Heletz

Heletz חלץ
Heletz
Coordinates:31°34′41″N34°39′29″E
Country	Israel
District	Southern
Council	Hof Ashkelon
Affiliation	Moshavim Movement
Founded	1950
Founded by	Yemeniteimmigrants
Population (2022)	504

Heletz oilfield in 1955

Heletz(Hebrew:חֶלֶץ) is amoshavin southernIsrael.Located betweenAshkelon,Kiryat GatandSderot,it falls under the jurisdiction ofHof Ashkelon Regional Council.In 2022 it had a population of 504.

History

The moshav was founded in 1950 byimmigrantsfromYemen,and was named after the Biblical Helez, one ofKing David's Warriors(2 Samuel 23:26).

It was founded on land belonging to the depopulatedPalestinianvillage ofBurayr.

Economy

TheHeletz oil fieldwas the location of the first successfuloil wellin 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 currentlyawaiting 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 (3.2×10^⁶m³) of oil to as high as 100 million barrels (16×10^⁶m³).

Tomco Energy had its shares suspended on 11 February 2009 stating contractual difficulties relating to the financing of its Heletz oil field operations.