Heletz
Heletz (Hebrew: חֶלֶץ) is a moshav in southern Israel. Located between Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat and Sderot, it falls under the jurisdiction of Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. In 2019 it had a population of 455.[1]
Heletz
חלץ حيلتس | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Heletz | |
| Coordinates: 31°34′41″N 34°39′29″E | |
| Country | Israel |
| District | Southern |
| Council | Hof Ashkelon |
| Affiliation | Moshavim Movement |
| Founded | 1950 |
| Founded by | Yemenite immigrants |
| Population (2019)[1] | 455 |
History
The moshav was founded in 1950 by immigrants from Yemen, and was named after the Biblical Helez, one of King David's Warriors (2 Samuel 23:26).[2]
It was founded on land belonging to the depopulated Palestinian village of Burayr.[3]
Economy
The Heletz oil field was the location of the first successful oil well in the country, with extraction beginning in 1955 resulting in much celebration. It remains the most economic oil field in Israel.
Recently Avenue Group, Inc. and Tomco Energy have restarted production from the Heletz oil field. The companies reported total production of over 3,200 barrels (510 m3) of oil since June 11. Three more wells are currently awaiting the delivery and installation of downhole pumps in preparation for their return to production. The companies have also retained the international consultant firm of TRACS International to study the oil and gas reserves underlying the Heletz field. Reserves are estimated at 20 million barrels (3.2×106 m3) of oil to as high as 100 million barrels (16×106 m3).
Tomco Energy had its shares suspended on 11 February 2009 stating contractual difficulties relating to the financing of its Heletz oil field operations.
References
- "Population in the Localities 2019" (XLS). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
- Place Names in Israel. A Compendium of Place Names in Israel compiled from various sources. Translated from Hebrew, Jerusalem 1962 (Israel Prime Minister’s Office. The Israeli Program for Scientific Translations) p.69
- Khalidi, Walid (1992). All That Remains: The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated by Israel in 1948. Washington D.C.: Institute for Palestine Studies. p. 92. ISBN 0-88728-224-5.