Oil was struck for the first time in Israel in dolomite rock, at a depth of 1, 700 feet, it was announced here today. The gusher was achieved during the weekend at Kochav-Five, a well dug by the Lapidot Oil Prospectors. Hitherto, oil in this country had been struck only in sand layers.
Oil experts were hopeful that the new strike will double the output of the Heletz Oil Field, and may indicate the possibility of reaching oil in other dolomite layers in Israel. Asked whether such discoveries might make Israel self-sufficient as far as oil needs are concerned, one of the company’s geologists replied: “Yes, but one would have to make some 500 drillings along the shore area which is known to be rich in dolomite layers.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
