Israeli energy company Afek Oil & Gas announced Monday the discovery of an oil reservoir in the Golan Heights, Ynet reported.
Afek has requested from the government an extension of their exploration license following evidence pointing to a large liquid oil reservoir.
“Initial findings from the drilling confirm the discovery of an oil reservoir in the Golan and further justifies continuing the exploration program. We need more time for this,” the request stated.
According to Afek’s head geologist, Dr. Yuval Bartov, drilling yielded evidence of hydrocarbons, which has led company officials to believe the presence of some form of gas or oil in the north.
Afek is a subsidiary company of American owned Genie Energy. For the last several months, the Israeli energy firm has been drilling in Israel’s northern region, a move that has been deemed controversial.
Environmental organizations, such as the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, opposed Afek’s bid to search for oil, arguing that drilling would harm the north’s water sources and cause lasting environmental damage.
Afek is in the process of drilling its third oil well. According to the report, the company has stated it has abided by all conditions opposed on its explorations and has caused no environmental damage.
The company has been unable to confirm the actual size of the energy reservoir. Only actual production at will allow officials to know the quality of the oil and whether it is economically viable to produce oil from the site.