162, respectively for salaries, consulting services, bonuses and reimbursements of expenses.

Costs allocated to financing costs of $0 and $55,500 were paid to officers and directors of the Company and are netted against additional paid-in capital as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Additionally, costs allocated to public offering costs of $0 and $176,558 were paid to officers and directors of the Company as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Included in general and administrative expenses at December 31, 2004 and 2003 are fees and expenses totaling $172,335 and $223,960, respectively, paid to officers and directors for professional, legal, and accounting fees, meals, travel and miscellaneous expense reimbursement.

Notes payable to related parties includes $44,000 under a loan facility with Cimarron Resources, Inc. (Cimarron), a company owned by the President of the Company. Cimarron obtained the monies to lend to the Company through a loan facility with Bank One. The note accrues interest at Bank One's Prime Rate (4.25% at December 31, 2004) plus 2.5%. The terms of Cimarron's loan facility to Zion are a 100 month term loan repayable monthly commencing December 1, 2003 in $500 increments, with Cimarron having the option commencing January 15, 2005 to call the loan in whole or in $5,000 increments on 30 days notice.

Notes payable to related parties includes a $100,000 note payable under a line of credit loan agreement with a shareholder of the Company in the maximum amount of $100,000 to be repaid out of the first $200,000 in receipts from a public offering, or on June 30, 2005, which ever occurs first. Any outstanding balance may be converted at the election of the lender to shares of common stock at $4.00 per share. Outstanding balances will accrue interest at 10% per annum. At the direction of the shareholder, a commitment fee of $10,000 was paid to two children of the shareholder in the form of 1,000 shares of preferred stock and warrants to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company's common stock.

On June 30, 2004 and August 25 and 31, 2004, pursuant to a loan agreement dated June 30, 2004, the Robert E. Render Trust (the "Render Trust") a trust controlled by Mr. Robert Render (who was, on September 28, 2004, elected a director of the Company) loaned the Company $100,000, $80,000 and $20,000 respectively ($200,000 in the aggregate)(each such loan, a "Render Loan" and collectively the "Render Loans"). Each Render Loan bore interest at the rate of 10% annually and was due March 2, 2005, subject to Mr. Render's right to convert each Render Loan into a five year amortized term loan. In connection with each Render Loan, the Company granted the Render Trust a warrant to purchase respectively 20,000, 16,000 and 4,000 (40,000 in the aggregate) shares of common stock of the Company at $3.00 per share exercisable at any time between January 1 and December 31, 2006. On September 30, 2004, the Render Trust forgave all of the Render Loans in consideration for 50,000 shares of common stock of the Company and warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock of the Company at $5.00 per share, exercisable at any time through December 31, 2006.

Principal payments on notes payable to related parties are as follows for each of the future years ending December 31,:

2005

$103,882

2006

3,989

2007

4,203

2008

4,430

2009

4,668

2010

22,828

$144,000

 

Included in accounts payable at December 31, 2004 and 2003 are payables to officers and directors of the Company totaling $645,189 and $441,175, respectively for salaries, consulting services, bonuses and reimbursement of expenses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-16


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6. INCOME TAXES

The Company's deferred tax assets (liabilities) consist of the following:

December 31, 2004

December 31, 2003

Deferred tax assets (liabilities):

Net operating loss carry forwards

$ 1,627,372

$ 809,815

Unproved oil & gas properties

(505,246)

(288,854)

1,122,126

520,961

Less valuation allowance

(1,122,126)

(520,961)

Net deferred tax assets

$              -

$              -

The difference from the expected income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 at the statutory federal tax rate of 34% for the United States of America and 35% for Israel and the actual income tax expense is primarily the result of net operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences between financial statement and income tax recognition of depreciation and amortization.

The valuation allowance was established to reduce the deferred tax asset for the amounts that more likely than not will not be realized. This reduction is primarily necessary due to the uncertainty of the Company's ability to utilize all of the net operating loss carryforwards. The valuation allowance increased $601,165 and $307,077 in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

At December 31, 2004, the Company has available net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $3,055,000 to reduce future U. S. taxable income. These carryforwards expire from 2020 to 2025.

Income earned from activities in Israel is subject to regular Israeli tax rates. For Israeli tax purposes, exploration costs on unproved properties are expensed. Losses can be carried forward indefinitely, linked to the increase in the Israeli Consumer Price Index. At December 31, 2004, the Company has available net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $1,633,000 to reduce future Israeli taxable income.

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Environmental Matters

The Company is engaged in oil and gas exploration and production and may become subject to certain liabilities as they relate to environmental cleanup of well sites or other environmental restoration procedures as they relate to the drilling of oil and gas wells and the operation thereof. Although environmental assessments are conducted on all purchased properties, in the Company's acquisition of existing or previously drilled well bores, the Company may not be aware of what environmental safeguards were taken at the time such wells were drilled or during such time the wells were operated.

Should it be determined that a liability exists with respect to any environmental clean up or restoration, the liability to cure such a violation could fall upon the Company. No claim has been made, nor is the Company aware of any liability, which it may have, as it relates to any environmental clean up, restoration or the violation of any rules or regulations relating thereto. Liabilities for expenditures are recorded when environmental assessment and/or remediation is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

 

 

F-17


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

Royalty Commitments

The Company is obligated, according to the Israeli Petroleum Law, 5712-1952 (the Petroleum Law), to pay royalties to the Government of Israel on oil and gas produced from the oil and gas properties of the Company located in Israel (except those reserves serving to operate the wells and related equipment and facilities).

The royalty rate stated in the Petroleum Law is 12.5% of the produced reserves as mentioned above.

The Company has initiated the establishment of a Key Employee Royalty Pool whereby a 1 1/2% overriding royalty or equivalent interest in the Ma'anit-Joseph License and such other oil and gas exploration and development rights as may in the future be acquired by the Company shall be assigned to Key Employees.

The Company has initiated the establishment of two charitable trusts based in Israel and in the United States for the purpose of supporting charitable projects and other charities in Israel and the United States. A 3% overriding royalty or equivalent interest in the Ma'anit-Joseph License and such other oil and gas exploration and development rights as may in the future be acquired by the Company shall be assigned to each charitable organization (6% overriding interest in the aggregate).

At December 31, 2004, the Company does not have any outstanding obligation in respect to royalty payments, since it is at the "exploration stage" and, to this date, no proved reserves have been found.

Drilling Commitment

On December 29, 2004, the Company signed a drilling contract with Lapidoth Israel Oil Prospectors Corp., Ltd. The contract calls for a daily rate of $14,000 to be paid by the Company as well as a $100,000 mobilization and $100,000 demobilization fee. Of these sums, $60,000 relating to mobilization was paid on signing of the contract. On February 15, 2005 an additional $40,000 relating to the demobilization fee was required and paid. On March 7, 2005, $200,000 was deposited in a Company account managed by a trustee in respect to this contract, $100,000 of which related to the mobilization fee which was paid to contractor on mobilization of the rig on March 20, 2005. An additional $840,000 was deposited in the same account on April 10, 2005, to cover the daily rate of the contract for the first 60 drilling days.

Lease Commitment

The Company is obligated under an operating lease for office space through 2008. Management expects that, in the normal course of business, leases that expire will be renewed by other leases; thus it is anticipated that future minimum lease commitments will not be less than the amount shown for the year ending December 31, 2004. Rent expense for all operating leases was approximately $36,664 and $13,277, net of month-to-month sublease income of $21,840 and $7,464 for 2004 and 2003, respectively. The future minimum lease payments are as follows:

2005

$ 49,244

2006

49,560

2007

51,138

2008

42,615

 

$192,557

F-18


 

 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Exercise of Warrants

In January 2005, warrants to purchase 358,167 shares of the Company's common stock were exercised raising a total of $461,500. Warrants to purchase 7,334 shares of the Company's common stock were exercised to reduce debt and accounts payable totaling $11,001.

Warrants to purchase 60,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $1.00 per share were exercised by the delivery and cancellation of 40,000 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to an agreement between the Company and its vice-president of finance.

Private Placement Offering

As of March 31, 2005, the Company completed a private placement commenced on Sesptember 30, 2004 in which 988,750 shares of our common stock and "E" Warrants to purchase 395,500 shares of common stock were sold to ninety-two (92) investors for a total consideration of $3,955,000. Of the total consideration, $3,092,501 was paid in cash by eighty-four (84) investors, thirty-eight (38) of whom were "accredited" investors in the amount of $1,455,000, thirty-four (34) were "non-accredited" investors in the amount of $1,237,000, and eleven (11) were not residsents of the United States in the amount of $400,501. The remaining consideration of $862,499 was paid by cancellation or reduction of outstanding indebtedness owed by us to thirteen (13) investors (of which three were also cash investors and all of which are either "accredited" or non-US residents), ten (10) of whom were directors and/or officers of the Company in the amount of $575,833, and four (4) of whom were not directors or officers of the Company in the amount of $286,666. The "E" Warrants are exercisable at $5.00 per share through December 31, 2006, and none of the Warrants have been exercised.

F-19


                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)

INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR
THE NINE MONTHS ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

 

 

 

INDEX TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Page

Balance Sheets - September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

F-21

Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

F-22

Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity

F-23

Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

F-28

Notes to Financial Statements

F-30

 

 

F-20


 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Balance Sheets

September 30,

December 31,

ASSETS

2005

2004

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$           294,616

$           468,409

Note receivable

500,000

-

Refundable value added tax and prepaid expenses

          151,647

          32,320

Total current assets

          946,263

        500,729

Unproved oil and gas properties

       7,504,137

      1,394,938

Property and equipment

net of accumulated depreciation of $9,000 and $485

          41,350

          14,439

Other assets

Cost associated with public offering

44,175

-

Assets held for severance benefits

5,122

4,668

Total other assets

49,297

4,668

Total assets

$        8,541,047

$       1,914,774

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities

Notes payable to related parties

$           81,000

$         144,000

Accounts payable

1,440,452

1,009,402

Accrued liabilities

         140,474

          23,729

Total current liabilities

       1,661,926

         1,177,131

Long-term debt

          37,000

                  -

Provision for severance pay

          45,209

          35,985

Deferred officers compensation

        668,595

               -

Stockholders' equity

Common stock, par value $.01; 20,000,000 shares authorized;

7,352,288 and 5,537,787 shares issued and outstanding

73,523

55,378

Additional paid in capital

10,006,525

3,696,107

Accumulated deficit

      (3,951,731)

      (3,049,827)

Total stockholders' equity

        6,128,317

          701,658

Total liabilities and stockholders equity

$         8,541,047

$        1,914,774

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

F-21


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Statements of Operations

Nine-month

Nine-month

Period from

period ended

period ended

April 6, 2000 (inception)

September 30, 2005

September 30, 2004

to September 30, 2005

( Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Revenue

$                      -

$                      -

$                      -

Expenses of operations

General and administrative expenses

876,177

779,973

3,360,941

Termination of initial public offering

-

454,821

507,380

Total expenses of operations

          876,177

         1,234,794

          3,868,321

Loss from operations

(876,177)

(1,234,794)

(3,868,321)

Other income (expense)

Financing expenses, net

           (25,727)

           (26,977)

           (83,410)

Loss before income tax

(901,904)

(1,261,771)

(3,951,731)

Income taxes

                            -

                            -

                            -

Net loss

$         (901,904)

$       (1,261,771)

$       (3,951,731)

Net loss per share of common stock -

Basic and diluted

$              (0.14)

$                  (0.26)

$                  (1.05)

Weighted average shares outstanding -

Basic and diluted

6,567,546

4,878,079

3,766,175

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

F-22


ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to September 30, 2005

Deficit

Accumulated

Additional

in

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in

Development

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Capital

Stage

Total

Balances, April 6, 2000

-

$         -

-

$         -

$         -

$         -

$         -

Issued for cash ($0.001 per share)

-

-

2,400,000

240

2,160

-

2,400

Issuance of shares and warrants in a private

offering which closed in January 2001

($1 per share)

-

-

100,000

10

99,990

-

100,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(22,250)

-

(22,250)

Net loss

                -

                -

                -

                -

                -

          (5,364)

          (5,364)

Balances, December 31, 2000

-

-

2,500,000

250

79,900

(5,364)

74,786

Issuance of shares and warrants in a private

offering which closed in January 2001

($1 per share)

-

-

135,000

13

134,987

-

135,000

Issuance of shares and warrants in a private

offering which closed in September 2001

($1 per share)

-

-

125,000

12

124,988

-

125,000

Payment of accounts payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

40,000

4

39,996

-

40,000

Payment of note payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

25,000

3

24,997

-

25,000

Issuance of shares and warrants in a private

offering which closed in November 2001

($1 per share)

-

-

175,000

18

174,982

-

175,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(84,676)

-

(84,676)

Net loss

                -

                -

                -

                -

                -

      (166,753)

      (166,753)

Balances, December 31, 2001

-

-

3,000,000

300

495,174

(172,117)

323,357

(Continued on following page)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

F-23


ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to September 30, 2005

(Continued)

Deficit

Accumulated

Additional

in

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in

Development

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Capital

Stage

Total

Change in par value of common shares

from $0.0001 per share to $0.01 per share

-

-

-

29,700

(29,700)

-

-

Issuance of shares and warrants in

a private offering which closed in

January 2002 ($1 per share)

-

-

20,000

200

19,800

-

20,000

Issuance of shares and warrants in

a private offering which closed in

November 2002 ($10 per share)

25,400

254

-

-

253,746

-

254,000

Payment of accounts payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

12,700

127

532,500

5,325

334,048

-

339,500

Payment of note payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

5,000

50

-

-

49,950

-

50,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(159,449)

-

(159,449)

Net loss

                -

                -

                -

                -

                -

       (387,152)

       (387,152)

Balances, December 31, 2002

43,100

431

3,552,500

35,525

963,569

(559,269)

440,256

(Continued on following page)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

F-24


ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to September 30, 2005

(Continued)

Deficit

Accumulated

Additional

in

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in

Development

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Capital

Stage

Total

Issuance of shares in connection

with executive employment

-

-

50,000

500

49,500

-

50,000

Issuance of shares on warrants exercise

-

-

165,000

1,650

31,350

-

33,000

Issuance of dividend shares to

record holders as of December 31, 2002

4,310

43

-

-

(43)

-

-

Issuance of shares and warrants in

a private offering which closed in

February 2003 ($10 per share)

     for cash consideration

10,500

105

-

-

104,895

-

105,000

     for reduction of accounts payable

4,554

46

-

-

45,494

-

45,540

Issuance of shares and warrants as

compensation for extension of

$100,000 line of credit

1,000

10

-

-

9,990

-

10,000

Payment of account payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

100

1

-

-

999

-

1,000

Conversion of preferred shares to common

shares in reincorporation merger

(63,564)

(636)

762,768

7,628

(6,992)

-

-

Issuance of shares in a private offering

which closed in July 2003 ($3 per share)

     for cash consideration

-

-

33,000

330

98,670

-

99,000

     for reduction of accounts payable

-

-

3,000

30

8,970

-

9,000

Issuance of shares upon

exercise of options and warrants:

     for cash consideration

-

-

25,000

250

24,750

-

25,000

     for reduction of accounts payable

-

-

124,083

1,241

142,217

-

143,458

Issuance of shares upon

exercise of warrants for cash consideration

-

-

63,500

635

82,115

-

82,750

Payment of account payable through

issuance of shares

-

-

80,000

800

139,200

-

140,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(58,484)

-

(58,484)

Net loss

         -

         -

         -

         -

         -

(815,314)

(815,314)

Balances, December 31, 2003

-

-

4,858,851

48,589

1,636,200

(1,374,583)

310,206

(Continued on following page)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


F-25


ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to September 30, 2005

(Continued)

Deficit

Accumulated

Additional

in

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in

Development

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Capital

Stage

Total

Issuance of shares on warrants exercise

-

-

122,500

1,225

182,525

-

183,750

Issuance of shares and warrants in

a private offering

-

-

263,083

2,631

1,007,619

-

1,010,250

Payment of officer salaries through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

114,603

1,146

278,050

-

279,196

Payment of director honorariums through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

11,250

112

44,888

-

45,000

Payment of account payable through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

12,500

125

49,875

-

50,000

Payment of bridge loan through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

125,000

1,250

498,750

-

500,000

Payment of bridge loan interest and commitment fee

through issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

7,500

75

29,925

-

30,000

Payment of bridge loan finders fee through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

2,500

25

7,475

-

7,500

Payment of service bonus through

issuance of shares and warrants

-

-

20,000

200

19,800

-

20,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(59,000)

-

(59,000)

Net loss

             -

             -

             -

             -

             -

(1,675,244)

(1,675,244)

Balances, December 31, 2004

             -

             -

5,537,787

55,378

3,696,107

(3,049,827)

    701,658

(Continued on following page)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

F-26


ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Period from April 6, 2000 (inception) to September 30, 2005

(Continued)

Deficit

Accumulated

Additional

in

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in

Development

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Capital

Stage

Total

Issuance of shares on warrants exercise:

    for cash

-

-

363,167

3,632

483,643

-

487,275

    for payment of deferred officer salaries

-

-

17,334

173

20,828

-

21,001

   for exchange of shares of common stock

-

-

160,000

1,600

(1,600)

-

-

Cancellation of shares tendered

   for warrants exercise

-

-

(40,000)

(400)

400

-

-

Issuance of shares and warrants in a private

offering that closed in March 2005:

    for cash

-

-

518,750

5,188

2,069,812

-

2,075,000

    for payment of deferred officer salaries

-

-

10,000

100

39,900

-

40,000

    for payment of account payable

-

-

6,250

62

24,938

-

25,000

Issuance of shares and warrants in a private

offering that closed in June 2005:

    for cash

-

-

261,000

2,610

1,302,390

-

1,305,000

    for payment of directors honoraria

-

-

14,000

140

69,860

-

70,000

    for payment of account payable

-

-

1,000

10

4,990

-

5,000

Issuance of shares in a private

offering that closed in September 2005:

    for cash

-

-

461,000

4,610

2,300,390

-

2,305,000

    for payment of deferred officer salaries

-

-

40,000

400

199,600

-

200,000

    for payment of account payable

-

-

2,000

20

9,980

-

10,000

Costs associated with the issuance of shares

-

-

-

-

(214,713)

-

(214,713)

Net loss

           -

             -

             -

             -

                  -

(901,904)

(901,904)

Balances, September 30, 2005

           -

$           -

7,352,288

$73,523

$10,006,317

($3,951,731)

$6,128,317

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

F-27


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Statements of Cash Flows

Period from

Nine-month

Nine-month

April 6, 2000

period ended

period ended

(inception) to

September 30, 2005

September 30, 2004

September 30, 2005

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Cash flow from operating activities

Loss for the period

$         (901,904)

$         1,261,771)

$         (3,951,731)

Adjustments to reconcile loss to cash flows from

operating activities:

Depreciation

8,515

447

9,000

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Increase in assets held for severance pay

(454)

(399)

(5,122)

Increase in current liabilities

1,214,440

651,642

1,043,926

Decease in other liabilities

(13,826)

-

750,804

Increase in receivables and prepaid expenses

               (619,327)

                 18,527

           (676,855)

Cash used in operating activities

               (312,556)

             (591,554)

         (2,829,978)

Cash flows from investing activities

Investment in oil and gas properties

(6,109,199)

(243,381)

(7,504,137)

Property and equipment

                (35,426)

                (6,787)

             (50,350)

Net cash used in investing activities

           (6,144,625)

           (250,168)

         (7,554,487)

Cash flows from financing activities

Loan proceeds-related parties

-

11,000

650,000

Loan principal repayments-related party

(1,000)

(4,500)

(32,000)

Loan proceeds - other

-

500,000

500,000

Loan principal repayments - other

-

(500,000)

(500,000)

Proceeds from sale of stock

6,375,190

1,410,597

10,634,055

Financing costs of issuing stock

                (90,802)

              (58,484)

           (572,974)

Net cash provided by financing activities

              6,283,388

            1,358,613

          10,679,081

Net increase (decrease) in cash

(173,793)

516,891

294,616

Cash - beginning of period

                468,409

                 13,264

                         -

Cash - end of period

$                294,616

$              530,155

$            294,616

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

F-28


ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

Period from

Nine-month

Nine-month

April 6, 2000

period ended

period ended

(inception) to

September 30, 2005

September 30, 2004

September 30, 2005

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Cash paid for interest

$              5,090

$              10,000

$              29,371

Payment of accounts payable through

issuance of preferred and common stock

336,001

293,360

1,373,359

Payment of notes payable through issuance

of common stock

-

500,000

575,000

Payment of accounts payable through

issuance of note payable

-

-

34,678

Financing costs paid through issuance of

common stock

45,000

7,500

77,500

Increase in accounts payable and deferred

compensation for financing costs

8,612

22,502

412,663

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

F-29


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature of Operations

Effective July 9, 2003, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida corporation ("Zion Florida") was merged into its wholly owned Delaware subsidiary, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (the Company), the purpose of which was solely to reincorporate from Florida to Delaware in anticipation of a public offering. Upon the reincorporation, all the outstanding shares of common stock in Zion Florida were converted into common stock of the Company on a one-to-one basis and all the outstanding shares of preferred stock in Zion Florida were converted into common stock of the Company at the ratio of twelve shares of common for each share of preferred stock. All of the outstanding warrants and options of Zion Florida were converted into equivalent warrants and options of the Company.

The Company holds a petroleum exploration license on approximately 98,100 acres of unproved properties in north-central Israel called the "Ma'anit-Joseph License", issued to the Company by the State of Israel. The term on the license expires April 30, 2007 and it contains a commitment to drill or re-enter a well on or before April 30, 2005. On April 10, 2005 the Company commenced of the re-entry of the Ma'anit #1 and deepening of the well. On July 19, 2005 the well reached a depth of 15,509' and testing and completion began thereafter. During drilling and completion operations, the well had numerous significant oil and gas shows in different zones. At present, completion operations on the Ma'anit #1 well have been temporarily suspended and the drilling rig has been released. It is anticipated that during the next few months the Company's engineers will be designing a comprehensive completion procedure using a smaller and less expensive completion rig. They will also be planning the drilling of the next well on the Ma'anit structure to better appraise its overall size, dimensions and production potential. The timing for the completion rig work on the Ma'anit #1 and the drilling of the appraisal well is dependent upon rig availability in Israel and other factors, but both are anticipated to commence in 2006. The Company is required to submit a work program for the remaining term of the license to the Petroleum Commissioner for his approval by February 2006.

Effective August 1, 2005, the Company received formal notification and documentation from the Minister of National Infrastructures and the Petroleum Commissioner granting the Company's application for a Preliminary Permit with Priority Rights for an area covering approximately 121,100 acres abutting on and immediately to the north of the Ma'anit-Joseph License. The permit is designated the "Asher" Permit and covers lands on Israel's coastal plain and Mt. Carmel range. The Asher Permit is for an 18-month period and is subject to a work program, with an estimated total cost of $325,000, which requires the Company to perform certain geological and geophysical work. Upon satisfactory performance of the work program, as may be amended, the Company will be entitled to the grant of an exploration license for a period of up to seven years for a portion of the Asher Permit area not to exceed 400,000 dunam (approximately 98,800) acres. As of September 30, 2005, work on this program had not commenced. Operations in Israel are conducted through a branch office and the License and Permit are held directly in the name of the Company.

Basis of Presentation

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. Since the Company is in the development stage, it has limited capital resources, insignificant revenue, and a loss from operations. The propriety of using the going concern basis is dependent upon the Company's ability to obtain additional financing or equity capital to finance its current operations and, ultimately, to achieve profitable operations. Given the scope of the Company's planned operations over the next year, the success of the Company's recent private placements of $3,955,000 in common stock and warrants that closed March 31, 2005, its accredited private placement of $1,380,000 in common stock and warrants that closed June 10, 2005, its second accredited private placement of $3,230,000 of common stock that closed October 24, 2005, warrants exercised for $390,000 in December 2005, private placements of $814,000 in common stock and warrants in December 2005 through January 24, 2006, and the recent exploration efforts of the Company in Israel, it is the opinion of management that the going concern basis is appropriate.

F-30



Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Management Presentation

On February 17, 2004, the registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission was declared effective to offer 7,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock to the public. The minimum offering requirement of $6,500,000 was not subscribed by the offering termination date of August 30, 2004. As a result, no securities were sold to the public, all escrow subscription funds (approximately $3.7 million) that had been received relating to the offering were sent back to the subscribers by the escrow agent, and the Company removed from registration the 7,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Management plans to continue to raise capital through debt and private offerings, and intends during the fourth quarter of 2005 to file a registration statement for a public offering with a lower minimum. Management intends to continue to use the proceeds from debt and/or equity sales to explore for and develop oil and gas reserves in Israel. The Company believes that these actions will enable the Company to carry out its business plan and to achieve profitable operations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and changes in financial position have been included.

Financial Statements in United States Dollars

The currency of the primary economic environment in which the operations of the Company are conducted is the United States dollar ("dollar"). Therefore, the Company uses the dollar as its functional and reporting currency. Certain of the dollar amounts in the financial statements may represent the dollar equivalent of other currencies, including the New Israeli Shekel ("NIS"), and may not be exchangeable for dollars.

Cash

The Company maintains its cash balance at two banks with one bank located in the United States and one bank located in Israel. The account at the bank located in the United States is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $100,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Oil and Gas Properties

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 income from continuing operations before income taxes and the adjusted carrying amount of the unproved properties is amortized on the unit-of-production method.

Abandonments of properties are accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs with no loss recognized. As of September 30, 2005 no unproved property was found to be impaired. The net capitalized costs are subject to a "ceiling test" which limits such costs to the aggregate of the estimated present value of future net revenues from proved reserves discounted at ten percent based on current economic and operating conditions, plus the lower of cost or fair market value of unproved properties. The recoverability of amounts capitalized for oil and gas properties is dependent upon the identification of economically recoverable reserves, together with obtaining the necessary financing to exploit such reserves and the achievement of profitable operations.

F-31


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment other than oil and gas property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives of five to ten years.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, other than oil and gas properties, are periodically reviewed for impairment based on an assessment of future operations. The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the fair market value of the asset. Impairment for oil and gas properties is computed in the manner described above under "Oil and Gas Properties."

Costs Associated With Public Offering

Costs associated with each specific private or public offering are accumulated until either the closing of the offering or its abandonment. If the offering is abandoned, the costs are expensed in the period the offering is abandoned. If the offering is completed and funds are raised, the accumulated costs are a reduction to the paid-in capital attributable to the offering. Financing costs not attributable to any specific offering are charged to expense as incurred.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting year. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

3. PROVISION FOR SEVERANCE PAY

Under Israeli law and labor agreements, an Israeli employer is required to make severance payments to its dismissed Israeli employees who leave its employment under certain circumstances. The liability in respect of certain of the company's employees is discharged in part by participating in a defined contribution pension plan and making regular deposits with recognized pension funds. The deposits are based on certain components of the salaries of the said employees. The custody and management of the amounts so deposited are independent of the company's control and accordingly such amounts funded (included in expenses on a accrual basis) and related liabilities are not reflected in the balance sheet. Part of the liability is discharged by deposits made with severance pay funds.

The liability for severance pay is calculated on the basis of the latest salary paid to each employee multiplied by the number of years of employment. The liability is covered by the amounts deposited including accumulated income thereon as well as by the unfunded provision. Withdrawals from the funds may be made only upon termination of employment.

The Company's liability for termination of the employer-employee relationship is composed as follows:

 

September 30, 2005

Provision for severance pay

$45,209

Amounts funded including accumulated income

    5,122

 

$40,087

 

F-32


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

The Company has reserved 690,700 shares of common stock as of September 30, 2005 for the exercise of warrants. These warrants have been excluded from earnings per share calculations because they are anti-dilutive at September 30, 2005. These warrants could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in future years. The warrants exercise prices and expiration dates are as follows:

Exercise

Number

Expiration

Price

of Shares

Date

$       3.00

130,000

December 31, 2005

3.00

40,000

December 31, 2006

4.00

75,000

December 31, 2006

5.00

                     445,700

December 31, 2006

                     690,700

The warrant transactions since January 1, 2004 are shown in the table below:

Number

Weighted Average

of Shares

Exercise Price

Outstanding, January 1, 2004

898,520

$ 1.42

Granted to:

Employees, officers and directors

90,000

4.72

Others

211,500

4.22

Expired/canceled

-

-

Exercised

       (222,686)

1.36

Outstanding, December 31, 2004

977,334

2.34

Granted to:

   Employees, officers and directors

25,000

4.00

   Private placement investors

269,200

5.00

   Expired/canceled

(40,333)

1.39

   Exercised

       (540,501)

1.24

Outstanding, September 30, 2005

          690,700

4.13

Exercise of Warrants

In January 2005, warrants to purchase 358,167 shares of the Company's common stock were exercised for cash, raising a total of $462,275 and warrants to purchase 17,334 shares of the Company's common stock were exercised to reduce deferred officers salaries payable totaling $21,001. Also in January 2005, warrants to purchase 160,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $1.00 per share were exercised by the delivery and cancellation of 40,000 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to an agreement between the Company and its vice-president of finance. In September 2005, warrants to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company's common stock were exercised at $5.00 per share.

In connection with the recapitalization merger on July 9, 2003, all then outstanding options were converted to warrants. All such warrants have been exercised or expired as of January 31, 2005.

F-33


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)


4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (continued)

Fair Value of Warrants

The fair value of each warrant granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Minimum Value option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate

2.00%

Expected dividends

-

Expected terms (in years)

3.0

Compensation cost is determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards. The fair value and compensation cost associated with grants of warrants during 2005 and 2004 is $0 for each year. The fair values generated by the Minimum Value model may not be indicative of the future benefit, if any, that may be received by the option or warrant holder.

Private Placement Offerings

Between January 1, 2005 and March 31, 2005, the Company raised $2,140,000 through the sale of 535,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 214,000 shares of the Company's common stock in a private placement offering. The warrants are exercisable at $5.00 per share expire December 31, 2006 and are designated "E Warrants." Between April 22 and June 10, 2005, the Company raised $1,380,000 through the sale of 276,000 shares of common stock and 55,200 E warrants. Between June 20, 2005 and September 30, 2005, the Company raised $2,515,000 through the sale of 503,000 shares of common stock.

5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Notes payable to related parties includes $43,000 under a loan facility with Cimarron Resources, Inc. (Cimarron) a company owned by the President of the Company. Cimarron obtained the monies to lend to the Company through a loan facility with Bank One. The note accrues interest at Bank One's Prime Rate (5.5% at March 31, 2005) plus 2.5%. The terms of Cimarron's loan facility to Zion are a 100 month term loan repayable monthly commencing December 1, 2003 in $500 increments, with Cimarron having the option commencing January 15, 2005 to call the loan in whole or in $5,000 increments on 30 days notice.

Notes payable to related parties includes a $75,000 note payable under a line of credit loan agreement with a shareholder of the Company in the maximum amount of $100,000 to be repaid out of the first $200,000 in receipts from a public offering. Any outstanding balance may be converted at the election of the lender to shares of common stock at $4.00 per share. Outstanding balances will accrue interest at 10% per annum. At the direction of the shareholder, a commitment fee of $10,000 was paid to two children of the shareholder in the form of 1,000 shares of preferred stock and warrants to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company's common stock.

Robert E. Render

On June 30, 2004 and August 25 and 31, 2004, pursuant to a loan agreement dated June 30, 2004, the Robert E. Render Trust (the "Render Trust") a trust controlled by Mr. Robert Render (who was, on September 28, 2004, elected a director of the company) loaned the company $100,000, $80,000 and $20,000 respectively ($200,000 in the aggregate) (each such loan, a "Render Loan" and collectively the "Render Loans"). Each Render Loan bore interest at the rate of 10% annually and was due on March 2, 2005, subject to Mr. Render's right to convert each Render Loan into a five year amortized term loan. In connection with each Render Loan, the company granted the Render Trust a warrant to purchase respectively 20,000, 16,000 and 4,000 (40,000 in the aggregate) shares of common stock of the company at $3.00 per share exercisable at any time between January 1 and December 31, 2006. On September 30, 2004, the Render Trust forgave all of the Render Loans in consideration for 50,000 shares of common stock of the company and warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock of the company at $5.00 per share, exercisable at any time through December 31, 2006. During the one-year period ending September 30, 2005, Mr. Render provided $30,000 of consulting services to the Company.

F-34


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)


5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

Richard J. Rinberg

In connection with arranging the loan described in Note 7 below, Mr. Richard J. Rinberg, prior to becoming a director, received a $7,500 fee paid in shares of common stock.

6. INCOME TAXES

At September 30, 2005, the Company has available net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $4,035,000 to reduce future U. S. taxable income. These carryforwards expire from 2020 to 2025.

7. LOAN TRANSACTIONS

On February 28, 2004, the Company entered into three $100,000 loan agreements out of $500,000 authorized by the board of directors. The loans were due on or before the 30 th day following the initial closing of the then open initial public offering or February 28, 2005, whichever occured first. The loans bore interest at 10% and in connection with each of the loans, the Company granted each lender a warrant to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $3.00 per share. The warrants expire on December 31, 2005. In connection with the placement of the loan, the Company paid a finder's fee in the amount of 2,500 shares of restricted common stock valued at $7,500. On September 30, 2004, each of the three lenders forgave its loan in full in consideration for 25,000 shares of common stock of the company and warrants to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock of the company at $5.00 per share, exercisable at any time through December 31, 2006. On November 4, 2004, one of the lenders, Mr. Rinberg was appointed a director of the Company. See also Note 9.

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Environmental Matters

The Company is engaged in oil and gas exploration and production and may become subject to certain liabilities as they relate to environmental cleanup of well sites or other environmental restoration procedures as they relate to the drilling of oil and gas wells and the operation thereof. Although environmental assessments are conducted on all purchased properties, in the Company's acquisition of existing or previously drilled well bores, the Company may not be aware of what environmental safeguards were taken at the time such wells were drilled or during such time the wells were operated.

Should it be determined that a liability exists with respect to any environmental clean up or restoration, the liability to cure such a violation could fall upon the Company. No claim has been made, nor is the Company aware of any liability, which it may have, as it relates to any environmental clean up, restoration or the violation of any rules or regulations relating thereto. Liabilities for expenditures are recorded when environmental assessment and/or remediation is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

Royalty Commitments

The Company is obligated, according to the Israeli Petroleum Law, 5712-1952 (the Petroleum Law), to pay royalties to the Government of Israel on oil and gas produced from the oil and gas properties of the Company located in Israel (except those reserves serving to operate the wells and related equipment and facilities). The royalty rate stated in the Petroleum Law is 12.5% of the produced reserves as mentioned above. At September 30, 2005, the Company does not have any outstanding obligation in respect to royalty payments, since it is at the "exploration stage" and, to this date, no proved reserves have been found.

F-35


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

Long Term Incentive Plan

The Company has initiated the establishment of a long term management incentive plan for key employees whereby a 1 1/2% overriding royalty or equivalent interest in the Ma'anit-Joseph License and such other oil and gas exploration and development rights as may in the future be acquired by the Company shall be assigned to key employees.

Charitable Trusts

The Company has initiated the establishment of two charitable trusts based in Israel and in the United States for the purpose of supporting charitable projects and other charities in Israel and the United States. A 3% overriding royalty or equivalent interest in the Ma'anit-Joseph License and such other oil and gas exploration and development rights as may in the future be acquired by the Company shall be assigned to each charitable organization (6% overriding interest in the aggregate).

9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

During October 2005: (i) the Company raised $990,000 from the sale of 198,000 shares of common stock; (ii) Mr. Richard J. Rinberg was elected president; and (iii) the board of directors approved an award to Mr. Rinberg of 200,000 shares of common stock valued at $500,000 as compensation for the two year period beginning November 1, 2005, subject to restrictions and vesting requirements.

During December 2005 the Company raised $390,000 from the exercise of warrants to purchase 130,000 shares of common stock. During December 2005 through January 24, 2006, the Company raised $814,000 from the sale of 148,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 19,625 shares of common stock at $5.50 per share at any time from July 1, 2007 (as may be deferred by the Company for up to six months) through December 31, 2008

F-36


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

The Investor named below, by payment of a wire transfer or check payable to ZION OIL & GAS, INC. ESCROW ACCOUNT , hereby subscribes for shares of common stock, $.01 par value ("the Shares") indicated below (minimum purchase of 100 shares at a purchase price of $7.00 per Share) of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. Shares must be purchased in increments of $700. By such payment, the named Investor acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus and any amendment, the terms of which govern the investment in the Shares.

 

A. INVESTMENT :

(1) No. of Shares purchased _________. Dollar Amount: $___________

(2) [ ]Initial Purchase; or [ ]Additional Purchase

(3) [ ]Check Payment Enclosed: Number:_________ Date:___/___/____; or

(4) [ ]Wire Transfer: Sending Bank:______________________Wire #:_________ Date:___/___/____

Address_____________________________________Phone #_______________

 

B. REGISTRATION:

(1) Registered Owner: [ ]Mr. [ ]Mrs. [ ]Ms. ]Dr. [ ]Other _______________________________

 

Name:_______________________________________________________________________________

 

(2) Co-owner: [ ]Mr. [ ]Mrs. [ ]Ms. [ ]Dr. [ ]Other _____________________________________

 

Name:_______________________________________________________________________________

 

(3) Mailing Address: __________________________________________________________________

 

(4) Residence Address (if different from above):_____________________________________________

 

(5) Telephone #: (Home) (_____) _____ - ________ (Office) (_____) _____ - ________________

 

(6) Email Address:_____________________________________________________________________

 

(7) Birth Date:______ /______ /____ (8)Birth Date Co-Owner_____/_____/________

 

(9) Please indicate Citizenship Status: [ ]U.S. Citizen [ ]Other_________________________

 

(10) Social Security (National Identity) Number:___________________________________________

 

(11) Co-Owner:_______________________________________________________________________

 

Corporate or Custodial Taxpayer ID #: __________________________________________________

 

C. OWNERSHIP : [ ]Individual Ownership [ ]IRA or Keogh [ ]Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship [ ]Trust/Date of Trust Established Pension/Trust ___ / ___ / ___ (S.E.P.)

[ ]Tenants in Common [ ]Tenants by the Entirety [ ]Corporate Ownership [ ]Partnership

[ ]Other _____________________________________________________________________________


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.--Subscription Agreement, page 2

D. SIGNATURES : By signing below, I/we represent that I/we have relied on the information set forth in the Prospectus, as and if amended, and on no other statement whatever, whether written or oral.

 

Signatures - Registered Owner: _______-____________ Co-Owner: _____________________________

 

  1. Print Names of Custodian or Trustee :

________________________________________________________ _____ Date: ________________ __

 

Authorized Signature: ________________________Witness Signature: __________________________

 

F. RETURN OF PAYMENT SHOULD BE SENT TO (IF DIFFERENT FROM REGISTERED OWNER):

Name: _________________________________ c/o: __________________________________________

 

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

Account #___________________________ Phone: (_____) ______ - _____________

 

G. BENEFICIAL OWNER(S) : All reports and financial statements will normally be sent to the registered owner at the address in Section B. If reports and financial statements are to be sent to the Beneficial Owner of an IRA or Keogh, insert name of the Beneficial Owner.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner Only: _______________________________ Phone: (___)___- ___________

 

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

 

H. BROKER-DEALER/REGISTERED REPRESENTATIVE DATA (broker-dealer use only):

 

Broker-Dealer NASD Firm Name: ________________________ Telephone Number: (___)___- _______

 

Main Office Address: __________________________________________________________________

 

Authorized Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ______________

 

Print or Type Name of Registered Representative:____________________________________________

 

Signature: _________________________________________________ Phone: (__)______- _________

 

Branch Office Address: _________________________________________________________________

SEND TO: Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. ACCEPTED:

Attn: Corporate Securities ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

2 Bridge Avenue, Penthouse Suite

Red Bank, NJ 07701 By:_______________________

Phone (800) 886-7007 Fax (732) 758-6671 Title: Date:

 

 

 



350,000 Shares (Minimum) 2,000,000 Shares (Maximum)

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Shares of Common Stock, Par Value $.01 per Share

Purchase Price - $7.00 per Share

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY *

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS *

RISK FACTORS *

USE OF PROCEEDS *

PLAN OF OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION *

CAPITALIZATION *

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE *

DILUTION *

ADDITIONAL SHARES TO BE REGISTERED *

DIVIDEND POLICY *

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION *

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS *

MANAGEMENT *

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT *

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS *

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION *

Stock Option Plan *

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES *

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE *

INTEREST OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL *

BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES *

TAX CONSEQUENCES *

EXPERTS *

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION *

 

Until _______, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.


PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 24. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions for indemnification of our officers and directors, and under certain circumstances, our employees and other persons. Our bylaws require us to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Each such person will be indemnified in any proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner that such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests. The indemnification would cover expenses, including attorney's fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement. Our bylaws also provide that we may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any of our present or past directors or officers insuring against any liability asserted against such person incurred in their capacity as a director or officer or arising out of such status, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person.

We have no other indemnification provisions in our certificate of incorporation, bylaws or otherwise specifically providing for indemnification of directors, officers and controlling persons against liability under the Securities Act.

Item 25. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth a reasonable itemized statement of all anticipated out-of-pocket and overhead expenses (subject to future contingencies) to be incurred in connection with the distribution of the securities being registered, reflecting the minimum and maximum offering amounts. Each amount, except for the commission registration fee and listing fee, is estimated.

Minimum

Maximum

SEC Filing Fee

$1,648

$1,648

Non-Accountable Underwriter's Costs

73,500

420,000

Accounting Fees and Expenses

45,000

45,000

Legal Fees and Expenses

45,000

50,000

Printing Fees and Advertising

25,000

70,000

Listing Fees

50,000

50,000

Fees of Transfer and Escrow Agent

10,000

10,000

Blue Sky Fees and Expenses

5,000

10,000

Travel and Public Relations

23,352

63,352

TOTAL

$278,500

$720,000

II-1


Item 26. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

1. Series A Convertible Preferred Offering Completed in February 2003.

In February 2003, we completed a private placement in which we issued 50,254 shares of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and "B Warrants" exercisable at $1.50 per share through December 31, 2004 (later extended to January 31, 2005) to purchase 251,270 shares of common stock to 22 investors for a total consideration of $502,540. Of the total consideration, $280,000 was paid in cash by 14 investors and $222,540 was a reduction of outstanding indebtedness owed by us to eight investors. B Warrants to purchase 219,520 shares were exercised and B Warrants to purchase 31,750 shares expired. On July 9, 2003, in connection with the reincorporation merger from Florida to Delaware, each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock was converted into 12 shares of common stock.

Our shares were issued in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") in view of the following:

  • None of these issuances involved underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions.
  • Restrictive legends were and will be placed on all certificates issued as described above.
  • The distribution did not involve general solicitation or advertising.
  • The distributions were made only to investors who were sophisticated enough to evaluate the risks of the investment.

In addition to representations given to us by the above-referenced investors, we have made independent determinations that all of the above-referenced persons were accredited or sophisticated investors, and that they were capable of analyzing the merits and risks of their investment, and that they understood the speculative nature of their investment.

Furthermore, all of the above-referenced persons were provided the opportunity to obtain any additional information, to the extent we possessed such information, necessary to verify the accuracy of the information to which the investors were given access.

2. Common Stock Offering Completed July 2003

On July 10, 2003, we completed a private placement in which we issued 36,000 shares of our common stock to seven investors, one of whom was an officer and director, for a total consideration of $108,000.

Our shares were issued in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act in view of the following:

  • None of these issuances involved underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions.
  • Restrictive legends were and will be placed on all certificates issued as described above.
  • The distribution did not involve general solicitation or advertising.

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  • The distributions were made only to investors who were sophisticated enough to evaluate the risks of the investment.

In addition to representations given to us by the above-referenced investors, we have made independent determinations that all of the above-referenced persons were accredited or sophisticated investors, and that they were capable of analyzing the merits and risks of their investment, and that they understood the speculative nature of their investment.

Furthermore, all of the above-referenced persons were provided the opportunity to obtain any additional information, to the extent we possessed such information, necessary to verify the accuracy of the information to which the investors were given access.

3. Cimarron Line of Credit.

In early 2002, Zion borrowed $50,590 under a loan facility with Cimarron Resources, Inc, which is owned by Eugene Soltero, the chief executive officer of Zion. Cimarron obtained the monies to lend to Zion through a loan facility with Bank One. The interest charged to us is the Cimarron's interest cost which accrues at Bank One's prime rate (6.5% at December 31, 2005) plus 2.5%. The note was due on the earlier of (a) 30 days following the closing of an initial public offering by Zion; (b) the determination by the Board of Directors of Zion that Zion has raised funds in sufficient amounts to enable Zion to conduct operations prior to the closing of an initial public offering without need for recourse to the loan facility; or (c) the date or dates the principal amount of the monies advanced to Cimarron under the Bank One facility was due. At the time the terms of the Bank One facility to Cimarron were amended in October 2003, the terms of Cimarron's loan facility to Zion was amended to convert the loan principal outstanding on September 30, 2003 of $50,000 into a 100 month term loan repayable monthly commencing December 1, 2004 in $500 increments, with Cimarron having the option commencing January 15, 2005 (later deferred to July 31, 2007) to call the loan in whole or in $5,000 increments on 30 days notice. In connection with the conversion of the Cimarron loan to Zion to a 100-month term loan, an option which had been granted to Cimarron to convert $50,000 of the loan principal into 50,000 shares of common stock was modified to allow its exercise by reduction of Zion accounts payable to Cimarron. Effective September 30, 2003, Cimarron exercised the option in consideration for the forgiveness of $50,000 of accounts payable in connection with services rendered to Zion by Mr. Soltero. Cimarron transferred the shares to Mr. Soltero.

The issuance of securities above were made in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, which provide exemptions for transactions not involving a public offering. Eugene Soltero, the control person of Cimarron, is a director and the chief executive officer of Zion.

4. Rappaport Loan

In February 2003, we entered into a loan agreement with Ms. Irith Rappaport, a shareholder of Zion, to borrow the sum of up to $100,000 to cover certain obligations of Zion. We paid a commitment fee valued at $10,000 in the form of 1,000 shares of preferred stock and a B Warrant (to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock), to her designees (two of her children). Monies advanced under this facility bear interest at the rate of 10% per annum and were

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originally due on February 28, 2004, which date was subsequently extended to December 31, 2004. On December 9, 2004, the due date was extended to June 30, 2005, in consideration for which Ms. Rappaport was granted the option to convert monies outstanding under the facility into equity securities of Zion in increments of $5,000 (a "unit"), each unit being convertible into 1,250 shares of common stock of the company and warrants to purchase 500 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share at any day through December 31, 2006. On June 30, 2005, the note was extended to December 31, 2005. As of December 1, 2005, the note was further extended to the earlier of (a) July 31, 2006 provided that if by July 31, 2006, the company has not closed in a public offering an aggregate minimum amount which provides to the company proceeds from the offering of at least $2,500,000, such date may be extended by mutual agreement or (b) at such time or times as in the opinion of the directors of Zion, funds available to Zion so permit.

The issuance of securities above were made in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, which provide exemptions for transactions not involving a public offering. We determined that the purchaser of securities described above, an existing shareholder, was a sophisticated investor who had the financial ability to assume the risk of her total investment, acquired the securities for her children's accounts and not with a view to any distribution thereof to the public. The certificates evidencing the securities bear legends stating that the shares are not to be offered, sold or transferred other than pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration requirements.

5. Options, Warrants and Shares Issued to Officers and Directors

In January 2003, Ralph DeVore exercised warrants previously issued to him for services to purchase 120,000 shares for $0.20 per share.

During the year 2003 we issued to certain directors warrants to purchase common stock at $3.00 per share through December 31, 2005 (the "C Warrants"). All the warrants had a recorded value of $0 upon issuance because the underlying common stock would be restricted upon their issuance and there was no market for the shares of common stock.

Name

C Warrants

Date Issued

Disposition (if any)

Z. Sheldon Fink

25,000

7/14/2003

Exercised 12/1/2005

Eitan Lubitch

25,000

7/14/2003

Exercised 12/1/2005

Paul Oroian

25,000

11/18/2003

Exercised 12/1/2005

Kent Siegel

25,000

11/18/2003

Exercised 12/1/2005

In January 2003 we issued 50,000 shares of common stock and an A Warrant to purchase 200,000 shares to William H. Avery in connection with his employment as vice-president of finance. The transaction was recorded as a $50,000 charge to general and administrative expenses. Effective September 30, 2003 Mr. Avery purchased 40,000 shares of common stock by a partial exercise of the A Warrant, in exchange for a reduction of $40,000 of our payables to him. In January 2004, Mr. Avery exercised the remaining 160,000 shares of common stock in exchange for 40,000 shares of our common stock.

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During 2004 and 2005 we issued to certain directors warrants to purchase shares at $4.00 per share through December 31, 2006 (the "$4.00 Warrants") and authorized the issuance to directors, former directors, officers and key employees of warrants or stock options to purchase shares at $5.00 per share between July 1, 2007 (as may be deferred by the company by up to six months) and December 31, 2008 (the "$5.00 Options") as set forth in the table below. None of the $4.00 Warrants or $5.00 Options have been exercised.

Name

$4.00 Warrants

$5.00 Options

Date Issued/Authorized

Robert Render

25,000

 

9/30/2004

Richard Rinberg

25,000

 

11/1/2004

James Barron

25,000

 

4/4/2005

Yehezkel Druckman

 

25,000

10/27/2005

Forrest Garb

 

25,000

10/27/2005

Paul Oroian

 

25,000

10/27/2005

Kent Siegel

 

25,000

10/27/2005

Z. Sheldon Fink

 

25,000

10/27/2005

Eitan Lubitch

 

10,000

10/27/2005

David Patir

 

80,000*

10/27/2005

Stephen Pierce

 

40,000*

10/27/2005

* The options, to be issued pursuant to the company's 2005 Stock Option Plan, vest ratably over a three year period, one-third at the end of each year of employment.

The issuance or authorization for issuance of the options and warrants, as well as the issuance of shares of common stock purchased upon exercise of the options above, were made in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, which provide exemptions for transactions not involving a public offering. All of the recipients and purchasers of the securities at the time of issuance or authorization for issuance were officers, directors, former directors or key employees of Zion.

6. Bonus and Relocation Reimbursement for John Brown

Effective September 30, 2003 we awarded a bonus to John Brown in the amount of $80,000 and paid him a non-accountable relocation expense reimbursement of $10,000. He elected to invest the $90,000 by purchasing 30,000 shares of common stock at $3.00 per share, which was the same price of the most recent sale of our common stock to unrelated third parties.

The issuance of the shares of common stock was made in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, which provides exemptions for transactions not involving a public offering. The purchaser of the securities is the founder and chairman of the board of Zion.

7. Working Capital Loans

On February 28, 2004, pursuant to loan agreements dated February 17, 2004, three non-U.S. persons (including Mr. Richard Rinberg, who subsequently became a director and then president of Zion) loaned the company $300,000 (the "Working Capital Loans"). The Working Capital Loans bore interest at 10% annually and were due on February 28, 2005, subject to prepayment

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in certain circumstances. In connection with the Working Capital Loans, the company granted the lenders warrants (the "C Warrants") to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock of the company at $3.00 per share, exercisable at any time through December 31, 2005. On September 30, 2004, the lenders (as part of the transaction set forth in section #11 below) forgave the Working Capital Loans and the accrued interest thereon and in consideration therefore and an additional cash amount of $12,501, were issued 82,500 shares of common stock of the company and warrants (the "E Warrants") to purchase 33,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share exercisable at any time through December 31, 2006. In connection with placing two of the loans in the amount of $200,000 in February 2004, Mr. Rinberg was paid a finder's fee in the amount of 2,500 restricted shares of the company's common stock valued at $7,500.

Prior to Robert Render's appointment as a director of Zion on September 28, 2004, on July 30, 2004 and August 25 and 31, 2004, pursuant to a loan agreement dated June 30, the Robert E. Render Trust, a trust (the "Render Trust") controlled by Mr. Robert Render who subsequently became a director of Zion, loaned the company $100,000, $80,000 and $20,000 respectively ($200,000 in the aggregate) (each such loan, a "Render Loan" and, collectively the "Render Loans".) Each Render Loan bore interest at the rate of 10% annually and was due on March 2, 2005, subject to Mr. Render's right to convert each Render Loan into a five year amortized term loan. In connection with each Render Loan, the company granted the Render Trust a warrant to purchase respectively 20,000, 16,000 and 4,000 (40,000 in the aggregate) shares of common stock of the company at $3.00 per share, exercisable at any time between January 1 and December 31, 2006. On September 30, 2004, the Render Trust forgave all of the Render Loans in consideration for 50,000 shares of common stock of the company and warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock of the company at $5.00 per share, exercisable at any time through December 31, 2006.

Our shares were issued in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act in view of the following:

  • The distribution did not involve general solicitation or advertising.
  • The distributions were made only to investors who were accredited and sophisticated enough to evaluate the risks of the investment.
  • Restrictive legends were and will be placed on all certificates issued as described above.

 

In addition to representations given to us by the above-referenced investors, we have made independent determinations that all of the above-referenced persons were accredited or sophisticated investors, and that they were capable of analyzing the merits and risks of their investment, and that they understood the speculative nature of their investment.

Furthermore, all of the above-referenced persons were provided the opportunity to obtain any additional information, to the extent we possessed such information, necessary to verify the accuracy of the information to which the investors were given access.

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8. Warrant for Services

In October 2005, we authorized the issuance of a warrant to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share exercisable commencing July 1, 2007 (as may be extended for up to six months by the company) through December 31, 2008, to Alberdale & Co., a non-U.S. financial institution based in London, U.K., for financial consulting services rendered.

The issuance of securities above was made in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, which provide exemptions for transactions not involving a public offering. We determined that the recipient of securities described above was a sophisticated investor who had the financial ability to assume the risk of its total investment and acquired them for their its account and not with a view to any distribution thereof to the public. The certificates evidencing the securities will bear legends stating that the shares are not to be offered, sold or transferred other than pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration requirements.

9. President's Stock Award

Effective November 1, 2005, Mr. Rinberg was elected our president. In connection with this appointment, the board authorized the chairman and the chief executive officer of the company to negotiate a two year retention agreement commencing November 1, 2005 subject to audit committee review and approval and ratification by the board, the principle element of compensation to be prepaid in the form of 200,000 shares of Zion common stock, subject to certain pro-rated vesting requirements over the two year retention period and voting agreement requirements. Due to the nature of the restrictions and requirements related to the stock, the transaction was valued at $500,000, and will be accounted for as prepaid expenses that are pro rated at $20,833 per month for the twenty-four month period commencing November 1, 2005. If Mr. Rinberg's retention is terminated prior to the end of the term, the company shall have the right to repurchase the unearned shares at par. The retention agreement has not yet been finalized nor the shares formally issued.

The issuance of the shares of common stock was authorized and will be made in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, which provides exemptions for transactions not involving a public offering. The purchaser of the securities is an a director and executive officer of Zion.

10. Exercise of Outstanding Warrants

During 2003, we issued 75,000 shares of common stock upon the exercise of "A Warrants" (initially to purchase shares of common stock at $1.00 per share through December 31, 2004 and later extended to January 31, 2005) and 13,500 shares of common stock upon the exercise of B Warrants, in consideration for cash in the aggregate amount of $107,750. Also during the year, in consideration of debt reduction in the aggregate amount of $90,958, we issued 37,000 shares of stock upon the exercise of A Warrants and 47,083 shares upon the exercise of B Warrants. During 2004, we issued 124,000 shares of common stock upon the exercise of B Warrants, in consideration for cash in the aggregate amount of $186,000. Also during the year, in

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consideration of debt reduction in the aggregate amount of $114,196, we issued 61,666 shares of stock upon the exercise of A Warrants and 35,020 shares upon the exercise of B Warrants.

On December 30, 2004, the Company extended by thirty-one (31) days the last day on which its unexercised A Warrants and B Warrants could be exercised from December 31, 2004 to January 31, 2005. During January 2005, 358,167 shares of our common stock were issued pursuant to A and B Warrants expiring on January 31, 2005 for cash payment in the amount of $461,500, and 7,334 shares of our common stock were issued pursuant to A and B Warrants expiring on January 31, 2005, for debt reduction in the total amount of $11,001. 160,000 shares were issued pursuant to exercise of A Warrants in exchange for 40,000 of shares of our common stock. On January 31, 2005, A Warrants to purchase 8,833 shares of our common stock expired without being exercised, and B Warrants to purchase 32,000 shares of our common stock expired without being exercised.

In September 2005, E Warrants to purchase 5,000 shares of our common stock were exercised for cash in the amount of $25,000. During December 2005, C Warrants to purchase 130,000 shares of our common stock at $3.00 per share were exercised for cash in the amount of $390,000.

Our shares were issued in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act in view of the following:

  • None of these issuances involved underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions.
  • Restrictive legends were and will be placed on all certificates issued as described above.
  • The distribution did not involve general solicitation or advertising.
  • The distributions were made only to investors who were sophisticated enough to evaluate the risks of the investment.

In addition to representations given to us by the above-referenced investors, we have made independent determinations that all of the above-referenced persons were accredited or sophisticated investors, and that they were capable of analyzing the merits and risks of their investment, and that they understood the speculative nature of their investment.

Furthermore, all of the above-referenced persons were provided the opportunity to obtain any additional information, to the extent we possessed such information, necessary to verify the accuracy of the information to which the investors were given access.

11. Regulation "D" Private Placement

As of March 31, 2005, the Company completed two parallel private placements, one to U.S. residents and one to non-U.S. residents, the first sales of which were on September 30, 2004 in which 988,750 shares of our common stock and E Warrants to purchase 395,500 shares of common stock were sold to ninety-two (92) investors for a total consideration of $3,955,000. Of the total consideration, $3,092,501 was paid in cash by eighty-four (84) investors, thirty-eight (38) of whom were "accredited" investors in the amount of $1,455,000, thirty-four (34) were "non-accredited" investors in the amount of $1,237,000, and eleven (11) were not residents of the United States in the amount of $400,501. The remaining consideration of $862,499 was paid by

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cancellation or reduction of outstanding indebtedness owed by us to thirteen (13) investors (of whom three were also cash investors and all of whom were either "accredited" or non-US residents), ten (10) of whom were directors and/or officers of the Company in the amount of $575,833, and four (4) of whom were not directors or officers of the Company in the amount of $286,666. The E Warrants are exercisable at $5.00 per share through December 31, 2006. E Warrants for 5,000 shares have been exercised. Commissions in the amount of $14,500 were paid to Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.

Our shares were issued in reliance upon Section 4(2) of, and Regulation D and Regulation S pursuant to, the 1933 Act in view of the following:

  • The distribution did not involve general solicitation or advertising.
  • The distributions were made only to investors who were sophisticated enough to evaluate the risks of the investment.
  • Distributions to non-U.S. residents under Regulation S met all of the requirements of the Regulation.
  • Restrictive legends were and will be placed on all certificates issued as described above.

In addition to representations given to us by the above-referenced investors, we have made independent determinations that all of the above-referenced persons were accredited or sophisticated investors (and in the case of investors investing pursuant to Regulation S, such investors qualified as non-U.S. residents), and that they were capable of analyzing the merits and risks of their investment, and that they understood the speculative nature of their investment.

Furthermore, all of the above-referenced persons were provided the opportunity to obtain any additional information, to the extent we possessed such information, necessary to verify the accuracy of the information to which the investors were given access.

12. Accredited Private Placement

As of June 10, 2005, the Company completed two parallel private placements, one to U.S. residents and one to non-U.S. residents, in which 276,000 shares of our common stock and E Warrants to purchase 55,200 shares of common stock were sold to thirty-nine (39) investors for a total consideration of $1,380,000. Of the total consideration, $1,345,000 was paid in cash by thirty-five (35) investors, twenty-nine (29) of whom were "accredited" investors in the amount of $1,025,000, and six (6) were not residents of the United States in the amount of $320,000. The remaining consideration of $35,000 was paid by cancellation or reduction of outstanding indebtedness owed by us to four (4) investors (all of whom were either "accredited" or non-US residents), two (2) of whom were directors and/or officers of the Company in the amount of $20,000, and two (2) of whom were not directors or officers of the Company in the amount of $15,000. The E Warrants are exercisable at $5.00 per share through December 31, 2006. None of the E Warrants have been exercised.

Our shares were issued in reliance upon Section 4(2) of, and Regulation S pursuant to, the 1933 Act in view of the following:

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  • Restrictive legends were and will be placed on all certificates issued as described above.
  • The distribution did not involve general solicitation or advertising.
  • The distributions were made only to investors who were sophisticated enough to evaluate the risks of the investment.
  • Distributions to non-U.S. residents under Regulation S met all of the requirements of the Regulation.
  • None of these issuances involved underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions.

In addition to representations given to us by the above-referenced investors, we have made independent determinations that all of the above-referenced persons were accredited and sophisticated investors (and in the case of investors investing pursuant to Regulation S, such investors qualified as non-U.S. residents), and that they were capable of analyzing the merits and risks of their investment, and that they understood the speculative nature of their investment.

Furthermore, all of the above-referenced persons were provided the opportunity to obtain any additional information, to the extent we possessed such information, necessary to verify the accuracy of the information to which the investors were given access.

13. Second Accredited Private Placement

As of October 24, 2005, the Company completed two parallel private placements, one to U.S. residents and one to non-U.S. residents, in which 646,000 shares of our common stock were sold to fifty-two (52) investors for a total consideration of $3,230,000. Of the total consideration, $2,920,000 was paid in cash by forty-seven (47) investors, thirty-four (34) of whom were "accredited" investors in the amount of $985,000, and thirteen (13) were not residents of the United States in the amount of $1,925,000. The remaining consideration of $310,000 was paid by cancellation or reduction of outstanding indebtedness owed by us to five (5) investors, two of whom are executive officers of the Company.

Our shares were issued in reliance upon Section 4(2) of, and Regulation S pursuant to, the 1933 Act in view of the following:

  • Restrictive legends were and will be placed on all certificates issued as described above.
  • The distribution did not involve general solicitation or advertising.
  • The distributions were made only to investors who were sophisticated enough to evaluate the risks of the investment.
  • Distributions to non-U.S. residents under Regulation S met all of the requirements of the Regulation.
  • None of these issuances involved underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions.

In addition to representations given to us by the above-referenced investors, we have made independent determinations that all of the above-referenced persons were accredited and sophisticated investors (and in the case of investors investing pursuant to Regulation S, such investors qualified as non-U.S. residents), and that they were capable of analyzing the merits and risks of their investment, and that they understood the speculative nature of their investment.

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Furthermore, all of the above-referenced persons were provided the opportunity to obtain any additional information, to the extent we possessed such information, necessary to verify the accuracy of the information to which the investors were given access.

14. Third Accredited Private Placement to U.S. residents

As of January 24, 2006, the Company completed a private placement to U.S. residents, in which 128,000 shares of our common stock and "G Warrants" to purchase common stock at $5.50 per share exercisable commencing July 1, 2007 (as may be extended for up to six months by the company) through December 31, 2008 in the amount of 15,625 shares were sold to fourteen (14) "accredited" investors for a total consideration of $704,000, of which $693,000 was paid in cash by thirteen (13) investors and $11,000 was reduction in accounts payable to one investor.

Our shares were issued in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act in view of the following:

  • None of these issuances involved underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions.
  • Restrictive legends were and will be placed on all certificates issued as described above.
  • The distribution did not involve general solicitation or advertising.
  • The distributions were made only to investors who were sophisticated enough to evaluate the risks of the investment.

In addition to representations given to us by the above-referenced investor, we have made independent determinations that all of the above-referenced persons were accredited and sophisticated investors, and that they were capable of analyzing the merits and risks of their investment, and that they understood the speculative nature of their investment.

Furthermore, all of the above-referenced persons were provided the opportunity to obtain any additional information, to the extent we possessed such information, necessary to verify the accuracy of the information to which the investors were given access.

15. Private Placement to non-U.S. residents

As of January 24, 2006, the Company completed its first closing in a private placement to non-U.S. residents, in which 20,000 shares of our common stock and "G Warrants" to purchase common stock at $5.50 per share exercisable commencing July 1, 2007 (as may be extended for up to six months by the company) through December 31, 2008 in the amount of 4,000 shares were sold to one (1) investor for a total cash consideration of $110,000.

Our securities were issued in reliance upon Regulation S, promulgated pursuant to the 1933 Act in view of the following:

  • The distribution was made only to a non-U.S. resident.
  • The distribution met all of the requirements of Regulation S.
  • The distribution did not involve general solicitation or advertising.

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  • The distribution was made only to an investor who was sophisticated enough to evaluate the risks of the investment.
  • Restrictive legends were and will be placed on all certificates issued as described above.

In addition to representations given to us by the above-referenced investor, we have made independent determinations that the above-referenced person was a sophisticated investor who qualified as a non-U.S. resident, that she was capable of analyzing the merits and risks of her investment, and that she understood the speculative nature of her investment.

Furthermore, the above-referenced person was provided the opportunity to obtain any additional information, to the extent we possessed such information, necessary to verify the accuracy of the information to which the investor was given access.

16. Stock for Services

In January 2006, we issued 500 shares of common stock valued at $2,750 to our Israeli Controller for accounting services rendered.

As of January 24, 2006, the Company completed its first closing in a private placement to non-U.S. residents, in which 20,000 shares of our common stock and "G Warrants" to purchase common stock at $5.50 per share exercisable commencing July 1, 2007 (as may be extended for up to six months by the company) through December 31, 2008 in the amount of 4,000 shares were sold to one (1) investor for a total cash consideration of $110,000.

Our securities were issued in reliance upon Regulation S, promulgated pursuant to the 1933 Act in view of the following:

  • The distribution was made only to a non-U.S. resident.
  • The distribution met all of the requirements of Regulation S.
  • The distribution did not involve general solicitation or advertising.

  • The distribution was made only to an investor who was sophisticated enough to evaluate the risks of the investment.
  • Restrictive legends were and will be placed on all certificates issued as described above.

In addition to representations given to us by the above-referenced investor, we have made independent determinations that the above-referenced person was a sophisticated investor who qualified as a non-U.S. resident, that he was capable of analyzing the merits and risks of his investment, and that he understood the speculative nature of his investment.

Furthermore, the above-referenced person was provided the opportunity to obtain any additional information, to the extent we possessed such information, necessary to verify the accuracy of the information to which the investor was given access.

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Item 27. Exhibits

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration statement:

Exhibit Number

Description

1.1

Underwriting Agreement

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

4.1

Specimen Certificate for Zion Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

4.2

Employee Stock Option Plan

5.1

Opinion of Alice A. Waters, Attorney at Law, regarding legality of securities being registered

8.1

Opinion of Ray, Cho, Wiley, Van Brauman & Gibson, LLPC, regarding Israeli tax impact to United States Shareholders

8.2

Due diligence report of Forrest A. Garb & Associates

9.1

Stockholders' and Voting Agreement (with John M. Brown)

9.2

Stockholders' and Voting Agreement (with Ralph DeVore)

9.3

2005 Stockholders' and Voting Agreements

10.1

Ma'anit-Joseph License, as extended and supplemented

10.2

Asher Preliminary Permit

10.3*

Form of Escrow Agreement

10.5

Employment Agreements with Executive Officers

16.1

Letter on Change in Certifying Accountant

23.1

Consent of Alice A. Waters, Attorney at Law (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this registration statement)

23.2

Consent of Lane Gorman Trubitt, L.L.P.

23.3

Consent of Ray, Cho, Wiley, Van Brauman & Gibson, LLPC

23.4

Consent of Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc.

24.1

Powers of Attorney

_______________________

* To be filed by amendment

Item 28. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

    1. To file, during any period in which it offers or sells securities, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to: (i) include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii) reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which, individually or together, represent a fundamental change in the information in the registration statement; and (iii) include any additional or changed material information on the plan of distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value

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of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.

(2) For determining liability under the Securities Act, to treat each post-effective amendment as a new registration statement of the securities offered, and the offering of the securities at that time to be the initial bona fide offering.

(3) To file a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any of the securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.

(4) To provide to the Placement Agent(s) at each closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the Placement Agents to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy, as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

    1. For determining any liability under the Securities Act, to treat the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act as part of this registration statement as of the time the SEC declared it effective.
    2. For determining any liability under the Securities Act, treat each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus as a new registration statement for the securities offered in the registration statement, and that offering of the securities at that time as the initial bona fide offering of those securities.

 

For determining liability of the undersigned small business issuer under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned small business issuer undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned small business

 

II-14


issuer pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned small business issuer will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

    1. Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned small business issuer relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
    2. Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned small business issuer or used or referred to by the undersigned small business issuer;
    3. The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned small business issuer or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned small business issuer; and
    4. Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned small business issuer to the purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

II-15


 

SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form SB-2 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on January 25, 2006.

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(Registrant)

 

 

By: /s/ E A SOLTERO

Eugene A. Soltero

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

By: /s/ DAVID PATIR

David Patir, Senior Vice-President

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

Signature

 

Title

Date

/s/ JOHN M. BROWN

 

Chairman of the Board and Director

January 25, 2006

John M. Brown

     

/s/ EUGENE A. SOLTERO

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

January 25, 2006

Eugene A. Soltero

     
       

*

 

President and Director

January 25, 2006

Richard Rinberg

     

*

 

Executive Vice President and Director

January 25, 2006

Glen H. Perry

     
       

*

 

General Counsel and Director

January 25, 2006

Philip Mandelker

     
       

*

 

Director

January 25, 2006

Paul Oroian

     

*

 

Director

January 25, 2006

Kent Siegel

     
       

*

 

Director

January 25, 2006

Robert Render

     

*

 

Director

January 25, 2006

James Barron

     
       

*

 

Director

January 25, 2006

Yehezkel Druckman

     
       

*

 

Director

January 25, 2006

Forrest A. Garb

     
       

 

* By: /s/ EUGENE A. SOLTERO

Eugene A. Soltero, Attorney-in-Fact

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EXHIBIT 1.1

N E T W O R K 1 F I N A N C I A L
S E C U R I T I E S, I N C.

December 2, 2005

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300
Dallas, TX 75231

 

Re: Underwriting Agreement

Gentlemen:

This letter confirms the agreement between Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, and you (the "Underwriter") in connection with the offering and sale through Network 1 Financial Services, Inc. (the "Underwriter") and other broker-dealers ("Placement Agents") of up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company's $.01 par value common stock (the "Shares") for $7.00 per Share. The offering of the Shares is further described in the Registration Statement on Form SB-2 or the appropriate Form to be filed on or about December 9, 2005 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

1. Registration Statement . The Registration Statement, including the Prospectus, together with exhibits (collectively, the "Registration Statement") for the registration of the Shares will be prepared by the Company and filed with the SEC and the applicable state authorities. The Registration Statement will also register up to 100,000 shares of the Company (the "Gift Shares") that executive officers of the Company propose to give (out of their personal holdings) to at least 840 but no more than 1,000 gift recipients. The Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, and all documents filed by the Company with the SEC shall conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") and the Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Act. All financial statements contained in the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto shall have been reported on by independent certified public accountants acceptable to the Underwriter, it being agreed that KPMG-Somekh Chaikin, the Company's current independent auditors, are acceptable to Underwriter.

Neither the Registration Statement nor the other material to be filed with the SEC will contain any untrue statements of material facts nor will there be any omissions of material fact required to be stated therein or that are necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except that, as between the parties, this covenant will not apply to any statement or omissions made in reliance upon or in conformity with information furnished to the Company by and with respect to Underwriter or any Placement Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto.

The proposed Registration Statement shall be submitted to Underwriter for review at least five business days before the date the Company and Underwriter propose to file the Registration Statement with the SEC. All amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement shall be submitted to the Underwriter at least five days prior to the date that such amendments are intended to be filed with the SEC, which time period may be waived by mutual consent of the parties. The content of any verbal comments and copies of all comment letters received from the SEC shall immediately be supplied to Underwriter. The Company will deliver to Underwriter as many copies of the manually executed and conformed Registration Statement and each amendment thereto (including exhibits), as Underwriter reasonably shall request and at the same time as such documents are filed with the SEC. The Company will not allow the Registration Statement to become effective without prior written consent of the Underwriter, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company . In order to induce you to enter into this Agreement, the Company represents, warrants and covenants as follows:


(a) The Company has obtained a CUSIP number for its common stock (989696 10 9) and the Company will use its best efforts to register or qualify (or exempt from registration/qualification) the Shares for offering in every state, territory or possession of the United States (including the District of Columbia, hereinafter referred to as a "State") in which it plans to offer the Shares for sale. The materials filed or to be filed with any State will not contain any untrue statements of material fact nor are there or will there be any omissions of material facts required to be stated therein or that are necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except that, as between the parties, this covenant will not apply to any statement or omission made in reliance upon or in conformity with information furnished to the Company by and with respect to Underwriter or any Placement Agent expressly for use in the materials filed with the State.

(b) The outstanding capital stock of the Company has been duly and validly authorized, issued and is fully paid and non-assessable and will conform to all statements made in the Registration Statement and Prospectus with respect thereto. The Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment as provided in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The Shares, upon issue, will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any shareholders of the Company and will conform to all statements in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.

(c) The Company has been legally incorporated and is now, and always during the period of the offering will be, a validly existing corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware, lawfully qualified to conduct the business for which is was organized and which it proposes to conduct. The Company will always during the period of the offering be qualified to conduct business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such qualification.

(d) The Company's certificate of incorporation provides for the authorization of 20,000,000 shares of common stock ($.01 par value). There are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase securities of the Company except as will be described in the Registration Statement.

(e) The Company has no subsidiaries nor contemplates acquiring subsidiaries or engaging in mergers with or the acquisition of any companies.

(f) The financial statements, together with related schedules and notes, to be included in the Registration Statement will present fairly the financial condition of the Company and will be reported upon by independent public accountants according to generally accepted accounting principles and as required by the rules and regulations of the Commission.

(g) The Company's securities are not subject to preemptive rights.

(h) The Company has the legal right and authority to enter into this Underwriting Agreement, to effect the proposed sale of the Shares, and to effect all other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(i) The Company is eligible to use Form SB-2 for the offering of the Shares.

(j) The Company possesses adequate certificates and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state and local regulatory authorities necessary to conduct its business and to retain possession of its properties. The Company has not received any notice of any proceeding relating to the revocation or modification of any of these certificates or permits.

(k) The Company has filed all tax returns required to be filed and is not in default in the payment of any taxes that have become due pursuant to any law or any assessment.

(l) All of the contracts, leases, licenses, permits and agreements under which the Company operates as will be described in the Registration Statement are in full force and effect. The Company is not in default under any of the material terms or provisions of any such contracts, leases, licenses, permits or agreements.

(m) All original documents and other information relating to the Company's business are and will continue to be made available upon request to the Placement Agents and their counsel at the offices of the Company, and copies of any such documents will be furnished upon request to the Underwriter or its counsel.

2


(n) The Company shall appoint Registrar and Transfer Company, Cranford, NJ, or another firm reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter, as the Company's transfer agent. The Company will continue to retain a transfer agent reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter for so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements under Section 12(g) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Company will make arrangements to have available at the office of the transfer agent sufficient quantities of the Company's common stock certificates as may be needed for the quick and efficient transfer of the Shares.

(o) The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Shares as will be set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.

(p) There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Registration Statement or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that will not be described or filed as required.

All of the above representations and warranties shall survive the performance or termination of this Agreement.

3. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Underwriter . The Underwriter represents, warrants and covenants as follows:

(a) It is registered as a broker-dealer with the Commission, and is registered to the extent registration is required with the appropriate governmental agency in each State in which it offers or sells the Shares, and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and will use its best efforts to maintain such registrations, qualifications and memberships throughout the term of the offering.

(b) To the knowledge of the Underwriter, no action or proceeding is pending against the Underwriter or any of its officers or directors concerning the Underwriter's activities as a broker or dealer that would affect the Company's offering of the Shares.

(c) The Underwriter will offer the Shares only in those states and in the quantities that are identified in the Blue Sky Memoranda from the Company's counsel to the Underwriter that the offering of the Shares has been registered or qualified (or exempt from registration/qualification) for sale under the applicable State statutes and regulations. The Underwriter, however, may offer the Shares in other states if (i) the transaction is exempt from the registration requirements in that State, (ii) the Company's counsel has received notice ten days prior to the proposed sale, and (iii) the Company's counsel does not object within such ten-day period.

(d) The Underwriter, in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares and in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, agrees to use its best efforts to comply with all applicable federal laws; the laws of the states or other jurisdictions in which the Shares are offered and sold; and the Rules and current written interpretations and policies of the NASD.

(e) The Underwriter is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas with all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder.

(f) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Underwriter and is a valid agreement on the part of the Underwriter.

(g) Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in any breach of any of the terms or conditions of, or constitute a default under, the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Underwriter or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Underwriter is a party or violate any order directed to the Underwriter of any court or any federal or State regulatory body or administrative agency having jurisdiction over the Underwriter or its affiliates.

(h) No person acting by, through or under the Underwriter will be entitled to receive from the Underwriter or from the Company finder's fees or similar payments, except as set forth in this agreement.

3


(i) The Underwriter will, reasonably promptly after any closing date, supply the Company with all information required from the Underwriter for the completion of Form SR (Application of Proceeds) and such additional information as the Company may reasonably request to be supplied to the securities commissions of such States in which the Shares have been qualified for sale.

All of the above representations and warranties shall survive the performance or termination of this Agreement.

4. Employment of the Underwriter . In reliance upon the representations and warranties and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement:

(a) The Company employs the Underwriter as its agent to sell for the Company's account the Shares, on a cash basis only, at a price of $7.00 per Share. The Underwriter agrees to use its best efforts, as agent for the Company, to sell the Shares subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. It is understood between the parties that there is no firm commitment by the Underwriter to purchase any or all of the Shares.

(b) The obligation of the Underwriter to offer the Shares is subject to receipt by it of written advice from the SEC that the Registration Statement is effective, is subject to the Shares being registered or qualified (or exempt from registration/qualification) for offering under applicable laws in the States as may be reasonably designated, is subject to the absence of any prohibitory action by any governmental body, agency or official, and is subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement.

(c) The Company and the Underwriter agree that unless a minimum of 350,000 of the Shares to be offered (the "Minimum Offering") are subscribed on or within 120 days after the effective date of the offering (which period may be extended by the Company for an additional period or periods of up to 120 days), the agency between the Company and the Underwriter will terminate. In such an event, the full proceeds that have been paid for the Shares shall be returned to the purchasers within ten (10) business days. Prior to the sale of all of the Shares to be offered, all proceeds received from the sale of the Shares will be deposited into an interest bearing escrow account entitled "Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. Escrow Account" (the "Escrow Account") with such escrow agent as may be agreed between the Company and Underwriter (the "Escrow Agent").

(d) The Underwriter, the Company and the Escrow Agent, will, prior to the beginning of the offering of the Shares, enter into a fund escrow agreement ("Escrow Agreement"). The parties mutually agree to faithfully perform their obligations under the Escrow Agreement. The Underwriter will promptly deliver the funds into the Escrow Account in accordance with Rule 15c2-4 of the Exchange Act of 1934, but in any event not later than noon the next business day after receipt of such funds. The Underwriter will promptly deliver a copy of each subscription agreement received to the executive offices of the Company, to the attention of the Company's Vice President and Treasurer. In accordance with the requirements of Rules 15c2-4 and 10b-9 of the Exchange Act, in the event that the minimum offering amount is not met, the funds paid into the Escrow Account shall be promptly returned to each individual subscriber by the Escrow Agent, and not returned to the Underwriter or the Company for delivery to such subscribers. Any pro rata interest on the escrowed funds shall not be paid to the Underwriter, but shall be paid to the subscribers on a pro rata basis .

(e) Subject to the closing of the sale by the Company of the Minimum Offering, the Company agrees to pay to the Underwriter immediately upon the release to the Company in such closing (the "Initial Closing") of the investors' funds deposited into the Escrow Account, and upon release to the Company of the investors' funds in each closing thereafter:

4


(i)

upon each closing, a commission equal to seven percent (7%) of the public offering price for the Shares sold in the offering to residents of the United States and for all Shares placed by the Underwriter and Underwriter's Placement Agents (as defined in para. 11b below) to residents outside the United States closed on each such closing; provided, however , that in no event shall Underwriter be entitled to less than a commission of 3.5% of the public offering price of the aggregate Shares sold in the offering;

(ii)

a non-accountable expense allowance to the Underwriter for legal, accounting, and other miscellaneous expenses in connection with the offering shall be three percent (3%) of the aggregate subscription amount for all Shares purchased by residents of the United States and for all Shares placed by Underwriter and its Placement Agents to residents outside the United States; such allowance to be paid on each closing of the offering with respect to the amount closed in each such closing, provided, however , that in no event shall Underwriter be entitled to less than an expense allowance of 1.5% of the aggregate public offering price of the aggregate Shares sold in the offering;

(iii)

warrants (the "Underwriter's Warrants) expiring five (5) years after the date of the Initial Closing, to purchase shares of the Company's common stock in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the Shares sold in the offering to United States residents and for Shares placed by the Underwriter and its Placement Agents to residents outside the United States, at an exercise price of $9.00, or approximately twenty-eight and one-half (28.6%) above the offering price, which Underwriter's Warrants will not be exercisable for six (6) months following the Final Closing Date (as defined below), nor shall Underwriter's Warrants be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated by any person, for a period of one year following the date of issuance of the warrants, except that the Underwriter's Warrants may be transferred by the Underwriter to any Placement Agent participating in the offering and its bona fide officers or partners, or in accordance with para. 12(c) below to Alberdale, provided that the transferred warrants remain subject to the one-year transfer restriction; and,

(iv)

$60,000 upon the closing (whether the Initial or a subsequent closing) and the release to the Company of investor funds from the Escrow Account in a minimum aggregate amount of $4,000,000, pursuant to a two (2) year investment banking/consulting agreement, in the form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Annex A, to be entered into by and between the Company and the Underwriter, which such agreement shall be effective on and conditional upon the closing(s) of the offering in the minimum aggregate amount of $4,000,000.

(f) The Company shall pay the Underwriter a non-refundable retainer of $35,000 payable in the following manner: (i) $20,000 upon the approval of this Agreement by the Company's board of directors as provided in para. 14 below and (ii) $15,000 no later than sixty (60) days after said approval; which retainer amounts shall be credited against the amounts payable to the Underwriter pursuant to clause (e)(ii) of this para. 4 upon the Initial Closing.

(g) The offering shall terminate on a date (the "Final Closing Date") that is the earlier of: (i) the date on which maximum number of Shares have been sold; or (ii) up to 240 days following the effective date.

(h) The Company shall be responsible for all of its selling expenses incident to the offering (other than underwriters' commissions and other compensation set forth in para. (e) of this Section 4) which are customarily incurred, paid, or borne by or on behalf of issuers in connection with the sale of securities, even though such expenses are paid through the Underwriter. Such selling expenses include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the cost of preparing, printing, and filing registration applications, registration statements, prospectuses, offering circulars, and other documents used in registering securities, including any registration fees and other expenses associated therewith; (2) the amount of any attorney's fees and expenses (except those charged by an underwriter's counsel) incurred or paid in connection with the offering; (3) the amount of any accountant's or auditor's fees and expenses incurred or paid in connection with the offering; (4) the amount of the fees and charges of any transfer agents, registrars, indenture trustees, escrow agents, depositories, engineers, appraisers, or other professional or technical experts; (5) the cost of authorizing, preparing, and printing certificates for securities and other documents relating thereto, including taxes and stamps; (6) the amount of all printing, advertising, traveling expenses, and expenses in connection with meetings and presentations for informational or promotional purposes ( e.g. , "road show") incurred or paid by the Company or, at the request of or with the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, by the Underwriter, in registering or selling securities, (except "road show" or meeting expenses traditionally borne by an underwriter); and (7) any other costs (including staffing or other additional administrative costs) directly or indirectly borne by the Company in respect of the sale of the securities being offered, that are not selling costs for the offering.

5. Further Agreements of the Company . The Company further agrees with the Underwriter as follows:

(a) The Company will use its best efforts to register or qualify the sale of the Shares in such States as shall be reasonably requested by the Underwriter.

5


(b) The Company will deliver to the Underwriter as many copies of the preliminary Prospectus as the Underwriter may reasonably request during the period following the filing of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto. The Company will deliver to the Underwriter as many copies of the final Prospectus and each post-effective amendment of the Registration Statement, as the Underwriter may reasonably request during the period of the offering and for ninety (90) days after the Final Closing Date,

(c) The Company agrees to notify the Underwriter immediately during the period of the offering and within the ninety (90) day period after the Final Closing Date of any event that materially affects the Company or its securities and that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus in order to make the statements made therein not misleading. Similarly, the Company agrees to as soon as possible thereafter prepare and furnish to the Underwriter as many copies of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus as amended or supplemented will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or that is necessary in order to make the statements made therein not misleading.

(d) The Company will file with the Commission the required reports on Form SR and will file with the appropriate State securities commissioners any sales and other reports required by the rules and regulations of such agencies and will supply copies to the Underwriter, if requested.

(e) The Company will notify the Underwriter a reasonable amount of time in advance of any additional issuance of shares following a successful closing, for a period of two years following the final closing, except upon the issuance of shares underlying warrants outstanding on the Final Termination Date and shares issued pursuant to any duly adopted directors or employees stock or stock option or equivalent plan, the issuance of which Company will notify the Underwriter within five business days following such issuance..

(f) For a period of two years from the Initial Closing, Underwriter shall have a right of first refusal to act as the Company's investment banker and/or joint investment banker or co-manager ("joint investment banker") with respect to any future public offerings and/or private offerings involving securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or mergers, acquisitions, and/or business combinations involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries; provided, however , that such right shall attach only if Zion chooses to employ an investment banker, rather than undertake any of the foregoing activities on its own without investment banking assistance. If Underwriter elects to act in the capacity of joint investment banker, Underwriter will be entitled to not less than equal compensation to any other investment banker involved in the covered transaction. The right shall continue in effect during the entire two-year period despite the exercise of the right or the refusal to exercise the right during the period. Underwriter shall have 15 calendar days in which to accept such offer. It is understood that the Company has a financial advisory relationship already in place with a firm of UK investment bankers (Alberdale & Co.) relating primarily to European financial markets, but also including other activities. The Company is also in contact with Israeli investment bankers concerning primarily Israeli markets. Any activity (other than a public offering of securities) the Company undertakes with the assistance of such investment bankers is deemed to be a sole Company activity hereunder.

(g) If at any time during the period that the Underwriter's Warrants may be exercised, the Company intends to file a registration statement for an underwritten offering (a "Piggyback Registration") of the sale of shares of its common stock on a form suitable for registering the shares underlying the Underwriter's Warrants (the "Registrable Shares"), the Company will notify Underwriter of its intention at least 30, but no more than 60 days prior to the filing of such registration statement. Within 20 days of such notice, Underwriter, on its own behalf and on behalf of all holders of Underwriter's Warrants (collectively, "Holders") may elect (by written notice to the Company) to include among the registered shares in the Piggyback Registration any specific number of Registrable Shares. If the Underwriter is not the managing underwriter of the Piggyback Registration, all Holders shall be subject to cut-back and lock-in provisions as required by the managing underwriter of the offering in order to effect an orderly distribution of the shares and are customary and reasonable in the circumstances. Underwriter on behalf of all participating Holders shall provide the usual indemnities to both the Company and the underwriter of the Piggyback Registration and complete and execute all documents required by the managing underwriter.

6. Indemnification.

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Underwriter from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable legal or other expenses) incurred by the Underwriter in connection with defending or investigating any such or liabilities that the Underwriter may incur under the federal or State securities laws and regulations, State statutes or at common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses shall arise out of or be based upon a violation or alleged violation of the federal or State securities laws or regulations, a State statute or the common law resulting

from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or in any application or other papers filed with the various State securities authorities ("Blue Sky Applications") or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

6


(b) The foregoing indemnity of the Company in favor of the Underwriter shall not be deemed to protect the Underwriter against any liability to which the Underwriter would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Underwriter's duties, or by reason of the Underwriter's reckless disregard of the Underwriter's obligations and duties under the Act or this Agreement.

(c) The Underwriter agrees to give the Company an opportunity to participate in the defense or preparation of the defense of any action brought against the Underwriter to enforce any such claim or liability and the Company shall have the right so to participate. The agreement of the Company under the foregoing indemnity is expressly conditioned upon notice of any such action having been sent by the Underwriter to the Company in writing, addressed as provided in this Agreement, promptly after the receipt of a written notice of such action against the Underwriter. Such notice shall be accompanied by copies of papers served or filed in connection with such action or by a statement of the nature of the action to the extent known to the Underwriter.

7. Termination .

(a) Subject to paragraph (c) of this Section, this agreement may be terminated by either party by written notice sent to the other party at the address shown in this Agreement without cause at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the time the Shares are released for sale to the public, or (ii) 11:30 a.m., Washington D.C. time, on the first business day following the date on which the Registration Statement becomes effective.

(b) An attempt to assign any rights and obligations under this Agreement shall constitute automatic termination of this Agreement.

(c) Underwriter may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to the final closing of the offering (i) if there has been, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, of the Company or in the earnings, business or properties of the Company whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any outbreak of hostilities or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on the financial markets of the United States is such as to make it, in your judgment impracticable to market the Shares or enforce contracts for the sale of the Shares or (iii) if trading in the common stock of the Company has been suspended by the SEC, or if trading generally on any national or foreign stock exchange or over-the-counter market has been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities have been required, by either of said exchanges or market or by order of the SEC or any other governmental authority, or if a banking moratorium has been declared by either federal or any state authorities.

(d) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this para. 7, such termination shall be without liability of either party to the other party.

8. Notices . All notices shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed, or if communicated by telegraph, facsimile, electronic mail or telephone and subsequently immediately confirmed in writing:

To the Company:

 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
6515 Abrams Road, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231
Attention: Eugene A. Soltero, CEO

   
   
   
   

7


To the Underwriter:

 

Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.
The Galleria, Penthouse Suite
2 Bridge Avenue
Red Bank, NJ 07701-1333
Attention: Mike Zarraga, Vice President

   
   
   
   

9. Binding Effect . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Underwriter and their successors. Nothing expressed in this Agreement is intended to give any person other than the persons mentioned in the preceding sentence any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement.

10. Arbitration . The Company and the Underwriter agree that in the event a dispute arises between the Underwriter and the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys or accountants, arising out of, in connection with or as a result of the execution of this Agreement or as a result of any subscription tendered by any purchaser of the Shares, such dispute shall be resolved through arbitration rather than litigation. The parties agree to submit such disputes for resolution to the NASD within five (5) days after receiving a written request from any of the aforesaid parties to do so. The failure by the Company or Underwriter to submit any dispute to arbitration as requested may result in the commencement of an arbitration proceeding against such party. The parties further agree that any hearing scheduled after an arbitration proceeding is initiated by any of the aforesaid parties shall take place in New York, NY. The parties acknowledge that the result of the arbitration proceeding shall be final and binding on all of the parties to the proceeding, and by agreeing to arbitration the parties are waiving their respective rights to seek remedies in Court.

11. Placement Agents .

(a) Underwriter agrees that it shall use its best efforts to be qualified to sell securities to purchasers in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico either through its own brokers or through qualified Placement Agents licensed by NASD.

(b) Underwriter shall enter into selling agreements with licensed brokers and/or dealers it selects who are acceptable to the Company using a form of selling agreement reasonably acceptable to the Company ("Selling Agreements"). Those brokers and/or dealers who enter into Selling Agreements with the Underwriter are referred to in this agreement as the "Underwriter's Placement Agents." Underwriter may also enter into Selling Agreements with Placement Agents selected by the Company who are reasonably acceptable to Underwriter, which such Placement Agents upon the execution of Selling Agreements shall be deemed Underwriter's Placement Agents. Neither the Company nor Underwriter shall unreasonably withhold acceptance of any Placement Agent proposed by the other party. Each Selling Agreement shall provide a minimum commission of 5% of the Underwriter's Placement Agent's gross sales of securities and shall provide that the Underwriter's Placement Agent shall receive at least 20% of the Underwriter's Warrants with respect to such sales, all of which shall be paid out of the Underwriter's compensation set forth in para. 4(e) above.

(c) Underwriter acknowledges that the Company has entered into a financial consulting agreement with Alberdale & Co., London, England ("Alberdale") whereby Alberdale will (i) represent the sale of the Company's securities in the United Kingdom and certain other countries, and (ii) assist the Company in locating Placement Agents for this offering. To the extent that Alberdale introduces the Company and the Underwriter to any Placement Agent that signs a Selling Agreement on or before the day following the effective date of the offering, thereby becoming an Underwriter's Placement Agent, Alberdale shall be entitled to a fee equal to 10% of the compensation earned by that Placement Agent, of which one-half will be a reduction in that Placement Agent's compensation and one-half will be provided by Underwriter. The parties acknowledge that Neidiger Tucker Brunner, Inc. and Pali Capital, Inc. are potential Placement Agents who have been introduced to the Company by Alberdale.

(d) The Company shall be free to enter into agreements with Placement Agents, including, but not limited to, Alberdale, outside of the United States ("Non-U.S. Placement Agents") for the sale of Shares in the offering to persons outside of the United States and Underwriter shall have no rights with respect to sales of Shares in the offering through such Non-U.S. Placement Agents.

12. Miscellaneous Provisions .

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

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(b) The representations and warranties made in this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect.

(c) This Agreement is made solely for the benefit of the Company and its officers, directors and controlling persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act and of the Underwriter and its officers, directors and controlling persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, and their respective successors, heirs and personal representatives, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. The term "successor" as used in this Agreement shall not include any purchaser, as such, of the Shares.

(d) The information contained in the Company's database of potential investors is strictly confidential and Underwriter shall use that information as provided by the Company solely for the purpose of offering the Shares, and satisfying its fiduciary obligations to all purchasers of Shares. Underwriter may specifically open accounts for, and discuss other investments with, any potential investor in the Company's database who already has a relationship with Underwriter, or who specifically requests that service and/or related information from Underwriter (including requests through Underwriter's website contact form), but Underwriter shall not make any general solicitation to others in the Company's investor database without the express written consent of the Company. Underwriter shall use its best efforts to obtain compliance with this paragraph by the Placement Agents.

13. Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Agreement shall be subject to the approval of the Company's board of directors.

If this letter agreement correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate your acceptance in the space provided below for that purpose.

Sincerely,

Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.

By:/s/ William R. Hunt
William R. Hunt, President

Sincerely,

Confirmed and accepted as of December 6 , 2005

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

By :/s/ E. A. Soltero
Eugene A. Soltero, CEO

 

 

 

9


ANNEX A

[Letterhead of Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc.]

 

_______, 2005

 

Mr. Eugene A. Soltero
ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231

Dear Mr. Soltero:

This Agreement confirms the terms and conditions pursuant to which Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (Zion) has engaged Network 1 Financial Services, Inc. ("Network 1") to act as financial and strategic advisor in connection with certain business, corporate governance and financial structural matters with respect to which Network 1 has been specifically been requested to render services by Zion (each, a "Transaction" and, collectively, the "Transactions").

1. Services to be Rendered .

(a) In connection with this engagement, Network 1's duties shall consist solely of:

  • analyzing the financing and revenue model for certain Transactions generated by Zion to date or generated during the period of this engagement and making recommendations on the viability of the model;
  • assisting in preparing proposals and negotiating definitive documentation for Transactions, in so far as such negotiation directly relates to the governance and financial matters;
  • assisting in determining the most appropriate corporate governance and financing structures for Zion; and
  • identifying and contacting potential new sources of financing for Zion, including but not limited to managing the process for the arrangement of the financing required by Zion and assisting with the negotiation of term sheets, commitment letters, fee letters, credit agreements and other investment and loan documents.

(b) In connection with its services hereunder, Network 1 shall act as an independent contractor and any duties of Network 1 arising out of this engagement shall be owed solely to Zion.

(c) Zion acknowledges that Network 1 is not, and does not hold itself out to be, an advisor as to legal, taxation, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction in connection with Transactions and, accordingly, Network 1 shall have no responsibility or liability to Zion with respect to any action, omission, recommendation or comment made by Network 1 in relation to any such matter. Zion shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the risks, benefits and suitability of the transactions contemplated by this letter agreement to and for Zion, Zion shall consult with its own legal, tax and accounting advisors with regard to the consequences of Transactions, and Network 1 makes no representation concerning any of the foregoing and shall bear no responsibility or liability to Zion with respect thereto.

(d) Zion and Network 1 acknowledge that, in the event that Zion requests that Network 1 perform any services not expressly provided for in Section 1(a), the provision of such additional services shall be subject to the mutual agreement of Zion and Network 1 as to the scope of such additional services and the compensation therefor.

2. Term of Engagement .

The term of this letter agreement shall extend from the date hereof, which date shall be the date of the initial closing of the initial public offering of Zion as contemplated by that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated November ___, 2005, by and between Zion and Network 1, through the earlier of (i) consummation or abandonment of the Transactions and (ii) the date which is two years after the date hereof (subject to extension by mutual agreement of the parties), provided that it is understood that Network 1's and Zion's obligations hereunder may be terminated,

10


with or without cause, (1) by Network 1 at any time upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice, without liability or continuing obligation and (2) by Zion at any time upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice, provided further that (x) the provisions of this letter agreement relating to keeping information confidential, the payment of fees and expenses, indemnification and contribution, exclusivity pursuant to Section 6 (to the extent provided for in such Section 6), governing law and submission to jurisdiction will survive any termination or expiration of this letter agreement and (y) in the event that, following any termination of this letter agreement by Zion, Zion or any of its affiliates (meaning any person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with Zion, "control" being deemed to mean twenty-five percent (25%) voting power, provided that no other person controls equivalent or greater voting power in the subject entity) consummate a Transaction within twelve (12) months after such termination, Zion shall pay to Network 1 the fees which would otherwise have been payable to Network 1 pursuant to this letter agreement upon the consummation of such Transaction but for the termination of this letter agreement by Zion or any of its affiliates. If this letter agreement is terminated due to the termination of the offering, Network 1 shall not receive any compensation except reimbursement of its out-of-pocket expenses.

3. Fees and Expenses.

(a) Zion agrees to pay to Network 1 a one-time fee ("the Fee") in an amount equal to US$60,000.00. The Fee will be payable to Network 1 upon the entry into effect of this agreement on the date of the first closing of Zion's initial public offering and upon the release to Zion of the initial investor funds from an escrow account established in connection with the initial public offering.

(b) If , within twelve (12) months after the final closing of Zion's initial public offering, Zion obtains new sources of financing, either capital contributions or loans, through the efforts of Network 1, as set forth in Section 1(a)(iv) above, Zion will, upon the closing of such financing transactions, pay Network 1 such additional "finders" or placement fees as mutually agreed upon.

(c) In the event that Zion requests and Network 1 agrees to provide additional services not expressly provided for in this letter agreement, it is understood that Network 1 shall be paid additional fees and other compensation to be agreed upon.

4. Indemnification .

(a) Zion agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Network 1, its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and controlling persons (each an "Indemnified Person") from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and, except to the extent limited by other provisions herein, expenses, joint or several, to which any such Indemnified Person may become subject arising out of or in connection with the involvement of any Indemnified person in the transactions contemplated by this letter agreement to the extent that Zion was notified by Network 1 of such Indemnified Person's involvement therein upon the commencement thereof, or any claim, litigation, investigation or proceedings relating to the foregoing ("Proceedings") regardless of whether any of such Indemnified Persons is a party thereto, and to reimburse such Indemnified Persons for any legal or other expenses as they are incurred in connection with investigating or defending any of the foregoing, provided that the foregoing indemnification will not, as to any Indemnified Person, apply to losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to the extent that they are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct

of, or breach of this letter agreement by, such Indemnified Person. Neither party hereto shall be responsible or have any liability to any other party for any indirect, special or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with this letter agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, even if advised of the possibility thereof. Zion also agrees that no Indemnified Person shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort or otherwise) to Zion arising out of or in connection with Transactions except for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses incurred by Zion that are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or breach of this letter agreement by, such Indemnified Person, provided that Zion was notified in advance of the fact that the Indemnified Person was to render services to Zion in connection with a Transaction . If for any reason (other than a reason provided for herein) the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any Indemnified Person or insufficient to hold it harmless, then Zion shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits received by Zion on the one hand and such Indemnified Person on the other hand but also the relative fault of Zion and such Indemnified Person, as well as any relevant equitable considerations. It is hereby agreed that the relative benefits to Zion on the one hand and all Indemnified Persons on

11


the other hand shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (i) the total value received or proposed to be received by Zion pursuant to Transactions (whether or not consummated and net of expenses incurred) bears to (ii) the fee paid or proposed to be paid to Network 1 in connection with Transactions. The indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations of Zion under these paragraphs shall be in addition to any liability which Zion may otherwise have to an Indemnified Person and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successors and assigns of Zion and any Indemnified Person.

(b) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person of notice of the commencement of any Proceedings, such Indemnified Person will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against Zion, notify Zion in writing of the commencement thereof; provided that (i) the omission so to notify Zion will not relieve it from any liability which it may have hereunder except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure and (ii) the omission so to notify Zion will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In case any such Proceedings are brought against any Indemnified Person and it notifies Zion of the commencement thereof, Zion will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the Indemnified Person, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person; provided that if the defendants in any such Proceedings include both the Indemnified Person and Zion and the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded based on advice of counsel that there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to Zion and shall have so notified Zion, then the Indemnified Person shall thereafter have the right to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such Proceedings on behalf of such Indemnified Person. Upon receipt of notice from Zion to such Indemnified Person of its election so to assume the defense of such Proceedings and approval by the Indemnified Person of counsel, Zion will not be liable to such Indemnified Person for expenses incurred by the Indemnified Person in connection with the defense thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation) unless (i) the Indemnified Person shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that Zion shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel), approved by Network 1, representing the Indemnified Persons who are parties to such Proceedings), (ii) Zion shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the Proceedings or (iii) Zion has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the Indemnified Person.

(c) Zion shall not be liable for any settlement of any Proceedings effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with its written consent, Zion agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses by reason of such settlement. Zion shall not, without the prior written consent of an Indemnified Person (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened Proceedings in respect of which indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceedings.

5. Disclosure and Confidentiality .

(a) Zion agrees to furnish Network 1 with all financial and other information (the "Information") which Network 1 may reasonably request in connection with Transactions. Zion represents that (i) to the best of its knowledge, the Information that has been or will be made available to Network 1 or its affiliates by Zion (directly or indirectly) is or will be, when furnished, correct in all material respects and does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading, (ii) all historical financial statements provided to Network 1 by Zion (directly or indirectly) will be prepared (except as otherwise disclosed to Network 1) in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals and practices then in effect in the relevant jurisdiction and will present fairly the financial condition and operations of the entities and businesses covered thereby, and (iii) any projections, financial or otherwise, provided to Network 1 by Zion (directly or indirectly) will be prepared in good faith with a reasonable basis for the assumptions and the conclusions reached therein and on a basis consistent with the historical financial data of the entities and businesses covered thereby.

(b) Zion agrees that it will notify Network 1 promptly (i) of any material adverse change, or any development that is likely to lead to any material adverse change, in the Information and (ii) of any statement contained in any historical financial data provided to Network 1 which is not materially accurate or which is incomplete or misleading in any material respect. Zion acknowledges that Network 1 may rely, absent manifest error, without independent verification, upon the accuracy and completeness of the Information as such Information may be supplemented pursuant to the preceding sentence (provided by Zion or any of its representatives), and that Network 1 does not assume any responsibility therefor.

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(c) Zion recognizes and confirms that Network 1, in acting pursuant to this engagement, will be using information in public reports and other information provided by others, including information provided by Zion and its affiliates, if any, and their auditors, attorneys or agents, and that Network 1 does not assume responsibility for, and may rely without any obligation or independent verification upon, the accuracy and completeness of any such information. Network 1 agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of Zion, disclose to any third party (other than Network 1's affiliates, if any, and its and their respective employees, legal counsel, independent auditors, and other experts or agents who have a need to know such information and who are advised of, and who are obligated to maintain, the confidential nature of such information) any confidential information provided at any time by Zion to Network 1 in connection with this engagement, except to the extent (i) such disclosure is required by applicable law, regulation or legal process, (ii) such information becomes publicly known other than as a result of the breach by Network 1 of its obligations set forth in this paragraph, (iii) such disclosure is requested or required by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over Network 1, (iv) such information is received by Network 1 or any of its affiliates from a source other than Zion, provided such source is not known to Network 1 or such affiliate to be subject to an obligation of confidentiality with respect thereto, and/or (v) such information is already known to Network 1 at the time of its disclosure by Zion in connection with the Transactions.

(d) Zion agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of Network 1, disclose, directly or indirectly, to any third party (other than Zion's affiliates and its and their respective employees, legal counsel, independent auditors, and other experts or agents who have a need to know such information and who are advised of, and who are obligated to maintain, the confidential nature of such information), this letter agreement or any of its terms or substance or the existence of this engagement (other than the mere existence of this letter agreement), except to the extent (i) such disclosure is required by applicable law, regulation or legal process, (ii) such information becomes publicly known other than as a result of the breach of the obligations set forth in this paragraph or (iii) such disclosure is requested or required by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over Zion.

(e) Network 1 agrees that, upon the scheduled or other termination of this letter agreement, it shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, destroy any written confidential information furnished by Zion to Network 1 pursuant to this letter agreement, the disclosure of which is not permitted hereunder.

(f) Zion acknowledges that Network 1 and its affiliates may have and may in the future have relationships with parties other that Zion who may have conflicting interests with respect to Zion. Although Network 1 in the course of such other relationships may acquire information about Zion and other persons with interests in respect of the Transactions, Network 1 shall have no obligation to disclose such information to Zion or to use such information on behalf of Zion. Zion acknowledges that Network 1 may have relationships with certain third party financing sources pursuant to which Network 1 may be offered compensation from such third party to the extent that such third party participates at Network 1's invitation in the financing for the Transactions.

6. Payments .

Zion agrees that all amounts payable to Network 1 hereunder pursuant to Section 3 shall (unless otherwise agreed to in advance by Network 1) be paid via wire transfer to the depository institution selected by Network 1 in immediately available United States dollars, without setoff or deduction of any kind.

7. Consent to Jurisdiction .

Zion and Network 1 hereby irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or United States federal court sitting in New York City over any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this letter agreement, and Zion and Network 1 hereby irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard in such New York State or federal court. Zion and Network 1 irrevocably consent to the service of any and all process in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies of such process to it at its address set forth herein. Zion and Network 1 agree that a final and non-appealable judgment in any such action or proceeding

13


shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Zion and Network 1 further waive any objection to venue in the State of New York and any objection to any action or proceeding in such state on the basis of forum non conveniens. Zion and Network 1 hereto further agree that any action or proceeding brought hereunder shall be brought only in the New York State or United States federal courts sitting in New York City. Zion and Network 1 further agree that nothing herein shall affect either party's right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or to bring a suit, action or proceeding for enforcement of a judgment in any other court or jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law.

8. Publicity .

If information relating to the Transactions is publicly disclosed, Network 1 shall have the right, at its own expense and with the prior written consent of Zion (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), to place advertisements in financial and other publications describing its services hereunder and to otherwise publicize its role in Transactions.

9. Notices .

All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by facsimile), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered, or three (3) business days after being deposited in the mail, return receipt requested, or in the case of facsimile notice, when received, addressed as follows:

Network 1:

 

NETWORK 1 FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC
The Galleria, Penthouse Suite
2 Bridge Avenue, Building 2
Red Bank, NJ 07701-1333
Attn: Mr. William Hunt, President

   
   
   
   
     

Zion:

 

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231
Attn: Mr. Eugene A. Soltero

   
   
   

10. Miscellaneous .

(a) Network 1 may perform its obligations hereunder either directly or through its affiliates, and the provisions hereof shall apply equally to Network 1 and any such affiliates.

(b) This letter agreement (i) has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of Zion and Network 1 and constitutes the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of each such party, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles or public policy considerations; (ii) sets forth the entire understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and cancels any prior communications, understandings and agreements between the parties; (iii) may not be amended, modified or assigned except in a written instrument executed by each of the parties; (iv) may be signed in counterparts (including by telecopy), each of which shall constitute an original and which together shall constitute one and the same agreement; (v) is solely for the benefit of Zion and Network 1, and no other person (except for Indemnified Persons to the extent set forth in Section (4) shall acquire or have any rights under or by virtue of this letter agreement; and (vi) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

(c) If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this letter agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable or against public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. Zion and Network 1 shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions.

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If the foregoing terms meet with your approval, please indicate your acceptance by signing and returning the attached copy of this letter agreement to us.

Very truly yours,

NETWORK 1 FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

By:                                                        
Name: William Hunt
Title: President

Agreed to and accepted by:

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

 


By: ___________________________
Name: Eugene A. Soltero
Title: President

 

15


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
SECTIONS 242 &245

This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted by Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (the " Corporation ") in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (" DGCL "). The date of filing of the Corporation's original Certificate of Incorporation was January 7, 2002. The undersigned Corporation hereby certifies that:

First:                The name of the Corporation is Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Second:            The address of the Corporation's registered office in the State of Delaware is    
                        1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and the
                        name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust    
                        Company.

Third:               The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for
                        which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

Fourth:            The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue
                        is 20,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.

Fifth:               The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.

Sixth:               Except as may be otherwise provided by the DGCL or in this Amended and
                        Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the business and affairs of the
                        Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors.

    1. Number of Directors . The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by, or in the manner provided in, the bylaws of the Corporation
    2. Election of Directors . Elections of directors need not be by written ballot except and to the extent provided otherwise in the bylaws of the Corporation
    3. Classes of Directors . The Board of Directors shall be divided into three (3) classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the entire Board permits. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board of Directors among the three (3) classes so that the number in each class shall be as nearly equal as possible. The term of office of each class shall expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders for election of directors following the election of such class, except that the initial term of the Class I directors shall expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2006, the initial term of the Class II directors shall expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2004, and the initial term of the Class III directors shall expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2005. At each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at such meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring as of the third succeeding annual meeting.
    4. Removal of Directors . Any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause (as defined below) and by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of the Voting Stock (as defined in Article Tenth hereof) voting together as a single class, with the vote to be at a special meeting of stockholders called expressly for that purpose. Except as otherwise provided by law, "cause" for removal shall exist only if the director whose removal is proposed:

    1. has been convicted of a felony by a court of competent jurisdiction and such conviction is no longer subject to direct appeal; or
    2. has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable for gross negligence or misconduct in the performance of the duties of such director to the Corporation in connection with a matter of substantial importance to the Corporation, and such adjudication has become final and non-appealable; or
    3. has missed six (6) consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors.

    1. Vacancies: Newly-created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies of the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other reason shall be solely filled by a majority vote of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires, upon election and qualification of their successors. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Seventh:          The board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, or repeal the bylaws
                        of the Corporation.

Eighth:             A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or
                        its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
                        except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
                        Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that
                        involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
                        Section 174 of the DGCL, as the same exists or hereafter may be amended, or (iv)
                        for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
                        If the DGCL hereafter is amended to authorize the further elimination or
                        limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the
                        Corporation, in addition to the limitation on personal liability provided herein,
                        shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the amended DGCL. Any repeal
                        or modification of this Article Eighth by the stockholders of the Corporation shall
                        be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal
                        liability of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or
                        modification.

Ninth:              The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened
                        to be made a party to any threatened, pending or contemplated action, suit or
                        proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative,
                        any appeal in such an action, suit or proceeding and any inquiry or investigation
                        that could lead to such an action, suit or proceeding (whether or not by or in the
                        right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer,
                        employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the

                        Corporation as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee,
                        agent or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
                        sole proprietorship, trust, nonprofit entity, employee benefit plan or other
                        enterprise, against all judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes),
                        fines, settlements and expenses (including attorneys' fees and court costs) actually
                        and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding
                        to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable law, and such indemnity shall
                        inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of any such person
                        so indemnified pursuant to this Article Ninth .

                        The right to indemnification under this Article Ninth shall be a contract right and
                        shall include, with respect to directors and officers, the right to be paid by the
                        Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance
                        of its disposition; provided , however , that, if the DGCL requires, the payment of
                        such expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition
                        of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an
                        undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so
                        advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not
                        entitled to be indemnified under this Article Ninth or otherwise. The Corporation
                        may, by action of its board of directors, pay such expenses incurred by
                        employees and agents of the Corporation upon such terms as the board of
                        directors deems appropriate. The indemnification and advancement of expenses
                        provided by, or granted pursuant to this Article Ninth shall not be deemed
                        exclusive of any other right to which those seeking indemnification may be
                        entitled under any law, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
                        directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in
                        another capacity while holding such office. Any repeal or amendment of this
                         Article Ninth by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable
                        law shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only, and not
                        adversely affect the indemnification of any person who may be indemnified at the
                        time of such repeal or amendment.

Tenth:             A.    Special Vote Required For Certain Business Combinations . In addition to any
                        affirmative vote required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate of
                        Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, and except as otherwise expressly
                        provided in Section B of this Article Tenth , a Business Combination (as
                        hereinafter defined) with, or proposed by or on behalf of any Interested
                        Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or any Affiliate or Associate (as hereinafter
                        defined) of any Interested Stockholder or any person who after such Business
                        Combination would be an Affiliate or Associate of such Interested Stockholder
                        shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than sixty-six and two
                        thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the Voting Stock, voting together
                        as a single class. Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact
                        that no vote may be required, or that a lesser percentage or separate class vote
                        may be specified, by law, by any other provision of this Amended and Restated
                        Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, by any agreement
                        with any national securities exchange or otherwise.

                        B.   W hen Special Vote Not Required . The provisions of Section A of this Article
                         Tenth shall not be applicable to any particular Business Combination, and such
                        Business Combination shall require only such affirmative vote, if any, as is
                        required by law, by any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate
                        of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, by any agreement with any
                        national securities exchange or otherwise if the Business Combination (either
                        specifically or as a transaction which is within an approved category of
                        transactions) shall have been approved by a majority of the Disinterested
                        Directors (as hereinafter defined) prior to the stockholder becoming an Interested
                        Stockholder, it being understood that this condition shall not be capable of
                        satisfaction unless there are at least three (3) Disinterested Directors.

                        C.     Certain Definitions . The following definitions shall apply with respect to
                        this Article Tenth :

    1. The term " Business Combination " shall mean
      1. any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with (1) any Interested Stockholder or (2) any other company (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder) that is or after such merger or consolidation would be an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Stockholder; or
      2. any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition, or any security arrangement, investment, loan, advance, guarantee, agreement to purchase, agreement to pay, extension of credit, joint venture participation or other arrangement, in one transaction or in a series of transactions, with or for the benefit of any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Stockholder involving any assets, cash flow, earning power, securities or commitments of the Corporation, any Subsidiary, any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Stockholder that, together with all other such arrangements, has an aggregate Fair Market Value or involves aggregate commitments equal to ten percent (10%) or more of the assets, cash flow or earning power (in the case of transactions involving assets or commitments other than capital stock) or ten percent (10%) or more of the stockholders' equity (in the case of transactions in capital stock) of the entity in question (" Substantial Part "), as reflected in the most recent fiscal year-end consolidated balance sheet of such entity existing at the time the stockholders of the Corporation would be required to approve or authorize the Business Combination involving the assets, cash flow, earning power, securities or commitments constituting any Substantial Part; or
      3. the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation; or
      4. any issuance or reclassification of securities (including any stock dividend, split or reverse split or any other distribution of securities in respect of stock), any recapitalization of the Corporation, any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction (whether or not with or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) that has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of any class or series of Capital Stock, or any securities convertible into, or rights, options or warrants to acquire, Capital Stock, or equity securities of any Subsidiary, that is beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Stockholder; or
      5. any agreement, arrangement or other understanding providing for any one or more of the actions specified in the foregoing clauses (a) to (d).

    2. The term " Capital Stock " shall mean the capital stock of the Corporation authorized to be issued from time to time under Article Fourth , as such may be amended from time to time, and the term " Voting Stock " shall mean all issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or that otherwise are entitled to vote with such stock on the specific matter in question.
    3. The term " person " shall mean any individual, firm, company or other entity and shall include any group composed of any person and any other person with whom such person or any Affiliate or Associate of such person has any agreement, arrangement or understanding, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of Capital Stock.
    4. The term " Interested Stockholder " shall mean any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary and other than any profit-sharing, employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any such plan when acting in such capacity) who or which is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock representing ten percent (10%) or more of the voting power of all Voting Stock.
    5. A person shall be a " beneficial owner " of, shall " beneficially own, " and shall have " beneficial ownership " of, any Capital Stock (1) that such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates owns, directly or indirectly; (2) that such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has, directly or indirectly, (x) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or subject only to the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (y) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; or (3) which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of Capital Stock. For the purposes of determining whether a person is an Interested Stockholder pursuant to paragraph (iv) above, the number of shares of Capital Stock deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed beneficially owned by such person through application of this paragraph (v), but shall not include any other shares of Capital Stock that may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.
    6. The terms " Affiliate " and " Associate " shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") in effect on the date that this Article Tenth is approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the term " registrant " in Rule 12b-2 meaning in this case the Corporation).
    7. The term " Subsidiary " means with reference to any person, any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of equity securities or majority of the equity interest is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such person, or otherwise controlled by such person; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Interested Stockholder set forth in paragraph (iv) above, the term " Subsidiary " shall mean only a corporation or other entity of which a majority of each class of equity securities is beneficially owned by the Corporation.
    8. The term " Disinterested Director ," with respect to any particular Business Combination with, or proposed by or on behalf of, any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Stockholder or any person who thereafter would be an Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Stockholder, means (1) any member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, while such person is a member of the Board of Directors, who is not an Interested Stockholder, an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Stockholder, or a representative of an Interested Stockholder or of any such Affiliate or Associate, or (2) any person who subsequently becomes a member of the Board of Directors, while such person is a member of the Board of Directors, who is not an Interested Stockholder, an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Stockholder, or a representative of an Interested Stockholder or of any such Affiliate or Associate, if such person's nomination for election or election to the Board of Directors is recommended or approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors then in office.
    9. The term " Fair Market Value " means (1) in the case of cash, the amount of such cash; (2) in the case of stock, the highest closing sale price during the thirty (30)-day period immediately preceding the date in question of a share of such stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange-listed stocks, or, if such stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape, on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if such stock is not listed on such exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act on which such stock is listed, or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing sale price with respect to a share of such stock during the thirty (30)-day period immediately preceding the date in question as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or any similar listing or quotation system then in use, or if no such sale prices are available, the highest of the means between the last reported bid and asked price with respect to a share of such stock on each day during the thirty (30)-day period immediately preceding the date in question as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System, or if not so reported, as determined by a member firm of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. selected by a majority of the Disinterested Directors, or if no such bid and asked prices are available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of such stock as determined in good faith by a majority of the Disinterested Directors; and (3) in the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value of such property on the date in question as determined in good faith by a majority of the Disinterested Directors.

                        D.    Powers of Directors . For the purpose of this Article Tenth , a majority of the
                        Disinterested Directors (whether or not any vacancies then exist on the Board of
                        Directors) shall exercise the powers of the Disinterested Directors hereunder, and
                        shall have the power and duty to determine in good faith, on the basis of
                        information known to them after reasonable inquiry, all questions arising under
                        this Article Tenth , including, without limitation, (1) whether a person is an
                        Interested Stockholder, (2) the number of shares of Capital Stock beneficially
                        owned by any person, (3) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another,
                         (4) whether a Business Combination is with, or proposed by or on behalf of, an
                        Interested Stockholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Stockholder or
                        a person who thereafter would be an Interested Stockholder or an Affiliate or
                        Associate of an Interested Stockholder, and (5) whether any transaction specified
                        in paragraph (i)(b) of Section C of this Article Tenth meets the Substantial Part
                        test set forth therein. Any such determination made in good faith shall be binding
                        and conclusive on all parties.

                        E.    Effect On Fiduciary Obligations .

    1. Nothing contained in this Article Tenth shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
    2. The fact that any Business Combination complies with the provisions of Section B of this Article Tenth shall not be construed to impose any fiduciary duty, obligation or responsibility on the Board of Directors, or any member thereof, to approve such Business Combination or recommend its adoption or approval to the stockholders of the Corporation, nor shall such compliance limit, prohibit or otherwise restrict in any manner the Board of Directors, or any member thereof, with respect to evaluations of or actions and responses taken with respect to such Business Combination.

Eleventh:        Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision
                        contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the
                        manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon
                        stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation; provided , however ,
                        that notwithstanding anything contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate
                        of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of holders of not less than
                        eighty percent (80%) of the voting power of the Voting Stock (as defined in
                        Article Tenth hereof) voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter,
                        amend, adopt any provision inconsistent with or repeal Article Sixth , Article
                         Eighth , Article Ninth and Article Tenth , or this Article Eleventh ; provided ,
                         further , that such eighty percent (80%) vote shall not be required for any such
                        alteration, amendment, adoption of any provision inconsistent with, or for the
                        repeal of, Article Tenth which is recommended to stockholders by two-thirds
                        (2/3) of the Disinterested Directors and such alteration, amendment, adoption of
                        inconsistent provision or repeal shall require the vote, if any, required under the
                        applicable provisions of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate of
                        Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed this 1st day of July, 2003.

                                                                                                ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

                                                                                                By:       s/Eugene A. Soltero

                                                                                                Name: Eugene A. Soltero

                                                                                                Title:    President

 

ATTEST:


s/William H. Avery
Assistant Secretary

 

EXHIBIT 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

(A Delaware Corporation)

[As of October 28, 2005]


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INDEX

ARTICLE I           OFFICES

    Section 1 .            Registered Office and Agent
    Section 2 .            Other Offices

ARTICLE II          MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

    Section 1 .            Place of Meeting
    Section 2 .            Annual Meetings
    Section 3 .            Special Meetings
    Section 4 .            Notice of Meetings
    Section 5 .            Quorum
    Section 6 .            Absence of Quorum; Adjournments
    Section 7 .            Order of Business
    Section 8 .            List of Stockholders
    Section 9 .            Voting
    Section 10 .          Action Without a Meeting
    Section 11 .          Notice of Stockholder Business

ARTICLE III        BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Section 1 .            General Powers
    Section 2 .            Number, Qualifications and Election
    Section 3 .            Notification of Nominations
    Section 4 .            Quorum and Manner of Acting
    Section 5 .            Place of Meeting
    Section 6 .            Annual Meetings
    Section 7 .            Regular Meetings
    Section 8 .            Special Meetings
    Section 9 .            Notice of Meetings
    Section 10 .          Participation in Meeting by Means of Communication Equipment
    Section 11 .          Action Without a Meeting
    Section 12 .          Resignations; Removal
    Section 13 .          Vacancies
    Section 14 .          Compensation
    Section 15 .          Interested Directors
    Section 16 .          Presumption of Assent

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ARTICLE IV        EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES

    Section 1 .            Executive Committee
    Section 2 .            Other Committees
    Section 3 .            Term 12
    Section 4 .            Resignation
    Section 5 .            Authority
    Section 6 .            Alternate Members of Committees
    Section 7 .            Regular Meetings
    Section 8 .            Special Meetings
    Section 9 .            Quorum; Majority Vote
    Section 10 .          Minutes
    Section 11 .          Compensation
    Section 12 .          Responsibility

ARTICLE V          OFFICERS

    Section 1 .            Number, Term of Office
    Section 2 .            Removal
    Section 3 .            Resignation
    Section 4 .            Vacancies
    Section 5 .            Chairman of the Board

    Section 5A .         Chief Executive Officer
    Section 6 .            President
    Section 7 .            Vice Presidents
    Section 8 .            Treasurer
    Section 9 .            Secretary
    Section 10 .          Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries
    Section 11 .          Additional Titles
    Section 12 .          Delegation of Authority

ARTICLE VI        INDEMNIFICATION

    Section 1 .            General
    Section 2 .            Insurance

ARTICLE VII      CAPITAL STOCK

    Section 1 .            Certificates for Shares
    Section 2 .            Transfer of Shares
    Section 3 .            Address of Stockholders
    Section 4 .            Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates
    Section 5 .            Regulations
    Section 6 .            Fixing Record Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record

ARTICLE VIII     NOTICE

    Section 1 .            Method
    Section 2 .            Waiver

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ARTICLE IX        MISCELLANEOUS

    Section 1 .            Dividends
    Section 2 .            Books and Records
    Section 3 .            Execution of Documents
    Section 4 .            Deposits
    Section 5 .            Checks
    Section 6 .            Proxies in Respect of Stock or Other Securities of Other Corporations
    Section 7 .            Seal
    Section 8 .            Fiscal Year
    Section 9 .            Amendments
    Section 10 .          Invalid Provisions
    Section 11 .          Headings
    Section 12 .          References
    Section 13 .          Contracts
    Section 14 .          Facsimile Signatures


4


AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
ZION OIL & GAS, INC.
(A Delaware Corporation)

Effective as of October 28, 2005

These bylaws (the " Bylaws ") are subject to, and governed by, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the " DGCL ") and the amended and restated certificate of incorporation (" Certificate of Incorporation ") of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the " Corporation "). In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws and the mandatory provisions of the DGCL or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, such provisions of the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation, as the case may be, will be controlling.

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office and Agent . The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, and the registered agent in charge thereof shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation may be changed from time to time by the appropriate filing by the Corporation in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware .

Section 2. Other Offices . The Corporation may also have an office or offices, and keep the books and records of the Corporation, except as may otherwise be required by law, at such other place or places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (" Board of Directors " or " Board ") may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Place of Meeting . All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at the principal executive offices of the Corporation or at such other places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

Section 2. Annual Meetings . The annual meetings of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held on such date and at such time and place as may from time to time be established by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

Section 3. Special Meetings . A special meeting of the stockholders may be called and held as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

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Section 4. Notice of Meetings . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4 or by law, written notice of each meeting of the stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given, either by personal delivery or by mail, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to notice of the meeting; provided , however , if the meeting is called for the purpose of acting on an agreement of merger or consolidation involving the Corporation or for the purpose of authorizing the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation, the notice of the meeting shall be given at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder's address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, unless such stockholder shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices to such stockholder be mailed to some other address, in which case it shall be directed to such stockholder at such other address. If notice is mailed at least thirty (30) days before the date of the meeting, it may be done by a class of United States mail other than first class. Each such notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting. Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall waive notice thereof as provided in Section 2 of Article VIII of these Bylaws. Notice of adjournment of a meeting of stockholders need not be given if the time and place to which it is adjourned are announced at such meeting, unless the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or, after adjournment, a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting.

Whenever notice is required to be given by these Bylaws or by law to any stockholder to whom (i) notice of two (2) consecutive annual meetings of the stockholders, and all notices of meetings or the notice of the taking of action by written consent without a meeting to such person during the period between such two (2) consecutive annual meetings, or (ii) all, and at least two (2), payments (if sent by first class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a twelve-month period, have been mailed addressed to such person at such person's address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to such person shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such person shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such person's then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such person shall be reinstated.

Section 5. Quorum . Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of each class entitled to be voted at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the stockholders. For purposes of the foregoing, two (2) or more classes or series of stock shall be considered a single class if the holders thereof are entitled to vote together as a single class at the meeting. The stockholders present or represented at a duly organized

6



meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of the Corporation's own capital stock belonging on the record date for the meeting to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation to vote stock, including, but not limited to, its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

Section 6. Absence of Quorum; Adjournments . In the absence of a quorum, the holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to be voted at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, may adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement at the adjourned meeting of the time and place, if any, of the adjourned meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting (unless the Board of Directors, after such adjournment, fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting), until a quorum shall be present, in person or by proxy. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called; provided , however , if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the time and place, if any, of the adjourned meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting.

Section 7. Order of Business . At each meeting of the stockholders, the Chairman of the Board, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, in that order, shall act as chairman. The order of business at each such meeting shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, the establishment of procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments on the affairs of the Corporation, restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof and the opening and closing of the voting polls.

Section 8. List of Stockholders . At least ten (10) days before each meeting of stockholders, the Secretary or other officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in such stockholder's name. Such list shall be produced and kept available at the times and places required by law.

Section 9. Voting . Except as otherwise provided by law or in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder of record shall be entitled at each meeting of the

7


stockholders to one (1) vote for each share of stock which has voting power upon the matter in question, registered in such stockholder's name on the books of the Corporation:

  1. on the date fixed pursuant to Section 6 of Article VII of these Bylaws as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting; or
  2. if no such record date shall have been so fixed, then at the close of business on the day next preceding the date on which notice of such meeting is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by a proxy signed by such stockholder or such stockholder's attorney-in-fact or by any other means which constitutes a valid grant of a proxy under the DGCL. Any such proxy relating to a meeting of stockholders shall be delivered to the secretary of such meeting at or prior to the time designated for holding such meeting but, in any event, not later than the time designated in the order of business for so delivering such proxies. No such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date than the original proxy with the Secretary of the Corporation.

At each meeting of the stockholders, all corporate actions, other than the election of directors, to be taken by vote of the stockholders (except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws) shall be authorized by a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of stock entitled to vote thereon, present in person or represented by proxy; provided , however , that (except as otherwise required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation) the Board of Directors may require a larger vote upon any election or question. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of the directors.

Unless required by law or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable, the vote on any matter, including the election of directors, need not be by written ballot. In the case of a vote by written ballot, each ballot shall be signed by the stockholder voting, or by such stockholder's proxy, and shall state the number of shares voted.

Section 10. Inspectors . Except as otherwise provided by law, either the Board of Directors or, in the absence of a designation of inspectors by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders may, in its or such person's discretion, appoint one or more inspectors to act at any meeting of stockholders. The inspectors or judges, if any, shall determine the number of shares of stock outstanding and the voting power of each, the

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shares of stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots and consents, determine the results, do such other acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders, and perform such other duties as may be specified by the Board or the chairman of the meeting. On request of the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors or judges, if any, shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question or matter determined by them, and execute a certificate of any fact found by them. Inspectors and judges need not be stockholders. No director or nominee for the office of director shall be appointed as such an inspector or judge.

Section 11. Action Without a Meeting . After the first time the Corporation has more than sixty (60) stockholders, any action required by law to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, may not be effected by consent in writing in lieu of a meeting by such stockholders. Prior to such time, any such action may be effected by written consent of the number of stockholders who would be required to consent to such action under the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable law.

Section 12. Notice of Stockholder Business . At a meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted, and only such proposals shall be acted upon, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before a meeting, business or a proposal must (a) be specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or the persons calling the meeting as herein provided, (b) otherwise be properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) otherwise (i) be properly requested to be brought before the meeting by a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors generally, and (ii) constitute a proper subject to be brought before such meeting.

For business or a proposal to be properly brought before a meeting of stockholders, any stockholder who intends to bring any matter (other than the election of directors) before a meeting of stockholders and is entitled to vote on such matter must deliver written notice of such stockholder's intent to bring such matter before the meeting of stockholders, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation. Such notice must be received by the Secretary: (i) with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days in advance of such meeting; and (ii) with respect to any special meeting of stockholders, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders; provided , however , that in the event that less than seventy (70) days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting of stockholders is given or made to the stockholders, to be timely, notice of a proposal delivered by the stockholder must be received by the Secretary not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting of stockholders was mailed or such public disclosure was made to the stockholders.

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A stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting of stockholders (a) a brief description of the business or proposal desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books, of the stockholder proposing such business and any other stockholders known to be supporting the proposal, (c) the class or classes of stock and number of shares of such class or classes of stock which are beneficially owned by the proposing stockholder on the date of the stockholder notice, and (d) any material interest of the proposing stockholder in such business.

No business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12 . The Board of Directors may reject any stockholder proposal submitted for consideration at a meeting of stockholders which is not made in accordance with the terms of this Section 12 or which is not a proper subject for stockholder action in accordance with provisions of applicable law. Alternatively, if the Board of Directors fails to consider the validity of any such stockholder proposal, the presiding officer of a meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that (i) the business proposed to be brought before the meeting is not a proper subject therefor and/or (ii) such business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions hereof, and if he should so determine, he shall declare to the meeting that (i) the business proposed to be brought before the meeting is not a proper subject therefor and/or (ii) such business was not properly brought before the meeting and (iii) that such business shall not be transacted. The Board of Directors or, as the case may be, the presiding officer of the meeting shall have absolute authority to decide questions of compliance with the foregoing procedures and the Board of Directors' or, as the case may be, the presiding officer's ruling thereon shall be final and conclusive. This provision shall not prevent the consideration and approval or disapproval at the annual meeting of stockholders of reports of officers, directors and committees of the Board of Directors, but, in connection with such reports, no new business shall be acted upon at such meeting unless stated, filed and received as herein provided.

ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

Section 2. Number, Qualifications and Election . The exact number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided , however , that the number so fixed shall not be less than three (3) nor more than eleven (11); and provided further that no decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation or citizens or residents of the United States.

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The Board of Directors is specifically authorized to divide the Board into three (3) classes, as authorized by the DGCL and the Certificate of Incorporation, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors of the Class whose term then expires shall be elected for a full term of three (3) years to succeed the directors of such Class so that the term of office of the directors of one Class shall expire in each year.

In any election of directors, the persons receiving a plurality of the votes cast, up to the number of directors to be elected in such election, shall be deemed elected. The stockholders of the Corporation are expressly prohibited from cumulating their votes in any election of directors of the Corporation. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

Section 3. Notification of Nominations . Except for directors elected pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 of this Article III , only individuals nominated for election to the Board of Directors pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 may be elected to and may serve upon the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally. Subject to the foregoing, only a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors generally may nominate one (1) or more persons for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders and only if written notice of such stockholder's intent to make such nomination or nominations has been given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation and has been received by the Secretary: (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days in advance of such meeting; and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders; provided , however , that in the event that less than seventy (70) days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting of stockholders is given or made to stockholders, to be timely, notice of a nomination delivered by such stockholder must be received by the Secretary not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the meeting of stockholders was mailed or such public disclosure was made to the stockholders.

Each such notice shall set forth:

  1. the name, age, business address and residence address, and the principal occupation or employment of any nominee proposed in such notice;
  2. the name and address of the stockholder or stockholders giving the notice as the same appears in the Corporation's stock ledger;
  3. a representation that each nominating stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, and the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder and by any such person or persons;
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  5. a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder; and
  6. such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee, had the Corporation been subject to such proxy rules and had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors.

To be effective, each notice of intent to make a nomination given hereunder shall be accompanied by the written consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if elected.

At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary the information required by this Section 3 to be set forth in a stockholder's notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee.

The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions hereof and, if he should so determine, he shall declare to the meeting that such nomination was not properly brought before the meeting and shall not be considered. The chairman of a meeting of stockholders shall have absolute authority to decide questions of compliance with the foregoing procedures and such chairman's ruling thereon shall be final and conclusive.

Section 4. Quorum and Manner of Acting . Except as otherwise provided by law or in Article IV of these Bylaws, (i) a majority of the entire Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board and (ii) the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws require a vote of a greater number. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting to another time and place. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called may be transacted.

Section 5. Place of Meeting . The Board of Directors may hold its meetings at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as the Board may from time to time determine or as shall be specified or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.

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Section 6. Annual Meetings . The first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors shall be held for the purpose of organization and the transaction of any other business, without notice, immediately following the annual meeting of stockholders, and at the same place, unless such time or place shall be changed by the Board.

Section 7. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times and places as the Board shall establish from time to time by resolution. If any day fixed for a regular meeting shall be a legal holiday under the laws of the place where the meeting is to be held, the meeting that would otherwise be held on that day shall be held at the same hour on the next succeeding business day.

Section 8. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the President or the CEO, and shall be called by the Secretary upon the written request of any two (2) or more directors.

Section 9. Notice of Meetings . Notice of annual and regular meetings of the Board of Directors or of any adjourned meeting thereof need not be given. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be mailed to each director, addressed to such director at such director's residence or usual place of business, not later than the third (3rd) day before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to such director at such place by facsimile or other electronic transmission, or be given personally or by telephone, not later than twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting is to be held, but notice need not be given to any director who shall waive notice thereof as provided in Section 2 of Article VIII of these Bylaws. Every such notice shall state the time and place, but need not state the purpose, of the meeting.

Section 10. Participation in Meeting by Means of Communication Equipment . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in any meeting of the Board or of any such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. Participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Section 11. Action Without a Meeting . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee of the Board of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all the directors or all the committee members, as the case may be, entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, and such consent shall have the same force and effect as a vote of such directors or committee members, as the case may be, and may be stated as such in any certificate or document filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or in any certificate delivered to any person. Such

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consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be.

Section 12. Resignations; Removal . Any director of the Corporation may at any time resign by giving written notice to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time be not specified, upon delivery thereof; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. A director may be removed from office only for cause (as set forth below) upon the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the Voting Stock (as defined in Article Tenth of the Certificate of Incorporation) voting together as a single class, with the vote to be at a special meeting of stockholders called expressly for that purpose. For purposes hereof, "cause" for removal shall exist only if the director whose removal is proposed (i) has been convicted of a felony by a court of competent jurisdiction and such conviction is no longer subject to direct appeal; or (ii) has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable for gross negligence or misconduct in the performance of the duties of such director to the Corporation in connection with a matter of substantial importance to the Corporation, and such adjudication has become final and non-appealable; or (iii) has missed six (6) consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors.

Section 13. Vacancies . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, vacancies on the Board of Directors and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of the Class for which such directors shall have been chosen, and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by the statutes.

Section 14. Compensation . The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, paid to directors for attendance at regular or special meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof; provided , however , that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity or receiving compensation therefor.

Section 15. Interested Directors . No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because such person's or persons' votes are counted for such purpose, if: (i) the material facts as to such person's relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the

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contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (ii) the material facts as to such person's relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

Section 16. Presumption of Assent . A director of the Corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board or a committee thereof when corporate action is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken, unless he objects at the beginning of the meeting, or promptly upon his arrival, to holding the meeting or transacting specific business at the meeting, or he votes against or abstains from the action taken.

ARTICLE IV
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES

Section 1. Executive Committee . The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate annually two (2) or more of its members to constitute members or alternate members of an Executive Committee, which Committee shall have and may exercise, between meetings of the Board, all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, including, if such Committee is so empowered and authorized by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, the power and authority to declare a dividend and to authorize the issuance of stock, and may authorize the seal (if one is adopted) of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it, except that the Executive Committee shall have no power or authority to:

  1. amend the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation;
  2. adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation involving the Corporation;
  3. recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation;
  4. recommend to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution;
  5. adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the Corporation;
  6. fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board, including the Executive Committee; or
  7. amend or repeal any resolution of the Board of Directors which by its terms may be amended or repealed only by the Board.

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The Board shall have the power at any time to change the membership of the Executive Committee, to fill all vacancies in it and to discharge it, either with or without cause. For purposes of this Article IV , all references to "committee" or "committees" shall include the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Other Committees . The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate from among its members one or more other committees, each of which shall, except as otherwise prescribed by law, have such authority of the Board as may be specified in the resolution of the Board designating such committee. A majority of all members of such committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board shall otherwise provide. The Board shall have the power at any time to change the membership of, to fill all vacancies in and to discharge any such committee, either with or without cause.

Section 3. Term . Each committee member shall serve as such until the earliest of (i) the expiration of his term as director, (ii) his resignation as a committee member or as a director, or (iii) his removal as a committee member or as a director.

Section 4. Resignation . Any committee member may at any time resign by giving written notice to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of delivery of such notice or at any later date specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 5. Authority . Each committee, to the extent expressly provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation except to the extent expressly restricted by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws. Each committee may adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or these Bylaws for the conduct of its meetings as such committee deems proper.

Section 6. Alternate Members of Committees . The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee. Any such alternate member may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. If no alternate committee members have been so appointed to a committee or each such alternate committee member is absent or disqualified, the member or members of such committee present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

Section 7. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place, if any, as may be designated from time to time by the committee and communicated to all members thereof.

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Section 8. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee may be held whenever called by any committee member. The committee member calling any special meeting shall cause notice of such special meeting, including therein the time and place, if any, of such special meeting, to be given to each committee member at least two (2) days before such special meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of any committee need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of any special meeting. Notice need not be given to any member who shall waive notice thereof as provided in Section  2 of Article VIII of these Bylaws. Any special meeting of the Executive Committee or any other committee of the Board shall be a legal meeting without any notice thereof having been given if all the members thereof shall be present thereat.

Section 9. Quorum; Majority Vote . At meetings of any committee, a majority of the number of members designated by the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present in person or by means of remote communication at a meeting of any committee, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance shall be the act of a committee, unless the act of a greater number is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws.

Section 10. Minutes . Each committee shall cause minutes of its proceedings to be prepared and shall report the same to the Board of Directors upon the request of the Board of Directors. The minutes of the proceedings of each committee shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation for placement in the minute books of the Corporation.

Section 11. Compensation . Committee members may, by resolution of the Board of Directors, be allowed a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attending any committee meetings or a stated salary.

Section 12. Responsibility . The designation of any committee and the delegation of authority to it shall not operate to relieve the Board of Directors or any director of any responsibility imposed upon it or such director by law.

ARTICLE V
OFFICERS

Section 1. Number, Term of Office . The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall be a Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice Presidents as may be determined from time to time by the Board (and in the case of each such Vice President, with such descriptive title, if any, including that of Executive or Senior Vice President, as the Board shall deem appropriate), a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other officers or agents with such titles and such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, each to have such authority, functions or duties as in these Bylaws provided or as the Board may from time to time determine, and each to hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board and until such person's successor shall have been elected and shall qualify, or until such person's death

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or resignation, or until such person's removal in the manner hereinafter provided. The Chairman of the Board shall be elected from among the directors. One person may hold the offices and perform the duties of any two (2) or more of said officers; provided , however , that no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or these Bylaws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers. The Board may from time to time authorize any officer to appoint and remove any such other officers and agents and to prescribe their powers and duties.

Section 2. Removal . Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors at any meeting thereof, or, except in the case of any officer elected by the Board, by any committee or superior officer upon whom such power may be conferred by the Board.

Section 3. Resignation . Any officer may at any time resign by giving written notice to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of delivery of such notice or at any later date specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 4. Vacancies . A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal or any other cause may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws for election to such office.

Section 5. Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board shall, if present, preside at meetings of the stockholders, meetings of the Board and meetings of the Executive Committee. The Chairman of the Board shall perform such other duties as the Board or the Executive Committee may from time to time determine. The Chairman of the Board may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments authorized by the Board or any committee thereof empowered to authorize the same.

Section 5A. Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer shall be the officer of the Corporation chiefly responsible for corporate policy making and the general supervision and direction of the Corporation's business. The Chief Executive Officer shall, if present and in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, preside at meetings of the stockholders, meetings of the Board and meetings of the Executive Committee. The Chief Executive Officer may serve also as the Chairman of the Board or the President. The Chief Executive Officer may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments authorized by the Board or any committee thereof empowered to authorize the same.

Section 6. President . The President shall, if present and in the absence of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, preside at meetings of the stockholders, meetings of the Board and meetings of the Executive Committee. The President shall counsel with and advise the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer and perform such other duties as the Board, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board or the

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Chief Executive Officer may from time to time determine. The President may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments authorized by the Board or any committee thereof empowered to authorize the same.

Section 7. Vice Presidents . Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties as shall be prescribed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors. Any Vice President may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments authorized by the Board or any committee thereof empowered to authorize the same. Any Vice President may also be designated a Senior or Executive Vice President.

Section 8. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall perform all duties incident to the office of the Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the Treasurer by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Board of Directors. The Board may require the Treasurer to give security for the faithful performance of such person's duties. The duties of the Treasurer may also be performed by any Assistant Treasurer.

Section 9. Secretary . It shall be the duty of the Secretary to act as secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors, of the Executive Committee and of the stockholders and to record the proceedings of such meetings in a book or books kept for that purpose; the Secretary shall see that all notices required to be given by the Corporation are duly given and served; the Secretary shall be custodian of the seal of the Corporation (if one is adopted) and shall affix the seal or cause it to be affixed to all certificates of stock of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws; the Secretary shall have charge of the stock ledger books and also of the other books, records and papers of the Corporation and shall see that the reports, statements and other documents required by law are properly kept and filed; and the Secretary shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such person by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors. The duties of the Secretary may also be served by any Assistant Secretary.

Section 10. Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries . If elected, the Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Treasurer and Secretary, respectively, of by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer as respects Assistant Treasurers, or the Board of Directors. The Board may require any Assistant Treasurer to give security for the faithful performance of such person's duties.

Section 11. Additional Titles . In addition to titles as designated in Section 5 through Section 10 of this Article V , the Board of Directors may designate particular officers of the Corporation to have other or additional titles indicative on their managerial responsibilities within the Corporation. The officer of the Corporation charged with the

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supervision and management of the daily operations of the Corporation may, in addition to his or her other titles, be designated the " Chief Operating Officer ." The officer of the Corporation chiefly responsible for the finances, securities and accounting systems of the Corporation may, in addition to his or her other title or titles, be designated the " Chief Financial Officer ." The Board of Directors may give officers of the Corporation such other additional titles and designations as it shall deem appropriate.

Section 12. Delegation of Authority . In the case of any absence of any officer of the Corporation or for any other reason that the Board of Directors may deem sufficient, the Board may delegate some or all of the powers or duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director, employee or agent for whatever period of time seems desirable, providing that a majority of the entire Board concurs therewith.

ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. General . Each person who at any time shall serve or shall have served as a Director or officer of the Corporation, or any person who, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be entitled to (a) indemnification and (b) the advancement of expenses incurred by such person from the Corporation as, and to the fullest extent, provided for under Article Ninth of the Certificate of Incorporation and permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL or any successor statutory provision, as from time to time amended. The Corporation may indemnify any other person, to the same extent and subject to the same limitations specified in the immediately preceding sentence, by reason of the fact that such other person is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or, at the request of the Corporation, of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The foregoing right of indemnification and advancement of expenses provided shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Corporation or otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Article VI shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and the director, officer, employee or agent who served in such capacity at any time while this Article VI, Article Ninth of the Certificate of Incorporation and other relevant provisions of the DGCL and other applicable law, if any, are in effect. Any repeal or modification hereof or thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing. Without limiting the provisions of this Article VI , the Corporation is authorized from time to time, without further action by the stockholders of the Corporation, to enter into agreements with any director or officer of the Corporation providing such rights of indemnification as the Corporation may deem appropriate, up to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any agreement entered into by the Corporation with a director may be authorized by the other directors, and such authorization shall not be invalid on the basis that similar agreements may have been or may thereafter be entered into with other directors.

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Section 2. Insurance . The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or, at the request of the Corporation, a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have had the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the applicable provisions of this Article VI, Article Ninth of the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL.

ARTICLE VII
CAPITAL STOCK

Section 1. Certificates For Shares . Certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation, whenever authorized by the Board of Directors, shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board. The certificates representing shares of stock shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation, and sealed with the seal of the Corporation (if one has been adopted), which may be by a facsimile thereof. Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles. Although any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate ceases to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still such at the date of issue. The certificates shall be consecutively numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued and shall exhibit the holder's name and the number of shares.

The stock ledger and blank share certificates shall be kept by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or a transfer agent or by a registrar or by any other officer or agent designated by the Board.

Section 2. Transfer of Shares . Transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof, or by such holder's attorney thereunto authorized by a power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation or a transfer agent for such stock, if any, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power and the payment of all taxes thereon. The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Corporation; provided , however , that whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, and written notice thereof shall be given to the Secretary or to such transfer agent, such fact shall be stated in the entry of the transfer. No transfer of shares shall be valid as against the Corporation, its stockholders and creditors for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

Section 3. Address of Stockholders . Each stockholder shall designate to the Secretary or transfer agent of the Corporation an address at which notices of meetings and all other

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corporate notices may be served or mailed to such person and, if any stockholder shall fail to designate such address, corporate notices may be served upon such person by mail directed to such person at such person's post office address, if any, as the same appears on the stock record books of the Corporation or at such person's last known post office address.

Section 4. Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates . The holder of any share of stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of the certificate therefor. The Corporation may issue to such holder a new certificate or certificates for shares, upon the surrender of the mutilated certificate or, in the case of loss, theft or destruction of the certificate, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate or certificates representing shares to be lost or destroyed. The Board of Directors, or a committee designated thereby, may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or such person's legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as it may direct to indemnify the Corporation and said transfer agents and registrars against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

Section 5. Regulations . The Board of Directors may make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue and transfer of certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation and may make such rules and take such action as it may deem expedient concerning the issue of certificates in lieu of certificates claimed to have been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

Section 6. Fixing Record Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record . In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided , however , that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action.

If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

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ARTICLE VIII
NOTICE

Section 1. Method . Whenever by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any committee member, director, or stockholder and no provision is made as to how such notice shall be given, personal notice shall not be required and any such notice may be given (a) in writing, by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such committee member, director, or stockholder at his, her or its address as it appears on the books or (in the case of a stockholder) the stock transfer records of the Corporation, or (b) by any other method permitted by law (including but not limited to overnight courier service, telegram, or electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL). Any notice required or permitted to be given by mail shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the time when the same is deposited in the United States mail as aforesaid. Any notice required or permitted to be given by overnight courier service shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the time delivered to such service with all charges prepaid and addressed as aforesaid. Any notice required or permitted to be given by telegram, telex, or telefax shall be deemed to be delivered and given at the time transmitted with all charges prepaid and addressed as aforesaid. Any notice required or permitted to be given by electronic transmission shall be deemed to be delivered and given according to Section 232 of the DGCL.

Section 2. Waiver . Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder, director, or committee member of the Corporation by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether given before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of a stockholder, director, or committee member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of such meeting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. Dividends . Subject to provisions of law and the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting and may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of stock of the Corporation. Such declaration and payment shall be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Books and Records . The Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account, shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders and Board of Directors and shall keep at its registered office or principal place of business, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, a record of its stockholders, giving the names and addresses of all stockholders and the number and class of the shares held by each.

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Section 3. Execution of Documents . The Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Financial Officer, any Executive Vice President and any other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation designated by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof shall have power to execute and deliver deeds, contracts, mortgages, bonds, debentures, notes, checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of money and other documents for and in the name of the Corporation and the Board or any committee thereof may authorize such officers, employees and agents to delegate such power (including authority to redelegate) by written instrument to other officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Such delegation may be by resolution or otherwise and the authority granted shall be general or confined to specific matters, all as the Board or such committee may determine. In the absence of such designation referred to in the first sentence of this Section 3 , the officers of the Corporation shall have such power so referred to, to the extent incident to the normal performance of their duties.

Section 4. Deposits . All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation or otherwise as the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or any officer of the Corporation to whom power in that respect shall have been delegated by the Board or any such committee shall select.

Section 5. Checks . All checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of money out of the funds of the Corporation, and all notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the Corporation, shall be signed on behalf of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof. In the absence of such resolution referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, the officers of the Corporation shall have such power so referred to, to the extent incident to the normal performance of their duties.

Section 6. Proxies in Respect of Stock or Other Securities of Other Corporations . The Board of Directors or any committee thereof shall designate the officers of the Corporation who shall have authority from time to time to appoint an agent or agents of the Corporation to exercise in the name and on behalf of the Corporation the powers and rights that the Corporation may have as the holder of stock or other securities or interests in any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, and to vote or consent in respect of such stock, securities or interests; such designated officers may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of exercising such powers and rights; and such designated officers may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, such written proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as they may deem necessary or proper in order that the Corporation may exercise its said powers and rights. In the absence of such designation referred to in the first sentence of this Section 4 , the officers of the Corporation shall have such power so referred to, to the extent incident to the normal performance of their duties.

Section 7. Seal . The Board of Directors may provide a corporate seal, which, if adopted, shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may approve and adopt. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

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Section 8. Fiscal Year . The twelve-month period ending at midnight on December 31 in each year shall be the fiscal year of the Corporation.

Section 9. Amendments . The Board of Directors may, upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then serving, make, adopt, alter, amend, and repeal from time to time these Bylaws and make from time to time new Bylaws of the Corporation (subject to the right of the stockholders entitled to vote thereon to adopt, alter, amend, and repeal Bylaws made by the Board of Directors or to make new Bylaws); provided, however, that the stockholders of the Corporation may adopt, alter, amend, or repeal Bylaws made by the Board of Directors or make new Bylaws solely upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the Voting Stock (as defined in Article Tenth of the Certificate of Incorporation) voting together as a single classvoting .

Section 10. I nvalid Provisions . If any part of these Bylaws shall be held invalid or inoperative for any reason, the remaining parts, so far as it is possible and reasonable, shall remain valid and operative.

Section 11. Headings . The headings used in these Bylaws have been inserted for administrative convenience only and do not constitute matter to be construed in interpretation.

Section 12. References . Whenever herein the singular number is used, the same shall include the plural where appropriate, and words of any gender should include each other gender where appropriate.

Section 13. Contracts . The Board of Directors may authorize any person or persons, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to enter into or execute and deliver any and all deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts and other obligations or instruments, and such authority may be general or confined in specific instances.

Section 14. Facsimile Signatures . In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these Bylaws, facsimile signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

The undersigned Assistant Secretary of the Corporation hereby certifies that the forgoing Bylaws were adopted by consent of the directors of the Corporation as of the 30 th day of June, 2003, and amended and restated as of September 28, 2004 and October 28, 2005 by approval of the directors of the Corporation.

s/William H. Avery
Assistant Secretary

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EXHBIT 4.1

Specimen Certificate for Zion Common Stock,

par value $.01 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for JPEg of Stock Certificate

Exhibit 4.2

Zion Oil & Gas Inc.

2005 STOCK OPTION PLAN

 

  1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN
  2. The purposes of this Stock Option Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to employees, members of the board of directors of Zion Oil & Gas Inc. (the " Company "), consultants and other service providers of the Company and of the Company's Subsidiaries, to align their respective interests with shareholder interests through equity-based compensation and to promote the success of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined in section 4 below).

  3. TYPES OF AWARDS
  4. The Plan contemplates the issuance of Awards (as defined in Section 4 below) by the Company, both as a private company and as a publicly traded company and is intended to enable the Company to issue Awards subject to Applicable Laws (as defined in Section 4 below), and to Section 3, under varying tax regimes including without limitation (i) "incentive stock options" (" Incentive Stock Options ") within the meaning of Section 422 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the " Code "); (ii) "nonqualified stock options" (" Nonqualified Stock Options ") as defined in the Code; (iii) Stock Options without a trustee pursuant and subject to the provisions of Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance (New Version), 1961 (the " Ordinance "), as amended and any regulations, rules, orders or procedures promulgated thereunder, including tax rules (Preferential Tax Treatment regarding Issuance of Shares to Employees), 2003 (" Section 102 ") (such options, " Non Trustee 102 Stock Options "), (iv) Stock Options allocated to a Trustee (as defined in section 4) under the capital gain track pursuant and subject to the provisions of Section 102 of the Ordinance (such options, " 102 Capital Gain Stock Options "); (v) Stock Options allocated to a Trustee (as defined in section 4 below) under the ordinary income track pursuant and subject to the provisions of Section 102 of the Ordinance (such options, " 102 Ordinary Income Stock Options "); (vi) Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(9) of the Ordinance (" 3(9) Stock Options) (all Non Trustee 102 Stock Options, 102 Capital Gain Stock Options, 102 Ordinary Income Stock Options, 3(9) Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options as well as options issued under other tax regimes, each an " Option ", and collectively the " Options "). Apart from issuance under the relevant tax regimes in the United States of America and the State of Israel, the Plan contemplates issuances to Grantees (as defined in Section 4 below) in other jurisdictions with respect to which the Administrator (as defined in Section 4 below) is empowered to

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    make the requisite adjustments in the Plan and set forth the relevant conditions in the Company's agreement with the Grantee in order to comply with the requirements of the tax regimes in said jurisdictions.

     

  5. THE ELECTION
  6. It is clarified, that, with regard to Trustee Stock Options (as defined in Section 4 below), although this Plan enables the Company to grant both types of Trustee Stock Options during its term (as set forth in Section 9 below), the Company must choose between granting 102 Capital Gain Stock Options and 102 Ordinary Income Stock Options (the " Election ") at any given time during the term (as set forth in Section 9 below). The Company can change such Election only after the passage of at least 12 months from the end of the year in which the first grant was made in accordance with the previous Election. Until the Election is changed all Trustee Stock Options shall be issued either as 102 Capital Gain Stock Option or as 102 Ordinary Income Stock Option in accordance with the Election.

     

  7. DEFINITIONS
  8. For the purposes of this Zion Oil & Gas Inc. 2005 Stock Option Plan (the " Plan "), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

    1. " Administrator " means the Board or any of its committees as shall be appointed by the Board to administer the Plan, in accordance with Section 6 hereof.
    2. " Adoption Date " means the later of the date on which the Board adopted this Plan and the date the Plan was approved by the Company's shareholders, if such approval is necessary under Applicable Laws.
    3. " Applicable Laws " means the requirements relating to the adoption of and/or the administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares may be listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any other country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan, as well as the By-Laws of the Company.
    4. " Award " shall mean any Option granted to a Grantee under the Plan.
    5. " Award Agreement " means a written agreement between the Company and a Grantee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award grant, as further specified in Section 8.
    6. 2


    7. " Award Share " means the Share/s subject to an Award.
    8. " Board " means the Board of Directors of the Company.
    9. " By-Laws " means the Articles of Incorporation of the Company as amended from time to time and the By- Laws of the Company as amended from time to time and all shareholders rights agreements, as amended from time to time, entered or to be entered into by the Company and/or its Shareholders.
    10. " Cause " means: (i) any action by a Grantee involving willful malfeasance or a willful breach of such a Grantee's fiduciary duties in connection with such Grantee's employment or engagement with the Company or with any Subsidiary; (ii) the conviction of a Grantee in a court of law of, or a guilty plea by the Grantee to, a felony or a fraud or any other similar act; (iii) substantial and continuing refusal or neglect by a Grantee to perform the duties requested of him (including without limitation, abiding by policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct) provided such duties are expected to be performed by a person engaged for a similar capacity (other than as a result of death, illness or other objective incapacity) which refusal or neglect continues for a period of ten days after written notice thereof is provided to the Grantee from the Company or from the respective Subsidiary; or (iv) an act of moral turpitude, or any similar act, to the extent that such act causes or may cause injury to the reputation of the Company and/or to any of the Company's Subsidiaries; (v) any other act or omission which, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, could materially financially harm the Company and/or any of the Company's Subsidiaries or harm the business reputation of the Company and/or any of the Company's Subsidiaries; (vi) any other circumstance deemed by law to constitute termination for cause, including circumstances relieving an employer from the duty to pay severance pay to the Grantee or (vii) termination of a Grantee's employment for cause in accordance with provisions of his employment agreement or engagement agreement, if any, with the Company.
    11. " Committee " means a committee of directors appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 6 hereof.
    12. " Consultant " means any person who is engaged by the Company or any Subsidiary to render consulting or advisory services to the Company or the Subsidiary.
    13. " Effective Date " means the date on which the Award Agreement is signed by the Company and the Grantee. The " Effective Date " of Trustee Stock Options shall be the date on which such Trustee Stock Options are allocated to the Trustee.
    14. " Employee " means any person employed by the Company or any Subsidiary, and (i) with regard to Trustee Stock Options and Non Trustee Stock Options also directors or office holders ("Nosei Misra"- as such term is defined in the Israeli Companies Law, 5759-1999,
    15. 3


      as may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that he is not a "controlling party", as defined in section 32 (9) of the Ordinance, prior to and after the issuance of the Awards, and (ii) with regard to Incentive Stock Options only, provided that he is not a member of the Board. A person employed by the Company or any Subsidiary shall not cease to be an Employee for the purposes of the Plan in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company, or (iii) transfer of employment between the Company, its Subsidiaries and any successor.

    16. " Exercise Date " means the date on which the Grantee exercises his Awards, subject to the compliance with all of the provisions set out in Section 11 of this Plan.
    17. " Exercise Price " means the amount stipulated in the Award Agreement to be paid by the Grantee to the Company in order to exercise an Award into an Award Share of the Company.
    18. " Fair Market Value Per Share " as of a particular date shall mean (i) the closing sales price per Share on the securities exchange on which the Shares are principally traded for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Shares on such exchange; or (ii) if the Shares are listed on the Nasdaq National Market, the last reported price per Share on the Nasdaq National Market or on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market (in either case, a " Nasdaq Market ") on the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Shares on the relevant Nasdaq Market; or (iii) if the Shares are then traded in an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the Shares in such over-the-counter market for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Shares in such market; or (iv) if the Shares are not then listed on a securities exchange, a Nasdaq Market or traded in an over-the-counter market, such value as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine; provided, however, that the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the initial public offering of the Company's Shares (the "Initial Public Offering") will equal the Initial Public Offering price per Share.
    19. " Grantee " means the holder of an outstanding Award granted under the Plan.
    20. " Merger or Acquisition " shall mean (i) the acquisition of the Company by another entity by means of any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, any reorganization, merger or consolidation); or (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including, for purposes of this Section, intellectual property rights which, in the aggregate, constitute substantially all of the Company's assets); unless in each case, the Company's stockholders of record as constituted immediately prior to such acquisition or sale will, immediately after such acquisition or sale (by virtue of securities issued as consideration for the Company's acquisition or sale or otherwise) hold at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring entity; or (iii) more
    21. 4


      than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the Company is transferred to an unrelated third party pursuant to a transaction or series of related transactions.

    22. " Purchaser " means the Company (if and as permitted by law) and/or any of its Subsidiaries and/or another person or entity designated for this purpose by the Company.
    23. " Service Provider " means an Employee or a Consultant.

(u) " Share " means a share of the Company's common stock having a par value of USD 0.01 or such other common shares of the Company with such par value into which the Company's currently outstanding common shares may be converted.

(v) " Subsidiary " means any company other than the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, in an unbroken chain of companies beginning with the Company if, at the time of the granting of the Award, each of the companies other than the last company in an unbroken chain owns shares possessing 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares in one of the other companies in such chain.

(w) " Ten Percent Shareholder " means a person who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) shares possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or its parent or Subsidiary corporation.

(x) " Trustee " means a person or entity appointed by the Board or the Committee and approved by the tax officer to hold Trustee Stock Options on behalf of the Grantee according to the conditions set forth in Section 102

(y) " Trustee Stock Options " means all 102 Capital Gain Stock Options and 102 Ordinary Income Stock Options.

(z) " Vesting Schedule " has the meaning set forth in Section 8(d).

5. AUTHORIZED SHARES

(a) Awards may be granted under the Plan, subject to the provisions of Section 18 (a) of the Plan, for up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 Shares. The Awards may be granted at any time, prior to the expiration of the Plan according to Section 9(a).

  1. In case of Trustee Stock Options, such Trustee Options may be granted after the passage of thirty days (or a shorter period as and if approved by the tax authorities) following the delivery by the Company to the appropriate Israeli Income Tax Authorities of a request for approval the Plan and the Trustee according to Section 102.
  2. 5


  3. Notwithstanding the above, if within 90 days of delivery of the abovementioned request, the tax officer notifies the Company of its decision not to approve the Plan, the Awards that were intended to be granted as a Trustee Stock Options shall be deemed to be Non Trustee 102 Stock Options, unless otherwise approved by the tax officer.

(d) If an Award expires, is cancelled or otherwise becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, the unexercised, canceled or terminated Award Shares which were subject thereto shall (unless the Plan shall have been terminated) become available for future grant under the Plan; provided, however, that Award Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future grant under the Plan.

(e) The number of Shares that are subject to Awards under the Plan shall not exceed the number of Shares reserved for the grant of Awards that then remain available for issuance under the Plan. The Company, during the term of the Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available a sufficient number of Shares to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

6. ADMINISTRATION

  1. Procedure . The Plan shall be administered by the Board or one or more Committees as may be appointed by the Board, which Committee(s) shall be constituted to comply with Applicable Laws. The Administrator will hold its meetings at such times and places as it may determine and will maintain written minutes of its meetings.
  2. Powers of the Administrator . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities and Applicable Laws, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:

    1. to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder, and to grant said Service Providers the Awards;
    2. to determine from time to time the type of Awards to be granted to eligible Service Providers under the Plan, including the determination which Grantees will receive the Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options and which Employee will receive Non Trustee 102 Stock Options and subject to the Election pursuant to Section 3 and the provisions of Section 7 below, which Employee will receive 102 Capital Gain Stock Options or 102 Ordinary Income Stock Options, and to prescribe the terms and conditions (which need not be identical) of Awards granted under the Plan to such persons;
    3. to approve forms of the Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
    4. 6


    5. to determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, including, without limitation, the Vesting Schedule;
    6. to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as are deemed necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company with respect to the Plan, including but not limited to prescribing, amending and rescinding any previsions related to the Plan;
    7. to amend any outstanding Award, subject to Section 18 hereof, and to accelerate the vesting or extend the exercisability of any Award and to waive conditions or restrictions on any Award, to the extent it shall deem appropriate provided that this authority shall be granted to the Board, and only subject to its prior approval by the Committee which approval shall specifically state the number and identity of Grantees which rights the Committee will be authorized to determine.
    8. to allow Grantees to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company, if permitted under Applicable Laws, withhold from the Award Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Award that number of Award Shares having a value equal to the minimum statutory withholding amount. The value of the Award Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by Grantees to have Award Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable and after consultation with the Company's counsel; and
    9. to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan, the Award Agreements and Awards.

  1. The Board may fill all vacancies, however caused, in a Committee. The Board may from time to time appoint additional members to a Committee, and may at any time remove one or more Committee members and substitute others.
  2. Effect of Administrator's Decision . All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all Grantees. Each member of the Board and a Committee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any cost or expense (including fees of counsel) reasonably incurred by him, or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Company) arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan unless arising out of such member's own fraud or bad faith, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any rights of indemnification the member may have as director or otherwise under the By-Laws of the Company, any agreement, any vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

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7. ELIGIBILITY

  1. General . Awards may be granted to Service Providers as defined in this Plan.
  2. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employee Grantees and in any case shall be granted subject to Section 422 of the Code. Incentive Stock Options may not be granted to any member of the Board in such capacity.
  3. Non Trustee 102 Stock Options and Trustee Stock Options may be granted only to Employee Grantees who are Israeli residents or are deemed to be Israeli residents for purposes of taxation, and to members of the Board, and shall be granted subject to the Ordinance.
  4. 3(9) Stock Options may be granted only to (i) Service Providers who are not Employees and are Israeli residents or are deemed to be Israeli residents for purposes of taxation, and to (ii) Employees who are each considered as a "controlling party" as defined in section 32 (9) of the Ordinance.
  5. Nonqualified Stock Options may be granted to Service Providers.
  6. Continuing Relationship . The Plan and the Award Agreements shall not confer upon any Grantee any right with respect to continuing the Grantee's relationship as a Service Provider with the Company or a Subsidiary, nor shall it interfere in any way with his right or the Company's right, or the right of a Subsidiary, to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without Cause.

8. AWARD AGREEMENTS

A Service Provider will be entitled to an Award only if such Award is granted to the Service Provider by the Administrator and an Award Agreement is signed between the Company and him. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, each Award Agreement shall contain provisions as the Administrator shall from time to time deem appropriate. Award Agreements need not be identical, but each Award Agreement shall include, by appropriate language, the substance of the applicable provisions set forth herein, and any such provision may be included in the Award Agreement by reference to the Plan. Unless otherwise defined specifically in the Award Agreement and approved by the Board, in the case of a conflict between the terms of any Award Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern.

  1. Number of Shares . Each Award Agreement shall state the number of Award Shares to which the Awards relates.
  2. 8


     

  3. Type of Award . Each Award Agreement shall specifically state the type of Awards granted thereunder and whether they constitute an Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Non Trustee 102 Stock Option, 102 Capital Gain Stock Options, 102 Ordinary Income Stock Options, 3(9) Stock Option, or otherwise.
  4. Exercise Price. Each Award Agreement shall state the Exercise Price of the Award Shares to which the Award relates, provided, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Exercise Price shall not be less than one-hundred percent of the Fair Market Value of the Shares covered by the Award on the date of grant. In the event that an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option states an Exercise Price less than one-hundred percent of the Fair Market Value of the Shares covered by the Award on the date of grant, then it shall be deemed to be a Nonqualified Stock Option. The Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 18 hereof.
  5. Term and Vesting of Options . Each Award Agreement shall provide the schedule according to which such Awards may be exercised (" Vesting Schedule "). The Vesting Schedule for the Award will be determined by the Administrator provided that (to the extent permitted under Applicable Law) the Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall have the authority to accelerate the vesting of any outstanding Option at such time and under such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. Subject to the Vesting Schedule, the term during which an Award may be exercised into Award Shares (the " Exercise Period ") shall in no event be greater than ten years from the date of the grant of the Award (the " Grant Date ") unless otherwise determined by the Administrator (to the extent permitted under Applicable Law and this Plan), provided however, that in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, such Exercise Period shall not exceed five years from the date of grant of such Options. After the Exercise Period all Awards granted, that were not exercised shall be deemed null and void. The Exercise Period shall be subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 11 hereof.
  6. Other Provisions . The Award Agreements evidencing Awards under the Plan shall contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Administrator may determine.

 

9. TERM OF THE PLAN

The Plan shall become effective upon the Adoption Date. The Plan shall continue in effect for a term of ten years after the Adoption Date, unless sooner terminated under Section 18 of the Plan.

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  1. Expiration . Unless otherwise stated in this Plan and/or in the Award Agreement, each Award shall expire on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date.
  2. Exercise . The Awards granted will be exercisable into Award Shares of the Company according to the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Award Agreement or in this Plan. Incentive Stock Options will be exercised in compliance with the provisions of the Code.
  3. Exercise Price . The Exercise Price per Award Share subject to each Award shall
    be determined by the Administrator, provided however, that such Exercise Price shall not be less than the par value of the share into which such Option is exercisable. In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the Exercise Price per Share shall be determined according to Section 8(c) above.
  4. Transfer. No Award granted hereunder shall be transferable by the Grantee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Awards may be exercised during the Grantee's lifetime only by the Grantee or his guardian or legal representative. Award Shares acquired upon exercise of the Awards shall be subject to such restrictions on transfer as are generally applicable to Shares of the Company in accordance with the Company's By Laws. Without derogating from any other provision in this Plan, it is expressly clarified that no transfer of Award Shares shall become effective unless the Grantee has delivered to the Company a written notice thereof, together with a confirmation in writing by any transferee of the Award Shares that it is bound by all terms and conditions of this Plan and the Award Agreement. In case of transfer of the Award Shares after the death of the Grantee, the transfer shall become effective only after the transferee delivers such a written confirmation.
  5. Restrictions on Transfer of Awards Shares.

    1. Securities Law Restrictions . Regardless of whether the offering and sale of Award Shares under the Plan have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the " Securities Act ") or have been registered or qualified under the securities laws of any state or other laws of any other jurisdiction, the Company at its discretion may impose restrictions upon the sale, pledge or other transfer of such Award Shares (including the placement of appropriate legends on stock certificates or the imposition of stop-transfer instructions) if, in the judgment of the Company, such restrictions are necessary or desirable in order to achieve compliance with the Securities Act, the securities laws of any state or any other law.
    2. Market Stand-Off . In connection with any underwritten public offering by the Company of its equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act or equivalent law in another jurisdiction, including the Company's Initial Public Offering of its shares, the Grantee shall not directly

10


or indirectly sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, offer, grant or sell any Award or other contract for the purchase of, purchase any or other contract for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, or agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to, any Award Shares acquired under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company or its underwriters. Such restriction (the " Market Stand-Off ") shall be in effect for such period of time following the date of the final prospectus for the offering as may be requested by the Company or such underwriters. In the event of the declaration of a stock dividend, a spin-off, a stock split, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization or a similar transaction affecting the Company's outstanding securities without receipt of consideration, any new, substituted or additional securities which are by reason of such transaction distributed with respect to any Award Shares subject to the Market Stand-Off, or into which such Award Shares thereby become convertible, shall immediately be subject to the Market Stand-Off. In order to enforce the Market Stand-Off, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Award Shares acquired under this Plan until the end of the applicable stand-off period. The Company's underwriters shall be beneficiaries of the agreement set forth in this Subsection. This Subsection shall apply to Award Shares held by Grantees registered in the public offering under the Securities Act or equivalent law in another jurisdiction, only if the directors and officers of the Company are subject to similar arrangements.

 

10. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF AWARD SHARES

(a) Legal Compliance . Award Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award, the method of payment and the issuance and delivery of such Award Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws (i.e., for Incentive Stock Options, comply with Section 422 of the Code and for Non Trustee 102 Stock Option and Trustee Stock Options, comply with the Section 102) and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

(b) Investment Representations . As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Administrator may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Award Shares are being purchased only for investment purposes and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Award Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is in the best interests of the Company.

11. METHOD OF EXERCISE

  1. Procedure for Exercise and Rights as a Shareholder . Any Award granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as
  2. 11


    determined by the Administrator and/or set forth in the Award Agreement with respect to an Employee Grantee and, unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of absence other than leave which according to the law does not impair employment continuity.

    The Grantee may deliver to the Company on any business day a written notice stating the number of Award Shares the Grantee then desires to purchase, and each Award shall be deemed exercised only when the Company receives: (i) such written notice of exercise (in accordance with the Award Agreement) from the Grantee entitled to exercise the Award, and (ii) full payment for the Award Shares with respect to which the Award is exercised. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by Applicable Laws, the Award Agreement and the Plan. In addition, unless otherwise limited by the Administrator and to the extent permitted under the Applicable Laws, the Grantee may exercise the Award and pay for the Award Shares in whole or in part in a cashless transaction (a " Cashless Transaction "). In a Cashless Transaction, the Grantee may exercise the Award for such number of Award Shares and in consideration shall be issued by the Company such number of the Company's Shares as determined by dividing (i) the benefit resulting from the Fair Market Value of the number of Shares to be issued less the exercise price of the Award Shares being exercised in the transaction, by (ii) the Fair Market Value. In such case, at the exercise date, the Grantee will pay for the par value of the Shares being issued.

    Award Shares issued upon exercise of an Award shall be issued in the name of the Grantee or in the name of the Trustee in the case of 102 Trustee Stock Options. Until the Award Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry in the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the Company or to receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Award Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Award, nor shall the Grantee be deemed to be a class of shareholders or creditors of the Company. Upon the exercise of an Award, the Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Award Shares promptly (up to 45 days) after the Exercise Date. If any law or regulation requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Award Shares specified in such notice before the issuance thereof, then the date of their issuance shall be delayed for the period necessary to take such action.

    Exercise of an Award in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Award Shares thereafter available, for delivery under the Award, by the number of Award Shares as to which the Award is exercised.

  3. Termination of Relationship with a Grantee . Except as provided in this Subsection and Subsections (c) through (g) below, an Award may not be exercised unless the Grantee is then a Service Provider of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, and unless the Grantee has remained continuously a Service Provider since the Effective Date unless the Administrator determines that a longer period is applicable or such longer period is otherwise set forth in the
  4. 12


    Award Agreement. If a Grantee ceases to be a Service Provider, other then in cases as specified in Subsections (c) through (g) below, the Grantee may exercise his Awards within a period of ninety days following the Grantee's termination as a Service Provider to the extent that the Awards are vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of each such Award as set forth in Section 9 or the Award Agreement). If the Grantee dies during this ninety day period, his rights pursuant to this Subsection 11(b) shall be transferred to the Grantee's estate or to the person who acquires the right to exercise the Awards by bequest or inheritance, who will be allowed to exercise such vested Awards during a period of nine months from the date of death, but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of the Awards as set forth in Section 9 or in the Award Agreement. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, if, on the date of termination, the Grantee is not vested as to his entire Award, the unvested portion shall not be exercisable and the Award Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Awards shall revert to the Plan.

  5. Dismissal . In case of dismissal of an Employee, such Employee Grantee will be eligible to exercise, within 90 days of the date of termination of employment (but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Award as set forth in Section 9 of the Plan), any Awards that were vested on the date of termination. In addition, but only if the dismissal occurs at least 12 months subsequent to the Employee Grantee's beginning of employment with the Company, the Employee Grantee will be eligible to exercise a relative portion of the Awards included in the next installment not yet vested, based on the number of employment months elapsed (rounded downwards) since the later of the vesting date of the previous installment or the Effective Date compared to the total number of months (rounded downwards) between the vesting date of the previous installment or the Effective Date (as appropriate) and the vesting date of the nearest installment, as long as the Grantee was not dismissed for Cause. The Board, considering the recommendations made by the Administrator, is authorized to approve the exercise of additional Awards. If, after termination of employment, the Employee Grantee does not exercise within the time specified by the Award Agreement, the Plan or the Administrator the Awards to which he is eligible, then such Awards shall terminate, and the Award Shares covered by such portion shall revert to the Plan.
  6. Dismissal for Cause . In the event of termination of relationship with the Service Provider for Cause, the Service Provider's right to exercise vested Awards shall terminate immediately upon such termination, and all such Awards shall be forfeited without any payment being due.
  7. Disability of a Grantee . If a Grantee ceases to be an Employee or Service Provider as a result of a physical or mental impairment, which has lasted or is expected to last for
    a continuous period of not less than six consecutive months or an aggregate of six months in any twelve-month period and which causes the Grantee's total and permanent disability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (" Disability "), the Grantee may exercise his Awards within twelve (12) months of the date of termination, to the extent the Award is vested on the
  8. 13


    date of termination, but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Awards as set forth in Section 9 or in the Award Agreement. In addition, an Employee Grantee will also be eligible to exercise Awards included in the next installment which has not yet vested as of the date of termination. If, after termination, the Awards are not exercised within the time specified herein, the Award shall terminate, and the Award Shares covered by such Award shall revert to the Plan.

  9. Death of an Employee Grantee . If an Employee Grantee dies while considered an Employee , the vested Awards as well as Awards included in the next installment may be exercised within nine months following the Grantee's death, but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Awards as set forth in Section 9 or in the Award Agreement) by the Grantee's estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Award by bequest or inheritance. If the Awards are not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Award shall terminate, and the Award Shares covered by such Award shall revert to the Plan.
  10. Retirement of an Employee Grantee . In the event of an Employee Grantee's retirement, at the age of at least 60 years, he/she will be eligible to exercise, within six months of such retirement (but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Award as set forth in Section 9or in the Award Agreement), any vested Awards in addition to a relative portion of the Awards included in the nearest installment not yet vested, based on the number of employment months elapsed (rounded downwards) since the later of the vesting date of the previous installment or the Effective Date compared to the total number of months (rounded downwards) between the vesting date of the previous installment or the Effective Date (as appropriate) and the vesting date of the nearest installment. If the Awards are not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Awards shall terminate, and the Award Shares covered by such Award shall revert to the Plan.

12. PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE

Payment of Exercise Price may be made in such form as shall be acceptable to the Administrator in its sole discretion and may consist entirely of (i) cash, (ii) check, (iii) promissory note, (iv) Shares valued at the Fair Market Value Per Share, (v) Cashless Transaction or (vi) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. In making its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator shall consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to benefit the Company.

13. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

Options granted pursuant to this Section 13 are intended to constitute Incentive Stock Options and shall be granted subject to both the following special terms and conditions as well as the general terms and conditions specified in the Plan, except for those provisions of the Plan applying to awards under a different tax law or regulation:

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  1. VALUE OF SHARES. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the Award Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan and all other Option plans of any Subsidiary become exercisable for the first time by each Grantee during any calendar year shall not exceed one hundred thousand United States dollars ($100,000) with respect to such Grantee. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares with respect to which the Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Grantee during any calendar year exceeds one hundred thousand United States dollars ($100,000), such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. The foregoing shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted, with the Fair Market Value of any Share to be determined at the time of the grant of the Option. In the event the foregoing results in the portion of an Incentive Stock Option exceeding the one hundred thousand United States dollar ($100,000) limitation, only such excess shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.
  2. TEN PERCENT SHAREHOLDER. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, (i) the Exercise Price shall not be less than one hundred and ten percent of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option, and (ii) the Exercise Period shall not exceed five years from the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Options.
  3. ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to Employee Grantees. Incentive Stock Options may not be granted to any member of the Board in his capacity as such.
  4. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS LOCK-UP PERIOD. No disposition of Award Shares, received pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options, shall be made by the Grantee within 2 years from the Effective Date nor within 1 year after the transfer of such Award Shares to him. To the extent that the Grantee violates the aforementioned limitations, the Incentive Stock Options shall be deemed to be Nonqualified Stock Options.
  5. APPROVAL. The status of any Award as an Incentive Stock Option shall be subject to approval of the Plan by the Company's shareholders, such approval to be provided 12 months before or after the Adoption Date.
  6. TIME LIMITS. Without derogating from Subsections 11(b) through 11(g), Incentive Stock Options that are not exercised within ninety days following termination of Grantee's employment in the Company or its Subsidiaries, or within one year in case of termination of Grantee's employment in the Company or a Subsidiary due to a disability (within the meaning of section 22(e)(3) of the Code), shall be deemed to be Nonqualified Stock Options.
  7. Adjustments to Incentive Stock Options. Any adjustments made pursuant to Section 18(a) or Section 18(d) with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be made
  8. 15


    only after the Board or the Administrator, after consulting with counsel for the Company, determines whether or not such adjustments would constitute a "modification" of such Incentive Stock Options (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or would cause any adverse tax consequences for the holders of such Incentive Stock Options. If the Board or the Administrator determines that such adjustments made with respect to Incentive Stock Options would constitute a modification of such Incentive Stock Options, it will refrain from making such adjustments, unless the holder of an Incentive Stock Option specifically requests in writing that such adjustment be made and such writing indicates that the holder has full knowledge of the consequences of such "modification" on his income tax treatment with respect to the Incentive Stock Option.

  9. Notice to Company of Disqualifying Disposition. Each Grantee who receives an Incentive Stock Option must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Grantee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Award Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. A "Disqualifying Disposition" is any disposition (including any sale) of such Award Shares before the later of (a) two years after the date the Grantee was granted the Incentive Stock Option, or (b) one year after the date the Grantee acquired Shares by exercising the Incentive Stock Option. If the Grantee dies before such stock is sold, these holding period requirements do not apply and no disposition of the Shares will be deemed a Disqualifying Disposition.

14. NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS

Awards granted pursuant to this Section 14 are intended to constitute Nonqualified Stock Options and shall be subject to the general terms and conditions specified the Plan, except for said provisions of the Plan applying to awards under a different tax law or regulation.

 

15. TRUSTEE STOCK OPTIONS.

  1. Options granted pursuant to this Section 15 are intended to constitute Trustee Stock Options subject to Section 102, and shall be subject to the general terms and conditions specified in the Plan, except for said provisions of the Plan applying to awards under a different tax law or regulation.
  2. Trustee Stock Options shall be granted either as 102 Capital Gain Stock Options or 102 Ordinary Income Stock Options according to the Election as defined in Section 3.
  3. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, all Trustee Stock Options granted under this Plan shall be granted by the Company to a Trustee designated by the Administrator and
  4. 16


    the Trustee shall hold each such Award and the Award Shares issued upon exercise thereof in trust for the benefit of the Grantee in respect of whom such Award was granted. All certificates representing Award Shares issued to the Trustee under the Plan shall be deposited with the Trustee and shall be held by the Trustee until such time that such Award Shares are released from the trust.

  5. With regard to 102 Capital Gain Stock Options and 102 Ordinary Income Stock Options, the Awards or the Award Shares and all rights related to them, including bonus shares, will be held by the Trustee for a period of at least 24 months and 12 months, respectively, from the end of the tax year in which the Effective Date of each Award occurred or a shorter period as approved by the tax authorities (the " Lock-up Period "), under the terms set in Section 102.
  6. In accordance with Section 102, the Grantee is prohibited from selling the Awards or the Awards Shares, until the end of the Lock-up Period. The meaning of this Section for purposes of income tax is that if an Employee voluntarily sells the Awards or the Awards Shares before the end of the Lock-up Period, the provision of Section 102 relating to non-compliance with the Lock-up Period will apply.
  7. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall not release any Awards which were not already exercised into Award Shares by the Grantee nor release any Award Shares issued upon exercise of the Award, prior to the full payment of the Exercise Price and Grantee's tax liability arising from Trustee Stock Options which were granted to him and/or Award Shares issued upon exercise of such Trustee Stock Options. Prior to receipt of the Award, the Grantee will sign an undertaking to release the Trustee from any liability in respect of any action or decision duly taken and bona fide executed in relation with the Plan, or any Award granted or Award Share issued to him thereunder.
  8. Trustee Stock Options may only be granted to Employees and members of the Board (subject to approval by the tax authorities).

 

16. NON TRUSTEE 102 STOCK OPTIONS

  1. Options granted pursuant to this Section 16 are intended to constitute Non Trustee 102 Stock Options and shall be subject to the general terms and conditions specified in the Plan, except for said provisions of the Plan applying to awards under a different tax law or regulations.
  2. Non Trustee 102 Stock Options may only be granted to Employees and members of the Board.
  3. 17


     

  4. The Non Trustee 102 Stock Options which shall be granted pursuant to the Plan may be issued to a trustee appointed by the Administrator.
  5. If the Grantee's employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the Grantee will be obligated to provide the Company, to its satisfaction and subject to its sole discretion, with a security or guarantee to cover any future tax obligation resulting from the disposition of the Award Shares.

 

17. 3(9) STOCK OPTIONS.

  1. Options granted pursuant to this Section 17 are intended to constitute 3(9) Stock Options and shall be subject to the general terms and conditions specified the Plan, except for said provisions of the Plan applying to awards under a different tax law or regulations.
  2. 3(9) Options may not be granted to Employees or members of the Board.
  3. The 3(9) Stock Options which shall be granted pursuant to the Plan may be issued to a trustee appointed by the Administrator.

18. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION OR MERGER

  1. Changes in Capitalization . Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Award Shares covered by or underlying each outstanding Award and the number of Award Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Award, as well as the
    Exercise Price per Share of each such outstanding Award shall be appropriately
    adjusted in the case of any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a share split, reverse share split, share dividend, recapitalization, combination or reclassification of the Shares, rights issues or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares in each case effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that a change in the conversion price of any outstanding securities of the Company or the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Award Shares subject to an Award.
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  3. Dissolution or Liquidation . It is hereby clarified that in the event of dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Company shall have no obligation to notify the Grantee of such event and any Awards that have not been previously exercised, will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
  4. Voluntary Liquidation . Notwithstanding Subsection (b) above, in the event of a voluntary liquidation of the Company, which is not considered a Merger or Acquisition, the Administrator shall notify each Grantee as soon as practicable, but not less than 7 working days, prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Grantee will have the right to exercise his vested Awards within 5 working days from receipt of such notice but in any case not later then the effective date of such transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless the Board has authorized a longer period to exercise vested Awards to certain Grantees.
  5. Merger or Acquisition . In the event of a Merger or Acquisition, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent Award substituted by the successor company or a parent or subsidiaries of the successor company. In the case of such assumption and/or substitution of Awards, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Exercise Price to reflect such action, and all other terms and conditions of the Award Agreements, such as the vesting dates, shall remain in force, all as will be determined by the Board whose determination shall be final.

The Administrator shall determine, in its discretion, the proper exchange ratio of the Awards and the fair value of such Awards for purposes of such substitution, shall be authorized to accelerate the vesting date of any or all Awards and shall be authorized to make all necessary adjustments in the terms of the Awards, and the substituted Awards (including, without limitation, adjustments in the Exercise Price) that are fair under the circumstances.

In the event that the successor company refuses to assume or substitute for the Awards, the Grantee shall retain the right to exercise vested Awards, and the Administrator shall notify the Grantee in writing that such Awards shall be exercisable for a period not less than fifteen days from the date of such notice, and the Awards shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. Should a Merger or Acquisition (as detailed above) occur within one year of the Effective Date, such Grantee shall be eligible to exercise a proportion of such Awards as determined by the Administrator, to which the Administrator shall issue a similar notice with a fifteen day period for exercise.

For the purposes of this Section 18(d), Awards shall be considered assumed if, following the Merger or Acquisition, the Award (or substitute award) confers upon the
Grantee the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Award Shares for which the

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Award was exercisable immediately prior to the Merger or Acquisition, the pro rata consideration (whether shares, stock options, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Merger or Acquisition by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if such holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Merger or Acquisition is not solely common shares (or their equivalent) of the successor company or its parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor company, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Award, for each Share of Award Shares, to be solely common shares (or their equivalent) of the successor company or its parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares in the Merger or Acquisition, and provided further that the Administrator may determine, in its sole discretion, that in lieu of such assumption or substitution of Awards for awards by the acquiring corporation or its parent or Subsidiaries, such Awards will be substituted for by any other type of asset or property including cash which is fair under the circumstances.

  1. Other Restrictions. It is hereby clarified that Award Shares acquired upon exercise of the Awards will be subject to all restrictions and limitations to which Shares are subject to pursuant to the By-Laws of the Company.

19. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

(a) Amendment and Termination . The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

  1. Shareholder Approval . The Board shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Laws.
  2. Effect of Amendment or Termination. Without derogating from any other provisions of this Plan, any amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan that the Administrator finds, at its discretion, is impairing the legitimate rights of any Grantee, shall be made in a mutual agreement between the Grantee and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Grantee and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination and the terms of the Plan shall continue to be in effect with regard to any Award and Award Shares granted pursuant to it. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may exercise its authority under this Section without the consent of Grantees.

20. INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY

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The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any Award Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Award Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

21. RESERVATION OF SHARES

The Company, during the term of this Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available and authorized for issuance such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

22. NO OBLIGATION TO CONTINUE EMPLOYMENT WITH THE EMPLOYEE

Neither the Plan, the Award Agreement, nor the grant of Awards to a Grantee shall impose any obligation on the Company or any Subsidiary to continue the employment or the engagement of a Service Provider.

23. GOVERNING LAW

Subject to Section 2 with regard to the implementation of Applicable Laws, the Plan and all instruments issued thereunder or in connection therewith (for the purposes of this Section: the " Plan and Instruments "), shall be governed by, interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with (i) the internal laws of the State of Delaware (or the federal laws of the United States to the extent that such law is preempted by federal law), for the Plan and " American Instruments " (the instruments granted as Incentive Stock Options and/or Nonqualified Stock Options) and all other instruments granted under this plan other than Israeli Instruments, or (ii) the internal laws of the State of Israel, for the Plan and " Israeli Instruments " (the instruments granted at 102 Capital Gain Stock Options, Non Trustee 102 Stock Options, 102 Ordinary Stock Options and 3(9) Stock Options).

 

24. TAX CONSEQUENCES

If the Administrator shall so require, as a condition of exercise of an Award, the release of Award Shares by the Trustee or the expiration of the Lock-up Period (each a " Tax Event "), each Grantee shall agree that, no later than the date of the Tax Event, he will pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator and the Trustee (where relevant) regarding payment of any applicable taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld or paid upon the Tax Event. To the extent approved by the Administrator and permitted by law, a withholding obligation may be satisfied by the withholding or delivery of Award Shares.

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ALL TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER ANY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH MAY ARISE FROM THE GRANT OF ANY AWARDS, OR IN THE CASE OF AN OPTION, FROM ITS EXERCISE, FROM THE SALE OR DISPOSITION OF THE AWARD OR FROM ANY OTHER ACT OF THE GRANTEE IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING SHALL BE BORNE SOLELY BY THE GRANTEE, AND THE GRANTEE SHALL INDEMNIFY THE COMPANY, AND THE TRUSTEE, AND SHALL HOLD THEM HARMLESS AGAINST AND FROM ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SUCH TAX OR PENALTY, INTEREST OR INDEXATION THEREON OR THEREUPON.


With respect to Trustee Stock Options, the Trustee shall hold such Trustee Stock Options throughout their existence, and shall hold the Awards or the Award Shares until the payment of all applicable taxes by the Grantee subject to that the Trustee is satisfied that the payment is sufficient and necessary for the satisfaction of such Grantee's tax obligations with respect to such Awards or Award Shares.

While holding the Award Shares, the Trustee will be responsible for transferring to the Grantee any notice provided by the Company to its shareholders. Subject to fulfillment of all their obligations, Grantees will be entitled to instruct the Trustee to act on their behalf in utilizing the rights of their Award Shares and the Trustee shall be obligated thereto.

25. PROVISIONS FOR FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS

The Board may, without amending the Plan, modify Awards granted to participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or Israel to recognize differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefits or other matters.

 

22

EXHIBIT 5.1

OPINION OF ALICE A. WATERS, ATTORNEY AT LAW, REGARDING LEGALITY OF SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED

A LICE A. W ATERS
ATTORNEY AT LAW
111 E. FRANKLIN STREET
WAXAHACHIE, TEXAS 75165
TELEPHONE (972) 938-9090
FACSIMILE (972) 937-8810

 

 

 

January 16, 2006

 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
6510 Abrams Road
Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231

Re: Registration Statement on Form SB-2

Gentlemen:

I am acting as your counsel in connection with the filing of a Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), with respect to the registration of up to 2,000,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (the "Company").

In connection with this filing, I have examined the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, each as amended and restated to date, and originals, or copies certified to my satisfaction, of all pertinent records of the meetings of the directors and stockholders of the Company, the Registration Statement and such other documents relating to the Company as I have deemed material for the purposes of this opinion. In examination of the foregoing documents, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to me as copies, the authenticity of the originals of any such documents and the legal competence of all signatories to such documents.

Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that, when registered and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

I am opining only as to the matters expressly set forth herein, and no opinion should be inferred as to any other matters. I undertake no obligation to update the opinions expressed herein at any time after the date hereof. I have prepared this opinion letter for your use in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement.

I hereby consent to being named in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus constituting a part thereof, as amended from time to time, as issuer's counsel and the attorney who will pass upon legal matters in connection with the registration and issuance of the Shares, and to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, however, I do not hereby admit that I am an "expert" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or that I come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Alice A. Waters

Alice A. Waters

EXHIBIT 8-1

RAY, CHO, WILEY, VAN BRAUMAN & GIBSON, PLLC
3102 MAPLE AVENUE, SUITE 240
Dallas, TEXAS 75201
214-522-2121
Fax 214-522-2126

MARTIN M. VAN BRAUMAN
(214) 914-2018 [Direct]                                                                                                            Board Certified in Tax Law
mvanbrauman@rcwlawyers.com                                                                               Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Confidential and Privileged
Attorney-Client Communication
*

Mr. Eugene A. Soltero                                        December 12, 2005

Chief Executive Officer
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231

                   In re: Foreign Tax Consequences for U.S. Investors

Dear Mr. Soltero,

You have requested that we provide an opinion with respect to the paragraph under the "Tax Consequences" section of the prospectus (Form SB-2 Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about December 14, 2005 by Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. ("Zion"), a Delaware corporation. The subject paragraph in the prospectus states that

[w]e are not including in this prospectus a section on material Israeli income tax consequences for US investors because the holders of our common stock will not be directly subject to any Israeli income taxes related to their holdings.

As discussed below, we are of the opinion that the holders of the common stock of Zion will not be directly subject to any Israeli income taxes related to their holdings in Zion stock. This opinion is limited to the tax matters specifically covered herein and based on your specific facts. Our opinion is based upon existing statutory, regulatory, and judicial authority, any of which may be changed at any time, potentially with retroactive effect.

* Except as may be indicated above, this letter and any document attached to it should not be distributed to anyone other than the addressee without first consulting the author.


Under I.R.C. § 7701(a)(4), the term "domestic" when applied to a corporation means created or organized in the United States or under the law of the United States or of any State. Zion is incorporated in the state of Delaware with its principal executive offices and management in the United States. Although Zion's principal place of business is in Israel, Zion is a resident U.S. corporation with incorporation and management in the United States. Zion operates as a "foreign branch" in Israel under U.S. tax law, since Zion is not operating in Israel under any locally incorporated or organized entity.

Any income taxes imposed by the State of Israel on U.S. persons or U.S. entities are covered under the current Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Israel With Respect to Taxes on Income . Under Article 6(1) of the Convention , a resident of the United States may be taxed by Israel on any income from sources within Israel and only on such income, subject to the limitations set forth in the Convention .

Under Article 8(1), industrial or commercial profits of a resident of one of the countries are exempt from tax by the other country unless the resident has a permanent establishment in that other country. If the resident has a permanent establishment in that other country, tax may be imposed by that other country on the profits of the resident but only on so much as attributable to the permanent establishment.

Under Article 5 of the Convention , the term "permanent establishment" means a fixed place of business, such as a branch, through which a resident of one of the countries engages in industrial or commercial activity. Also, a resident may be deemed to have a permanent establishment in the other country if such resident engages directly in industrial or commercial activity without a fixed place of business and not through an independent agent or broker in the other country.

Under Article 3(1)(a), the term "resident of Israel" means an Israeli corporation and any other person (except a corporation or any entity treated under Israeli law as a corporation) resident in Israel for purposes of Israeli tax, but in the case of a partnership, estate, or trust only to the extent that the income derived by such partnership, estate, or trust is subject to Israeli tax as the income of a resident either in the hands of the respective entity or its partners or beneficiaries. Article 2(1)(f)(ii) defines the term "Israeli corporation" to mean any body of persons taxed as a body of persons resident in Israel under the income tax ordinance. Article 2(1)(e) defines the term "person" to include an individual, a partnership, a corporation, an estate, or a trust.

2


Zion would not be a tax resident of Israel, but the foreign branch (operating in Israel) of Zion would be the tax resident under Israeli law. Under the statutes and laws of Israel, Zion is not an "Israeli corporation," but operates as a foreign branch of a U.S. corporation in Israel with the foreign branch treated as the permanent establishment in Israel. Zion is subject to the income tax laws of Israel only with respect to the operations attributable to Zion's permanent establishment in Israel.

For U.S. tax purposes, Congress has treated the corporation as a distinct taxable entity, separate and apart from its shareholders. A corporation is a separate taxable entity with its own tax rates, tax rules, tax returns and tax Regulations. Each corporation is an independent tax-paying entity, unaffected by the personal characteristics of its shareholders or changes in their composition as a result of transfers of stock from old shareholders to new ones.

Both federal and state statutory principles hold that the corporation is an independent entity apart from its shareholders. The courts ordinarily take the corporation at face value and do not merge it with its shareholders. There are exceptions to this independence in the judicial and the tax arena that are the result of shareholder dealings in closely held corporations. Although Zion is a privately held corporation, Zion is not a closely held corporation. Further, Zion will become a public corporation in which by definition ultimate ownership becomes more widely dispersed and control increasingly separated from ownership. Thus, Zion is an entity wholly independent of its shareholders for legal and tax purposes.

Common stock represents an ownership interest in a corporation, which gives the right of ownership in part of the assets of the corporation and the right to interest in any surplus after the payment of debt. Corporate profits either must be retained and invested or distributed to the corporation's shareholders as dividends. Dividends paid to the shareholders by Zion, a U.S. resident corporation, are treated as income from U.S. sources and are not from sources within Israel pursuant to Article 4(1) of the Convention and thus the payment of dividends are not subject to Israeli tax law.

The U.S. shareholders of Zion would not be tax residents, or deemed tax residents, of Israel under Israeli tax law and the Convention , pursuant to their ownership in Zion stock. The U.S. holders of the common stock of Zion would not be directly subject to any Israeli income taxes related to their holdings in Zion stock. Only the foreign branch of Zion in Israel would be directly subject to any Israeli income taxes.

3


To the extent this communication contains any statement regarding federal taxes, that statement was not written or intended to be used, and it cannot be used, by any person (i) as a basis for avoiding federal tax penalties that may be imposed on that person, or (ii) to promote, market or recommend to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

 

 

 

 

Best regards,

 

/s/ Martin M. Van Brauman

______________________________

Martin M. Van Brauman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

EXHIBIT 8.2

FORREST A. GARB & ASSOCIATES, INC.

INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS
5310 HARVEST HILL ROAD, SUITE 275 - LB 152
DALLAS, TEXAS 75230 - 5805
(972) 788-1110 Telefax (972) 991-3160 (E MAIL) forgarb@forgarb.com

September 1, 2005

 

Mr. Eugene A. Soltero, President
Zion Oil & Gas
6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300
Dallas, TX 75231

Re: Review of the Zion Oil & Gas exploration program.

Dear Mr. Soltero,

On July 22, 2005, Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc. (FGA) was commissioned to provide independent geological and engineering consulting services on Zion Oil & Gas (Zion) company's current operations in Israel. The terms and scope of the assignment were defined in an assignment letter signed by representatives of FGA and Zion on the above date.

The initial task in the assignment is a broad three element review of the ongoing operations. The three areas of study include: (1). An analysis of the technical data supporting the oil and gas prospects; (2). A review of the technical program proposed to explore and develop the prospects; and (3). An evaluation of the technical team assembled to perform the proposed programs.

This assignment is similar in scope and content to many due diligence assignments FGA has undertaken over the years for institutional lenders (such as New York Life and IBM Pension Plan) who provide financing for small independent exploration and production companies.

1. Geologic Review

From July 30 th through August 6 th , 2005, Mr. Forrest Garb traveled to Israel to inspect the Zion operations. During this visit he was awarded the opportunity of discussing the current geologic interpretations for both the Ma'anit and the Joseph prospects with Dr. Eliezer L. Kashai, Vice President of Israeli Exploration, Stephen E. Pierce, Consulting Geologist to Zion, and Dr. Charlie Druckman, a noted geologist and a past Petroleum Commissioner for Israel. Mr. Garb was shown the seismograph interpretations that encouraged the deepening of the Ma'anit No. 1 well to the Triassic




age sediments, and the current geologic mapping, which included information gained from the deepening operations. The review was conducted in the geologic offices of Zion located at Kibbutz Barqay near the Ma'anit lease.

         a. Ma'anit Prospect

A reinterpretation of old seismic data and new seismic data shot in late 2002 by Zion across the Ma'anit lease, along with the discovery of oil in Triassic age sediments by Givot Olam Oil Exploration, just ten kilometers south of Ma'anit lease, provided the technical incentive for the deepening of the Ma'anit No. 1 well. This well had been drilled by Sedot Neft to a depth of 7,661 feet in mid-1995, but was temporarily abandoned for lack of funds. The well was abandoned while still in the Jurassic age sediments. The seismic data across the Ma'anit lease was interpreted to possibly identify the existence of a Triassic age reef. Such reefs are known worldwide to be excellent reservoir rocks for oil and gas accumulation. Accordingly, deepening of the Ma'anit well to a depth of between 14,000 and 15,000 feet to test the Triassic age sediments was programmed. Formation samples taken during the deepening of the well confirmed that the formations being drilled were of marine origin, but are not reef material. The cuttings are interpreted to represent rocks normally found in the high-energy area before a reef or offshore bar. The well has now been deepened to a total depth of 15,482 feet.

Electric well logging of the well indicated zones of interest in three separate sections. These are identified as the Anisian from depths of 14,120 - 14,589 feet, the Ladinian from 13,649 - 14,025, and the Carnian from 12,559 - 13,213. Of the three, well log calculations indicate that the Carnian section is the most promising for potential oil and gas accumulation. The Anisian and the Ladinian appear to have low matrix porosity, and unless favorable fracturing exists, would have low permeability. Because it is mechanically necessary to test a well from the bottom of the hole upward, it was decided to test the Anisian section before attempting completion of the well in the more promising Carnian. Testing of the Anisian was performed during Mr. Garb's presence at the well site. Minor amounts of natural gas were produced while swabbing of the well, but commercial production was not found.

Prior to swab testing the Anisian, two zones in the Lower Triassic Scythian below were also swab tested and showed to contain formation water and only a trace of hydrocarbons. Laboratory analysis of the formation water obtained from the Anisian during swab test was consistent with the lab analysis of the Scythian formation water, leading to the possibility that the negative results in the Anisian might result from contamination during the deeper swabbing operations as both sections were open hole at the same time.

Based on the negative results from the Anisian tests, and the similarity of the Ladinian and Anisian log appearance, testing of the Ladinian section was deferred to enable more rapid analysis of the Carnian intervals. At the time of this report, testing of the Carnian is underway with six zones perforated.

2


The change from a reef to a fore-bar environment at Ma'anit does not necessarily eliminate the possibility of a reef at the Joseph prospect; however, there is a need to study this issue in light of the current findings. In the event that the results of the current testing of Ma'anit No. 1 well are negative, the lease will be further studied to identify other potential drill sites.

         b. Joseph Prospect.

The Joseph prospect has been extensively described in a project description that Zion published in January of 2003. A key element in the evaluation of the prospect is the possibility of encountering Triassic age reefs. Some five potential reefs can be interpreted to exist under or near the Ma'anit/Joseph License, but several interpretations can also be made from the basic data. During Mr. Garb's visit to Israel, he was shown the Zion interpretations and was provided some of the seismic data for independent review, which is now being performed. The interpretations, and the conclusions developed by Zion are certainly plausible, and do support the Joseph prospect as a reasonable exploration project. Mr. Garb was further advised that the prospects in the Joseph lease are further supported by magnetic and gravity studies of the area.

Prolific oil and gas production found in reef reservoirs in Iraq, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia confirm such reservoirs to be very rewarding exploration projects. Reef limestone reservoirs generally have good porosity and permeability, thick oil columns, good recovery factors, and produce at high production rates.

The fact that the Ma'anit No. 1 well has not found a reef limestone formation is certainly a disappointment. It has decreased the statistical probability of finding a reef reservoir at the Joseph prospect, but it has not entirely eliminated the possibility. The build-up of sediment thickness interpreted from the seismic data as reef character may be off-shore bar development, which can also contain oil and gas accumulation.

2. Technical Program Review

FGA's review of the operational aspects of the Zion exploration program was conducted by Mr. Glen Perry, Executive Vice-President of Zion, and by Mr. Stacy Cude, Drilling Manager. This review was held at the drill site for the Ma'anit deepening, which offered the opportunity to see the equipment on site and to observe both the condition of the hardware and the performance of the staff and crew during brief testing of the Anisian formation. FGA has worked with Mr. Perry in the past, both in the United States and subsequently in Georgia, former Soviet Union. FGA has a high regard for the dedication Mr. Perry brings to an assignment and found him to be totally focused on the Zion program.

Although a definite sequence for future Ma'anit lease operations depends on circumstances and results from testing, a program for the foreseeable events is in

3


place. This includes the testing of the Ma'anit No. 1 well, the possible step out development wells on the Ma'anit lease, possible installation of production equipment, and the subsequent exploration at the Joseph prospect.

The drilling equipment, operated by Lapidoth, is not new; however, it appears to be well maintained and has proven adequate for the proposed program. Equipment for thorough testing of a discovery is a separate problem. Importing rented equipment for extensive testing of a discovery well will be a time delay, and will be costly. Preliminary testing will indicate whether or not test separators and related equipment should be purchased for application to future Zion operations.

3. Technical Team

The technical monitoring of the operations is being performed by a capable staff of educated and trained professionals. Third party experts have been, and are being brought into the operations as they are needed. The level of experience represented by the Zion staff is very good. The geology expertise is not only based on Israeli experienced geologists, but includes Stephen E. Pierce, a consulting geologist with world-wide experience. Additionally, Mr. Jerry Ebanks, Chief Geologist at Forrest A. Garb and Associates, Inc. is auditing electric well log analyses and geologic interpretations. The engineering program is prepared and monitored by Mr. Glen Perry and Mr. Stacy Cude. Additional well test consulting is provided by Mr. Mark Murray, President of Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc. The Zion approach to performance appears to be equal to the task, with a willingness to acquire equipment or expertise as warranted by the project.

4. Management Team

Mr. Garb's trip to Israel offered him an opportunity to discuss the proposed exploration program with you and with Mr. Philip Mandelker, Director, Secretary, and General Counsel for Zion. Mr. Garb has known Mr. Mandelker for many years and recognizes him as a very well known legal mind in the Israeli energy industry. Based on your many years of experience with both start-up and well established companies, and your experience as a consultant to both operations and to finance, FGA is comfortable that the Zion operations will have responsible management and legal advice.

5. Persons Interviewed

During Mr. Garb's visit to Israel, he had the opportunity to discuss the operations with many acquaintances from his past 40 years of consulting and teaching in Israel. Mr. Garb has worked on prior assignments with Dr. Kashai and Mr. Elisha Roih of your staff. He also had the opportunity to meet with industry persons not affiliated with Zion. Brief discussions were held with Dr. Eli Rosenberg, a noted Israeli Geologist key in the discovery of the off-shore Mediterranean gas reservoirs, and with Mr. Amnon Prenner, formerly of Lapidoth. Mr. Garb was also privileged to visit with the Petroleum Commissioner of Israel, Dr. Yaakov Mimran, PH.D., with the Senior Coordinator Oil &

4


Gas Production, Dr. Victor Baeriudin, PH.D., and with Ilana Levine, the Senior Deputy Legal Advisor to the Ministry of National Infrastructures. During all of Mr. Garb's discussions, only positive comments about the Zion program and personnel were spoken. The relationship between the government representatives and Zion seem especially cordial, reflecting what must be interpreted as proper adherence to the regulations on the part of Zion.

6. Conclusions

FGA is pleased to report that in our opinion, the geologic prospects were based on the best interpretation of the available data. Although the seismic data for the area are considered poor to fair, the interpretive work has been as good as can be expected for the quality of the basic data. The work program also appears to be a responsible one for the projects. The staff and team assembled by Zion is an admirable one, and is suited for almost any exploration or development program. The statistical probability for success in the Triassic is not to be judged by the negative statistics of the shallow zones now tested by almost 500 wells. The lack of deep wells in the region however, does not provide a base for statistical optimism in the Triassic reef play. Of the ten deep wells drilled in Northern Israel, only one well (the Asher Atlit) is known to have penetrated a Triassic reef.

We sincerely appreciate the opportunity of participating in the Zion efforts in Israel. FGA will monitor the activities as field operations proceed and will offer suggestions on the capture of data that will enable the best estimation of potential oil and gas reserves.

 

Yours very truly,

/s/ Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc.

Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc.

5


 

 

 

EXHIBIT 9.1

STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENT
(With John M. Brown)

This STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of the 9th day of July, 2003, is made by and among Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), John M. Brown (" Brown "), and the stockholders of the Company listed on Schedule A , and such other stockholders of the Company who may become parties to this Agreement.

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

" Affiliate " means, with respect to any Person, a Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person (it being understood that a Person shall be deemed to "control" another Person, for purposes of this definition, if such Person directly or indirectly has the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through holding beneficial ownership interests in such other Person, through contracts or otherwise).

" Agreement " means this Stockholders' and Voting Agreement, as such may be amended from time to time.

" Beneficially Own " or " Beneficial Ownership " with respect to the Shares, or any securities, means having "beneficial ownership" of such securities (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding whether or not in writing.

" Bylaws " means the Bylaws of the Company, as such may be amended from time to time.

" Business Day " means a day of the year on which banks are not required or authorized to close in Dallas, Texas.

" Certificate of Incorporation " means the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as such may be amended from time to time.

" Common Stock " means the shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

" Company " is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

" DGCL " means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended.

" Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

1


" Irrevocable Proxy " is defined in Section 4.03(a) .

" Permitted Transfer " is defined in Section 2.02 .

" Person " means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, a branch of any legal entity, unincorporated organization, joint stock company, joint venture, association, governmental entity or other entity or organization.

" Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

" Shares " means all shares of Common Stock, including options to purchase and securities convertible into Common Stock, of the Company currently owned by any Stockholder in such numbers as set forth next to such Stockholder's name on Schedule A (as may be amended from time to time), and all shares of capital stock issued with respect thereto, in exchange for or upon conversion of any such Shares, options or convertible securities.

" Stockholder " means any stockholder of the Company listed on Schedule A , as such may be amended from time to time, and their permitted successors and assigns.

" Transfer " means the sale, transfer, gift, conveyance, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage or other encumbrance or disposition of all or any part of a Stockholder's Shares, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law, pursuant to judicial process, divorce decree, property settlement, bankruptcy or otherwise.

ARTICLE II
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF COMMON STOCK

2.01 Restriction on Transfers . No Stockholder may Transfer all or any portion of the Shares of the Company now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except in connection with, and strictly in compliance with, the conditions of this Article II . Any other purported disposition shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer any interest or title to the purported transferee.

2.02 Permitted Transfers . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Stockholder may, at any time or from time to time, Transfer any of its Shares in one or more of the following transactions (a " Permitted Transfer "):

  1. Stockholder that is a natural person may Transfer any of such Stockholder's Shares to members of such Stockholder's immediate family or to a trust, partnership or other entity established for the benefit of such Stockholder or members of such Stockholder's immediate family upon such Stockholder giving written notice to the Company of such Transfer , provided that each transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement;
  2. Stockholder may Transfer any Shares in a public offering registered under the Securities Act or in a transaction permitted by Rule 144 or Rule 144A thereunder, whereupon such Shares will no longer be restricted by this Agreement;
  3. 2


  4. any Stockholder that is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust or similar entity may Transfer Shares to its Affiliates upon such Stockholder giving written notice to the Company of such Transfer, provided that such transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement; and
  5. any other Transfer upon such transferring Stockholder giving written notice to the Company of such Transfer, provided that such transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement.

2.03 Transfer by Reason of Death or Divorce .

  1. In the event of the death of a Stockholder, the Shares of the Stockholder may be Transferred by the executor or administrator of the estate to any heir or descendent of such deceased Stockholder upon such executor or administrator giving written notice to the Company of such event, provided that the transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement.
  2. In the event of the death of a Stockholder's spouse, or the division of community property of a Stockholder upon divorce and such Stockholder's spouse is awarded some or all of the Shares owned by such Stockholder, a Transfer of Shares to the Stockholder may be made by such Stockholder's spouse or by the executor or administrator of the Stockholder's spouse's estate upon written notice of such event given by such Stockholder to the Company, provided that the transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement.

2.04 Assumption by Transferee . Any transferee to whom Shares may be Transferred pursuant to this Agreement shall take such Shares subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and shall not be considered to have title thereto until said transferee shall have accepted and assumed the terms and conditions of this Agreement by executing a joinder agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , to that effect delivered to the Company, at which time such transferee shall succeed to all rights of his transferor except as such rights may be otherwise limited by other provisions of this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws.

2.05 Cost of Transfers . Each party shall bear its own costs of the transfer. The Company shall bear the cost of the Company's legal counsel.

3


ARTICLE III
LEGENDS AND FILING

3.01 Legends on Certificates .

  1. The Stockholders acknowledge that none of the Shares owned by them have been registered under the Securities Act or registered or qualified under any state securities laws; that the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act currently are not available for the public resale of the Shares; that the Shares therefore are not and will not be Transferable in the absence of a registration statement with respect to such shares or an applicable exemption from registration; and that a legend in substantially the following form will be typed or otherwise printed on the certificates representing the Shares:
  2. "The securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state or foreignsecurities laws (collectively, "Securities Laws"). No registration or transfer of such securities will be made on the books of the Company unless such transfer is made in connection with an effective registration statement under applicable Securities Laws or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of applicable Securities Laws."

  3. The certificates representing the Shares owned by the Stockholders, whether now outstanding or hereafter to be issued during the term of this Agreement, shall have conspicuously endorsed upon them a legend in substantially the following form:

"These shares are subject to the provisions of that certain Stockholders' and Voting Agreement, dated as of July 8, 2003 (as the same may be amended from time to time) that provides for certain restrictions on transfer and that may subject a stockholder to certain obligations or liabilities not otherwise imposed on stockholders in other corporations. A copy of the Stockholders' and Voting Agreement is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company and shall be furnished without charge to the holder of this certificate upon the receipt by the Company of a written request therefor from the holder. No registration or transfer of such securities will be made on the books of the Company unless and until the terms of the Stockholders' and Voting Agreement have been complied with."

3.02 Termination of Certain Restrictions . Notwithstanding Section 3.01 , the restrictions imposed by Section 3.01(a) and the corresponding legend requirements shall terminate as to any Share (i) when and so long as such Share shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of pursuant thereto or (ii) when the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it that the Shares may be transferred without registration thereof under the Securities Act and that such legend may be removed. Whenever the restrictions imposed by Section 3.01 shall terminate as to any Share as provided in this Section 3.02 , the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive from the Company, at the Company's expense, a new certificate evidencing such Shares not bearing the restrictive legend set forth in Section 3.01(a) .

4


3.03 Filing of this Agreement . The parties hereto acknowledge and agree a copy of this Agreement shall be placed on file by the Company at its principal place of business and shall be subject to the same right of examination by any Stockholder, in person or by agent, attorney, or accountant, as are the books and records of the Company.

ARTICLE IV
VOTING

4.01 Voting Agreement . The Stockholders and each of them hereby agree that during the term of this Agreement, at any meeting of the holders of the Shares, however called or in connection with any written consent of the holders of Shares, the Stockholders and each of them shall vote (or cause to be voted) all Shares subject to this Agreement of which he or she has Beneficial Ownership at the time of the vote as directed by Brown. No Stockholder shall enter into any agreement or understanding with any person, the effect of which would be inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV .

4.02 Continuing Application . In the event of a Transfer by a Stockholder of less than all of the Shares pursuant to Article II , the provisions of Section 4.01 shall continue to apply during the term of this Agreement to all Shares Beneficially Owned by the Stockholder.

4.03 Grant of Irrevocable Proxy .

    1. During the term of this Agreement, each Stockholder hereby irrevocably appoints (" Irrevocable Proxy ") Brown or, in his absence, Eugene Soltero or any other person who shall hereafter be designated in writing by Brown, said Stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution), for and in the name, place and stead of the Stockholder, to vote the Shares, or grant a consent and approval in respect of such Shares, in accordance with the provisions of this Article IV .
    2. Each Stockholder represents that any proxies heretofore given in respect of the Shares either (i) are not irrevocable and that any such proxies are hereby revoked or (ii) are being expressly terminated by mutual consent of the parties to such proxies pursuant to Section 7.10 of this Agreement.
    3. Each Stockholder hereby affirms that the Irrevocable Proxy is given to secure the performance of the obligations of the Stockholder under this Agreement. Each Stockholder hereby affirms that the Irrevocable Proxy is coupled with an interest and may under no circumstances be revoked. Each Stockholder hereby ratifies and confirms any act such proxy and attorney in fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof and that this irrevocable proxy is executed and intended to be irrevocable in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL.

ARTICLE V
TERM AND ENFORCEMENT

5.01 Term . This Agreement shall expire or terminate upon (a) the distribution to the Stockholders of all proceeds (if any) distributable to them as the result of the cessation of business, bankruptcy, submission to receivership, or dissolution of the Company, (b) the distribution to the Stockholders of all proceeds (if any) distributable to them as the result of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (c) the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date of this Agreement, (d) with respect to any individual Stockholder, upon written notice from Brown to such Stockholder, or (e) as otherwise provided in the DGCL. No termination of this Agreement shall negate, limit, impair, or otherwise affect any right, remedy, obligation, or liability of any party hereto under this Agreement which matured or became applicable before such termination.

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ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

6.01 Representations and Warranties . Each Stockholder severally represents and warrants to each of the other parties to this Agreement that:

  1. it is the record and beneficial owner of the number of Shares set forth opposite such Stockholder's name on Schedule A and that such Shares are owned free and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, stockholders' agreements (other than this Agreement), and voting trusts;
  2. the execution, delivery and performance by the Stockholder of this Agreement do not breach any term or provision of or constitute a default under any material agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, contract or other commitment or instrument to which such Stockholder is a party or by which such Stockholder or its assets or properties are bound; and
  3. such Stockholder has full power, authority and legal right to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the contemplated transactions.

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS

7.01 Notices . All notices, demands, requests or other communications that may be or are required to be given, served or sent by either party to the other party pursuant to this Agreement will be in writing and will be mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, nationally recognized overnight delivery service, telegram or facsimile transmission addressed to the address set forth on Schedule A . Any party may designate by written notice a new address to which any notice, demand, request or communication may thereafter be given, served or sent. Each notice, demand, request or communication that is mailed, delivered or transmitted in the manner described above will be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent and received for all purposes at such time as it is delivered to the addressee with the return receipt, the delivery receipt, the affidavit of messenger or (with respect to a facsimile transmission) the answer back being deemed conclusive evidence of such delivery or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation.

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7.02 Joinder of Spouses . The spouses of the individual Stockholders join in the execution hereof to evidence such spouse's agreement hereto and to acknowledge that the spouse's interest in the Shares, to the extent such interests exist, are subject to the terms of this Agreement.

7.03 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (EXCLUSIVE OF CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES) AND WILL, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE, BE DEEMED TO CALL FOR PERFORMANCE IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS.

7.04 Specific Enforcement . Each Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that a violation by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement will cause irreparable damage to the Company and the other Stockholders and that the Company and the other Stockholders will have no adequate remedy at law for such violation. Accordingly, each party hereto agrees that the Company and the non-violating Stockholders shall be entitled as a matter of right to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any further violation of such provision or affirmatively compelling such offender to carry out its obligations hereunder. Such right to injunctive relief shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever remedies the Company or non-violating Stockholders may have at law.

7.05 Waiver . No failure or delay in exercising any right hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise or the exercise of any other right. A waiver by any party of any breach or covenant will not be construed to be a waiver of any succeeding breach or any other covenant. All waivers must be in writing and signed by the party or parties waiving such rights.

7.06 Severability and Reformation . The parties hereto intend all provisions of this Agreement to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. If, however, any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under any present or future law, such provision shall be fully severable, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a part hereof, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance. Further, the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision shall be limited so that it will remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

7.07 Attorneys' Fees . If any action at law or in equity is brought by any party hereto to enforce the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the party in whose favor a final judgment is entered shall be entitled, in addition to any other relief which may be awarded, to recover from the other party or parties, its reasonable attorneys' fees, together with such prevailing party's other reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with such litigation.

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7.08 Binding Effect and Assignment . Subject to the restrictions against Transfer contained herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the personal representatives, successors and assigns of the respective parties hereto. The Company shall not have the right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein without obtaining the prior written consent of the Stockholders party hereto. The Stockholders may assign or transfer their rights under this Agreement to the extent permitted herein.

7.09 Amendment . No amendment to, or change, or discharge of, any provision of this Agreement will be valid unless it is in writing and signed by and authorized representative of the party or parties against which such amendment, change or discharge is sought to be enforced. This Agreement may be amended only by the written consent of all parties hereto. This Agreement may be amended with respect to any Stockholder listed on Schedule A by written agreement among such Stockholder, the Company and Brown (or in his absence Eugene Soltero or any other individual designated in writing by Brown).

7.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement represents the parties' entire agreement with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes and replaces any prior agreement or understanding with respect to that subject matter, including, without limitation those certain voting agreements between and among certain of the Stockholders and Ralph DeVore or Brown pertaining to the holdings of the Stockholders of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida corporation, the predecessor of the Company.

7.11 Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

7.12 Further Acts . Each of the parties hereto shall perform all such further acts and execute all such additional documents as may be necessary or reasonably appropriate to effect the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

7.13 Gender and Plurals . Words denoting gender shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter. References in this Agreement to the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural number shall include the singular.

7.14 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute the same instrument. This Agreement shall be considered fully executed with respect to any single Stockholder when the Company, Brown and the Stockholder have executed an identical counterpart, notwithstanding that all signatures may not appear on the same counterpart.

7.15 Relationship of Parties . Nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to create any agency, joint venture, partnership or similar relationship between the parties to this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to authorize either party to this Agreement to bind or obligate the other party.

8


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first written above.

COMPANY:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. ,

a Delaware corporation

 

By: s/ E. A. Soltero

Name: Eugene A. Soltero
Title: President

 

BROWN:

 

s/ John M. Brown

John M. Brown

 

STOCKHOLDERS:

Glen H. Perry

s/ Glen H. Perry

Philip Mandelker

s/ Philip Mandelker

Donald E. & Ivy M. Green TTEE Revocable Living Trust

FBO Donald & Ivy Green U/A/D 12/17/96

s/ Donald Green & Ivy Green

Elisha Roih

s/ Elisha Roih

Joan Brown

s/ Joan Brown

Edwin L. and/or Robert Johnson

s/ Edwin L. Johnson

Norman & Rosemary Ingram

s/ Norman Ingram & Rosemary Ingram

Estate of Jack Sherman

s/

Carol Joan Skarvi Trust

s/ Carol Joan Skarvi

Robert Jarvis

s/ Robert Jarvis

Mark Brown

s/ Mark Brown

Darwin K. Pratt

s/ Darwin K. Pratt

Ronald E. Lichtman

s/ Ronald E. Lichtman

Eugene Soltero

s/ E A Soltero

9


Estate of Dorothy Berger

s/

David Patir

s/ David Patir

Peter Donlin

s/ Peter Donlin

Dorothy Wolfe

s/ Dorothy Wolfe

Horst and/or Gerda Witt

s/ Horst Witt Gerda Witt

Jane Anderson & Tamara Trzcinski JTWROS

s/ Jane Anderson Tamara Trzcinski

Jean Bowles

s/ Jean Bowles

Jim Duncan

s/ Jim Duncan

Ursula Veselka

s/ Ursula Veselka

Eliezer Kashai

s/ Eliezer Kashai

David Halperin

s/ David Halperin

Eliezer Kashai

s/ Eliezer Kashai

David Halperin

s/ David Halperin

William Avery

s/ William H. Avery

Roger & Judy Pratt

s/ Roger D. Pratt Judy R. Pratt

Philip Mandelker Irrevocable Trust

Jessica R. Friedman, Trustee

s/ Jessica Friedman

10


 

 

SCHEDULE A

STOCKHOLDERS, STOCK OWNED AND WARRANTS

Last_Name

Common Stock

Warrants & Options

First_Name

Cert#

Shares

Cert#

Shares

Price

Glen H.

Perry

2

450,000

Philip

Mandelker

62

50,000

Donald & Ivy

Green

4

195,000

Elisha

Roih

5

150,000

Joan

Brown

6

100,000

Edwin L. and/or Robert

Johnson

7

100,000

Norman & Rosemary

Ingram

8

50,000

Jack

Sherman

9

50,000

Ralph

DeVore

10

50,000

Carol Joan

Skarvi Trust

11

50,000

Robert

Jarvis

12

50,000

Mark

Brown

13

50,000

Darwin K.

Pratt

14

30,000

Ronald E.

Lichtman

15

25,000

Eugene

Soltero

16

25,000

Dorothy

Berger

17

10,000

David

Patir

18

5,000

Peter

Donlin

19

5,000

Dorothy

Wolfe

20

5,000

Horst and/or Gerda

Witt

21

5,000

Jane Anderson & Tamara Trzcinski

Anderson

22

5,000

Jean

Bowles

23

5,000

Jim

Duncan

24

5,000

Ursula

Veselka

25

5,000

Eliezer

Kashai

26

5,000

David

Halperin

6

20,000

1.00

Elisha

Roih

7

5,000

1.00

Eliezer

Kashai

8

7,500

1.00

Eugene

Soltero

9

10,000

1.00

Philip

Mandelker

34

10,000

14

8,333

1.00

Elisha

Roih

35

5,000

15

4,167

1.00

David

Halperin

36

5,000

16

4,167

1.00

Eugene

Soltero

39

15,000

19

12,500

1.00

Eugene

Soltero

58

400,000

William

Avery

59

50,000

67

200,000

1.00

Eliezer

Kashai

61

45,000

Darwin K.

Pratt

165

31,500

63,65

12,500

1.50

Roger & Judy

Pratt

166

31,500

64,66

12,500

1.50

Philip Mandelker Irrevocable Trust

Jessica R. Friedman, Trustee

63

400,000

2,478,000

300,834

11


 

 

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF JOINDER TO STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENT

The undersigned, [Name of Transferee] , the successor in interest to ________________ ( __________________ ) shares of the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the " Company ") held by __________________ [Name of Transferor] (the " Stockholder "), does hereby, effective as of ______________, 20__ [Date of Signature] , consent to and agree to be bound by the provisions of that certain Stockholders' and Voting Agreement dated as of __________ ____, 2003 (the " Stockholders' Agreement "), by and among the Company, the Stockholder and certain other Stockholders who are parties thereto. For purposes of this Joinder to Stockholders' and Voting Agreement, capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Stockholders' Agreement.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

[Name of Entity]

 

By:

Name:

Title:

 

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EXHIBIT 9.2

STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENT
(With Ralph DeVore)

This STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of the 9th day of July, 2003, is made by and among Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), Ralph DeVore (" DeVore "), and the stockholders of the Company listed on Schedule A , and such other stockholders of the Company who may become parties to this Agreement.

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

" Affiliate " means, with respect to any Person, a Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person (it being understood that a Person shall be deemed to "control" another Person, for purposes of this definition, if such Person directly or indirectly has the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through holding beneficial ownership interests in such other Person, through contracts or otherwise).

" Agreement " means this Stockholders' and Voting Agreement, as such may be amended from time to time.

" Beneficially Own " or " Beneficial Ownership " with respect to the Shares, or any securities, means having "beneficial ownership" of such securities (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding whether or not in writing.

" Bylaws " means the Bylaws of the Company, as such may be amended from time to time.

" Business Day " means a day of the year on which banks are not required or authorized to close in Dallas, Texas.

" Certificate of Incorporation " means the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as such may be amended from time to time.

" Common Stock " means the shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

" Company " is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

" DGCL " means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended.

" Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


" Irrevocable Proxy " is defined in Section 4.03(a) .

" Permitted Transfer " is defined in Section 2.02 .

" Person " means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, a branch of any legal entity, unincorporated organization, joint stock company, joint venture, association, governmental entity or other entity or organization.

" Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

" Stockholder " means any stockholder of the Company listed on Schedule A , as such may be amended from time to time, and their permitted successors and assigns.

" Shares " means all shares of Common Stock, including options to purchase and securities convertible into Common Stock, of the Company currently owned by any Stockholder in such numbers as set forth next to such Stockholder's name on Schedule A (as may be amended from time to time), and all shares of capital stock issued with respect thereto, in exchange for or upon conversion of any such Shares, options or convertible securities.

" Transfer " means the sale, transfer, gift, conveyance, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage or other encumbrance or disposition of all or any part of a Stockholder's Shares, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law, pursuant to judicial process, divorce decree, property settlement, bankruptcy or otherwise.

ARTICLE II
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF COMMON STOCK

2.01 Restriction on Transfers . No Stockholder may Transfer all or any portion of the Shares of the Company now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except in connection with, and strictly in compliance with, the conditions of this Article II . Any other purported disposition shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer any interest or title to the purported transferee.

2.02 Permitted Transfers . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Stockholder may, at any time or from time to time, Transfer any of its Shares in one or more of the following transactions (a " Permitted Transfer "):

  1. A Stockholder that is a natural person may Transfer any of such Stockholder's Shares to members of such Stockholder's immediate family or to a trust, partnership or other entity established for the benefit of such Stockholder or members of such Stockholder's immediate family upon such Stockholder giving written notice to the Company of such Transfer, provided that each transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement;
  2. A Stockholder may Transfer any Shares in a public offering registered under the Securities Act or in a transaction permitted by Rule 144 or Rule 144A thereunder, whereupon such Shares will no longer be restricted by this Agreement;
  3. 2


  4. Any Stockholder that is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust or similar entity may Transfer Shares to its Affiliates upon such Stockholder giving written notice to the Company of such Transfer, provided that such transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement; and
  5. Any other Transfer upon such transferring Stockholder giving written notice to the Company of such Transfer, provided that such transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement.

2.03 Transfer by Reason of Death or Divorce .

  1. In the event of the death of a Stockholder, the Shares of the Stockholder may be Transferred by the executor or administrator of the estate to any heir or descendent of such deceased Stockholder upon such executor or administrator giving written notice to the Company of such event, provided that the transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement.
  2. In the event of the death of a Stockholder's spouse, or the division of community property of a Stockholder upon divorce and such Stockholder's spouse is awarded some or all of the Shares owned by such Stockholder, a Transfer of Shares to the Stockholder may be made by such Stockholder's spouse or by the executor or administrator of the Stockholder's spouse's estate upon written notice of such event given by such Stockholder to the Company, provided that the transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement.

2.04 Assumption by Transferee . Any transferee to whom Shares may be Transferred pursuant to this Agreement shall take such Shares subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and shall not be considered to have title thereto until said transferee shall have accepted and assumed the terms and conditions of this Agreement by executing a joinder agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , to that effect delivered to the Company, at which time such transferee shall succeed to all rights of his transferor except as such rights may be otherwise limited by other provisions of this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws.

2.05 Cost of Transfers . Each party shall bear its own costs of the transfer. The Company shall bear the cost of the Company's legal counsel.

3


ARTICLE III
LEGENDS AND FILING

3.01 Legends on Certificates .

  1. The Stockholders acknowledge that none of the Shares owned by them have been registered under the Securities Act or registered or qualified under any state securities laws; that the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act currently are not available for the public resale of the Shares; that the Shares therefore are not and will not be Transferable in the absence of a registration statement with respect to such shares or an applicable exemption from registration; and that a legend in substantially the following form will be typed or otherwise printed on the certificates representing the Shares:

    "The securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state or foreign securities laws (collectively, "Securities Laws"). No registration or transfer of such securities will be made on the books of the Company unless such transfer is made in connection with an effective registration statement under applicable Securities Laws or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of applicable Securities Laws."

  2. The certificates representing the Shares owned by the Stockholders, whether now outstanding or hereafter to be issued during the term of this Agreement, shall have conspicuously endorsed upon them a legend in substantially the following form:

"These shares are subject to the provisions of that certain Stockholders' and Voting Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2003 (as the same may be amended from time to time) that provides for certain restrictions on transfer and that may subject a stockholder to certain obligations or liabilities not otherwise imposed on stockholders in other corporations. A copy of the Stockholders' and Voting Agreement is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company and shall be furnished without charge to the holder of this certificate upon the receipt by the Company of a written request therefor from the holder. No registration or transfer of such securities will be made on the books of the Company unless and until the terms of the Stockholders' and Voting Agreement have been complied with."

3.02 Termination of Certain Restrictions . Notwithstanding Section 3.01 , the restrictions imposed by Section 3.01(a) and the corresponding legend requirements shall terminate as to any Share (i) when and so long as such Share shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of pursuant thereto or (ii) when the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it that the Shares may be transferred without registration thereof under the Securities Act and that such legend may be removed. Whenever the restrictions imposed by Section 3.01 shall terminate as to any Share as provided in this Section 3.02 , the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive from the Company, at the Company's expense, a new certificate evidencing such Shares not bearing the restrictive legend set forth in Section 3.01(a) .

4


3.03 Filing of this Agreement . The parties hereto acknowledge and agree a copy of this Agreement shall be placed on file by the Company at its principal place of business and shall be subject to the same right of examination by any Stockholder, in person or by agent, attorney, or accountant, as are the books and records of the Company.

ARTICLE IV
VOTING

4.01 Voting Agreement . The Stockholders and each of them hereby agree that during the term of this Agreement, at any meeting of the holders of the Shares, however called or in connection with any written consent of the holders of Shares, the Stockholders and each of them shall vote (or cause to be voted) all Shares subject to this Agreement of which he or she has Beneficial Ownership at the time of the vote as directed by DeVore. No Stockholder shall enter into any agreement or understanding with any person, the effect of which would be inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV .

4.02 Continuing Application . In the event of a Transfer by a Stockholder of less than all of the Shares pursuant to Article II , the provisions of Section 4.01 shall continue to apply during the term of this Agreement to all Shares Beneficially Owned by the Stockholder.

4.03 Grant of Irrevocable Proxy .

  1. During the term of this Agreement, each Stockholder hereby irrevocably appoints (" Irrevocable Proxy ") DeVore or, in his absence, Brenda DeVore or any other person who shall hereafter be designated in writing by DeVore, said Stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution), for and in the name, place and stead of the Stockholder, to vote the Shares, or grant a consent and approval in respect of such Shares, in accordance with the provisions of this Article IV .
  2. Each Stockholder represents that any proxies heretofore given in respect of the Shares either (i) are not irrevocable and that any such proxies are hereby revoked or (ii) are being expressly terminated by mutual consent of the parties to such proxies pursuant to Section 7.10 of this Agreement.
  3. Each Stockholder hereby affirms that the Irrevocable Proxy is given to secure the performance of the obligations of the Stockholder under this Agreement. Each Stockholder hereby affirms that the Irrevocable Proxy is coupled with an interest and may under no circumstances be revoked. Each Stockholder hereby ratifies and confirms any act such proxy and attorney in fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof and that this irrevocable proxy is executed and intended to be irrevocable in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL.

5


ARTICLE V
TERM AND ENFORCEMENT

5.01 Term . This Agreement shall expire or terminate upon (a) the distribution to the Stockholders of all proceeds (if any) distributable to them as the result of the cessation of business, bankruptcy, submission to receivership, or dissolution of the Company, (b) the distribution to the Stockholders of all proceeds (if any) distributable to them as the result of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (c) the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date of this Agreement, (d) with respect to any individual Stockholder, upon written notice from DeVore to such Stockholder, or (e) as otherwise provided in the DGCL. No termination of this Agreement shall negate, limit, impair, or otherwise affect any right, remedy, obligation, or liability of any party hereto under this Agreement which matured or became applicable before such termination.

ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

6.01 Representations and Warranties . Each Stockholder severally represents and warrants to each of the other parties to this Agreement that:

  1. It is the record and beneficial owner of the number of Shares set forth opposite such Stockholder's name on Schedule A and that such Shares are owned free and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, stockholders' agreements (other than this Agreement), and voting trusts;
  2. The execution, delivery and performance by the Stockholder of this Agreement do not breach any term or provision of or constitute a default under any material agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, contract or other commitment or instrument to which such Stockholder is a party or by which such Stockholder or its assets or properties are bound; and
  3. Such Stockholder has full power, authority and legal right to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the contemplated transactions.

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS

7.01 Notices . All notices, demands, requests or other communications that may be or are required to be given, served or sent by either party to the other party pursuant to this Agreement will be in writing and will be mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, nationally recognized overnight delivery service, telegram or facsimile transmission addressed to the address set forth on Schedule A . Any party may designate by written notice a new address to which any notice, demand, request or communication may thereafter be given, served or sent. Each notice, demand, request or communication that is mailed, delivered or transmitted in the manner
described above will be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent and received for all purposes at such time as it is delivered to the addressee with the return receipt, the delivery receipt, the affidavit of messenger or (with respect to a facsimile transmission) the answer back being

6


deemed conclusive evidence of such delivery or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation.

7.02 Joinder of Spouses . The spouses of the individual Stockholders join in the execution hereof to evidence such spouse's agreement hereto and to acknowledge that the spouse's interest in the Shares, to the extent such interests exist, are subject to the terms of this Agreement.

7.03 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (EXCLUSIVE OF CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES) AND WILL, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE, BE DEEMED TO CALL FOR PERFORMANCE IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS.

7.04 Specific Enforcement . Each Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that a violation by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement will cause irreparable damage to the Company and the other Stockholders and that the Company and the other Stockholders will have no adequate remedy at law for such violation. Accordingly, each party hereto agrees that the Company and the non-violating Stockholders shall be entitled as a matter of right to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any further violation of such provision or affirmatively compelling such offender to carry out its obligations hereunder. Such right to injunctive relief shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever remedies the Company or non-violating Stockholders may have at law.

7.05 Waiver . No failure or delay in exercising any right hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise or the exercise of any other right. A waiver by any party of any breach or covenant will not be construed to be a waiver of any succeeding breach or any other covenant. All waivers must be in writing and signed by the party or parties waiving such rights.

7.06 Severability and Reformation . The parties hereto intend all provisions of this Agreement to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. If, however, any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under any present or future law, such provision shall be fully severable, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a part hereof, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance. Further, the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision shall be limited so that it will remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

7.07 Attorneys' Fees . If any action at law or in equity is brought by any party hereto to enforce the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the party in whose favor a final judgment is entered shall be entitled, in addition to any other relief which may be awarded, to recover from the other party or parties, its reasonable attorneys' fees, together with such prevailing party's other reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with such litigation.

7


7.08 Binding Effect and Assignment . Subject to the restrictions against Transfer contained herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the personal representatives, successors and assigns of the respective parties hereto. The Company shall not have the right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein without obtaining the prior written consent of the Stockholders party hereto. The Stockholders may assign or transfer their rights under this Agreement to the extent permitted herein.

7.09 Amendment . No amendment to, or change, or discharge of, any provision of this Agreement will be valid unless it is in writing and signed by and authorized representative of the party or parties against which such amendment, change or discharge is sought to be enforced. This Agreement may be amended only by the written consent of all parties hereto. This Agreement may be amended with respect to any Stockholder listed on Schedule A by written agreement among such Stockholder, the Company and DeVore (or in his absence Brenda DeVore or any other individual designated in writing by DeVore).

7.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement represents the parties' entire agreement with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes and replaces any prior agreement or understanding with respect to that subject matter, including, without limitation those certain voting agreements between and among certain of the Stockholders and DeVore or John M. Brown pertaining to the holdings of the Stockholders of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida corporation, the predecessor of the Company.

7.11 Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

7.12 Further Acts . Each of the parties hereto shall perform all such further acts and execute all such additional documents as may be necessary or reasonably appropriate to effect the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

7.13 Gender and Plurals . Words denoting gender shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter. References in this Agreement to the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural number shall include the singular.

7.14 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute the same instrument. This Agreement shall be considered fully executed with respect to any single Stockholder when the Company, DeVore and the Stockholder have executed an identical counterpart, notwithstanding that all signatures may not appear on the same counterpart.

7.15 Relationship of Parties . Nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to create any agency, joint venture, partnership or similar relationship between the parties to this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to authorize either party to this Agreement to bind or obligate the other party.

8



IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first written above.

                                                                                                        COMPANY:

                                                                                                        Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. ,
                                                                                                       a Delaware corporation


                                                                                                       By: s/ E. A. Soltero
                                                                                                       Name: Eugene A. Soltero
                                                                                                       Title: President

                                                                                                        DeVORE:



                                                                                                        s/ Ralph DeVore
                                                                                                       Ralph DeVore

STOCKHOLDERS:

Dr. Paula Batterton

s/ Dr. Paula Batterton

Darryl Burman

s/ Darryl Burman

Carlton Cody

s/ Carlton Cody

Christian Michel Fenet

s/ Christian Michel Fenet

Charles S. Kaliszewski

s/ Charles S. Kaliszewski

Hal Lindsey

s/ Hal Lindsey

Michael B. & Melody S. Massey, JTWROS

s/ Michael B. Massey Melody S. Massey

Connie Nichter

s/ Connie Nichter

Candace S. Stringer

s/ Candace S. Stringer

Billy Traylor

s/ Billy Traylor

Varon Family Ltd. Partnership

s/ Jacob Varon, Gen'l Ptr

Bonnie Jean & Don G. Whiteneck, JTWROS

s/ Bonnie Jean Whiteneck Don G. Whiteneck




9


SCHEDULE A
STOCKHOLDERS, STOCK OWNED AND WARRANTS

Last_Name

Common Stock

Warrants & Options

First_Name

Date

Cert#

Shares

Cert#

Shares

Price

Dr. Paula

Batterton

09/27/02

111

13,200

38

5,000

1.50

Dr. Paula

Batterton

12/31/02

57

500

61

250

1.50

Darryl

Burman

01/15/01

29

10,000

4

5,000

1.00

Darryl

Burman

08/22/01

38

5,000

18

4,167

1.00

Carlton

Cody

01/15/01

27

100,000

2

50,000

1.00

Carlton

Cody

08/22/01

31

75,000

11

62,500

1.00

Christian Michel

Fenet

05/10/02

45

10,000

26

5,000

1.50

Charles S.

Kaliszewski

03/05/02

44

500

25

500

1.50

Charles S.

Kaliszewski

05/10/02

46

500

27

500

1.50

Charles S.

Kaliszewski

09/27/02

47

1,000

-

-

Charles S.

Kaliszewski

09/27/02

48

1,000

Charles S.

Kaliszewski

09/27/02

107

13,200

34

5,000

1.50

Charles S.

Kaliszewski

10/08/02

-

45

11,000

1.50

Charles S.

Kaliszewski

11/27/02

55

5,000

53

5,000

1.50

Charles S.

Kaliszewski

12/31/02

-

59X

500

1.50

Charles S.

Kaliszewski

02/25/03

163

1,200

83

500

1.50

Hal

Lindsey

11/27/02

52

50,000

-

-

Michael B & Melody S.

Massey, JTWROS

02/25/03

131

12,000

71

5,000

1.50

Connie

Nichter

11/27/02

116

13,200

49

5,000

1.50

Candace S.

Stringer

11/27/02

114

13,200

47

5,000

1.50

Billy

Traylor

09/27/02

105

13,200

32

5,000

1.50

Varon Family Limited

Partnership

01/15/01

28

100,000

3

50,000

1.00

Bonnie Jean & Don G.

Whiteneck, JTWROS

03/05/02

43

10,000

24

5,000

1.50

Totals

447,700

229,917

10


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF JOINDER TO STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENT

The undersigned, [Name of Transferee] , the successor in interest to ________________ ( __________________ ) shares of the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the " Company ") held by __________________ [Name of Transferor] (the " Stockholder "), does hereby, effective as of ______________, 20__ [Date of Signature] , consent to and agree to be bound by the provisions of that certain Stockholders' and Voting Agreement dated as of __________ ____, 2003 (the " Stockholders' Agreement "), by and among the Company, the Stockholder and certain other Stockholders who are parties thereto. For purposes of this Joinder to Stockholders' and Voting Agreement, capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Stockholders' Agreement.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

[Name of Entity]


By:
Name:
Title:

JOINDERS TO STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENT

First Name

Last Name

Date

Cert#

Common Shares

Carl R.

Johnston

9/15/2003

192

3,666

Carl R.

Johnston

9/15/2003

193

3,666

Jeffery L.

Johnston

9/15/2003

194

1,000

Margaret R.

Johnston

9/15/2003

190

3,666

Margaret R.

Johnston

9/15/2003

191

3,666


SUPPLEMENTAL LETTER TO STOCKHOLDER NOT WAIVING THE EARLY
TERMINATION


NOTICE OF TERMINATION

___________, 2003

TO: ______________________(Stockholder)

ADDRESS: _____________________________________

Reference is made to that certain Stockholder and Voting Agreement dated ___________, 2003, by and among Zion Oil & Gas Inc., a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), Ralph DeVore, Stockholder and other stockholders of the Company (the " Agreement "). Pursuant to Section 5.01 (d) of the Agreement, this is notice that the Agreement, if then in force and effect, will terminate with respect to Stockholder as of the earlier of (1) August 15, 2005 or (2) the completion of the first public offering of securities of the Company registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in which no purchaser obtains more than ten percent (10%) of the offering.

Signed:

 

Ralph DeVore

EXHIBIT 9.3

2005 STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENTS

During December 2005 certain shareholders of Zion entered into "Stockholders' and Voting Agreements" with individual executive officers John Brown, Eugene Soltero, Richard Rinberg, Glen Perry and Philip Mandelker. Each of the agreements is identical and follows the form of agreement shown below. Following the form of agreement is the Schedule A for each executive officer.

(Form of) STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENT
(With Executive Officer)

This STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of the 15th day of December, 2005, is made by and among Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), Executive Officer ("Officer") and the stockholders of the Company listed on Schedule A , and such other stockholders of the Company who may become parties to this Agreement.

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

" Affiliate " means, with respect to any Person, a Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person (it being understood that a Person shall be deemed to "control" another Person, for purposes of this definition, if such Person directly or indirectly has the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through holding beneficial ownership interests in such other Person, through contracts or otherwise).

" Agreement " means this Stockholders' and Voting Agreement, as such may be amended from time to time.

" Beneficially Own " or " Beneficial Ownership " with respect to the Shares, or any securities, means having "beneficial ownership" of such securities (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding whether or not in writing.

" Bylaws " means the Bylaws of the Company, as such may be amended from time to time.

" Business Day " means a day of the year on which banks are not required or authorized to close in Dallas, Texas.

" Certificate of Incorporation " means the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as such may be amended from time to time.

1


" Common Stock " means the shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

" Company " is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

" DGCL " means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended.

" Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

" Irrevocable Proxy " is defined in Section 4.03(a) .

" Permitted Transfer " is defined in Section 2.02 .

" Person " means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, a branch of any legal entity, unincorporated organization, joint stock company, joint venture, association, governmental entity or other entity or organization.

" Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

" Shares " means all shares of Common Stock, including options to purchase and securities convertible into Common Stock, of the Company currently owned by any Stockholder in such numbers as set forth next to such Stockholder's name on Schedule A (as may be amended from time to time), and all shares of capital stock issued with respect thereto, in exchange for or upon conversion of any such Shares, options or convertible securities.

" Stockholder " means any stockholder of the Company listed on Schedule A , as such may be amended from time to time, and their permitted successors and assigns.

" Transfer " means the sale, transfer, gift, conveyance, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage or other encumbrance or disposition of all or any part of a Stockholder's Shares, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law, pursuant to judicial process, divorce decree, property settlement, bankruptcy or otherwise.

ARTICLE II
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF COMMON STOCK

2.01 Restriction on Transfers . No Stockholder may Transfer all or any portion of the Shares of the Company now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except in connection with, and strictly in compliance with, the conditions of this Article II . Any other purported disposition shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer any interest or title to the purported transferee.

2.02 Permitted Transfers . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Stockholder may, at any time or from time to time, Transfer any of its Shares in one or more of the following transactions (a " Permitted Transfer "):

  1. Stockholder that is a natural person may Transfer any of such Stockholder's Shares to members of such Stockholder's immediate family or to a trust, partnership or other entity established for the benefit of such Stockholder or members of such Stockholder's immediate family upon such Stockholder giving written notice to the Company of such
  2. 2


    transfer , provided that each transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement;

  3. Stockholder may Transfer any Shares in a public offering registered under the Securities Act or in a transaction permitted by Rule 144 or Rule 144A thereunder, whereupon such Shares will no longer be restricted by this Agreement;
  4. any Stockholder that is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust or similar entity may Transfer Shares to its Affiliates upon such Stockholder giving written notice to the Company of such Transfer, provided that such transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement; and
  5. any other Transfer upon such transferring Stockholder giving written notice to the Company of such Transfer, provided that such transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement.

2.03 Transfer by Reason of Death or Divorce .

  1. In the event of the death of a Stockholder, the Shares of the Stockholder may be Transferred by the executor or administrator of the estate to any heir or descendent of such deceased Stockholder upon such executor or administrator giving written notice to the Company of such event, provided that the transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement.
  2. In the event of the death of a Stockholder's spouse, or the division of community property of a Stockholder upon divorce and such Stockholder's spouse is awarded some or all of the Shares owned by such Stockholder, a Transfer of Shares to the Stockholder may be made by such Stockholder's spouse or by the executor or administrator of the Stockholder's spouse's estate upon written notice of such event given by such Stockholder to the Company, provided that the transferee executes a joinder to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , agreeing to be bound as a Stockholder to the terms of this Agreement.

2.04 Assumption by Transferee . Any transferee to whom Shares may be Transferred pursuant to this Agreement shall take such Shares subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and shall not be considered to have title thereto until said transferee shall have accepted and assumed the terms and conditions of this Agreement by executing a joinder agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit A , to that effect delivered to the Company, at which time such transferee shall succeed to all rights of his transferor except as such rights may be otherwise limited by other provisions of this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws.

2.05 Cost of Transfers . Each party shall bear its own costs of the transfer. The Company shall bear the cost of the Company's legal counsel.

3


 

ARTICLE III
LEGENDS AND FILING

3.01 Legends on Certificates .

  1. The Stockholders acknowledge that none of the Shares owned by them have been registered under the Securities Act or registered or qualified under any state securities laws; that the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act currently are not available for the public resale of the Shares; that the Shares therefore are not and will not be Transferable in the absence of a registration statement with respect to such shares or an applicable exemption from registration; and that a legend in substantially the following form will be typed or otherwise printed on the certificates representing the Shares:
  2. "The securities represented by this certificate have not been registered
    under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state or foreign
    securities laws (collectively, "Securities Laws"). No registration or
    transfer of such securities will be made on the books of the Company
    unless such transfer is made in connection with an effective registration
    statement under applicable Securities Laws or pursuant to an exemption
    from the registration requirements of applicable Securities Laws."

  3. The certificates representing the Shares owned by the Stockholders, whether now outstanding or hereafter to be issued during the term of this Agreement, may, at the discretion of the Company, have conspicuously endorsed upon them a legend in substantially the following form:

"These shares are subject to the provisions of that certain Stockholders'
and Voting Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2005 (as the same may be
amended from time to time) that provides for certain restrictions on
transfer and that may subject a stockholder to certain obligations or
liabilities not otherwise imposed on stockholders in other corporations.
A copy of the Stockholders' and Voting Agreement is on file at the
principal executive offices of the Company and shall be furnished without
charge to the holder of this certificate upon the receipt by the Company
of a written request therefor from the holder. No registration or transfer
of such securities will be made on the books of the Company unless and
until the terms of the Stockholders' and Voting Agreement have been complied
with."

3.02 Termination of Certain Restrictions . Notwithstanding Section 3.01 , the restrictions imposed by Section 3.01(a) and the corresponding legend requirements shall terminate as to any Share (i) when and so long as such Share shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of pursuant thereto or (ii) when the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it that the Shares may be transferred without registration thereof under the Securities Act and that such legend may be removed.

4


Whenever the restrictions imposed by Section 3.01 shall terminate as to any Share as provided in this Section 3.02 , the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive from the Company, at the Company's expense, a new certificate evidencing such Shares not bearing the restrictive legend set forth in Section 3.01(a) .

3.03 Filing of this Agreement . The parties hereto acknowledge and agree a copy of this Agreement shall be placed on file by the Company at its principal place of business and shall be subject to the same right of examination by any Stockholder, in person or by agent, attorney, or accountant, as are the books and records of the Company.

ARTICLE IV
VOTING

4.01 Voting Agreement . The Stockholders and each of them hereby agree that during calendar year 2006, at any meeting of the holders of the Shares, however called or in connection with any written consent of the holders of Shares, the Stockholders and each of them shall vote (or cause to be voted) all Shares subject to this Agreement of which he or she has Beneficial Ownership at the time of the vote as directed by Officer. No Stockholder shall enter into any agreement or understanding with any person, the effect of which would be inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV .

4.02 Continuing Application . In the event of a Transfer by a Stockholder of less than all of the Shares pursuant to Article II , the provisions of Section 4.01 shall continue to apply during the term of this Agreement to all Shares Beneficially Owned by the Stockholder.

4.03 Grant of Irrevocable Proxy .

    1. During the term of this Agreement, each Stockholder hereby irrevocably appoints (" Irrevocable Proxy ") Officer or, in his absence, __________ or any other person who shall hereafter be designated in writing by Officer, said Stockholder's proxy and attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution), for and in the name, place and stead of the Stockholder, to vote the Shares, or grant a consent and approval in respect of such Shares, in accordance with the provisions of this Article IV .
    2. Each Stockholder represents that any proxies heretofore given in respect of the Shares either (i) are not irrevocable and that any such proxies are hereby revoked or (ii) are being expressly terminated by mutual consent of the parties to such proxies pursuant to Section 7.10 of this Agreement.
    3. Each Stockholder hereby affirms that the Irrevocable Proxy is given to secure the performance of the obligations of the Stockholder under this Agreement. Each Stockholder hereby affirms that the Irrevocable Proxy is coupled with an interest and may under no circumstances be revoked. Each Stockholder hereby ratifies and confirms any act such proxy and attorney in fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof and that this irrevocable proxy is executed and intended to be irrevocable in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL.

5


 

ARTICLE V
TERM AND ENFORCEMENT

5.01 Term . This Agreement shall expire or terminate upon (a) the distribution to the Stockholders of all proceeds (if any) distributable to them as the result of the cessation of business, bankruptcy, submission to receivership, or dissolution of the Company, (b) the distribution to the Stockholders of all proceeds (if any) distributable to them as the result of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (c) December 31, 2006, (d) with respect to any individual Stockholder, upon written notice from Officer to such Stockholder, or (e) as otherwise provided in the DGCL. No termination of this Agreement shall negate, limit, impair, or otherwise affect any right, remedy, obligation, or liability of any party hereto under this Agreement which matured or became applicable before such termination.

ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

6.01 Representations and Warranties . Each Stockholder severally represents and warrants to each of the other parties to this Agreement that:

  1. it is the record and beneficial owner of the number of Shares set forth opposite such Stockholder's name on Schedule A and that such Shares are owned free and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, stockholders' agreements (other than this Agreement), and voting trusts;
  2. the execution, delivery and performance by the Stockholder of this Agreement do not breach any term or provision of or constitute a default under any material agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, contract or other commitment or instrument to which such Stockholder is a party or by which such Stockholder or its assets or properties are bound; and
  3. such Stockholder has full power, authority and legal right to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the contemplated transactions.

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS

7.01 Notices . All notices, demands, requests or other communications that may be or are required to be given, served or sent by either party to the other party pursuant to this Agreement will be in writing and will be mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, nationally recognized overnight delivery service, telegram or facsimile transmission addressed to the address set forth on Schedule A . Any party may designate by written notice a new address to which any notice, demand, request or communication may thereafter be given, served or sent.

6


Each notice, demand, request or communication that is mailed, delivered or transmitted in the manner described above will be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent and received for all purposes at such time as it is delivered to the addressee with the return receipt, the delivery receipt, the affidavit of messenger or (with respect to a facsimile transmission) the answer back being deemed conclusive evidence of such delivery or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation.

7.02 Joinder of Spouses . The spouses of the individual Stockholders join in the execution hereof to evidence such spouse's agreement hereto and to acknowledge that the spouse's interest in the Shares, to the extent such interests exist, are subject to the terms of this Agreement.

7.03 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (EXCLUSIVE OF CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES) AND WILL, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE, BE DEEMED TO CALL FOR PERFORMANCE IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS.

7.04 Specific Enforcement . Each Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that a violation by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement will cause irreparable damage to the Company and the other Stockholders and that the Company and the other Stockholders will have no adequate remedy at law for such violation. Accordingly, each party hereto agrees that the Company and the non-violating Stockholders shall be entitled as a matter of right to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any further violation of such provision or affirmatively compelling such offender to carry out its obligations hereunder. Such right to injunctive relief shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever remedies the Company or non-violating Stockholders may have at law.

7.05 Waiver . No failure or delay in exercising any right hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise or the exercise of any other right. A waiver by any party of any breach or covenant will not be construed to be a waiver of any succeeding breach or any other covenant. All waivers must be in writing and signed by the party or parties waiving such rights.

7.06 Severability and Reformation . The parties hereto intend all provisions of this Agreement to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. If, however, any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under any present or future law, such provision shall be fully severable, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a part hereof, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance. Further, the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision shall be limited so that it will remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

7.07 Attorneys' Fees . If any action at law or in equity is brought by any party hereto to enforce the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the party in whose favor a final judgment is entered shall be entitled, in addition to any other relief which may be awarded, to recover from the other party or parties, its reasonable attorneys' fees, together with such prevailing party's other reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with such litigation.

7


7.08 Binding Effect and Assignment . Subject to the restrictions against Transfer contained herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the personal representatives, successors and assigns of the respective parties hereto. The Company shall not have the right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein without obtaining the prior written consent of the Stockholders party hereto. The Stockholders may assign or transfer their rights under this Agreement to the extent permitted herein.

7.09 Amendment . No amendment to, or change, or discharge of, any provision of this Agreement will be valid unless it is in writing and signed by and authorized representative of the party or parties against which such amendment, change or discharge is sought to be enforced. This Agreement may be amended only by the written consent of all parties hereto. This Agreement may be amended with respect to any Stockholder listed on Schedule A by written agreement among such Stockholder, the Company and Officer (or in his absence ________ or any other individual designated in writing by Officer).

7.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement represents the parties' entire agreement with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes and replaces any prior agreement or understanding with respect to that subject matter.

7.11 Headings . The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

7.12 Further Acts . Each of the parties hereto shall perform all such further acts and execute all such additional documents as may be necessary or reasonably appropriate to effect the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

7.13 Gender and Plurals . Words denoting gender shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter. References in this Agreement to the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural number shall include the singular.

7.14 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute the same instrument. This Agreement shall be considered fully executed with respect to any single Stockholder when the Company, Officer and the Stockholder have executed an identical counterpart, notwithstanding that all signatures may not appear on the same counterpart.

7.15 Relationship of Parties . Nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to create any agency, joint venture, partnership or similar relationship between the parties to this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to authorize either party to this Agreement to bind or obligate the other party.

8


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first written above.

OFFICER COMPANY:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. ,

____________ a Delaware corporation

Executive Officer

By: ____________

Name: Eugene A. Soltero
Title: Chief Executive Officer

STOCKHOLDERS:

First Name

Last Name

Suffix

Signature

9


SCHEDULE A for JOHN BROWN

STOCKHOLDERS, STOCK OWNED

First Name

Last Name

Suffix

Date

Cert#

Shares

Todd

Beezley

Audio Productions Ltd.--401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

1/31/2005

447

18,000

Mark

Brown

7/9/2003

54

25,000

Larry & Dianna

Crabtree

3/1/2004

221

10,000

Robert

Jarvis

7/9/2003

53

25,000

Martin & Gwen

Van Brauman

8/23/2004

260

500

Martin & Gwen

Van Brauman

3/31/2005

529d

5,000

Martin & Gwen

Van Brauman

7/14/2005

640

5,000

Martin & Gwen

Van Brauman

7/27/2005

651

2,500

Martin & Gwen

Van Brauman

9/30/2005

694

2,000

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A for EUGENE A. SOLTERO

STOCKHOLDERS, STOCK OWNED

First Name

Last Name

Suffix

Date

Cert#

Shares

East-DeMarco

Family Partners, Ltd.

12/16/2004

412

37,500

East-DeMarco

Family Partners, Ltd.

12/31/2004

418

37,500

East-DeMarco

Family Partners, Ltd.

8/1/2003

183

150,000

East-DeMarco

Family Partners, Ltd.

11/15/2005

719

24,000

East-DeMarco

Family Partners, Ltd.

12/14/2005

720

8,334

Donald D.

Ellis

7/10/2003

168

7,334

Donald D.

Ellis

9/30/2004

311

6,250

Donald D.

Ellis

1/31/2005

472

15,000

Donald D.

Ellis

1/31/2005

477

5,000

Patrick J. & Kim

Roncone

JTWROS

7/10/2003

167

7,000

Patrick J. & Kim

Roncone

JTWROS

3/1/2004

230

7,583

Patrick J. & Kim

Roncone

JTWROS

3/1/2004

231

6,417

10


SCHEDULE A for RICHARD J. RINBERG

STOCKHOLDERS, STOCK OWNED

First Name

Last Name

Suffix

Issue Date

Cert #

Shares

Marjorie

Glick

10-24-2005

701

20,000

Darren

Leigh

6/10/2005

597

5,000

Darren

Leigh

6/30/2005

618

5,000

Darren

Leigh

10/24/2005

705

20,000

Matthew

Miller

01-03-2005

512

50,000

Matthew

Miller

30-06-2005

620

20,000

Matthew

Miller

18-08-2005

671

40,000

Matthew

Miller

30-09-2005

695

100,000

Naushina

Reid

6/10/2005

606

10,000

Naushina

Reid

6/30/2005

625

10,000

Naushina

Reid

10/24/2005

711

20,000

Helen

Taylor

10/24/2005

714

20,000

Julian

Taylor

9/30/2004

315

27,500

Julian

Taylor

1/31/2005

458

48,000

Julian

Taylor

6/30/2005

628

20,000

Julian

Taylor

12/14/2005

727

8,334

 

 

SCHEDULE A for PHILIP MANDELKER

STOCKHOLDERS, STOCK OWNED

First Name

Last Name

Suffix

Date

Cert#

Shares

Stephen

Adler

as Custodian for Zoe Ann Adler

6/30/2005

616

5,000

Hila

Beretzsky

8/1/2003

177

1,500

Andrew H.

Braiterman

& Ronne Mandelker, JTWROS

7/9/2003

128

24,000

Andrew H.

Braiterman

& Ronne Mandelker, JTWROS

12/31/2004

417

10,000

Ian Bernard

Fagelson

3/1/2005

510

5,000

Ian Bernard

Fagelson

9/15/2005

685

4,000

David

Feingold

7/9/2003

41

63,200

David

Feingold

11/4/2003

213

25,000

David

Feingold

5/10/2004

209

10,000

Priscilla

Hilton

9/30/2004

297

3,750

Priscilla

Hilton

3/31/2005

519

2,500

Eveyln

Mandelker

8/1/2003

176

1,500

Inbal

Mandelker

5/31/2005

575

1,000

Nir

Mandelker

5/31/2005

574

1,000

11


SCHEDULE A for GLEN PERRY

STOCKHOLDERS, STOCK OWNED

First Name

Last Name

Date

Cert#

Shares

Leigh

Anderson

12/4/2004

380

2,500

Leigh

Anderson

1/31/2005

443

2,500

Siddick

Apaydin

1/31/2005

437

5,000

Stacy & Tami

Cude

1/31/2005

431

500

Stacy & Tami

Cude

3/31/2005

558

6,250

Stacy & Tami

Cude

3/31/2005

559

2,500

Stacy & Tami

Cude

7/15/2005

642

2,500

Stacy & Tami

Cude

10/24/2005

700

10,000

Candice

Ophir

1/31/2005

436

2,500

Yarom

Ophir

7/9/2003

141

6,000

Yarom

Ophir

12/31/2004

420

2,500

Amy Elizabeth

Perry

12/4/2004

376

2,500

Amy Elizabeth

Perry

1/31/2005

439

2,500

John David

Perry

12/4/2004

379

2,500

John David

Perry

1/31/2005

442

2,500

Katherine Grace

Perry

12/4/2004

377

2,500

Katherine Grace

Perry

1/31/2005

440

2,500

Noelle Reynolds

Perry

12/4/2004

378

2,500

Noelle Reynolds

Perry

1/31/2005

441

2,500

Vicki S.

Perry

12/4/2004

375

2,500

Vicki S.

Perry

1/31/2005

438

2,500

Irith

Rappaport

7/9/2003

33

37,000

Irith

Rappaport

12/31/2004

422

20,833

Irith

Rappaport

12/31/2004

423

5,000

Thalia

Reby

7/9/2003

142

6,000

Thalia

Reby

12/31/2004

421

2,500

12


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF JOINDER TO STOCKHOLDERS' AND VOTING AGREEMENT

The undersigned, [Name of Transferee] , the successor in interest to ________________ ( __________________ ) shares of the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the " Company ") held by __________________ [Name of Transferor] (the " Stockholder "), does hereby, effective as of ______________, 20__ [Date of Signature] , consent to and agree to be bound by the provisions of that certain Stockholders' and Voting Agreement dated as of __________ ____, 2003 (the " Stockholders' Agreement "), by and among the Company, the Stockholder and certain other Stockholders who are parties thereto. For purposes of this Joinder to Stockholders' and Voting Agreement, capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Stockholders' Agreement.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

[Name of Entity]

 

By:

Name:

Title:

 

13

EXHIBIT 10.1

MA'ANIT-JOSEPH LICENSE

The pages which follow are free translations from the Hebrew of the documents setting forth the granting of License No. 298 / "Ma'anit-Joseph":

Document A: Original License 298 "Ma'anit" granted on May, 2000.

Document B: Cover letter dated January 1, 2003 from the Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs changing the name to "Ma'anit-Joseph" and extending the term of the license.

Document C: Notice dated January 1, 2003 from the Minister of National Infrastructures officially changing the boundaries of the License.

Document D: Official notice and annex dated January 1, 2003 from the Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs with the new boundaries.

Document E: Extension letter from the Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs setting the new dates by which a drilling contract is to be signed (July 1, 2004) and the first well is to begin (October 1, 2004).

Document F: Extension letter dated October 17, 2004 from the Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs setting the new dates by which a drilling contract is to be signed (November 10, 2004) and funds have to be available to drill the first well is to begin (March 1, 2005).

Document G: Extension letter dated April 10, 2005 from the Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs setting the new termination date of the license at April 30, 2007.

Document H: Notice dated August 1, 2005 from the Minister of National Infrastructures officially changing the boundaries of the License.

Document I: Official annex dated August 1, 2005 from the Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs with the new boundaries.


(Document A)

STATE OF ISRAEL

LICENSE

License No. 298 / "Ma'anit"

This License is granted to-Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. - 100%

This License is granted--with respect to the area described in the first Annex

This License is granted-subject to the provisions of the Petroleum Law, 5712-1952, and the Regulations issued pursuant thereto, and to the special conditions detailed in the Secon Annex. The first and Second Annex are an integral part of this License.

Granted in Jerusalem, on- 26 Nissan, 5770 May 1, 2000.

 

s/Dr. Yehezkel Drukman

Dr, Yehezkel Drukman

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs

 

 

This License was registered in the Petroleum Registry on 26 Nissan, 5770 May 1, 2000.


STATE OF ISRAEL

License No. 298 / "Ma'anit"

F I R S T A N N E X

Description of the Area

From N.Z. 148.0/212.0 thence East

To N.Z. 158.0/212.0 thence North-East

To N.Z. 162.0/216.0 thence East

To N.Z. 169.1/216.0 thence South-West along the green line

To N.Z. 155.7/204.0 thence West

To N.Z. 148.0/204.0 thence North and back.

To N.Z. 148.0/212.0

(The coordinates are based on the Israeli Grid.)

Total area is 115,200 Dunam (115.2 square kilometers)

The area of the License is defined by the N.Z. grid points stated above. In the event of a discrepancy between maps submitted by the Licensee and the above description, the N.Z. grid points control.

Granted in Jerusalem on

26 Nissan 5760

1 st May 2000

s/Dr. Yehezkel Drukman

Dr. Yehezkel Drukman

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs


STATE OF ISRAEL

License No. 298 / "Ma'anit"

S E C O N D A N N E X

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

During the period of the License, the Licensee shall conduct the following work program:

  1. Execution of a contract with a geophysical contractor for a new seismic survey within one month of granting of the License.
  2. Execution and processing of a new seismic survey of at least 15 kilometers and the re-processing of about 40 kilometers of existing seismic lines and the submission of a report within 6 months of the granting of the License.
  3. Preparation of a drilling prospect and execution of a contract with a drilling contractor within 12 months of the granting of the License.
  4. Commencement of a well to the Jurassic and Triassic formations, not later than 18 months from the granting of the License.
  5. Presentation of a continuation exploration program not later than 4 months following the completion of the well, or relinquishment of the License.

No originl geophysical materials, magnetic tapes etc. shall be taken out of the country, rather copies only.

Granted in Jerusalem on

26 Nissan 5760

1 st May 2000

s/Dr. Yehezkel Drukman

Dr. Yehezkel Drukman

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs


(Document B)

STATE OF ISRAEL

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES

 

Petroleum Unit
27 Tevet 5763
1 January 2003


Neft 483-2002

To
Mr. Elisha Roih
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
Ya'acov Meridor 23/11
Tel Aviv - 69411

Dear Sirs,

Re: Extension of Term of License 298/"Ma'anit - Joseph"

Pursuant to Section 65 of the Petroleum Law, 5712-1952, please take notice that I have extended the term of License 298/"Ma-anit" to 21 Nissan 5765 (30 April 2005).

Please note also that at your Company's request, I have changed the name of the License to "Ma'anit-Joseph".

In the extended term, the Company shall implement the following work program:

1. The prospects that were prepared in the context of the Ma'anit License and Joseph Preliminary Permit shall be ranked and the first prospect to be drilled shall be chosen.

2. Not later than July 1, 2004, the Licensee shall commence a well to a depth of at least 4,000 meters.

3. Not later than April 1, 2004, the Licensee shall sign a contract with a drilling contractor for drilling the well. A copy shall be presented to Petroleum Commission.

Very truly yours,

/s/---

Dr. Yehezkel Druckman

Commission of Petroleum Affairs


 

(Document C)

MINISTER OF NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES

Notice in the Matter of Change in

Boundaries of a Petroleum License

pursuant of the Petroleum Law, 5712-1952

 

I hereby give notice that, in accordance with my authority pursuant to section 49 of the Petroleum Law, 5712-1952, and following consultation with the Petroleum Commission, on 27 Tevet 5763 (1 January 2003), I amended the boundaries of License 298/"Ma'anit" such that its new boundaries on the New Israeli grid are as follows:

From

N.Z.

187.200/687.000

thence North

To

N.Z.

187.000/698.000

thence North-East along the Mediterranean Sea coast

To

N.Z.

188.500/704.000

thence North-East

To

N.Z.

194.400/711.000

thence East

To

N.Z.

204.000/711.000

thence North-East

To

N.Z.

208.000/712.000

thence East

To

N.Z.

210.000/712.000

thence North East

To

N.Z.

213.000/715.000

thence East

To

N.Z.

218.000/715.000

thence South-West along the Green Line

To

N.Z.

207.400/707.000

thence South-West

To

N.Z.

203.000/704.000

thence South-West

To

N.Z.

200.000/687.000

thence West

To

N.Z.

197.000/687.000

thence South

To

N.Z.

197.000/686.000

thence South-West

To

N.Z.

194.000/684.000

thence North-West

To

N.Z.

181.200/687.000

thence West and back

To

N.Z.

187.200/687.000

 

Total approximately 387,700 dunam.

 

/s/-

Ephraim Eitam

Minister of National Infrastructures

 

 

27 Tevet 5763

1 st January 2003


(Document D)

STATE OF ISRAEL

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES

 

Notice in the Matter of Extension of Term of

a Petroleum Right under the

Petroleum Law, 5712-1952

____________

 

 

In accordance with section 65 of the Petroleum Law, 5712-1952, I give notice that I have extended the term of License 298/"Ma'anit" through 21 Nissan 5765 (30 April 2005).

At the request of the Company, I have changed the name of the License to "Ma'anit - Joseph".

/s/ ----

Yehezkel Druckman

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs

27 Tevet 5763

1 January 2003


 

 

STATE OF ISRAEL

License No. 298/"Ma'anit - Joseph"

(following amendment of boundaries)

 

FIRST ANNEX

 

Description of the Area

 

From

N.Z.

187.200/687.000

thence North

To

N.Z.

187.000/698.000

thence North-East along the Mediterranean Sea coast

To

N.Z.

188.500/704.000

thence North-East

To

N.Z.

194.400/711.000

thence East

To

N.Z.

204.000/711.000

thence North-East

To

N.Z.

208.000/712.000

thence East

To

N.Z.

210.000/712.000

thence North-East

To

N.Z.

213.000/715.000

thence East

To

N.Z.

218.000/715.000

thence South-West along the Green Line

To

N.Z.

207.400/707.000

thence South-West

To

N.Z.

203.000/704.000

thence South-West

To

N.Z.

200.000/687.000

thence West

To

N.Z.

197.000/687.000

thence South

To

N.Z.

197.000/686.000

thence South-West

To

N.Z.

194.000/684.000

thence North-West

To

N.Z.

181.200/687.000

thence West and back

To

N.Z.

187.200/687.000

 

Total area of 387,700 Dunam (387.7km 2 ).

The coordinates are based on the New Israeli Grid.

The area of the License is defined by the N.Z. grid points stated above. In the event of a discrepancy between maps submitted by the Licensee and the above description, the N.Z. grid points control.

 

Granted in Jerusalem on 27 Tevet 5763    

1 st January 2003

 

 

/s/-

Dr. Yehezkel Druckman

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs


(Document E)

STATE OF ISRAEL
MINISTRY OF NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES


Petroleum Unit
16 Shevat 5764
8 February 2004

Neft 36-2004

To:
Mr. Philip Mandelker, Adv.
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
Adam Law Offices
3 Daniel Frisch St.
Tel-Aviv 64731

Dear Mr. Mandelker,


Re: License 298 / "Ma'anit - Joseph"

In light of your February 3, 2004 letter in which you detailed the bureaucratic delays being experienced in approval of the public issuance of the Company's shares, I defer the implementation of the work program by three months.

Accordingly, your client will be required to present to the Petroleum Commissioner a contract with a drilling contractor no later than July 1, 2004 and commence the drilling of a well to Triassic formations no later than October 1, 2004.

Very truly yours,

 

s/Dr. Yehezkel Druckman
Dr. Yehezkel Druckman
Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs


cc: Mr. Elisha Roih

 


(Document F)

S T A T E O F I S R A E L

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES

 

Petroleum Unit

2 Heshvan 5765

17 October 2004

Petroleum 2004 - 242

Mr. Glen Perry

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Yair Stern St.

Herzelia 46412

 

Dear Sir,

Re: Petroleum Exploration License 298/Ma'anit-Joseph

 

Further to your request, I shall extend the term of the referenced license issued to Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (hereinafter - " Zion ") through 30 April 2006 on the fulfillment of all the following conditions:

1. No later than 10 November 2004, Zion shall sign a contract with a drilling contractor for the drilling of a well to at least 4,000 meters (the Mohilla structure) (hereinafter - the " Well ");

2. Not later than 1 March 2005, Zion shall prove to my satisfaction one of the following:

(a) that Zion has on deposit in its account an amount which, together with amounts previously paid on account of the Well, will be sufficient to cover the costs of drilling the Well and conducting the customary tests (the expected cost of the Well as fixed in the AFE for these purposes) (hereinafter - the " Drilling Funds "); or

(b) if Zion has submitted an application to transfer a portion of its rights in the License or in the Well to a third party, that there is in the accounts of Zion and the third party collectively an amount equal to the Drilling Funds.

For the purposes of clause 2, the term "in the account" includes a deposit in a bank or a securities account, a bank guarantee, letter of credit or other form satisfactory to me.

You have informed me that you intend to use the drilling rig that prior to use by you will be serving Givot Olam. If this drilling rig will be released a sufficient time prior to the end of the License's current term (being 30 April 2005), I shall amend the schedule of the work program so that you shall be required to commence the Well by the later of (1) 45 (forty five) days following the release of the drilling rig by Givot Olam and the confirmation of the owner of the rig (Lapidoth) that it is available for your use or (2) 1 March 2004.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ -

Dr. Ya'acov Mimran

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs

 

cc. Dr. Avi Honigstein, Deputy Petroleum Commissioner

Ilana Levine, Adv.



(Document G)

S T A T E O F I S R A E L

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES

 

Petroleum Unit

1 Nissan 5765

10 April 2005

 

Petroleum 2005-96

Mr. E. Roih

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Yair Stern St.

Herzelia 46412

Dear Sir,

Re: Extension of Term of License 298/"Ma'anit-Joseph"

Your letter of 7 April 2005

Further to your request in the above-referenced letter, I hereby extend the term of License 298/"Ma'anit-Joseph" for an additional two years, i.e. through 30 April 2007.

During the period of the extension the company shall deepen the Ma'anit #1 well at least to the Mohilla formation and will perform the required tests. Not later than 4 months after the completion of the drilling, the company shall present a plan satisfactory to the Commissioner for the continuation of exploration in the License area.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ -

Dr. Ya'acov Mimran

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs


(Document H)

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES

 

1 August 2005

25 Tamuz 5765

Petroleum 2005-190

Mr. Elisha Roih

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

9 Yair Stern St.

Herzelia 46412

 

Dear Sir,

Re: Addition of Lands under License 298/ "Ma'anit - Joseph"

Pursuant to the Petroleum Law, 5712-1952

 

Please be informed that pursuant to the authority vested in me under Section 49 of the Petroleum Law, 5712-1952, and following consultation with the Petroleum Commission in accordance with the said law, I approved, on 25 Tamuz 5765 (August 1, 2005), the addition of lands under License 298/ "Ma'anit - Joseph". The new boundaries of the License will be:

 

From Map point 188.5/704.0 thence North East

To Map point 194.4/711.0 thence East

To Map point 204.0/711.0 thence North East

To Map point 208.0/712.0 thence East

To Map point 210.0/712.0 thence North East

To Map point 213.0/715.0 thence East

To Map point 218.0/715.0 thence North West along the

international border

To Map point 207.4/707.0 thence North West along the

international border

To Map point 203.0/704.0 thence North West along the

international border

To Map point 200.0/687.0 thence East

To Map point 200.5/687.0 thence South West

To Map point 200.0/685.0 thence West

 

To Map point 198.5/685.0 thence South West

To Map point 194.0/684.0 thence North West

To Map point 181.2/687.0 thence West

To Map point 187.2/687.0 thence North West

To Map point 187.2/698.0 thence North East along to

coast line and back

To Map point 188.5/705.0

 

Total area is approximately 397,000 Dunam

 

 

Sincerely,

/s/ (-)

Binyamin Ben Eliezer,

Minister of National Infrastructure


(Document I)

STATE OF ISRAEL

Petroleum Law, 5712 - 1952

License No. 298/"Ma'anit-Joseph" (after change in lands)

F I R S T A N N E X

DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA:

 

 

 

From Map point 188.5/704.0 thence North East

To Map point 194.4/711.0 thence East

To Map point 204.0/711.0 thence North East

To Map point 208.0/712.0 thence East

To Map point 210.0/712.0 thence North East

To Map point 213.0/715.0 thence East

To Map point 218.0/715.0 thence North West along the

International border

To Map point 207.4/707.0 thence North West along the

International border

To Map point 203.0/704.0 thence North West along the

International border

To Map point 200.0/687.0 thence East

To Map point 200.5/687.0 thence South West

To Map point 200.0/687.0 thence West

To Map point 198.5/685.0 thence South West

To Map point 194.0/684.0 thence North West

To Map point 181.2/687.0 thence West

To Map point 187.2/687.0 thence North West

To Map point 187.2/698.0 thence North East along to

coast line and back

To Map point 188.5/705.0

 

 

Total area is approximately 397,000 Dunam (397.0 km 2 )

The coordinates are based on the new Israeli Grid/

 

The lands subject of the License are defined by the Map points set forth above only. It is specifically declared hereby in the event of a discrepancy between the maps submitted by the Licensee and the above description, the Map points shall control.

 

Granted in Jerusalem, on 25 Tamuz 5765

1 August 2205

/s/ (-)

Dr. Yaacov Mimran

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs


EXHIBIT 10.2

ASHER PRELIMINARY PERMIT

The pages which follow are free translations from the Hebrew of the documents setting forth the granting of Preliminary Permit No. 185/ "Asher".

Document A: Cover letter dated August 1, 2005 from the Minister of National Infrastructures granting the Preliminary Permit.

Document B: Original Preliminary Permit No. 185/ "Asher", granted on August 1, 2005, including First Annex (Description of the Area) and Second Annex (Special Conditions).


MINISTRY OF NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES

 

25 Nissan 5765

1 August 2005

Petroleum 2005-190

Mr. E. Roih

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

9 Yair Stern St.

Herzelia 46412

 

Dear Sir,

Re: Preliminary Permit 185/ "Asher"

Please be informed that pursuant to the authority vested in me under Section 7A of the Petroleum Law, 5712-1952, and following consultation with the Petroleum Commission in accordance with the said law, I have decided to grant to

"Zion Oil & Gas" - 100%

a Priority Right to receive Petroleum Rights in the area subject of Preliminary Permit 185/"Asher".

The estimated cost for executing the required activities mentioned in the Second Annex is $325,000.

The Priority Right to receive Petroleum Rights is conditioned on the fulfillment of all conditions of the Preliminary Permit.

The validity of the Priority Right shall lapse upon the termination of the Preliminary Permit.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ -

Binyamin (Fuad) Ben Eliezer

Minister of National Infrastructures

 

Copy: Dr. Yaacov Mimram, Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs


STATE OF ISRAEL

Petroleum Law, 5712 - 1952

Preliminary Permit No. 185/ "Asher"

Preliminary Permit

 

There is hereby granted to -

 
 

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. 100%

A PRELIMINARY PERMIT

To conduct preliminary investigations,including geological and geophysical activities, for the purpose of evaluating the potential to discover petroleum on the area described in the First Annex which is an integral part of this Preliminary Permit.

THIS PRELIMINARY PERMIT

Is granted subject to the provisions of the Petroleum Law, 5712-1952, and to the Regulations issued thereunder, and to the Special Conditions set forth in the Second Annex which is an integral part of this Preliminary Permit.

 

The validity of this Preliminary Permit shall be terminated on 12 Shvat 5767

31 January 2007

Granted in Jerusalem, on 25 Tamuz 5765

1 August 2005

 

 

 

 

/s/ (-)

Dr. Yaacov Mimran

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs


STATE OF ISRAEL

Petroleum Law, 5712 - 1952

Preliminary Permit No. 185/ "Asher"

F I R S T A N N E X

DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA:

 

 

 

From Map point 196.00/740.00 thence East

To Map point 200.00/740.00 thence South East

To Map point 218.00/715.00 thence West

To Map point 213.00/715.00 thence South West

To Map point 210.00/712.00 thence West

To Map point 208.00/712.00 thence South West

To Map point 204.00/711.00 thence West

To Map point 194.40/711.00 thence South West

To Map point 188.50/704.00 thence North East along

the cost of the Mediterranean

Sea, back

To Map point 196.00/740.00

Total area is 490,000 Dunam (490.0 km 2 )

The coordinates are based on the new Israeli Grid

 

 

It is specifically declared hereby that the boundaries of the Permit Area are as set forth in the above description, notwithstanding any apparent changes from the boundaries set forth in the maps submitted by the recipient of the Preliminary Permit.

 

Granted in Jerusalem, on 25 Tamuz 5765

1 August 2205

 

/s/ (-)

Dr. Yaacov Mimran

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs


STATE OF ISRAEL

Petroleum Law, 5712 - 1952

Preliminary Permit No. 185/ "Asher"

S E C O N D A N N E X

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

 

During the term of the Permit, the Company shall execute the following work plan:

1.

Not later than May 1, 2006, reprocessing of existing seismic lines, geologic and geochemical data and preparation of a regional geological report regarding the Triassic.

2.

Not later than May 1, 2006, submission of a Prospect and application for grant of License or release of the area or an undertaking to acquire new seismic lines.

3.

Not later than November 1, 2006, acquisition of 20 km of new seismic lines, interpretation and processing thereof and submission of a summation report.

4.

Not later than January 31, 2007, submission of Prospect for drilling in the Permit area.

5.

At the end of every stage, the findings and their summations are to be submitted to the Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs.

6.

Toward the end of the Permit period, a report of the activities performed in the area and their findings shall be submitted, in two copies. In the report the following matters shall be detailed:

 

a.

Evaluation of the prospectivity of the various plays.

 

b.

Structural maps (time and depth) and isopatch maps of the key Mesozoic and Cenozoic horizons.

 

c.

Seismic attribute maps in the appropriate contexts, if conducted.

 

d.

Paleographic maps of the strategic intervals constituting the various plays.

 

e.

Evaluation of petroleum potential and hydrocarbon migration paths.

7.

The final reports shall also include a description of all the activities performed in the Permit area. There shall be appended to the reports the following details (to the extent that they have not been previously submitted in quarterly reports or further to clause 5 above):

   

All the geophysical material, including copies of the magnetic field tapes etc., the documentary material accompanying the field tapes, as surveyors' reports, operators' reports, location maps, results of processing of new seismic lines and the reprocessing of the old seismic lines. The relevant material shall be submitted both on magnetic tapes and on semi-originals of the Mylan type.

8.

The Permit owner shall coordinate the entrance of boating vessels, required for its activity with the State of Israel defense and security authorities

No original geophysical material, as magnetic tapes etc., shall be exported from Israel, but rather copies only.

Failure to comply with these conditions will result in immediate cancellation of the Permit from the date of the failure to comply with the conditions.

 

Granted in Jerusalem, on 25 Tamuz 5765

1 August 2005

 

/s/ (-)

Dr. Yaacov Mimran

Commissioner of Petroleum Affairs

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 10.3

FORM OF ESCROW AGREEMENT

THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of _________ between Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the "Company") and _______________, a Banking Corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (the "Escrow Agent").

WITNESSETH:

The Company, pursuant to a registration statement and preliminary prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form SB-2A dated as of January 25, 2006 (the "Prospectus") is offering securities (the "Offering") to certain qualified subscribers (the "Subscribers") consisting of shares of the Company's common stock (the "Shares"), for a purchase price of $7.00 per Share. The aggregate subscriptions that must be received before any subscription payments will be released to the Company from the escrow created pursuant to the terms and conditions contained therein is 350,000 Shares, or $2.450,000 (the "Minimum Subscriptions Amount"). Thereafter, subscription payments will be released to the Company upon written request by the Company to the Escrow Agent.

The offering will be made on a "best efforts minimum/maximum" basis directly by the Company, and by some placement agents who hold NASD broker-dealer licenses, beginning on a day (the "Effective Date") designated by the Company promptly after being notified by the SEC that the Prospectus is effective. If the Minimum Subscriptions Amount is not received by 120 days following the Effective Date (or 120 days later if extended by the Company) the offering and sale of the Shares will terminate on such date (the "Minimum Offering Termination Date"). If the minimum is reached, then the maximum of 2,000,000 Shares or $14,000,000 may be accepted by the Company before 180 days following the Effective Date (or 60 days later if extended by the Company) (the "Maximum Offering Termination Date"). The minimum subscription is 100 Shares ($700) and all subscriptions that comply with the terms of the prospectus will be denominated in $700 increments.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Escrow Agent agree as follows:

1. Deposits. The Company agrees to provide the Escrow Agent, in writing, with the Effective Date promptly upon its determination. Pursuant to the terms of the Offering, the Company will deliver to the Escrow Agent each subscription payment (a "Subscription Payment") received by the Company from a subscriber. The Subscription Payment of such subscriber will be collectively held in one escrow account by the Escrow Agent on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. The Company will maintain all subscriber records and at least bi-weekly supply the Escrow Agent with a list showing each new subscriber not on any previous list with the subscriber's name, address and amount of Subscription Payment. Each Subscription Payment received by the Company from a subscriber shall be forwarded to the Escrow Agent along with a copy of the subscription agreement signed by the subscriber, substantially in the form of Annex A hereto, (the "Subscription Agreement") setting forth the name, address, social security number and telephone number of such subscriber, the number of Shares being purchased and the purchase price being paid for same. If the Subscription Payment is in the form of a check, it shall be enclosed with the Subscription Agreement.

1


If the Subscription Payment is to be made by wire transfer, the Subscription Agreement shall also state the name, address and telephone number of the financial institution that will be wiring such Subscription Payment.

Each Subscription Payment received by the Escrow Agent from the Company will be deposited and held in accordance with Section 6(a) below. Such account will be held in the name of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., Escrow (the "Escrow"). It is understood that all checks received by Escrow Agent are subject to clearance time and the funds represented thereby cannot be drawn upon or invested until such time as the same constitute good and collected funds. It is additionally understood that should any checks be returned to the Escrow Agent as uncollectible, or returned because of insufficient funds, the Escrow Agent is authorized and instructed to charge expenses incurred by the Escrow Agent on such uncollected checks to the Escrow. The Escrow Agent shall redeposit such check(s) for collection only upon the verbal instruction of the Company; however, in no instance shall the check(s) be presented for collection more than two (2) times. Should the check(s) be uncollectible after the second presentation, the Escrow Agent, shall promptly notify the Company and hold said check(s) until the subscriber has replaced the same with a cashier's check or such other form of draft that the Company and Escrow Agent approve, at which time the Escrow Agent shall as soon as practicable return said uncollectible check(s) to the subscriber. In the event the subscriber does not replace said check(s) with a cashier's check or such other form or draft acceptable to Escrow Agent and the Company, the Escrow Agent shall as soon as practicable return the uncollectible check to such subscriber.

2. Acceptance or Rejection of Subscription Payment. The Company hereby certifies that the Subscription Agreement provides that the purchase of any Shares is subject to the approval of the Company. The Company agrees to notify the Escrow Agent in writing or telephonically with written confirmation as to which Subscriptions are being accepted and which rejected. Subscription Payments for rejected subscriptions shall be refunded to the respective subscribers at the close of the Escrow pursuant to the procedure described in Paragraph 4 hereof, as applicable, or as otherwise directed in writing by the company.

3. Release of Escrow Funds on Closing . If on a Closing Date (as defined in the Prospectus) the Escrow Agent (a) holds Subscription Payments, representing subscriptions as to which the Company has notified the Escrow Agent, pursuant to paragraph 2 hereof, that the Company has accepted, and (b) has received from the Company a certificate stating that all conditions to such Closing have been met, (i.e. specifically, in the case of the Initial Closing, that the Minimum Subscription Amount has been accepted), then the Escrow Agent is authorized and instructed to make the following payments: (i) all principal amounts, and accumulated interest thereon, held by the Escrow Agent in the Escrow representing subscriptions as to which the Company has notified the Escrow Agent, pursuant to Paragraph 2 hereof, that the Company has accepted, shall be paid to the Company; (ii) all principal amounts held by the Escrow Agent in the Escrow, representing subscriptions as to which the Company has notified the Escrow Agent, pursuant to paragraph 2 hereof, that the Company has rejected, shall be paid to the subscriber. All payments to be made by the Escrow Agent to a subscriber shall be forwarded to the last known address of the subscriber, as communicated in writing to the Escrow Agent by the Company, mailed by first class mail. All payments to be made by the Escrow Agent to the Company shall be forwarded to the Company at 6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75231, or transmitted by wire transfer to such account as the Company shall direct.

2


Upon release of any funds pursuant to this Paragraph 3, the Escrow shall be closed as to the funds released; provided, however, that this Agreement shall remain in effect for further Subscription Payments received by the Escrow Agent from subscribers which shall be placed in Escrow and held by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

4. Other Refunds . If the Escrow Agent has received from the Company a certificate stating that the Offering is being terminated without the Minimum Subscription Amount having been received, then the Escrow Agent is authorized and instructed to make the following payments: (i) all principal amounts held by the Escrow Agent in the Escrow shall be paid to the subscribers of the Company; (ii) All earnings, less the expenses incurred by the Escrow Agent for uncollected checks, if any, shall be paid to the Company. All payments to be made by the Escrow Agent to a subscriber, as communicated in writing to the Escrow Agent by the Company, will be mailed by first class mail. All payments to be made by the Escrow Agent to the Company shall be forwarded to the Company at 6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75231 or transmitted by wire transfer to such account as the Company may direct. Upon release of the funds pursuant to this Paragraph 4, the Escrow Agent's duties as Escrow Agent will cease and the Escrow shall be closed.

5. Fees . The Company hereby agrees that the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to an acceptance fee of $_____ (the "Acceptance Fee"), and an annual administration fee of $_____ plus all out of pocket expenses (approved by the Company) incurred by the Escrow Agent, (the "Escrow Fee"). The Acceptance Fee is due and payable by upon execution of the Escrow Agreement. The first year's annual administration fee is due and payable ten business days after the Effective Date. If any fee is not so paid, it shall become a charge upon the Escrowed Funds. The Escrow Agent agrees that in the event that a subsidiary company to the Company is formed to facilitate investment in the Company, the Escrow Fee shall include services to the subsidiary Company which are the same as the services set forth herein to the Company and the Escrow Fee shall be prorated between the two companies

6. Rights, Liabilities and Indemnification of the Escrow Agent .

(a) The Escrowed Funds shall be invested by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the signed, written instructions of chairman, the President, any executive vice-president or the Vice President of Finance of the Company (the "Authorized Officers"). In the absence of written instructions from the above-named party, the Escrow Agent shall invest the Escrowed Funds in the money market mutual funds customarily utilized by the Escrow Agent's corporate trust department in the ordinary course of its corporate trust and escrow agent duties. Such money market mutual fund is the Commerce Capital Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund. In investing the Escrowed Funds, the Escrow Agent shall rely upon the written instructions of an Authorized Officer and the Escrow Agent shall be and hereby is relieved of all liability with respect to making, holding, redeeming or selling such investments in accordance with such instructions. In the absence of the written investment instructions contemplated herein, for any reason whatsoever, the Escrow Agent shall be and hereby is relieved of all liability with respect to making, holding, redeeming or selling investments made in accordance with the preceding paragraph which prescribes the permissible investment vehicles for the Escrowed Funds absent written instructions from an Authorized Officer.

3


Escrow Agent is and shall be under no duty to enforce the obligation of the Company to furnish written investment instructions..

(b) The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for or be required to enforce any of the terms or conditions of any agreement between the Company and its placement agents.

(c) The parties hereto represent to the Escrow Agent that they are authorized to enter into the Escrow Agreement by their duly authorized representatives and that the Escrow Agent is entitled to rely on this representation without the need to confirm the authority of the representatives.

(d) The duties and obligations of the Escrow Agent shall be limited to and determined solely by the express provisions of this Escrow Agreement and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Escrow Agreement against the Escrow Agent.

(e) The Escrow Agent is not bound by and is under no duty to inquire into the terms or validity of any other agreements or documents, including any agreements or documents which may be related to, referred to in or deposited with the Escrow Agent in connection with this Escrow Agreement.

(f) The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely upon and shall be protected in acting in reliance upon any instruction, notice, information, certificate, instrument or other document which is submitted to it in connection with its duties under this Escrow Agreement and which the Escrow Agent in good faith believes to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Escrow Agent shall have no liability with respect to the form, execution, validity or authenticity thereof.

(g) The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any act which the Escrow Agent may do or omit to do hereunder, or for any mistake of fact or law, or for any error of judgment, or for the misconduct of any employee, agent or attorney appointed by it, while acting in good faith, unless caused by or arising from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(h) The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to consult with counsel of its own selection and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Escrow Agent in respect of any action taken or omitted by the Escrow Agent hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the opinion of such counsel.

(i) The Escrow Agent shall have the right at any time to resign for cause and be discharged of its duties as Escrow Agent hereunder by giving written notice of its resignation to the parties hereto at least sixty days prior to the date specified for such resignation to take effect. Such "cause" permitting the Escrow Agent to resign shall occur upon (i) the non-payment of any fees due from the Company hereunder for thirty (30) days after written notification such non-payment from Escrow Agent; and (ii) the Company's receipt of a final, non-appealable cease and desist order from the SEC terminating the purchase and sale of the Shares in the public market place. In addition to the forgoing, the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement for any reason or for no reason upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Escrow Agent.

4


All obligations of the Escrow Agent hereunder shall cease and terminate on the effective date of its resignation and its sole responsibility thereafter shall be to hold the Escrowed Funds (including accrued interest thereon), etc. for a period of thirty days following the effective date of resignation, at which time,

(j) If a successor escrow agent shall have been appointed and written notice thereof shall have been given to the resigning Escrow Agent by parties hereto and the successor escrow agent, then the resigning Escrow Agent shall deliver the Escrowed Funds (including accrued interest thereon), etc. to the successor escrow agent; or

(k) If a successor escrow agent shall not have been appointed, for any reason whatsoever, the resigning Escrow Agent shall deliver the Escrowed Funds (including accrued interest thereon), etc. to a court of competent jurisdiction and give written notice of the same to the parties hereto. The resigning Escrow Agent shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Company for any reasonable expenses incurred in connection with its resignation and transfer of the Escrowed Funds, etc., pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(l) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent harmless from and against any and all liabilities, causes of action, claims, demands, judgments, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) that may arise out of or in connection with the Escrow Agent's good faith acceptance of or performance of its duties and obligations under this Escrow Agreement.

(m) In the event that the Escrow Agent shall be uncertain as to its duties or rights hereunder or shall receive instructions with respect to the Escrow Fund which, in its sole discretion, are in conflict either with other instructions received by it or with any provision of this Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall have the absolute right to suspend all further performance under this Escrow Agreement (except for the safekeeping of the Escrow Fund) until the resolution of such uncertainty or conflicting instructions to the Escrow Agent's sole satisfaction by final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, joint written instructions from all of the other parties hereto, or otherwise.

(n) In the event that any controversy arises between one or more of the parties hereto or any other party with respect to this Escrow Agreement or the Escrow Fund, the Escrow Agent shall not be required to determine the proper disposition of such controversy or the proper disposition of the Escrow Fund and shall have the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to deposit the Escrow Fund with the Clerk of a court of competent jurisdiction, file a suit in interpleader and obtain an order from the court requiring all parties involved to litigate in such court their respective claims arising out of or in connection with the Escrow Fund. Upon the deposit by the Escrow Agent of the Escrow Fund with the Clerk of a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with this provision, the Escrow Agent shall be relieved of all further obligations and released from all liability hereunder.

(o) Neither this Escrow Agreement, nor any other agreement between the Company and the Escrow Agent shall be deemed to create a joint venture between the Escrow Agent and the Company. Nor shall the Escrow Agent be considered the alter ego of the Company by virtue of this Agreement, or any other agreement.

5


7. Modification, Amendment, Rescission. No rescission, modification, amendment, supplement or change of this Escrow Agreement shall be valid or in effect unless notice thereof is given to the Escrow Agent in writing by the Company and accepted by the Escrow Agent.

8. Successors and Assigns. The provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, heirs, successors or assigns.

9. Copies . This Escrow Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

10. Notices . All notices, instructions and other communications under this Escrow Agreement shall be in writing except as otherwise specified herein and shall be deemed duly given if sent by (i) confirmed facsimile transmission or (ii) certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested and addressed as follows:

(a) If to the Escrow Agent:

_______________

_______________

_______________

_______________

Fax Number:

(b) If to the Company:

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Attn: Vice-President of Finance

6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300

Dallas, TX 75231

Fax Number: 214-221-6510

11. Applicable Law . This Escrow Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United State of America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Escrow Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

By:

Title:

____________________

By:

Title:

6


ANNEX A

Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

The Investor named below, by payment of a wire transfer or check payable to ZION OIL & GAS, INC. ESCROW ACCOUNT , hereby subscribes for shares of common stock, $.01 par value ("the Shares") indicated below (minimum purchase of 100 shares at a purchase price of $7.00 per Share) of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. Shares must be purchased in increments of $700. By such payment, the named Investor acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus and any amendment, the terms of which govern the investment in the Shares.

 

A. INVESTMENT :

(1) No. of Shares purchased _________. Dollar Amount: $___________

(2) [ ]Initial Purchase; or [ ]Additional Purchase

(3) [ ]Check Payment Enclosed: Number:_________ Date:___/___/____; or

(4) [ ]Wire Transfer: Sending Bank:______________________Wire #:_________ Date:___/___/____

Address_____________________________________Phone #_______________

 

B. REGISTRATION:

(1) Registered Owner: [ ]Mr. [ ]Mrs. [ ]Ms. ]Dr. [ ]Other _______________________________

 

Name:_______________________________________________________________________________

 

(2) Co-owner: [ ]Mr. [ ]Mrs. [ ]Ms. [ ]Dr. [ ]Other _____________________________________

 

Name:_______________________________________________________________________________

 

(3) Mailing Address: __________________________________________________________________

 

(4) Residence Address (if different from above):_____________________________________________

 

(5) Telephone #: (Home) (_____) _____ - ________ (Office) (_____) _____ - ________________

 

(6) Email Address:_____________________________________________________________________

 

(7) Birth Date:______ /______ /____ (8)Birth Date Co-Owner_____/_____/________

 

(9) Please indicate Citizenship Status: [ ]U.S. Citizen [ ]Other_________________________

 

(10) Social Security (National Identity) Number:___________________________________________

 

(11) Co-Owner:_______________________________________________________________________

 

Corporate or Custodial Taxpayer ID #: __________________________________________________

 

C. OWNERSHIP : [ ]Individual Ownership [ ]IRA or Keogh [ ]Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship [ ]Trust/Date of Trust Established Pension/Trust ___ / ___ / ___ (S.E.P.)

[ ]Tenants in Common [ ]Tenants by the Entirety [ ]Corporate Ownership [ ]Partnership

[ ]Other _____________________________________________________________________________

7


Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.--Subscription Agreement, page 2

D. SIGNATURES : By signing below, I/we represent that I/we have relied on the information set forth in the Prospectus, as and if amended, and on no other statement whatever, whether written or oral.

 

Signatures - Registered Owner: _______-____________ Co-Owner: _____________________________

 

  1. Print Names of Custodian or Trustee :

________________________________________________________ _____ Date: ________________ __

 

Authorized Signature: ________________________Witness Signature: __________________________

 

F. RETURN OF PAYMENT SHOULD BE SENT TO (IF DIFFERENT FROM REGISTERED OWNER):

Name: _________________________________ c/o: __________________________________________

 

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

Account #___________________________ Phone: (_____) ______ - _____________

 

G. BENEFICIAL OWNER(S) : All reports and financial statements will normally be sent to the registered owner at the address in Section B. If reports and financial statements are to be sent to the Beneficial Owner of an IRA or Keogh, insert name of the Beneficial Owner.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner Only: _______________________________ Phone: (___)___- ___________

 

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

 

H. BROKER-DEALER/REGISTERED REPRESENTATIVE DATA (broker-dealer use only):

 

Broker-Dealer NASD Firm Name: ________________________ Telephone Number: (___)___- _______

 

Main Office Address: __________________________________________________________________

 

Authorized Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ______________

 

Print or Type Name of Registered Representative:____________________________________________

 

Signature: _________________________________________________ Phone: (__)______- _________

 

Branch Office Address: _________________________________________________________________

SEND TO: Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. ACCEPTED:

Attn: Corporate Securities ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

2 Bridge Avenue, Penthouse Suite

Red Bank, NJ 07701 By:_______________________

Phone (800) 886-7007 Fax (732) 758-6671 Title: Date:

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 10.5

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

 

(i)

Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2004, between Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. and John M. Brown

(ii)

Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2004, between Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. and Eugene A. Soltero, as supplemented October 1, 2004

(iii)

Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2004, between Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. and Glen H. Perry

(iv)

Retention Agreement dated as of January 1, 2004, between Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. and Philip L. Mandelker

(v)

Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 2005, between Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. and David Patir

 


exhibit 10.5 (i)

Personal Employment Agreement (John Brown)

This Personal Employment Agreement (the " Agreement " ) is entered into as of the 1 st day of January 2004 (the " Effective Date " ), by and among Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. , a Delaware corporation with offices at 6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas, (in its own name and as successor in interest of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida Corporation, the " Company " ) and John M. Brown of 600 St. Emelion Ct., Irving, Texas, (the " Employee " ).

WHEREAS, the Company was established in April 2000 by the Employee for the purpose of engaging in oil and gas exploration and production in Israel; and

WHEREAS, since its establishment, the Employee has been serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Company (the " Board " ) and on terms set from time to time by resolution of the Board; and

WHEREAS, the terms of retention of the Employee for the five-year period commencing on the effective date hereof were incorporated in a letter of intent dated September 2, 2003 and ratified by the Board on November 10, 2003; and

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to regularize their relationship and, in that context, the Company desires to continue to engage the Employee and the Employee desires to continue to serve the Company in the capacity of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, conditions, representations and warranties set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

1. Appointment; Extent and Nature of Duties

1.1 Appointment and Duties . The Employee shall be employed as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Employee shall perform the duties, undertake the responsibilities and exercise the authority customarily performed, undertaken and exercised by persons situated in a similar capacity. The Employee shall be under the direct supervision, and comply with the directives, of the Board of the Company.

1.2 Extent of Services . The Employee shall be employed on a full-time basis and shall devote his entire business time, attention and efforts to the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and the business and affairs of the Company.

1.3 Charitable Trusts . The Company has initiated the establishment of two charitable trusts or equivalent not-for-profit entities, one to be established in Israel and one to be established in the United States or such other jurisdiction as may be determined by the Board (the " Charitable Trusts " ), to each of which the Company intends to assign or transfer the equivalent of a 3% overriding royalty or equivalent net profits interest. The Employee shall bear direct executive responsibility for and represent the Company in all matters concerning the establishment and organization of the Charitable Trusts. In establishing the Charitable Trusts, the Company shall take all steps necessary to appoint the Employee as the Chairman of the board of trustees or board of directors or equivalent governing body as may be established to supervise the activities of the Charitable Trusts (the " Governing Bodies " ). Nothing in the Agreement shall be deemed to estop the Employee from receiving compensation from either or both of the Charitable Trusts in such manner and amounts as shall be determined in accordance with the organizational documentation of each of the Charitable Trusts. The Employee ' s term as Chairman of the Governing Bodies shall not be coextensive with the Term of this Agreement, as defined below, and the Company shall take all steps in connection with establishing the Charitable Trusts to provide in their organizational documents that the Employee ' s appointment as Chairman of the Governing Bodies shall be for such


period as he is competent, physically and mentally, to serve as Chairman, and is not guilty of willful misconduct of any nature that would disqualify him to serve in the capacity of chairman or a member of the governing body of a not-for-profit, charitable organization.

2. Term and Termination

2.1 Term . The initial term of employment under this Agreement shall be for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2008 (the " Initial Term " ). Thereafter, the term of Employee ' s employment under this Agreement shall automatically be extended for additional periods of one (1) year (each an " Additional Term " ) at the end of the Initial Term and of each Additional Term, unless either party has given notice to the other of its intention not to extend at least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Additional Term; provided , however , that following the Employee ' s having attained the age of seventy (70), the Term of this Agreement, if still in effect, shall not be automatically extended upon the expiration of the applicable Additional Term, but shall be extended for additional one year terms only upon the mutual agreement of the Company and the Employee annually no later than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Additional Term then in effect. (The Initial Term and, if the Initial Term is extended, any and all Additional Terms, the " Term " ).

2.2 Termination by the Company . Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the Employee ' s employment may be terminated under the following circumstances:

2.2.1 For Disability . The Company may, upon ninety (90) days prior written notice, terminate Employee ' s employment after having established the Employee ' s Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, " Disability " means a physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Employee ' s ability to substantially perform his duties pursuant to this Agreement which infirmity continues for a period of at least 120 days in any 365 day period. Upon termination for disability, the Company shall continue to pay Employee all salary and benefits hereunder for the remainder of the Term, less any disability insurance payments received by Employee.

2.2.2. For Cause . The Company may terminate the Employee ' s employment for Cause upon written notice to the Employee in which notice the basis for termination shall be set forth. A termination for " Cause " is a termination due to a serious breach of trust, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, self-dealing, prohibited disclosure to unauthorized persons or entities of confidential or propriety information of or relating to the Company or the engaging by Employee in any prohibited business competitive with the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates or associated entities. No termination for Cause shall be effective except subject to the final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to the effect that Employee has committed a serious breach of trust as aforesaid. Except if and to the extent otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Employee shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits provided for under this Agreement for the period prior to the termination of the Employee ' s employment under this section.

2.2.3 Termination Other Than For Cause . The Company may terminate the employment of the Employee other than for Cause at its discretion and at any time on ninety (90) days prior written notice.

2.3 Termination by Employee . Employee may terminate this Agreement and his employment relationship with the Company at his discretion and at any time on ninety (90) days prior written notice.

2.4 Relationship during Notice Period

2.4.1 For purposes hereof, the term " Notice Period " shall mean the period between the giving of any Notice of Termination and the effective date of such notice as provided by sections 2.2 and 2.3 above or between the date of notice of intent not to extend the Term and the date of termination of the Term as provided for in section 2.1 above.

2.4.2 During any Notice Period pursuant to section 2.2.3 above, the Employee shall continue to work and fulfill his duties, hereunder, as an Employee of the Company; provided , however , that the Company shall


have the right in its discretion to ask the Employee to cease working at the premises of the Company or to cease to work during all or any part of the Notice Period, in which case and without derogating from the Employee ' s right to Compensation pursuant to sections 2.5.1 and 2.5.2 below to the extent applicable, the Company shall redeem such portion of the Notice Period for which the Company shall have waived its right to the services of the Employee (the " Waived Period " ) by payment to Employee of an amount equal to Employee ' s Salary for the Waived Period, plus such amounts to which the Company is obligated pursuant to sections 4 and 5 below.

2.4.3 In the event Employee continues to work during the Notice Period, he shall cooperate with the Company to ensure an orderly transfer of his responsibilities.

2.4.4 In the event the Employee gives notice of termination pursuant to section 2.3 above or of his intention not to extend the Term pursuant to section 2.1 above, and does not continue to work during all or any part of the Notice Period, the Employee shall forfeit his salary for said portions of the Notice Period during which he does not work. The Company shall have the right to deduct such amount from all and any monies due and owing the Employee from the Company.

2.5 Compensation in the Event of Termination

2.5.1 Termination Other Than for Cause or Disability . Without derogating from the rights of the Employee to compensation during the Notice Period as provided in section 2.4 above, the Employee shall be entitled to compensation in the event of (a) termination or of (b) failure to extend the Term of this Agreement by the Company prior to the Employee ' s attaining the age of seventy (70), other than for Cause or due to Disability, in an amount equal to:

(a) all sums, including Salary pursuant to section 3 below and Employee Benefits as provided in section 4.1 below, to which Employee would otherwise have been entitled if he had remained in the employ of the Company for the portion of the Term during which this Agreement would have remained in effect but for its termination as aforesaid, and

(b) an amount equal to six (6) monthly Base Salaries, as defined in section 3 below.

2.5.2 Change of Control . In the event of (a) termination or of (b) failure to extend the Term of this Agreement prior to the Employee ' s attaining the age of seventy (70), other than for Cause or due to Disability, within one (1) year of the completion of a Business Combination as defined in Article Tenth of the Company ' s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, then in addition to any rights of the Employee during the Notice Period as provided in section 2.4 and pursuant to section 2.5.1 above, the Employee shall be entitled to compensation in an amount equal to thirty six (36) monthly Base Salaries.

3. Salary

As compensation for the Employee ' s services hereunder, the Company shall pay the Employee a monthly gross salary (the " Salary " ) of US $10,000 (US $120,000 annually) (as such may be increased from time to time by decision of the Board, the " Base Salary " ), payable to Employee on the first business day of each month during the term of the Employee ' s engagement hereunder in arrears for the month just ended.

4. Employee Benefits

4.1 Insurance . Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall purchase or participate in the purchase for the benefit of the Employee an insurance package consisting of medical insurance, life insurance and long term disability insurance of such nature and providing such coverage as the Employee may request, provided that in no event shall the cost to the Company of the premiums for such insurance exceed US $2,000 per month. Except if the Employee specifically requests otherwise, the Company may fulfill its obligations hereunder by providing insurance coverage of the Employee in any group life or group health plan maintained by the Company for its employees based in the United States.


4.2 Vacation . The Employee shall be entitled to an annual vacation of twenty three (23) working days at full pay. Vacation days may be accumulated for two (2) years, after which they must be used or redeemed; provided that accumulation of vacation days in excess of forty six (46) days may be approved by the Board in its discretion.

4.3 Sick Pay

(a) The Employee shall be entitled to up to thirty (30) days per year of fully paid sick leave, against a doctor ' s confirmation, which leave can be accumulated for a period of up to a maximum of five (5) years; provided , however , that the Employee shall not be entitled to sick leave payment to the extent already covered by any insurance component of any plan established by or for the benefit of the Employee pursuant to section 4.1 above.

(b) The Employee shall not for any reason or in any circumstances be entitled to redeem any accumulated but unused sick leave upon termination of his employment under this Agreement.

5. Additional Benefits

5.1 Cellular Phone . Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall provide Employee with a Company cellular phone for Company business. Until such time as the Company purchases or leases cellular phones on its own account, the Company shall reimburse the Employee his expenses in maintaining and using one cellular phone (one number).

5.2 Organizational Dues . Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall reimburse Employee periodic membership dues for the professional and other organizations and societies the maintenance of which is hereby acknowledged to be connected with and necessary for the proper performance of the Employee ' s duties under this Agreement, including:

(a) One businessman ' s luncheon club

(b) One golf or fitness club

(c) The Dallas International Chamber of Commerce

(d) additional as may from time to time be approved by the Board.

5.3 Expenses . The Employee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the expense reimbursement policy adopted by the Board or with the prior approval of the Company ' s Management Executive Committee.

6. Long-Term Management Incentive Plan

The Company has resolved to establish a long-term management incentive plan, which may be structured as an employee ' s royalty pool, to be funded by the equivalent of a 1.5% overriding royalty or equivalent net profits interest (after pay-out calculated on a well by well basis) (the " Plan " ). Upon its establishment, the Employee shall be granted a 10% (ten percent) interest in Plan income attributable to wells drilled (no matter when drilled) on any oil and gas property acquired by the Company prior to the end of the Term, or earlier termination of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. To the extent less than 100% of the interests in the Plan with respect to a single well have been awarded at the time the well is spudded, Employee shall share pro-rata with the other Plan participants in the excess unawarded amounts.

7. Propriety Information

7.1 The Employee acknowledges and agrees that, in the course of his employment by the Company, he will have access to confidential and propriety information of the Company regarding, without limitation, the business, financial, research, exploratory, engineering, production, marketing and sales activities of the


Company. Such information, whether documentary, written, oral or computer generated, shall be deemed to be and referred to as " Proprietary Information " .

7.2 Proprietary Information shall be deemed to include any and all proprietary information disclosed by or on behalf of the Company and irrespective of form, but excluding information that: (i) was known to the Employee prior to his association with the Company and can be so proven; (ii) shall have appeared in any printed publication or patent or shall have become a part of the public knowledge except as a result of a breach of this Agreement by the Employee; (iii) shall have been received by the Employee from a third party having no obligation to the Company; (iv) reflects general skills and experience gained during the Employee ' s engagement by the Company; or (v) reflects information and data generally known within the industries or trades in which the Company transacts business.

7.3 The Employee agrees and declares that all Proprietary Information, patents and other rights in connection therewith shall be the sole property of the Company and its assigns. At all times, both during his engagement by the Company and for a period of five (5) years after its termination, the Employee will keep in confidence and trust all Proprietary Information, and the Employee will not use or disclose any Proprietary Information or anything relating to it without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Employee ' s duties hereunder and in the best interests of the Company.

7.4 Upon termination of his employment with the Company, the Employee will promptly deliver to the Company all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to his work with the Company, and he will not take with him any documents or materials or copies thereof containing any Proprietary Information.

7.5 The Employee recognizes that the Company received and will receive confidential or proprietary information from third parties subject to a duty on the Company ' s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. At all times, both during his employment and after its termination, the Employee undertakes to keep and hold all such information in strict confidence and trust, and he will not use or disclose any of such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary to perform his duties as an employee of the Company and consistent with the Company ' s agreement with such third party. Upon termination of his employment with the Company, Employee shall act with respect to such information as set forth in Section 7.4 mutatis mutandis .

7.6 The Employee ' s undertakings in this section 7 shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms after termination of this Agreement or any renewal thereof.

8. Non-Competition

8.1 The Employee agrees and undertakes that he will not, so long as he is employed by the Company and for a period of six (6) months following termination of his employment for whatever reason, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, joint venturer, stockholder, employee, broker, agent, principal, corporate officer, director, licensor or in any other capacity whatever engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by, or have any connection with any business or venture that is engaged in any activities competing with the Company in the field of petroleum exploration, production and marketing in Israel or any other region or territory in which the Company is conducting petroleum exploration, production or marketing activities; provided , however , that the Employee may own securities of any corporation or other entity which is engaged in such business and is publicly owned and traded but in an amount not to exceed at any one time one percent (1%) of any class of stock or securities of such entity so long as he has no active role therein as director, employee, consultant or otherwise, unless otherwise specifically approved by the Board.

8.2 The Employee agrees and undertakes that during the period of his employment and for a period of twelve (12) months following termination, he will not, directly or indirectly, including personally or in any business in which he is an officer, director or shareholder, for any purpose or in any place, employ any


person employed by the Company or retained by the Company as a consultant on the date of such termination or during the preceding six (6) months.

8.3 If any one or more of the terms contained in this section 8 shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad with regard to time, geographic scope or activity, the term shall be construed in a manner to enable it to be enforced to the extent compatible with applicable law.

9. Indemnification and Insurance

9.1 The Company shall indemnify the Employee against, and hold him harmless, from any and all judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements and expenses (including attorney ' s fees and court costs) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit or proceeding whether or not by or in the right of the Company to which Employee is or may be made a party or is or shall be threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the Employee is an officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, nonprofit entity, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable law, and such indemnity shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the Employee.

9.2 The right to indemnification under this section 9 shall include the Employee ' s right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its disposition; provided , however , that, if the applicable law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by the Employee in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Employee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the Employee is not entitled to be indemnified under this section 9 or otherwise.

9.3 The Company shall purchase and maintain insurance coverage in an amount to be determined from time to time by the Board taking into account the nature and extent of the Company ' s activities and the cost of coverage, but in no event less than that maintained by the Company for any other director or executive officer of the Company, on behalf of the Employee both in his capacity as an officer, director and employee of the Company and, if he so serves at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any legally insurable liability asserted against the Employee and incurred by the Employee in any such capacity, or arising out of the Employee ' s status as such.

10. Taxes

Any and all taxes, fees and other liabilities (as may apply from time to time) in connection with the Salary (section 3 above) or with Employee Benefits (section 4 above) or with the Additional Benefits (section 5 above) or with any other payment to which the Employee is entitled under this Agreement will be borne by the Employee and, except as otherwise expressly set out in this Agreement, the Employee shall be solely liable for all such taxes, fees and other liabilities.

11. Mutual Representations

11.1 The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the fulfillment of the terms hereof (i) will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement or other instrument to which he is a party or by which he is bound, and (ii) do not require the consent of any person or entity.

11.2 The Company represents and warrants to the Employee that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and that the fulfillment of the terms hereof (i) will not


constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, and (ii) do not require the consent of any person or entity.

11.3 Each party hereto warrants and represents to the other that this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such party enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors ' rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless if enforcement is sought in proceeding in equity or at law).

12. Notice; Addresses

12.1 The addresses of the parties for purposes of this Agreement shall be the addresses set forth above, or any other address which shall be provided by due notice given in accordance with the provisions of section 12.2 below.

12.2 All notices in connection with this Agreement shall be sent by registered mail or delivered by hand or courier service to the addresses set forth above, and shall be deemed to have been delivered to the other party at the earlier of the following two dates: (a) if sent by registered mail or courier service, as aforesaid, three (3) business days from the date of mailing; and (b) if delivered by hand - upon actual delivery or proffer of delivery (in the event of a refusal to accept it) at the address of the addressee. Delivery by cable, telex, facsimile or other electronic communication shall be sufficient and be deemed to have occurred upon electronic confirmation of receipt, with copy sent by first class mail.

13. Miscellaneous

13.1 Headings are included for reference purposes only and are not to be used in interpreting this Agreement.

13.2 No failure, delay or forbearance of either party in exercising any power or right hereunder shall in any way restrict or diminish such party ' s rights and powers under this Agreement, or operate as a waiver of any breach or nonperformance by either party of any terms or conditions hereof.

13.3 No determination of the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall affect the remaining provisions hereof unless the business purpose of this Agreement is substantially frustrated thereby.

13.4 This Agreement is personal and non-assignable by the Employee. It shall inure to the benefit of any corporation or other entity with which the Company shall merge or consolidate or to which the Company shall lease, sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets, and may be assigned by the Company to any affiliate of the Company or to any corporation or entity with which such affiliate shall merge or consolidate or which shall lease or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of such affiliate. Any assignee must assume all the obligations of the Company hereunder, but such assignment and assumption shall not serve as a release of the Company.

13.5 This Agreement is the only agreement between the parties on the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes and replaces all other agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties, concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, including without limitation that certain letter dated September 2, 2003 from the Company to the Employee " Re. " Executive Employment Agreement " ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the rights of either of the parties hereto with respect to the services rendered by the Employee to or on behalf of the Company during any period prior to the Effective Date.

13.6 It is hereby agreed between the parties that the laws of the State of Texas shall apply to this Agreement and that the sole and exclusive place of jurisdiction in any matter arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be in the courts of appropriate jurisdiction in the County of Dallas, Texas.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

/s/ John M. Brown

By:

/s/ E A Soltero

John M. Brown

Name:

Eugene Soltero

Title:

President

 


EXHIBIT 10.5 (ii)

Personal Employment Agreement (Eugene Soltero)

This Personal Employment Agreement (the " Agreement " ) is entered into as of the 1 st day of January 2004 (the " Effective Date " ), by and among Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. , a Delaware corporation with offices at 6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. (in its own name and as successor in interest of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida Corporation, the " Company " ) and Eugene A. Soltero of 7127 Hillgreen Dr., Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. (the " Employee " ).

WHEREAS, the Company was established in April 2000 for the purpose of engaging in oil and gas exploration and production in Israel; and

WHEREAS, since October 2001, the Employee has been serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Company (the " Board " ) and on terms set from time to time by resolution of the Board; and

WHEREAS, the terms of retention of the Employee for the five-year period commencing on the effective date hereof were incorporated in a letter of intent dated September 2, 2003 and ratified by the Board on November 10, 2003; and

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to regularize their relationship and, in that context, the Company desires to continue to engage the Employee and the Employee desires to continue to serve the Company in the capacity of President, Chief Operating Officer and, on an interim basis, Chief Financial Officer in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, conditions, representations and warranties set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

1. Appointment; Extent and Nature of Duties

1.1 Appointment and Duties . The Employee shall be employed as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Until such time as the Company retains the services of a Chief Financial Officer, the Employee shall also serve in such capacity. The Employee shall perform the duties, undertake the responsibilities and exercise the authority customarily performed, undertaken and exercised by persons situated in a similar capacity and as may be further defined from time to time by the Board or Chief Executive Officer. The Employee shall be under the direct supervision, and comply with the directives of, the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of the Company.

1.2 Extent of Services . The Employee shall be employed on a full-time basis and shall devote his entire business time, attention and efforts to the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and the business and affairs of the Company.

2. Term and Termination

2.1 Term . The initial term of employment under this Agreement shall be for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2008 (the " Initial Term " ). Thereafter, the term of Employee ' s employment under this Agreement shall automatically be extended for additional periods of one (1) year (each an " Additional Term " ) at the end of the Initial Term and of each Additional Term, unless either party has given notice to the other of its intention not to extend at least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Additional Term; provided , however , that following the Employee ' s having attained the age of seventy (70), the Term of this Agreement, if still in effect, shall not be automatically extended upon the expiration of the then applicable Additional Term, but shall be extended for additional one (1) year terms only upon the mutual agreement of the Company and the Employee annually no later than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Additional Term then in effect. (The Initial Term and, if the Initial Term is extended, any and all Additional Terms, the " Term " ).


2.2 Termination by the Company . Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the Employee ' s employment may be terminated under the following circumstances:

2.2.1 For Disability . The Company may, upon ninety (90) days prior written notice, terminate Employee ' s employment after having established the Employee ' s Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, " Disability " means a physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Employee ' s ability to substantially perform his duties pursuant to this Agreement which infirmity continues for a period of at least 120 days in any 365 day period. Upon termination for disability, the Company shall continue to pay Employee all salary and benefits hereunder for the remainder of the Term, less any disability insurance payments received by Employee.

2.2.2 For Cause . The Company may terminate the Employee ' s employment for Cause upon written notice to the Employee in which notice the basis for termination shall be set forth. A termination for " Cause " is a termination due to a serious breach of trust, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, self-dealing, prohibited disclosure to unauthorized persons or entities of confidential or propriety information of or relating to the Company or the engaging by Employee in any prohibited business competitive with the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates or associated entities. No termination for Cause shall be effective except subject to the final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to the effect that Employee has committed a serious breach of trust as aforesaid. Except if and to the extent otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Employee shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits provided for under this Agreement for the period prior to the termination of the Employee ' s employment under this section.

2.2.3 Termination Other Than For Cause . The Company may terminate the employment of the Employee other than for Cause at its discretion and at any time on ninety (90) days prior written notice.

2.3 Termination by Employee . Employee may terminate this Agreement and his employment relationship with the Company at his discretion and at any time on ninety (90) days prior written notice.

2.4 Relationship during Notice Period

2.4.1 For purposes hereof, the term " Notice Period " shall mean the period between the giving of any Notice of Termination and the effective date of such notice as provided by sections 2.2 and 2.3 above or between the date of notice of intent not to extend the Term and the date of termination of the Term as provided for in section 2.1 above.

2.4.2 During any Notice Period pursuant to section 2.2.3 above, the Employee shall continue to work and fulfill his duties, hereunder, as an Employee of the Company; provided , however , that the Company shall have the right in its discretion to ask the Employee to cease working at the premises of the Company or to cease to work during all or any part of the Notice Period, in which case and without derogating from the Employee ' s right to Compensation pursuant to sections 2.5.1 and 2.5.2 below to the extent applicable, the Company shall redeem such portion of the Notice Period for which the Company shall have waived its right to the services of the Employee (the " Waived Period " ) by payment to Employee of an amount equal to Employee ' s Salary for the Waived Period, plus such amounts to which the Company is obligated pursuant to sections 4 and 5 below.

2.4.3 In the event Employee continues to work during the Notice Period, he shall cooperate with the Company to ensure an orderly transfer of his responsibilities.

2.4.4 In the event the Employee gives notice of termination pursuant to section 2.3 above or of his intention not to extend the Term pursuant to section 2.1 above, and does not continue to work during all or any part of the Notice Period, the Employee shall forfeit his salary for said portions of the Notice Period during which he does not work. The Company shall have the right to deduct such amount from all and any monies due and owing the Employee from the Company.


2.5 Compensation in the Event of Termination

2.5.1 Termination Other Than for Cause or Disability . Without derogating from the rights of the Employee to compensation during the Notice Period as provided in section 2.4 above, the Employee shall be entitled to compensation in the event of (a) termination or of (b) failure to extend the Term of this Agreement by the Company prior to the Employee ' s attaining the age of seventy (70), other than for Cause or due to Disability, in an amount equal to:

(a) all sums, including Salary pursuant to section 3 below and Employee Benefits as provided in section 4.1 below, to which Employee would otherwise have been entitled if he had remained in the employ of the Company for the portion of the Term during which this Agreement would have remained in effect but for its termination as aforesaid, and

(b) an amount equal to six (6) monthly Base Salaries, as defined in section 3 below.

2.5.2 Change of Control . In the event of (a) termination or of (b) failure to extend the Term of this Agreement prior to the Employee ' s attaining the age of seventy (70), other than for Cause or due to Disability within one (1) year of the completion of a Business Combination as defined in Article Tenth of the Company ' s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, then in addition to any rights of the Employee during the Notice Period as provided in section 2.4 and pursuant to section 2.5.1 above, the Employee shall be entitled to compensation in an amount equal to thirty six (36) monthly Base Salaries.

3. Salary

As compensation for the Employee ' s services hereunder, the Company shall pay the Employee a monthly gross salary (the " Salary " ) of US $16,667 (US $200,000 annually) (as such may be increased from time to time by decision of the Board, the " Base Salary " ), payable to Employee on the first business day of each month during the term of the Employee ' s engagement hereunder in arrears for the month just ended.

4. Employee Benefits

4.1 Insurance . Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall purchase or participate in the purchase for the benefit of the Employee an insurance package consisting of medical insurance, life insurance and long term disability insurance of such nature and providing such coverage as the Employee may request, provided that in no event shall the cost to the Company of the premiums for such insurance exceed US $2,000 per month. Except if the Employee specifically requests otherwise, the Company may fulfill its obligations hereunder by providing insurance coverage of the Employee in any group life or group health plan maintained by the Company for its employees based in the United States.

 

4.2 Vacation . The Employee shall be entitled to an annual vacation of twenty- three (23) working days at full pay. Vacation days may be accumulated for two (2) years, after which they must be used or redeemed; provided that accumulation of vacation days in excess of forty six (46) days may be approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in his discretion.

4.3 Sick Pay

(a) The Employee shall be entitled to up to thirty (30) days per year of fully paid sick leave, against a doctor ' s confirmation, which leave can be accumulated for a period of up to a maximum of five (5) years; provided , however , that the Employee shall not be entitled to sick leave payment to the extent already covered by any insurance component of any plan established by or for the benefit of the Employee pursuant to section 4.1 above.

(b) The Employee shall not for any reason or in any circumstances be entitled to redeem any accumulated but unused sick leave upon termination of his employment under this Agreement.


5. Additional Benefits

5.1 Cellular Phone . Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall provide Employee with a Company cellular phone for Company business. Until such time as the Company purchases or leases cellular phones on its own account, the Company shall reimburse the Employee his expenses in maintaining and using one cellular phone (one number).

5.2 Professional Fees . Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall reimburse Employee professional license fees and periodic membership dues for the professional societies and business/social organizations the maintenance of which is hereby acknowledged to be connected with and necessary for the proper performance of the Employee ' s duties under this Agreement, including:

(a) State of Texas - Registered Professional Engineer

(b) American Society of Petroleum Engineers

(c) Dallas Petroleum Club

(d) One local golf or country club (e.g. Royal Oaks Country Club).

(e) additional as may from time to time be approved by the Chief Executive Officer.

5.3 Expenses . The Employee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the expense reimbursement policy adopted by the Board or with the prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

6. Long-Term Management Incentive Plan

The Company has resolved to establish a long-term management incentive plan, which may be structured as an employee ' s royalty pool, to be funded by the equivalent of a 1.5% overriding royalty or equivalent net profits interest (after pay-out calculated on a well by well basis) (the " Plan " ). Upon its establishment, the Employee shall be granted a 10% (ten percent) interest in Plan income attributable to wells drilled (no matter when drilled) on any oil and gas property acquired by the Company prior to the end of the Term or earlier termination of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. To the extent less than 100% of the interests in the Plan with respect to a single well have been awarded at the time the well is spudded, Employee shall share pro-rata with the other Plan participants in the excess unawarded amounts.

7. Propriety Information

7.1 The Employee acknowledges and agrees that, in the course of his employment by the Company, he will have access to confidential and propriety information of the Company regarding, without limitation, the business, financial, research, exploratory, engineering, production, marketing and sales activities of the Company. Such information, whether documentary, written, oral or computer generated, shall be deemed to be and referred to as " Proprietary Information " .

7.2 Proprietary Information shall be deemed to include any and all proprietary information disclosed by or on behalf of the Company and irrespective of form, but excluding information that: (i) was known to the Employee prior to his association with the Company and can be so proven; (ii) shall have appeared in any printed publication or patent or shall have become a part of the public knowledge except as a result of a breach of this Agreement by the Employee; (iii) shall have been received by the Employee from a third party having no obligation to the Company; (iv) reflects general skills and experience gained during the Employee ' s engagement by the Company; or (v) reflects information and data generally known within the industries or trades in which the Company transacts business.

7.3 The Employee agrees and declares that all Proprietary Information, patents and other rights in connection therewith shall be the sole property of the Company and its assigns. At all times, both during his engagement by the Company and for a period of five (5) years after its termination, the Employee will


keep in confidence and trust all Proprietary Information, and the Employee will not use or disclose any Proprietary Information or anything relating to it without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Employee ' s duties hereunder and in the best interests of the Company.

7.4 Upon termination of his employment with the Company, the Employee will promptly deliver to the Company all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to his work with the Company, and he will not take with him any documents or materials or copies thereof containing any Proprietary Information.

7.5 The Employee recognizes that the Company received and will receive confidential or proprietary information from third parties subject to a duty on the Company ' s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. At all times, both during his employment and after its termination, the Employee undertakes to keep and hold all such information in strict confidence and trust, and he will not use or disclose any of such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary to perform his duties as an employee of the Company and consistent with the Company ' s agreement with such third party. Upon termination of his employment with the Company, Employee shall act with respect to such information as set forth in Section 7.4 mutatis mutandis .

7.6 The Employee ' s undertakings in this section 7 shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms after termination of this Agreement or any renewal thereof.

8. Non-Competition

8.1 The Employee agrees and undertakes that he will not, so long as he is employed by the Company and for a period of six (6) months following termination of his employment for whatever reason, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, joint venturer, stockholder, employee, broker, agent, principal, corporate officer, director, licensor or in any other capacity whatever engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by, or have any connection with any business or venture that is engaged in any activities competing with the Company in the field of petroleum exploration, production and marketing in Israel or any other region or territory in which the Company is conducting petroleum exploration, production or marketing activities; provided , however , that the Employee may own securities of any corporation or other entity which is engaged in such business and is publicly owned and traded but in an amount not to exceed at any one time one percent (1%) of any class of stock or securities of such entity so long as he has no active role therein as director, employee, consultant or otherwise, unless otherwise specifically approved by the Board.

8.2 The Employee agrees and undertakes that during the period of his employment and for a period of twelve (12) months following termination, he will not, directly or indirectly, including personally or in any business in which he is an officer, director or shareholder, for any purpose or in any place, employ any person employed by the Company or retained by the Company as a consultant on the date of such termination or during the preceding six (6) months.

8.3 If any one or more of the terms contained in this section 8 shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad with regard to time, geographic scope or activity, the term shall be construed in a manner to enable it to be enforced to the extent compatible with applicable law.

9. Indemnification and Insurance

9.1 The Company shall indemnify the Employee against, and hold him harmless, from any and all judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements and expenses (including attorney ' s fees and court costs) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit or proceeding whether or not by or in the right of the Company to which Employee is or may be made a party or is or shall be threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the Employee is an officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a


director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, nonprofit entity, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable law, and such indemnity shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the Employee.

9.2 The right to indemnification under this section 9 shall include the Employee ' s right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its disposition; provided , however , that, if the applicable law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by the Employee in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Employee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the Employee is not entitled to be indemnified under this section 9 or otherwise.

9.3 The Company shall purchase and maintain insurance coverage in an amount to be determined from time to time by the Board taking into account the nature and extent of the Company ' s activities and the cost of coverage, but in no event less than that maintained by the Company for any other director or executive officer of the Company, on behalf of the Employee, both in his capacity as an officer, director and employee of the Company and, if he so serves at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any legally insurable liability asserted against the Employee and incurred by the Employee in any such capacity or arising out of Employee ' s status as such.

10. Taxes

Any and all taxes, fees and other liabilities (as may apply from time to time) in connection with the Salary (section 3 above) or with Employee Benefits (section 4 above) or with the Additional Benefits (section 5 above) or with any other payment to which the Employee is entitled under this Agreement will be borne by the Employee and, except as otherwise expressly set out in this Agreement, the Employee shall be solely liable for all such taxes, fees and other liabilities.

11. Mutual Representations

11.1 The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the fulfillment of the terms hereof (i) will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement or other instrument to which he is a party or by which he is bound, and (ii) do not require the consent of any person or entity.

11.2 The Company represents and warrants to the Employee that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and that the fulfillment of the terms hereof (i) will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, and (ii) do not require the consent of any person or entity.

11.3 Each party hereto warrants and represents to the other that this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such party enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors ' rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless if enforcement is sought in proceeding in equity or at law).

12. Notice; Addresses

12.1 The addresses of the parties for purposes of this Agreement shall be the addresses set forth above, or any other address which shall be provided by due notice given in accordance with the provisions of section 12.2 below.

12.2 All notices in connection with this Agreement shall be sent by registered mail or delivered by hand or courier service to the addresses set forth above, and shall be deemed to have been delivered to the


other party at the earlier of the following two dates: (a) if sent by registered mail or courier service, as aforesaid, three (3) business days from the date of mailing; and (b) if delivered by hand - upon actual delivery or proffer of delivery (in the event of a refusal to accept it) at the address of the addressee. Delivery by cable, telex, facsimile or other electronic communication shall be sufficient and be deemed to have occurred upon electronic confirmation of receipt, with copy sent by first class mail.

13. Miscellaneous

13.1 Headings are included for reference purposes only and are not to be used in interpreting this Agreement.

13.2 No failure, delay or forbearance of either party in exercising any power or right hereunder shall in any way restrict or diminish such party ' s rights and powers under this Agreement, or operate as a waiver of any breach or nonperformance by either party of any terms or conditions hereof.

13.3 No determination of the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall affect the remaining provisions hereof unless the business purpose of this Agreement is substantially frustrated thereby.

13.4 This Agreement is personal and non-assignable by the Employee. It shall inure to the benefit of any corporation or other entity with which the Company shall merge or consolidate or to which the Company shall lease, sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets, and may be assigned by the Company to any affiliate of the Company or to any corporation or entity with which such affiliate shall merge or consolidate or which shall lease or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of such affiliate. Any assignee must assume all the obligations of the Company hereunder, but such assignment and assumption shall not serve as a release of the Company.

13.5 This Agreement is the only agreement between the parties on the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes and replaces all other agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties, concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, including without limitation that certain letter dated September 2, 2003 from the Company to the Employee " Re: Executive Employment Agreement " ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the rights of either of the parties hereto with respect to the services rendered by the Employee to or on behalf of the Company during any period prior to the Effective Date.

13.6 It is hereby agreed between the parties that the laws of the State of Texas shall apply to this Agreement and that the sole and exclusive place of jurisdiction in any matter arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be in the courts of appropriate jurisdiction in the county of Dallas, Texas.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

/s/ E A Soltero

By:

/s/ John Brown

Eugene A. Soltero

Name:

John Brown

Title:

Chairman & CEO

 


EXHIBIT 10.5 (iii)

Personal Employment Agreement (Glen Perry)

This Personal Employment Agreement (the " Agreement " ) is entered into as of the 1 st day of January 2004 (the " Effective Date " ), by and among Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. , a Delaware corporation with offices at 6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. (in its own name and as successor in interest of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida Corporation, the " Company " ) and Glen H. Perry of 3600 Rock Prairie Rd., College Station, TX. 77845, U.S.A. (the " Employee " ).

WHEREAS, the Company was established in April 2000 for the purpose of engaging in oil and gas exploration and production in Israel; and

WHEREAS, since its establishment, the Employee has been serving as Executive Vice President of the Company at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Company (the " Board " ) and on terms set from time to time by resolution of the Board; and

WHEREAS, the terms of retention of the Employee for the five-year period commencing on the effective date hereof were incorporated in a letter of intent dated September 2, 2003 and ratified by the Board on November 10, 2003; and

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to regularize their relationship and, in that context, the Company desires to continue to engage the Employee and the Employee desires to continue to serve the Company in the capacity of Executive Vice President in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, conditions, representations and warranties set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

1. Appointment; Extent and Nature of Duties

1.1 Appointment and Duties . The Employee shall be employed as Executive Vice President of the Company and General Manager of Israeli Operations, with supervisory responsibility for all activities of the Israeli Branch. The Employee shall perform the duties, undertake the responsibilities and exercise the authority customarily performed, undertaken and exercised by persons situated in a similar capacity as may be further defined from time to time by the Board or Chief Executive Officer. The Employee shall serve under the direct supervision, and comply with the directives of, the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and in his absence, of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

1.2 Extent of Services . The Employee shall be employed on a full-time basis and shall devote his entire business time, attention and efforts to the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and the business and affairs of the Company.

2. Term and Termination

2.1 Term . The initial term of employment under this Agreement shall be for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2008 (the " Initial Term " ). Thereafter, the term of Employee ' s employment under this Agreement shall automatically be extended for additional periods of one (1) year (each an " Additional Term " ) at the end of the Initial Term and of each Additional Term, unless either party has given notice to the other of its intention not to extend at least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Additional Term; provided , however , that following the Employee ' s having attained the age of seventy (70), the Term of this Agreement, if still in effect, shall not be automatically extended upon the expiration of the then applicable Additional Term, but shall be extended for additional one (1) year terms only upon the mutual agreement of the Company and the Employee annually no later than ninety (90) days prior to end of the then applicable Additional Term. (The Initial Term and, if the Initial Term is extended, any and all Additional Terms, the " Term " ).

2.2 Termination by the Company . Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the Employee ' s employment may be terminated under the following circumstances:


2.2.1 For Disability . The Company may, upon ninety (90) days prior written notice, terminate Employee ' s employment after having established the Employee ' s Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, " Disability " means a physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Employee ' s ability to substantially perform his duties pursuant to this Agreement which infirmity continues for a period of at least 120 days in any 365 day period. Upon termination for disability, the Company shall continue to pay Employee all salary and benefits hereunder for the remainder of the Term, less any disability insurance payments received by Employee.

2.2.2 For Cause . The Company may terminate the Employee ' s employment for Cause upon written notice to the Employee in which notice the basis for termination shall be set forth. A termination for " Cause " is a termination due to a serious breach of trust, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, self-dealing, prohibited disclosure to unauthorized persons or entities of confidential or propriety information of or relating to the Company or the engaging by Employee in any prohibited business competitive with the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates or associated entities. No termination for Cause shall be effective except subject to the final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to the effect that Employee has committed a serious breach of trust as aforesaid. Except if and to the extent otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Employee shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits provided for under this Agreement for the period prior to the termination of the Employee ' s employment under this section.

2.2.3 Termination Other Than For Cause . The Company may terminate the employment of the Employee other than for Cause at its discretion and at any time on ninety (90) days prior written notice.

2.3 Termination by Employee . Employee may terminate this Agreement and his employment relationship with the Company at his discretion and at any time on ninety (90) days prior written notice.

2.4 Relationship during Notice Period

2.4.1 For purposes hereof, the term " Notice Period " shall mean the period between the giving of any Notice of Termination and the effective date of such notice as provided by sections 2.2 and 2.3 above or between the date of notice of intent not to extend the Term and the date of termination of the Term as provided for in section 2.1 above.

2.4.2 During any Notice Period pursuant to section 2.2.3 above, the Employee shall continue to work and fulfill his duties, hereunder, as an Employee of the Company; provided , however , that the Company shall have the right in its discretion to ask the Employee to cease working at the premises of the Company or to cease to work during all or any part of the Notice Period, in which case and without derogating from the Employee ' s right to Compensation pursuant to sections 2.5.1 and 2.5.2 below to the extent applicable, the Company shall redeem such portion of the Notice Period for which the Company shall have waived its right to the services of the Employee (the " Waived Period " ) by payment to Employee of an amount equal to Employee ' s Salary for the Waived Period, plus such amounts to which the Company is obligated pursuant to sections 4 and 5 below.

2.4.3 In the event Employee continues to work during the Notice Period, he shall cooperate with the Company to ensure an orderly transfer of his responsibilities.

2.4.4 In the event the Employee gives notice of termination pursuant to section 2.3 above or of his intention not to extend the Term pursuant to section 2.1 above, and does not continue to work during all or any part of the Notice Period, the Employee shall forfeit his salary for said portions of the Notice Period during which he does not work. The Company shall have the right to deduct such amount from all and any monies due and owing the Employee from the Company.


2.5 Compensation in the Event of Termination

2.5.1 Termination Other Than for Cause or Disability . Without derogating from the rights of the Employee to compensation during the Notice Period as provided in section 2.4 above, the Employee shall be entitled to compensation in the event of (a) termination or of (b) failure to extend the Term of the Agreement by the Company prior to the Employee ' s attaining the age of seventy (70), other than for Cause or due to Disability, in an amount equal to:

(a) all sums, including Salary pursuant to section 3 below and Employee Benefits as provided in section 4.1 below, to which Employee would otherwise have been entitled if he had remained in the employ of the Company for the portion of the Term during which this Agreement would have remained in effect but for its termination as aforesaid, and

(b) an amount equal to six (6) monthly Base Salaries, as defined in section 3 below.

2.5.2 Change of Control . In the event of (a) termination or of (b) failure to extend the Term of this Agreement prior to the Employee ' s attaining the age of seventy (70), other than for Cause or due to Disability within one (1) year of the completion of a Business Combination as defined in Article Tenth of the Company ' s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, then in addition to any rights of the Employee during the Notice Period as provided in section 2.4 and pursuant to section 2.5.1 above, the Employee shall be entitled to compensation in an amount equal to thirty six (36) monthly Base Salaries.

3. Salary

As compensation for the Employee ' s services hereunder, the Company shall pay the Employee a monthly gross salary (the " Salary " ) of US $16,667 (US $200,000 annually) (as such may be increased from time to time by decision of the Board, the " Base Salary " ), payable to Employee on the first business day of each month during the term of the Employee ' s engagement hereunder in arrears for the month just ended.

4. Employee Benefits

4.1 Insurance .

Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall purchase or participate in the purchase for the benefit of the Employee an insurance package consisting of medical insurance, life insurnace and long term disability insurance of such nature and providing such coverage as the Employee may request, provided that in no event shall the cost to the Company of the premiums for such insurance exceed US $2,000 per month. Except if the Employee specifically requests otherwise, the Company may fulfill its obligations hereunder by providing insurance coverage of the Employee in any group life or group health plan maintained by the Company for its employees based in the United States.

4.2 Vacation . The Employee shall be entitled to an annual vacation of twenty three (23) working days at full pay. Vacation days may be accummulated for two (2) years, after which they must be used or redeemed; provided that accummulation of vacation days in excess of forty six (46) days may be approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in his discretion.

4.3 Sick Pay

(a) The Employee shall be entitled to up to thirty (30) days per year of fully paid sick leave, against a doctor ' s confirmation, which leave can be accummulated for a period of up to a maximum of five (5) years; provided , however , that the Employee shall not be entitled to sick leave payment to the extent already covered by any insurance component of any plan established by or for the benefit of the Employee pursuant to section 4.1 above.

(b) The Employee shall not for any reason or in any circumstances be entitled to redeem any accumulated but unused sick leave upon termination of his employment under this Agreement.

(c) It is agreed that payment on account of sick leave as provided herein shall be deemed in full compliance with the Company ' s obligations to Employee under any applicable law.


5. Additional Benefits

5.1 Cellular Phone . Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall provide Employee with a Company cellular phone for Company business. Until such time as the Company purchases or leases cellular phones on its own account, the Company shall reimburse the Employee his expenses in maintaining and using one cellular phone (one number).

5.2 Professional Fees . Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall reimburse Employee professional license fees and periodic membership dues for the professional societies and business/social organizations the maintenance of which is hereby acknowledged to be connected with and necessary for the proper performance of the Employee ' s duties under this Agreement, including:

(a) American Society of Petroleum Engineers

(b) One golf or fitness club

(d) additional as may from time to time be approved by the Chief Executive Officer.

5.3 Expenses . The Employee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the expense reimbursement policy adopted by the Board or with the prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer or the President of the Company.

6. Long-Term Management Incentive Plan

The Company has resolved to establish a long-term management incentive plan, which may be structured as an employee ' s royalty pool, to be funded by the equivalent of a 1.5% overriding royalty or equivalent net profits interest (after pay-out calculated on a well by well basis) (the " Plan " ). Upon its establishment, the Employee shall be granted a 10% (ten percent) interest in Plan income attributable to wells drilled (no matter when drilled) on any oil and gas property acquired by the Company prior to the end of the Term or earlier termination of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. To the extent less than 100% of the interests in the Plan with respect to a single well have been awarded at the time the well is spudded, Employee shall share pro-rata with the other Plan participants in the excess unawarded amounts.

7. Relocation

7.1 Obligation to Relocate. At the Company ' s request, which may be given in the Company ' s sole discretion (a " Relocation Notice " ), the Employee shall relocate to Israel for such period as the Company shall deem in its best interests.

7.2 Employee Benefits in the Event of Relocation . Upon relocation to Israel as aforesaid and during the period of Employee ' s employment in Israel, Employee and Company will seek the advice of a competent tax authority to determine the best combination status and benefits for both the Employee and Company. The total compensation cost to the Company for such package shall be equal to or less than the cost to the Company for the package of salary, benefits and other compensation set forth in Sections 7.3 through 7.5 below.

7.3 An Israeli Managers Insurance Policy ( " Bituach Mnahalim " ) providing for:

(i) allocation and payment by the Company to a Provident Fund ( " Kupat Gemel " ) (as defined in Section 47 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance) (the " Fund " ) a sum equal to 13⅓% of the Employee ' s Salary as it may be from time to time (such sum, the " Company ' s Contribution " ), to be allocated as follows " (X) 8⅓% towards Severance Pay ( Pitzuei Piturim " ); and (Y) 5% to pension benefits ( " Tagmulim " );

(ii) payment by the Company of an amount equal to 21/2% of the Employee ' s Salary towards the purchase of disability insurance for the Employee; and

(iii) deduction by the Company of an amount equal to 5% of the Employee ' s Salary (the " Employee ' s Contribution " ) and deposit of such sum in the fund to be allocated to pension benefits (Tagmulim);


(iv) in the event of the termination or failure to extend the term of this Agreement for any reason whether at the Company ' s or the Employee ' s instance, release to the Employee ' s benefit all funds that have accrued to the Employee ' s benefit; provided that in the event of termination of this Agreement by the Company for Cause or by the Employee in circumstances under which the Company would have the right to deny the Employee severance pay ( " Pitzuei Piturim " ) pursuant to the provisions of the Israeli Severance Pay Law, 5723-1953, in whole or in part, the Employee shall be entitled to the release of only such sums as accrued in the Fund attributable to the Employee ' s Contribution.

(v) That part of the Company ' s Contribution allocated as provided in clause (i)(X) of this Section 7.3 above, together with all income thereon of whatever nature, shall be on account of Severance Pay that shall be due, if due, to Employee pursuant to the provisions of clause (iv) of this Section 7.3 or pursuant to the Israeli Severance Pay Law, 5723-1953.

7.4 Additional Employee Benefits . Additional benefits providing for:

(a) Recuperation Allowance ( " Dmei Havra ' ah " ) of ten (10) days per year at a rate provided from time to time by applicable Israeli law. The Recuperation Allowance shall be paid semi-annually at the rate of five (5) days per each semi-annual period together with payment of the Employee ' s June and December Salaries; and

(b) provided that the Employee has a driver ' s license valid for driving in Israel he shall have the full-time use one four-wheel drive vehicle on a regular basis due to the 24 hour nature of his responsibilities, the expenses of which shall be paid by the Company; and

(c) the Company shall arrange for parking for the Employee at his place of work and shall reimburse him for his parking expenses based on receipts he shall produce to the Company.

7.4 Currency and Tax Payments . Following the Employee ' s relocation to Israel, such part of Employee ' s Salary shall be paid in Israel in NIS at the Representative Rate of the U.S.Dollar as against the NIS last published by the Bank of Israel and known at the time of payment (the " Representative Rate " ) and such part in United States Dollars outside of Israel as Employee may request, provided that (a) the Company withhold and pay to the Israeli Income Tax, National Insurance and other relevant authorities, if any, whether in Israel or the United States, in timely manner all amounts as may be due from time to time on Employee ' s Salary in full and associated payments under applicable Israeli law, and (b) pursuant to section 7.3 above, the Company make payments thereunder as provided in accordance with the terms of the Manager ' s Insurance Policy purchased on the basis of the Employee ' s Salary as such may be from time to time.

8. Propriety Information

8.1 The Employee acknowledges and agrees that, in the course of his employment by the Company, he will have access to confidential and propriety information of the Company regarding, without limitation, the business, financial, research, exploratory, engineering, production, marketing and sales activities of the Company. Such information, whether documentary, written, oral or computer generated, shall be deemed to be and referred to as " Proprietary Information " .

8.2 Proprietary Information shall be deemed to include any and all proprietary information disclosed by or on behalf of the Company and irrespective of form, but excluding information that: (i) was known to the Employee prior to his association with the Company and can be so proven; (ii) shall have appeared in any printed publication or patent or shall have become a part of the public knowledge except as a result of a breach of this Agreement by the Employee; (iii) shall have been received by the Employee from a third party having no obligation to the Company; (iv) reflects general skills and experience gained during the Employee ' s engagement by the Company; or (v) reflects information and data generally known within the industries or trades in which the Company transacts business.

8.3 The Employee agrees and declares that all Proprietary Information, patents and other rights in connection therewith shall be the sole property of the Company and its assigns. At all times, both during his engagement by the Company and for a period of five (5) years after its termination, the Employee will keep in confidence and trust all Proprietary Information, and the Employee will not use or disclose any


Proprietary Information or anything relating to it without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Employee ' s duties hereunder and in the best interests of the Company.

8.4 Upon termination of his employment with the Company, the Employee will promptly deliver to the Company all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to his work with the Company, and he will not take with him any documents or materials or copies thereof containing any Proprietary Information.

8.5 The Employee recognizes that the Company received and will receive confidential or proprietary information from third parties subject to a duty on the Company ' s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. At all times, both during his employment and after its termination, the Employee undertakes to keep and hold all such information in strict confidence and trust, and he will not use or disclose any of such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary to perform his duties as an employee of the Company and consistent with the Company ' s agreement with such third party. Upon termination of his employment with the Company, Employee shall act with respect to such information as set forth in Section 8.4 mutatis mutandis .

8.6 The Employee ' s undertakings in this section 8 shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms after termination of this Agreement or any renewal thereof.

9. Non-Competition

9.1 The Employee agrees and undertakes that he will not, so long as he is employed by the Company and for a period of six (6) months following termination of his employment for whatever reason, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, joint venturer, stockholder, employee, broker, agent, principal, corporate officer, director, licensor or in any other capacity whatever engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by, or have any connection with any business or venture that is engaged in any activities competing with the Company in the field of petroleum exploration, production and marketing in Israel or any other region or territory in which the Company is conducting or considering the conduct of petroleum exploration, production or marketing activities; provided , however , that the Employee may own securities of any corporation or other entity which is engaged in such business and is publicly owned and traded but in an amount not to exceed at any one time one percent (1%) of any class of stock or securities of such entity so long as he has no active role therein as director, employee, consultant or otherwise, unless otherwise specifically approved by the Board.

9.2 The Employee agrees and undertakes that during the period of his employment and for a period of twelve (12) months following termination, he will not, directly or indirectly, including personally or in any business in which he is an officer, director or shareholder, for any purpose or in any place, employ any person employed by the Company or retained by the Company as a consultant on the date of such termination or during the preceding six (6) months.

9.3 If any one or more of the terms contained in this section 9 shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad with regard to time, geographic scope or activity, the term shall be construed in a manner to enable it to be enforced to the extent compatible with applicable law.

10. Indemnification and Insurance

10.1 The Company shall indemnify the Employee against, and hold him harmless, from any and all judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements and expenses (including attorney ' s fees and court costs) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit or proceeding whether or not by or in the right of the Company to which Employee is or may be made a party or is or shall be threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the Employee is an officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, nonprofit entity, employee benefit plan or


other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable law, and such indemnity shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the Employee.

10.2 The right to indemnification under this section 10 shall include the Employee ' s right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its disposition; provided , however , that, if the applicable law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by the Employee in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Employee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the Employee is not entitled to be indemnified under this section 9 or otherwise.

10.3 The Company shall purchase and maintin insurance coverage in an amount to be determined from time to time by the Board taking into account the nature and extent of the Company ' s activities and the cost of coverage, but in no event less than that maintained by the Company for any other director or executive officer of the Company, on behalf of the Employee both in his capacity as an officer, director and employee of the Company and if be so serves at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterise, against any legally insurable liability asserted against the Employee and incurred by the Employee in any such capacity, or arising out of the Employee ' s status as such.

11. Taxes

Any and all taxes, fees and other liabilities (as may apply from time to time) in connection with the Salary (section 3 above) or with the Social Insurance and Employee Benefits (section 4 above) or with the Additional Benefits (section 5 above) or with any other payment to which the Employee is entitled under this Agreement will be borne by the Employee and, except as otherwise expressly set out in this Agreement, the Employee shall be solely liable for all such taxes, fees and other liabilities.

12. Mutual Representations

12.1 The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the fulfillment of the terms hereof (i) will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement or other instrument to which he is a party or by which he is bound, and (ii) do not require the consent of any person or entity.

12.2 The Company represents and warrants to the Employee that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and that the fulfillment of the terms hereof (i) will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, and (ii) do not require the consent of any person or entity.

12.3 Each party hereto warrants and represents to the other that this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such party enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors ' rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless if enforcement is sought in proceeding in equity or at law).

13. Notice; Addresses

13.1 The addresses of the parties for purposes of this Agreement shall be the addresses set forth above, or any other address which shall be provided by due notice given in accordance with the provisions of section 13.2 below.

13.2 All notices in connection with this Agreement shall be sent by registered mail or delivered by hand or courier service to the addresses set forth above, and shall be deemed to have been delivered to the other party at the earlier of the following two dates: (a) if sent by registered mail or courier service, as aforesaid, three (3) or, if the Employee has been relocated to Israel and changed his address for notice purposes to an address in Israel, five (5) business days from the date of mailing; and (b) if delivered by hand - upon actual delivery or proffer of delivery (in the event of a refusal to accept it) at the address of the addressee. Delivery by cable, telex, facsimile or other electronic communication shall be sufficient


and be deemed to have occurred upon electronic confirmation of receipt, with copy sent by first class mail.

14. Miscellaneous

14.1 Headings are included for reference purposes only and are not to be used in interpreting this Agreement.

14.2 The provisions of this Agreement are in lieu of the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement or arrangement and, therefore, no collective bargaining agreement or arrangement shall apply with respect to the relationship between the parties hereto (subject to the applicable provisions of law).

14.3 No failure, delay or forbearance of either party in exercising any power or right hereunder shall in any way restrict or diminish such party ' s rights and powers under this Agreement, or operate as a waiver of any breach or nonperformance by either party of any terms or conditions hereof.

14.4 No determination of the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall affect the remaining provisions hereof unless the business purpose of this Agreement is substantially frustrated thereby.

14.5 This Agreement is personal and non-assignable by the Employee. It shall inure to the benefit of any corporation or other entity with which the Company shall merge or consolidate or to which the Company shall lease, sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets, and may be assigned by the Company to any affiliate of the Company or to any corporation or entity with which such affiliate shall merge or consolidate or which shall lease or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of such affiliate. Any assignee must assume all the obligations of the Company hereunder, but such assignment and assumption shall not serve as a release of the Company.

14.6 This Agreement is the only agreement between the parties on the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes and replaces all other agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties, concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, including without limitation that certain letter dated September 2, 2003 from the Company to the Employee " Re: Executive Employment Agreement " ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the rights of either of the parties hereto with respect to the services rendered by the Employee to or on behalf of the Company during any period prior to the Effective Date.

14.7 It is hereby agreed between the parties that the laws of the State of Texas shall apply to this Agreement and that the sole and exclusive place of jurisdiction in any matter arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be in the courts of appropriate jurisdiction in the County of Dallas, Texas.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

/s/ Glen H. Perry

By:

/s/ John Brown

Glen H. Perry

Name:

John Brown

Title:

Chairman & CEO


EXHIBIT 10.5 (iv)

RETENTION AGREEMENT (MANDELKER )

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

6510 Abrams Road, Dallas, TX 75231

214-221-4610

 

As of January 1, 2004

Mr. Philip Mandelker,

44 Tagore Street

Tel Aviv, Israel

Re: Retention Agreement

Dear Mr. Mandelker,

This letter serves to confirm our agreement with you to retain your services as outside General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (the " Company " ). Such services shall include: (i) oversight responsibility for administrative and financial matters of the Company's Israeli Branch, reporting to the Executive Vice-President and General Manager of Israeli Operations; and (ii) legal oversight responsibility for the corporation, reporting to the President and Chief Operating Officer. In consideration for your services, you shall receive a monthly retainer as follows:

During the period commencing January 1, 2004 the NIS equivalent of $12,500 per month, plus out of pocket disbursements, plus VAT.

In addition, the Company shall pay the law firm with which you are associated a monthly office services fee of the NIS equivalent $2,000, plus VAT. Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall also bear the cost of a cell phone (one line) and your professional fees and insurance related to the performance of your duties.

As soon as practicable following the date upon which the Company shall have closed $8,000,000 in subscriptions of its initial public offering as currently on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company shall employ you as its Executive Vice President and General Counsel pursuant to the attached Executive Employment Agreement.

Very truly yours,

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

/s/ John M. Brown

John M. Brown, Chairman and CEO

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

_/s/ Philip Mandelker

Philip Mandelker


Personal Employment Agreement

( Attached to and made a part of that certain Retention Agreement dated as of January 1, 2004 )

This Personal Employment Agreement (the " Agreement " ) is entered into as of the ___ day of _______ 2004 (the " Effective Date " ), by and among Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. , a Delaware corporation with offices at 6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. (in its own name and as successor in interest of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida Corporation, the " Company " ) and Philip Mandelker of 44 Tagore St., Tel-Aviv, 69341, Israel (the " Employee " ).

WHEREAS, the Company was established in April 2000 for the purpose of engaging in oil and gas exploration and production in Israel; and

WHEREAS, since the establishment of the Company, the Employee, an attorney in private legal practice, has been serving as General Counsel of the Company and, since 2002 as the corporate Secretary of the Company at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Company (the " Board " ) and on terms set from time to time by resolution of the Board; and

WHEREAS, the terms of retention of the Employee ' s services for the period commencing January 1, 2004 were fixed in a written retention agreement effective as of January 1, 2004 (the " Retention Agreement " ); and

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to restructure their relationship so that the Employee join the Company as a full time employee and continue to serve the Company in the capacity of Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, conditions, representations and warranties set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

1. Appointment; Extent and Nature of Duties; Termination of Retainer Agreement

1.1 Appointment and Duties . The Employee shall be employed as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company. Until such time as the Board shall appoint another person to serve as Secretary of the Company, the Employee shall also fill the duties of Secretary of the Company. The Employee shall perform the duties, undertake the responsibilities and exercise the authority customarily performed, undertaken and exercised by persons situated in a similar Employee capacity, with such responsibilities to include those of Chief Compliance Officer of the Company and officer with executive oversight responsibilities for administrative, financial and legal activities of the Company ' s Israeli Branch, and as may be further defined by the Board. Insofar as his executive oversight responsibilities for administrative, financial and legal activities of the Company ' s Israeli Branch are concerned, Employee shall be under supervision of the General Manager of Israeli Operations. Insofar as all his other responsibilities are concerned, including (but not limited to) responsibilities of General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Employee shall be under the direct supervision of the President and Chief Operating Officer. Nothing herein shall derogate from Employee's obligations in fulfilling his duties as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer to the Board and any committee thereof.

1.2 Extent of Services . The Employee shall be employed on a full-time basis and shall devote his entire business time, attention and efforts to the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and the business and affairs of the Company. The Employee acknowledges hereby that the terms of his employment, the circumstances thereof, and the nature of his work require an unusual amount of personal trust as set out in the Israeli Hours of Employment and Rest Law, 5711-1951, and therefore, the said law shall not apply to the Employee ' s employment with the Company.

1.3 Termination of Retainer Agreement and Ancillary Arrangements

1.3.1 As of the Effective Date, the Retainer Agreement shall terminate.


1.3.2 Upon the termination of the Retainer Agreement and the entry into effect of this Agreement, the Company shall pay (a) to the Employee all monies, including Value Added Tax (" VAT "), at the applicable rate due and owing to the Employee on account of services rendered and disbursements incurred on behalf of the Company and (b) to the law firms with which the Employee was associated during the period commencing January 1, 2003 and through the Effective Date all monies, including VAT thereon, due and owing to the said law firms for the services, including office support services, rendered by those law firms as provided by the Retainer Agreement.

1.3.3 If the Effective Date is after January 1, 2004 (such period between January 1, 2004 and the Effective Date, the " Benefits Compensation Period " ), then, at the Employee ' s option, notified to the Company no later than fifteen (15) days following the Effective Date, the Company shall:

  1. in the context of the manager ' s insurance plan ( " Bituach Menahalim " ) to be established for the Employee pursuant to section 4.1 below, purchase on behalf of the Employee coverage for the Benefits Compensation Period at rates calculated on the basis of the Base Salary, as defined below, to the same extent as if the Effective Date were January 1, 2004; or

(b) pay to Employee a cash payment in the amount of 13⅓% plus an additional 21/2% (in total 15 5 / 6 %) of the total retainer payments to which Employee was entitled pursuant to the Retainer Agreement for the Benefits Compensation Period, plus VAT thereon. If Employee shall choose this option (b), the Company shall pay to Employee the amounts due hereunder no later than thirty (30) days following the Effective Date against receipt of a VAT tax invoice and receipt from Employee

2. Term and Termination

2.1 Term . The initial term of employment under this Agreement shall be for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2008 (the " Initial Term " ). Thereafter, the term of Employee ' s employment under the Agreement shall automatically be extended for additional periods of one (1) year (each an " Additional Term " ) at the end of the Initial Term and of each Additional Term unless either party has given notice to the other of its intention not to extend at least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Additional Term; provided , however , that following the Employee ' s having attained the age of seventy (70), the Term of the Agreement, if still in effect, shall not be automatically extended upon the expiration of the then applicable Additional Term, but shall be extended only upon the mutual agreement of the Company and the Employee annually no later than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the applicable Additional Term. (The Initial Term and, if the Initial Term is extended, any and all Additional Terms, the " Term " ).

2.2 Termination by the Company . Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the Employee ' s employment may be terminated under the following circumstances:

2.2.1 For Disability . The Company may, upon ninety (90) days prior written notice, terminate Employee ' s employment after having established the Employee ' s Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, " Disability " means a physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Employee ' s ability to substantially perform his duties pursuant to this Agreement which infirmity continues for a period of at least 120 days in any 365 day period. Upon termination for disability, the Company shall continue to pay Employee all salary and benefits hereunder for the remainder of the Term, less any disability insurance payments received by Employee.

2.2.2 For Cause . The Company may terminate the Employee ' s employment for Cause upon written notice to the Employee in which notice the basis for termination shall be set forth. A termination for " Cause " is a termination due to a serious breach of trust, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, self-dealing, prohibited disclosure to unauthorized persons or entities of confidential or propriety information of or relating to the Company or the engaging by Employee in any prohibited business competitive with the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates or associated entities. No termination for Cause shall be effective except subject to the final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction


to the effect that Employee has committed a serious breach of trust as aforesaid. Except if and to the extent otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Employee shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits provided for under this Agreement for the period prior to the termination of the Employee ' s employment under this section.

2.2.3 Termination Other Than For Cause . The Company may terminate the employment of the Employee other than for Cause at its discretion and at any time on ninety (90) days prior written notice.

2.3 Termination by Employee . Employee may terminate this Agreement and his employment relationship with the Company at his discretion and at any time on ninety (90) days prior written notice.

2.4 Relationship during Notice Period

2.4.1 For purposes hereof, the term " Notice Period " shall mean the period between the giving of any Notice of Termination and the effective date of such notice as provided in sections 2.2 and 2.3 above or between the date of the notice of intent not to extend the Term and the date of the termination of the Term as provided for in section 2.1 above.

2.4.2 During any Notice Period pursuant to section 2.2.3 or 2.3 above, the Employee shall continue to work and fulfill his duties, hereunder, as an employee of the Company; provided , however , that the Company shall have the right in its discretion to ask the Employee to cease working at the premises of the Company or to cease to work during all or any part of the Notice Period, in which case and without derogating from the Employee ' s right to Compensation pursuant to sections 2.5.1 - 2.5.3 below to the extent applicable, the Company shall redeem such portion of the Notice Period for which the Company shall have waived its right to the services of the Employee (the " Waived Period " ) by payment to Employee of an amount equal to Employee ' s Salary for the Waived Period, plus such amounts to which the Company is obligated pursuant to sections 4 and 5 below.

2.4.3 In the event Employee continues to work during the Notice Period, he shall cooperate with the Company to ensure an orderly transfer of his responsibilities.

2.4.4 In the event the Employee gives notice of termination pursuant to section 2.3 above or of his intention not to extend the Term pursuant to section 2.1 above, and does not continue to work during all or any part of the Notice Period, the Employee shall pay to the Company as liquidated damages an amount equal to his salary for said portions of the Notice Period during which he does not work. The Company shall have the right to deduct such amount from all and any monies due and owing the Employee from the Company.

2.5 Compensation in the Event of Termination

2.5.1 Termination Other Than for Cause or Disability . Without derogating from the rights of the Employee to compensation during the Notice Period as provided in section 2.4 above, the Employee shall be entitled to compensation in the event of (a) termination or of (b) failure to extend the Term of the Agreement by the Company prior to the Employee ' s attaining the age of seventy (70), other than for Cause or due to Disability, in an amount equal to:

  1. all sums, including Salary pursuant to section 3 below, Social Insurance and Employee Benefits as provided in section 4.1 - 4.3 below, to which Employee would otherwise have been entitled if he had remained in the employ of the Company for the portion of the Term during which this Agreement would have remained in effect but for its termination as aforesaid, and
  2. an amount equal to six (6) monthly Base Salaries, as defined in section 3 below.

2.5.2 Change of Control . In the event of (a) termination or of (b) failure to extend the Term of this Agreement prior to the Employee ' s attaining the age of seventy (70), other than for Cause or due to Disability, within one (1) year of the completion of a Business Combination as defined in Article Tenth of


the Company ' s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, then in addition to any rights of the Employee during the Notice Period as provided in section 2.4 above, and pursuant to section 2.5.1 above and to section 2.5.3 below, the Employee shall be entitled to compensation in an amount equal to thirty six (36) monthly Base Salaries.

2.5.3 Release of Social Benefit Funds . In the event of the termination or the failure to extend the term of this Agreement for any reason whether at the Company ' s or the Employee ' s instance, the Company shall release to the benefit of the Employee all funds that have accrued to the Employee ' s benefit in the severance pay and pension funds established pursuant to section 4.1 below; provided that in the event of termination of this Agreement by the Company for Cause or by the Employee in circumstances under which the Company has the right to deny the Employee severance pay ( " Pitzuei Piturim " ) pursuant to the provisions of the Israeli Severance Pay Law, 5723-1953 ( " Severance Pay " ), in whole or in part, the Employee shall be entitled to the release only of such sums as accrued in the funds attributable to the Employee ' s Contributions pursuant to section 4.1(d) below.

3. Salary

As compensation for the Employee ' s services hereunder, the Company shall pay the Employee a monthly gross salary (the " Salary " ) in an amount in New Israeli Shekelim (NIS) as follows:

for the period commencing the Effective Date, US $16,667 (US $200,000 annually) (as such may be increased from time to time by decision of the Board, the " Base Salary " ),

calculated at the representative rate of the US Dollar as against the NIS, last published by the Bank of Israel and known at the time of payment (the " Representative Rate " ), payable to Employee in NIS on the first business day of each month during the term of the Employee ' s engagement hereunder in arrears for the month just ended.

4. Social Insurance and Employee Benefits

4.1 Severance Pay and Pension Benefits .

  1. The Company shall allocate and pay to a Provident Fund ( " Kupat Gemel " ) (as defined in Section 47 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance) (such Provident Fund, the " Fund " ) in the framework of a manager ' s insurance plan ( " Bituach Mnahalim " ) or in such other framework, at the option of the Employee and subject to the consent of the Company, a sum equal to 13⅓% of the Employee ' s Salary as it may be from time to time (such sum, the " Company ' s Contribution " ).
  2. The Company ' s Contribution shall be allocated as follows:
    1. 8⅓% towards Severance Pay; and
    2. 5% to pension benefits ( " Tagmulim " ).

  3. The Company shall also pay an amount equal to 21/2% of Employee ' s Salary towards the purchase of disability insurance for the Employee.
  4. The Company shall deduct from the Employee ' s Salary as it may be from time to time an amount equal to 5% of the Salary (the " Employee ' s Contribution " ) and deposit such sum in the Fund. The Employee ' s Contribution shall be allocated in full to pension benefits (Tagmulim).
  5. That part of the Company ' s Contribution allocated as provided in clause (b)(i) of this section 4.1 above, together with all income thereon of whatever nature, shall be on account of Severance Pay that shall be due, if due, to Employee pursuant to the provisions of section 2.5.3 above or pursuant to the Israeli Severance Pay Law, 5723-1953.


4.2 Vacation . The Employee shall be entitled to an annual vacation of twenty three (23) working days at full pay. Vacation days may be accummulated for two years, after which they must be used or redeemed; provided that accummulation of vacation days in excess of forty six (46) days may be approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in his discretion.

4.3 Recuperation Allowance . Employee shall be entitled to Recuperation Allowance ( " Dmei Havra ' ah " ) of ten (10) days per year at the rate provided from time to time by applicable law. The Recuperation Allowance shall be paid semi-annually at the rate of five (5) days per each semi-annual period together with payment of the Employee ' s June and December Salaries.

4.4 Sick Pay

  1. The Employee shall be entitled to up to thirty (30) days per year of fully paid sick leave, against a doctor ' s confirmation, which leave can be accummulated for a period of up to a maximum of five (5) years; provided , however , that the Employee shall not be entitled to sick leave payment to the extent already covered by any insurance component of any plan purchased by or for the benefit of the Employee pursuant to section 4.1 above.
  2. The Employee shall not for any reason or in any circumstances be entitled to redeem any accumulated but unused sick leave upon termination of his employment under this Agreement.
  3. It is agreed that payment on account of sick leave as provided herein shall be deemed in full compliance with the Company ' s obligations to Employee under the Israeli Sick Pay Law, 5736-1976.

5. Additional Benefits

5.1 Vehicle Expenses and Parking .

  1. Commencing January 1, 2004 and provided that the Employee has a valid driver ' s license and valid vehicle license, the Company shall pay the Employee monthly a vehicle maintenance allowance in an amount in NIS equal to US $150 (US Dollars One Hundred and Fifty) (calculated at the Representative Rate). This amount shall be paid as the Company ' s participation in the Employee ' s expenses in maintaining his vehicle so that it is available for use by the Employee in connection with Company business, including travel between his residence and his place of work.
  2. The Company shall arrange for parking for the Employee at his place of work and shall reimburse him for his parking expenses based on receipts he shall produce to the Company.

5.2 Cellular Phone . Commencing January 1, 2004, the Company shall provide Employee with a Company cellular phone for Company business. Until such time as the Company purchases or leases cellular phones on its own account, the Company shall reimburse the Employee his expenses in maintaining and using one cellular phone (one number).

5.3 Professional Fees . Commencing for calendar year 2004, the Company shall reimburse Employee professional license and professional liability fees and periodic membership dues for the professional societies and social/business organizations the maintenance of which is hereby acknowledged to be connected with and necessary for the proper performance of the Employee ' s duties under this Agreement, including:

  1. Israel Chamber of Advocates (National and District Committees).
  2. State of New York Attorney Registration Fee.
  3. American Bar Association.
  4. Professional Liability Insurance as provided by the Israel Chamber of Advocates in connection with its annual license/membership fee.
  5. One golf, boating or fitness club
  6. Additional as may from time to time be approved by the Chief Executive Officer

5.4 Expenses . The Employee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the expense reimbursement policy adopted by the Board or with the prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer or the President of the Company.

6. Long-Term Management Incentive Plan

The Company has resolved to establish a long-term management incentive plan, which may be structured as an employee ' s royalty pool, to be funded by the equivalent of a 1.5% overriding royalty or net profits interest (after pay-out calculated on a well by well basis) (the " Plan " ). Upon its establishment, the Employee shall be granted a 10% (ten percent) interest in Plan income attributable to wells drilled on any oil and gas property acquired by the Company prior to the end of the Term or earlier termination of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. To the extent less than 100% of the interests in the Plan with respect to a single well have been awarded at the time the well is spudded, Employee shall share pro-rata with the other Plan participants in the excess unawarded amounts.

7. Propriety Information

7.1 The Employee acknowledges and agrees that, in the course of his employment by the Company, he will have access to confidential and propriety information of the Company regarding, without limitation, the business, financial, research, exploratory, engineering, production, marketing and sales activities of the Company. Such information, whether documentary, written, oral or computer generated, shall be deemed to be and referred to as " Proprietary Information " .

7.2 Proprietary Information shall be deemed to include any and all proprietary information disclosed by or on behalf of the Company and irrespective of form, but excluding information that: (i) was known to the Employee prior to his association with the Company and can be so proven; (ii) shall have appeared in any printed publication or patent or shall have become a part of the public knowledge except as a result of a breach of this Agreement by the Employee; (iii) shall have been received by the Employee from a third party having no obligation to the Company; (iv) reflects general skills and experience gained during the Employee ' s engagement by the Company; or (v) reflects information and data generally known within the industries or trades in which the Company transacts business.

7.3 The Employee agrees and declares that all Proprietary Information, patents and other rights in connection therewith shall be the sole property of the Company and its assigns. At all times, both during his engagement by the Company and for a period of five (5) years after its termination, the Employee will keep in confidence and trust all Proprietary Information, and the Employee will not use or disclose any Proprietary Information or anything relating to it without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Employee ' s duties hereunder and in the best interests of the Company.

7.4 Upon termination of his employment with the Company, the Employee will promptly deliver to the Company all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to his work with the Company, and he will not take with him any documents or materials or copies thereof containing any Proprietary Information.

7.5 The Employee recognizes that the Company received and will receive confidential or proprietary information from third parties subject to a duty on the Company ' s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. At all times, both during his employment and after its termination, the Employee undertakes to keep and hold all such information in strict confidence and trust, and he will not use or disclose any of such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary to perform his duties as an employee of the Company and consistent with the Company ' s agreement with such third party. Upon termination of his employment with the Company, Employee shall act with respect to such information as set forth in Section 7.4 mutatis mutandis .


7.6 The Employee ' s undertakings in this section 7 shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms after termination of this Agreement or any renewal thereof.

8. Non-Competition

8.1 The Employee agrees and undertakes that he will not, so long as he is employed by the Company and for a period of six (6) months following termination of his employment for whatever reason, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, joint venturer, stockholder, employee, broker, agent, principal, corporate officer, director, licensor or in any other capacity whatever engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by, or have any connection with any business or venture that is engaged in any activities competing with the Company in the field of petroleum exploration, production and marketing in Israel or any other region or territory in which the Company is conducting or considering the conduct of petroleum exploration, production or marketing activities; provided , however , that the Employee may own securities of any corporation or other entity which is engaged in such business and is publicly owned and traded but in an amount not to exceed at any one time one percent (1%) of any class of stock or securities of such entity so long as he has no active role therein as director, employee, consultant or otherwise, unless otherwise specifically approved by the Board.

8.2 The Employee agrees and undertakes that during the period of his employment and for a period of twelve (12) months following termination, he will not, directly or indirectly, including personally or in any business in which he is an officer, director or shareholder, for any purpose or in any place, employ any person employed by the Company or retained by the Company as a consultant on the date of such termination or during the preceding six (6) months.

8.3 If any one or more of the terms contained in this section 8 shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad with regard to time, geographic scope or activity, the term shall be construed in a manner to enable it to be enforced to the extent compatible with applicable law.

9. Indemnification and Insurance

9.1 The Company shall indemnify the Employee against, and hold him harmless, from any and all judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements and expenses (including attorney ' s fees and court costs) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit or proceeding whether or not by or in the right of the Company to which Employee is or may be made a party or is or shall be threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the Employee is an officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, nonprofit entity, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable law, and such indemnity shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the Employee.

9.2 The right to indemnification under this section 9 shall include the Employee ' s right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its disposition; provided , however , that, if the applicable law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by the Employee in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Employee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the Employee is not entitled to be indemnified under this section 9 or otherwise.

9.3 The Company shall purchase and maintain insurance coverage in an amount to be determined from time to time by the Board taking into account the nature and extent of the Company ' s activities and the cost of coverage, but in no event less than that maintained by the Company for any other director or executive officer of the Company, on behalf of the Employee, both in his capacity as an officer, director and employer of the Company and, if he so serves at the request of the Company, as a director, officer,


employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any legally insurable liability asserted against the Employee and incurred by the Employee in any such capacity or arising out of Employee ' s status as such.

10. Taxes

Any and all taxes, fees and other liabilities (as may apply from time to time) in connection with the Salary (section 3 above) or with the Social Insurance and Employee Benefits (section 4 above) or with the Additional Benefits (section 5 above) or with any other payment to which the Employee is entitled under this Agreement will be borne by the Employee and, except as otherwise expressly set out in this Agreement, the Employee shall be solely liable for all such taxes, fees and other liabilities.

11. Mutual Representations

11.1 The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the fulfillment of the terms hereof (i) will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement or other instrument to which he is a party or by which he is bound, and (ii) do not require the consent of any person or entity.

11.2 The Company represents and warrants to the Employee that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and that the fulfillment of the terms hereof (i) will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, and (ii) do not require the consent of any person or entity.

11.3 Each party hereto warrants and represents to the other that this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such party enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors ' rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless if enforcement is sought in proceeding in equity or at law).

12. Notice; Addresses

12.1 The addresses of the parties for purposes of this Agreement shall be the addresses set forth above, or any other address which shall be provided by due notice given in accordance with the provisions of section 12.2 below.

12.2 All notices in connection with this Agreement shall be sent by registered airmail or delivered by hand or international courier service to the addresses set forth above, and shall be deemed to have been delivered to the other party at the earlier of the following two dates: (a) if sent by registered airmail or international courier service, as aforesaid, five (5) business days from the date of mailing; and (b) if delivered by hand - upon actual delivery or proffer of delivery (in the event of a refusal to accept it) at the address of the addressee. Delivery by cable, telex, facsimile or other electronic communication shall be sufficient and be deemed to have occurred upon electronic confirmation of receipt, with copy sent by first class airmail.

13. Miscellaneous

13.1 The preamble to this Agreement constitutes an integral part hereof.

    1. Headings are included for reference purposes only and are not to be used in interpreting this Agreement.

13.3 The provisions of this Agreement are in lieu of the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement or arrangement and, therefore, no collective bargaining agreement or arrangement shall apply with respect to the relationship between the parties hereto (subject to the applicable provisions of law).


13.4 No failure, delay or forbearance of either party in exercising any power or right hereunder shall in any way restrict or diminish such party ' s rights and powers under this Agreement, or operate as a waiver of any breach or nonperformance by either party of any terms or conditions hereof.

13.5 No determination of the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall affect the remaining provisions hereof unless the business purpose of this Agreement is substantially frustrated thereby.

13.6 This Agreement is personal and non-assignable by the Employee. It shall inure to the benefit of any corporation or other entity with which the Company shall merge or consolidate or to which the Company shall lease, sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets, and may be assigned by the Company to any affiliate of the Company or to any corporation or entity with which such affiliate shall merge or consolidate or which shall lease or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of such affiliate. Any assignee must assume all the obligations of the Company hereunder, but such assignment and assumption shall not serve as a release of the Company.

13.7 This Agreement is the only agreement between the parties on the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes and replaces all other agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties, concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, including that certain letter dated September 2, 2003 from the Company to Employee " Re: Executive Employment Agreement " ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the rights of either of the parties hereto with respect to the services rendered by the Employee to or on behalf of the Company during any period prior to the Effective Date, including without limitation those services rendered prior to the Effective Date pursuant to the Retainer Agreement.

13.8 It is hereby agreed between the parties that the laws of the State of Israel shall apply to this Agreement and that the sole and exclusive place of jurisdiction in any matter arising out of or in connection with the Agreement shall be the courts of appropriate jurisdiction in Tel Aviv - Jaffa.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

By:

Philip Mandelker

Name:

Title:

 


EXHIBIT 10.5 (v)

Personal Employment Agreement, David Patir

This Personal Employment Agreement (the " Agreement " ) is entered into as of the 1 st day of October 2005 (the " Effective Date " ), by and among Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. , a Delaware corporation with offices at 6510 Abrams Road, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. (in its own name and as successor in interest of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Florida Corporation, the " Company " ) and David Patir of 5630 Avalon Way, Houston, Texas, 77057. (the " Employee " ).

WHEREAS, the Company was established in April 2000 for the purpose of engaging in oil and gas exploration and production in Israel; and

WHEREAS, since July 2005, the Employee has been serving as acting chief financial officer of the Company at the pleasure of chief executive officer and the Board of Directors of the Company (the " Board " ); and

WHEREAS, the terms of retention of the Employee for the three-year, three-month period commencing on the effective date hereof were approved by the Board on October 27, 2005; and

WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to regularize their relationship and, in that context, the Company desires to continue to engage the Employee and the Employee desires to continue to serve the Company in the capacity of Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, conditions, representations and warranties set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

1. Appointment; Extent and Nature of Duties

1.1 Appointment and Duties . The Employee shall be employed as Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The Employee shall perform the duties, undertake the responsibilities and exercise the authority customarily performed, undertaken and exercised by persons situated in a similar capacity and as may be further defined from time to time by the Board, the President or Chief Executive Officer. The Employee shall be under the direct supervision, and comply with the directives of, the President and, in his absence, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

1.2 Extent of Services . Effective January 1, 2006, the Employee shall be employed on a full-time basis and shall devote his entire business time, attention and efforts to the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and the business and affairs of the Company; except until such time as the financial conditions of the Company permit the continuous and prospectively continuous payment of full compensation (without need of compensation deferral by executives), Employee may maintain supplemental income through his current consulting group. Between the Effective Date and January 1, 2006, Employee shall be employed as a consultant, providing the Company on a part-time basis with his services as Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer.

2. Term and Termination

2.1 Term . The initial term of employment under this Agreement shall be for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2008 (the " Initial Term " ). Thereafter, the term of Employee ' s employment under this Agreement shall automatically be extended for additional periods of one (1) year (each an " Additional Term " ) at the end of the Initial Term and of each Additional Term, unless either party has given notice to the other


of its intention not to extend at least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Additional Term; provided , however , that following the Employee ' s having attained the age of seventy (70), the Term of this Agreement, if still in effect, shall not be automatically extended upon the expiration of the then applicable Additional Term, but shall be extended for additional one (1) year terms only upon the mutual agreement of the Company and the Employee annually no later than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Additional Term then in effect. (The Initial Term and, if the Initial Term is extended, any and all Additional Terms, the " Term " ).

2.2 Termination by the Company . Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the Employee ' s employment may be terminated under the following circumstances:

2.2.1 For Disability . The Company may, upon ninety (90) days prior written notice, terminate Employee ' s employment after having established the Employee ' s Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, " Disability " means a physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Employee ' s ability to substantially perform his duties pursuant to this Agreement which infirmity continues for a period of at least 120 days in any 365 day period. Upon termination for disability, the Company shall continue to pay Employee all salary and benefits hereunder for the remainder of the Term, less any disability insurance payments received by Employee.

2.2.2 For Cause . The Company may terminate the Employee ' s employment for Cause upon written notice to the Employee in which notice the basis for termination shall be set forth. A termination for " Cause " is a termination due to a serious breach of trust, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, self-dealing, prohibited disclosure to unauthorized persons or entities of confidential or propriety information of or relating to the Company or the engaging by Employee in any prohibited business competitive with the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates or associated entities. No termination for Cause shall be effective except subject to the final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to the effect that Employee has committed a serious breach of trust as aforesaid. Except if and to the extent otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Employee shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits provided for under this Agreement for the period prior to the termination of the Employee ' s employment under this section.

2.2.3 Termination Other Than For Cause . The Company may terminate the employment of the Employee other than for Cause at its discretion and at any time on ninety (90) days prior written notice.

2.3 Termination by Employee . Employee may terminate this Agreement and his employment relationship with the Company at his discretion and at any time on ninety (90) days prior written notice.

2.4 Relationship during Notice Period

2.4.1 For purposes hereof, the term " Notice Period " shall mean the period between the giving of any Notice of Termination and the effective date of such notice as provided by sections 2.2 and 2.3 above or between the date of notice of intent not to extend the Term and the date of termination of the Term as provided for in section 2.1 above.

2.4.2 During any Notice Period pursuant to section 2.2.3 above, the Employee shall continue to work and fulfill his duties, hereunder, as an Employee of the Company; provided , however , that the Company shall have the right in its discretion to ask the Employee to cease working at the premises of the Company or to cease to work during all or any part of the Notice Period, in which case and without derogating from the Employee ' s right to Compensation pursuant to sections 2.5.1 and 2.5.2 below to


the extent applicable, the Company shall redeem such portion of the Notice Period for which the Company shall have waived its right to the services of the Employee (the " Waived Period " ) by payment to Employee of an amount equal to Employee ' s Salary for the Waived Period, plus such amounts to which the Company is obligated pursuant to sections 4 and 5 below.

2.4.3 In the event Employee continues to work during the Notice Period, he shall cooperate with the Company to ensure an orderly transfer of his responsibilities.

2.4.4 In the event the Employee gives notice of termination pursuant to section 2.3 above or of his intention not to extend the Term pursuant to section 2.1 above, and does not continue to work during all or any part of the Notice Period, the Employee shall forfeit his salary for said portions of the Notice Period during which he does not work. The Company shall have the right to deduct such amount from all and any monies due and owing the Employee from the Company.

2.5 Compensation in the Event of Termination

2.5.1 Termination Other Than for Cause or Disability . Without derogating from the rights of the Employee to compensation during the Notice Period as provided in section 2.4 above, the Employee shall be entitled to compensation in the event of (a) termination or of (b) failure to extend the Term of this Agreement by the Company prior to the Employee ' s attaining the age of seventy (70), other than for Cause or due to Disability, in an amount equal to all sums, including Salary pursuant to section 3 below and Employee Benefits as provided in section 4.1 below, to which Employee would otherwise have been entitled if he had remained in the employ of the Company for the portion of the Term during which this Agreement would have remained in effect but for its termination as aforesaid, plus, in the event termination occurs after one year of service, 1/6 of one month's Base Salary (as defined below) for each month of full-time service.

2.5.2 Change of Control . In the event of (a) termination or of (b) failure to extend the Term of this Agreement prior to the Employee ' s attaining the age of seventy (70), other than for Cause or due to Disability within one (1) year of the completion of a Business Combination as defined in Article Tenth of the Company ' s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, then in addition to any rights of the Employee during the Notice Period as provided in section 2.4 and pursuant to section 2.5.1 above, the Employee shall be entitled to compensation in an amount equal to thirty six (36) monthly Base Salaries.

3. Compensation

As compensation for the Employee ' s services hereunder for the period October 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005, the Company shall pay the Employee a consulting fee of $10,000 per month. As compensation for the Employee's services hereunder for the period commencing January 1, 2006 the Company shall pay the Employee a monthly gross salary (the " Salary " ) of US $14,583 (US $175,000 annually) (as such may be increased from time to time by decision of the Board, the " Base Salary " ), payable to Employee on the first business day of each month during the term of the Employee ' s engagement hereunder in arrears for the month just ended.

As additional compensation hereunder, Employee shall be awarded a 5-year option to purchase 80,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $5.00 per share, vesting one-third at the end of each year of full-time employment. In case of termination other than for cause or disability, 100% of the shares will be vested.

4. Employee Benefits


4.1 Insurance . Commencing January 1, 2006, the Company shall purchase or participate in the purchase for the benefit of the Employee an insurance package consisting of medical insurance, life insurance and long term disability insurance of such nature and providing such coverage as the Employee may request, provided that in no event shall the cost to the Company of the premiums for such insurance exceed US $2,000 per month. Except if the Employee specifically requests otherwise, the Company may fulfill its obligations hereunder by providing insurance coverage of the Employee in any group life or group health plan maintained by the Company for its employees based in the United States.

 

4.2 Vacation . The Employee shall be entitled to an annual vacation of twenty-three (23) working days at full pay. Vacation days may be accumulated for two (2) years, after which they must be used or redeemed; provided that accumulation of vacation days in excess of forty-six (46) days may be approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in his discretion.

4.3 Sick Pay

(a) The Employee shall be entitled to up to thirty (30) days per year of fully paid sick leave, against a doctor ' s confirmation, which leave can be accumulated for a period of up to a maximum of five (5) years; provided , however , that the Employee shall not be entitled to sick leave payment to the extent already covered by any insurance component of any plan established by or for the benefit of the Employee pursuant to section 4.1 above.

(b) The Employee shall not for any reason or in any circumstances be entitled to redeem any accumulated but unused sick leave upon termination of his employment under this Agreement.

5. Additional Benefits

5.1 Cellular Phone . Commencing January 1, 2006, the Company shall provide Employee with a Company cellular phone for Company business. Until such time as the Company purchases or leases cellular phones on its own account, the Company shall reimburse the Employee his expenses in maintaining and using one cellular phone (one number).

5.2 Professional Fees . Commencing January 1, 2006, the Company shall reimburse Employee professional license fees and periodic membership dues for the professional societies and business/social organizations the maintenance of which is hereby acknowledged to be connected with and necessary for the proper performance of the Employee ' s duties under this Agreement, including:

(a) State of Texas, State of Israel -- registration fees as a Certified Public Accountant

(b) One luncheon club

    1. One athletic/sports club
    2. Continue education to maintain license in the State of Texas
    3. Participate in the yearly C.P.A. conference organized by the Institute of C.P.A. in Israel

(f) additional as may from time to time be approved by the Chief Executive Officer.

5.3 Expenses . The Employee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the expense reimbursement policy adopted by the Board or with the prior approval of the President of the Company.


6. Long-Term Management Incentive Plan

The Company has resolved to establish a long-term management incentive plan, which may be structured as an employee ' s royalty pool, to be funded by the equivalent of a 1.5% overriding royalty or equivalent net profits interest (after pay-out calculated on a well by well basis) (the " Plan " ). Upon its establishment, the Employee shall be eligible to be granted an in interest in Plan income attributable to wells drilled subsequent to the Ma'anit #1 (no matter when drilled) on any oil and gas property acquired by the Company prior to the end of the Term or earlier termination of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. Grant of any interest in the Plan is strictly discretionary by the Company and is based on recommendations of Employee's immediate supervisor (the President of the Company) and the approval of the Plan's management committee and the Board's Compensation Committee.

7. Propriety Information

7.1 The Employee acknowledges and agrees that, in the course of his employment by the Company, he will have access to confidential and propriety information of the Company regarding, without limitation, the business, financial, research, exploratory, engineering, production, marketing and sales activities of the Company. Such information, whether documentary, written, oral or computer generated, shall be deemed to be and referred to as " Proprietary Information " .

7.2 Proprietary Information shall be deemed to include any and all proprietary information disclosed by or on behalf of the Company and irrespective of form, but excluding information that: (i) was known to the Employee prior to his association with the Company and can be so proven; (ii) shall have appeared in any printed publication or patent or shall have become a part of the public knowledge except as a result of a breach of this Agreement by the Employee; (iii) shall have been received by the Employee from a third party having no obligation to the Company; (iv) reflects general skills and experience gained during the Employee ' s engagement by the Company; or (v) reflects information and data generally known within the industries or trades in which the Company transacts business.

7.3 The Employee agrees and declares that all Proprietary Information, patents and other rights in connection therewith shall be the sole property of the Company and its assigns. At all times, both during his engagement by the Company and for a period of five (5) years after its termination, the Employee will keep in confidence and trust all Proprietary Information, and the Employee will not use or disclose any Proprietary Information or anything relating to it without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Employee ' s duties hereunder and in the best interests of the Company.

7.4 Upon termination of his employment with the Company, the Employee will promptly deliver to the Company all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to his work with the Company, and he will not take with him any documents or materials or copies thereof containing any Proprietary Information.

7.5 The Employee recognizes that the Company received and will receive confidential or proprietary information from third parties subject to a duty on the Company ' s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. At all times, both during his employment and after its termination, the Employee undertakes to keep and hold all such information in strict confidence and trust, and he will not use or disclose any of such information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary to perform his duties as an employee of the Company and consistent with the Company ' s agreement with such third party. Upon termination of his employment with the Company, Employee shall act with respect to such information as set forth in Section 7.4 mutatis mutandis .


7.6 The Employee ' s undertakings in this section 7 shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms after termination of this Agreement or any renewal thereof.

8. Non-Competition

8.1 The Employee agrees and undertakes that he will not, so long as he is employed by the Company and for a period of six (6) months following termination of his employment for whatever reason, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, joint venturer, stockholder, employee, broker, agent, principal, corporate officer, director, licensor or in any other capacity whatever engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by, or have any connection with any business or venture that is engaged in any activities competing with the Company in the field of petroleum exploration, production and marketing in Israel or any other region or territory in which the Company is conducting petroleum exploration, production or marketing activities; provided , however , that the Employee may own securities of any corporation or other entity which is engaged in such business and is publicly owned and traded but in an amount not to exceed at any one time one percent (1%) of any class of stock or securities of such entity so long as he has no active role therein as director, employee, consultant or otherwise, unless otherwise specifically approved by the Board.

8.2 The Employee agrees and undertakes that during the period of his employment and for a period of twelve (12) months following termination, he will not, directly or indirectly, including personally or in any business in which he is an officer, director or shareholder, for any purpose or in any place, employ any person employed by the Company or retained by the Company as a consultant on the date of such termination or during the preceding six (6) months.

8.3 If any one or more of the terms contained in this section 8 shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad with regard to time, geographic scope or activity, the term shall be construed in a manner to enable it to be enforced to the extent compatible with applicable law.

9. Indemnification and Insurance

9.1 The Company shall indemnify the Employee against, and hold him harmless, from any and all judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements and expenses (including attorney ' s fees and court costs) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit or proceeding whether or not by or in the right of the Company to which Employee is or may be made a party or is or shall be threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the Employee is an officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, nonprofit entity, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable law, and such indemnity shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the Employee.

9.2 The right to indemnification under this section 9 shall include the Employee ' s right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its disposition; provided , however , that, if the applicable law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by the Employee in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Employee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the Employee is not entitled to be indemnified under this section 9 or otherwise.


9.3 The Company shall purchase and maintain insurance coverage in an amount to be determined from time to time by the Board taking into account the nature and extent of the Company ' s activities and the cost of coverage, but in no event less than that maintained by the Company for any other director or executive officer of the Company, on behalf of the Employee, both in his capacity as an officer, director and employee of the Company and, if he so serves at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any legally insurable liability asserted against the Employee and incurred by the Employee in any such capacity or arising out of Employee ' s status as such.

10. Taxes

Any and all taxes, fees and other liabilities (as may apply from time to time) in connection with the Salary (section 3 above) or with Employee Benefits (section 4 above) or with the Additional Benefits (section 5 above) or with any other payment to which the Employee is entitled under this Agreement will be borne by the Employee and, except as otherwise expressly set out in this Agreement, the Employee shall be solely liable for all such taxes, fees and other liabilities.

11. Mutual Representations

11.1 The Employee represents and warrants to the Company that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the fulfillment of the terms hereof (i) will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement or other instrument to which he is a party or by which he is bound, and (ii) do not require the consent of any person or entity.

11.2 The Company represents and warrants to the Employee that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and that the fulfillment of the terms hereof (i) will not constitute a default under or conflict with any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, and (ii) do not require the consent of any person or entity.

11.3 Each party hereto warrants and represents to the other that this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such party enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors ' rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless if enforcement is sought in proceeding in equity or at law).

12. Notice; Addresses

12.1 The addresses of the parties for purposes of this Agreement shall be the addresses set forth above, or any other address which shall be provided by due notice given in accordance with the provisions of section 12.2 below.

12.2 All notices in connection with this Agreement shall be sent by registered mail or delivered by hand or courier service to the addresses set forth above, and shall be deemed to have been delivered to the other party at the earlier of the following two dates: (a) if sent by registered mail or courier service, as aforesaid, three (3) business days from the date of mailing; and (b) if delivered by hand - upon actual delivery or proffer of delivery (in the event of a refusal to accept it) at the address of the addressee. Delivery by cable, telex, facsimile or other electronic communication shall be sufficient and be deemed to have occurred upon electronic confirmation of receipt, with copy sent by first class mail.

13. Miscellaneous

13.1 Headings are included for reference purposes only and are not to be used in interpreting this Agreement.


13.2 No failure, delay or forbearance of either party in exercising any power or right hereunder shall in any way restrict or diminish such party ' s rights and powers under this Agreement, or operate as a waiver of any breach or nonperformance by either party of any terms or conditions hereof.

13.3 No determination of the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall affect the remaining provisions hereof unless the business purpose of this Agreement is substantially frustrated thereby.

13.4 This Agreement is personal and non-assignable by the Employee. It shall inure to the benefit of any corporation or other entity with which the Company shall merge or consolidate or to which the Company shall lease, sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets, and may be assigned by the Company to any affiliate of the Company or to any corporation or entity with which such affiliate shall merge or consolidate or which shall lease or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of such affiliate. Any assignee must assume all the obligations of the Company hereunder, but such assignment and assumption shall not serve as a release of the Company.

13.5 This Agreement is the only agreement between the parties on the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes and replaces all other agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties, concerning the subject matter of this Agreement.

13.6 It is hereby agreed between the parties that the laws of the State of Texas shall apply to this Agreement and that the sole and exclusive place of jurisdiction in any matter arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be in the courts of appropriate jurisdiction in the county of Dallas, Texas.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

ZION OIL & GAS, INC.

/s/ David Patir

By:

/s/ E. A. Soltero

David Patir

Name:

Eugene A. Soltero

Title:

President

 

 

EXHIBIT 16.1

LETTER ON CHANGE IN CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

LANE GORMAN TRUBITT, L.L.P.

2626 Howell

Dallas, TX 75204

 

January 15, 2006

 

Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
405 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Re:     Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.
                                               Registration Statement on Form SB-2

Gentlemen:

          Please be advised that we have reviewed the disclosures made in the referenced registration statement under the section entitled "Business and Properties - Change in Accountants" and we agree with such statements.

/s/ Lane Gorman Trubitt, L.L.P.

Dallas, Texas

January 15, 2006

 

 

EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF LANE GORMAN TRUBITT, L.L.P.

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERD PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTING FIRM

 

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. of our report dated April 15, 2005, appearing in the Prospectus, which is a part of such registration statement, and to the reference to our Firm under the captions "Change in Accountants" and "Experts" in such Prospectus.

 

/s/ Lane Gorman Trubitt, L.L.P.
Lane Gorman Trubitt, L.L.P.
Certified Public Accountants

Dallas, Texas
January 16, 2006

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 23.3

CONSENT OF RAY, CHO, WILEY, VAN BRAUMAN & GIBSON, LLPC

 

We consent to the use in the Form SB-2 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, filed by Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (the "Company"), of our Opinion dated December 12, 2005 and to the use of our name appearing under the heading "Experts" in the Form SB-2.

 

s/ Martin M. Van Brauman

Martin M. Van Brauman, Partner

Ray, Cho, Wiley, Van Brauman & Gibson, LLPC

Dallas, Texas

December 12, 2005

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 23.4

CONSENT OF FORREST GARB & ASSOCIATES, INC.

 

We consent to the use as an exhibit to Form SB-2 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, filed on or about January 17, 2006 by Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (the "Company"), of our due diligence letter dated September 1, 2005 and to the use of our name appearing under the heading "Experts" in the Form SB-2, and any amendments thereto.

 

/s/Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc.

Dallas, Texas

January 16, 2006

 

Exhibit 24.1

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, Zion Oil & Gas, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the " Corporation "), has prepared and proposes to file a Registration Statement on Form SB-2 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the offering by the Corporation of shares of its Common Stock; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned are officers and/or directors of the Corporation as indicated below;

WHEREAS, Board of Directors of the Corporation has authorized the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to sign the Registration Statement on behalf of the Corporation;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitute and appoint Eugene A. Soltero as attorney for the undersigned and in the undersigned's name, place and stead, and in each of the undersigned's offices and capacities as an officer and/or a director of the Corporation, to execute and file such Registration Statement, including the related Prospectus, and thereafter to execute and file any amended Registration Statement or Statements (including post-effective amendments) and amended prospectus or prospectuses or amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, hereby giving and granting to said attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully, to all intents and purposes, as the undersigned might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys may or shall lawfully do, or cause to be done, by virtue hereof. This instrument may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands this 12th day of January, 2006

 

/s/John M. Brown  
John M. Brown
Chairman and Founder, Director

/s/Richard Rinberg  
Richard Rinberg
President; Director

 /s/Glen Perry              
Glen H. Perry
Executive Vice-President; Director

/s/Philip Mandelker                       
Philip Mandelker
Secretary, Director

/s/Paul Oroian                             
Paul Oroian
Director

/s/Kent Siegel                           
Kent Siegel
Director

/s/Robert Render                       
Robert Render
Director

/s/James Barron                    
James A. Barron
Director

/s/Yehezkel Druckman              
Yehezkel Druckman
Director

/s/Forrest Garb                      
Forrest A. Garb
Director