Oil was struck at 5,000 feet at the Heletz fine well today. The well is located in the Heletz oil field, Israel’s first paying field.
Oil production in the Heletz-Negha area now exceeds 1,000 barrels per day, it was learned today in the latest report from Israel Oil Prospectors Corporation. This figure is double the production of two months ago. The report predicted that production of crude oil would be at the rate of 1,600 barrels per day by year-end, and would rise to 5,000 barrels per day by the end of 1957. At the rate of 1,000 barrels per-day. Israel is producing slightly less than five percent of crude rude requirements.
Although the Israel Government has not yet reached an official decision on the laying of an oil pipeline between Elath. Israel port on the Gulf of Akaba, and Beersheba, center of Negev industry, work has already begun in several places. Workmen have begun digging trenches from Beersheba to the south and from Elath northward. The Mekorot water company which is doing the job, has undertaken to complete the laying of pipe within 90 days.
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.