Arkansas Transforms Old Oil Fields to Lithium Sites

Direct Lithium Extraction, DLE, is a technology that is faster and lower in energy and water use when compared to traditional brine extraction. Southern Arkansas has amenable conditions for lithium mining because of its old oil field infrastructures that can be used for DLE, and the presence of brine-rich expanse limestone. The state had produced more than 1.8 billion barrels of oil since 1920. There are currently five project sites in Arkansas, and all of them involve DLE at pre-existing industrial facilities. 

In early 2023, ExxonMobil acquired drilling rights to 120,000 gross acres of the Smackover formation in southern Arkansas; the first production is targeted for 2027. The production from the project is estimated to contain lithium needed for 50 million electric vehicles. 

Photo credit: Getty Images

80% of the global use of lithium is for batteries. Lithium is a highly reactive element, which translates to high energy density for lithium-ion batteries. Lithium also has a low reduction potential, which makes lithium-ion batteries have relatively high voltages. Electric vehicles also rely on lithium- usually with either lithium-ion or lithium iron phosphate batteries. 

In Canada, lithium projects and mines are mostly located in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta. In fact, Canada has one of the greatest world reserves and mine production despite still being a net importer of lithium and lithium products. 

This story was first covered by Boyce Upholt.