The Ministry encourages exploration by providing both geological and geophysical data which have been obtained from previous exploration surveys and government research. Exploration and production (E&P) is controlled by the Petroleum Law which defines three rights:

• Preliminary Permit, the owner of which may request a priority right which gives exclusive exploration rights on the area. A permit may be granted for a period not exceeding 18 months.

• License must be obtained prior to drilling. The license is granted initially for a period of 3 years and can be extended for up to 4 more years.

• Lease is granted to the license holder, if oil has been discovered in commercial quantities. The lease maximum period is 50 years. The royalty paid for oil and gas is 12.5%.

Maps related to petroleum rights

Maps related to oil shale rights

Laws

List of oil companies active in Israel

Oil and Gas Production in Israel

The Levant Basin Offshore Israel 

The Oligo-Miocene deepwater system of the Levant Basin

Applications for the meeting of the Petroleum Board 2/09