Lithium brine resource modeling
Explore, develop, and optimize production of lithium-rich brine resources
Overview
Efficiently explore, evaluate, and develop lithium-rich brine resources using the SLB advanced subsurface modeling technologies. To meet the growing global demand for lithium—projected to reach nearly 4.0 metric megatons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) by 2040—operators must identify new reserves and optimize production from existing sources.
3D basin modeling
3D basin modeling integrates geological, geophysical, and geochemical data to reconstruct the basin history. This offers valuable insights into brine reservoir porosity characteristics within a sedimentary basin. Calculated temperature and pressure will enable to simulate the release of lithium from its host rocks.
Explore SLB’s Smackover Formation services
SLB provides targeted solutions for the Smackover Formation, a key lithium brine play in the US.
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Smackover Play
Lithium brine basin resource reportSmackover Play 3D basin model of lithium resources in place for exploration, extraction, and production.
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Smackover 3D five-layer model
Providing detailed, five-layered geological insights to identify lithium-rich zones faster and with higher certainty in the Smackover FormationSLB delivers detailed geological models for your area of interest—quickly and cost-effectively.
3D static modeling
3D static modeling incorporates geological, geophysical, and petrophysical data to model the spatial distribution of rock properties such as porosity, permeability, lithology, and fluid saturation.
Browse the case studies
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Advanced Modeling Improves Lithium Brine Resource Estimates
Robust 3D modeling and quantification of lithium brine resources in place within the mapped area of interestExpertise in lithium extraction technologies enabled the customer to refine their lithium resource estimates.
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Driving Exploration Success via More Accurate Estimation of Lithium Resources
SLB software and modeling algorithms led to >30% increase in lithium resource estimates with high confidence.
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Derisking Exploration and Accelerating Development of a Lithium Brine Project
Proprietary SLB software and workflows helped estimate the resource in place and identify optimal drilling locations.
3D aqueous flow modeling
3D aqueous flow modeling provides a day-1 estimate of brine and lithium production. It is used to provide additional assurance for pre-FEED or basic engineering and to gain a more detailed understanding of well count and cost.
3D dynamic modeling
3D dynamic modeling predicts, optimizes, and manages lithium reserves. It evaluates various field development concepts, operating strategies, and drilling schedules to find the best combination to achieve target objective.
Maximize lithium resource potential
Whether you need to characterize your reservoir and perform static and dynamic modeling to determine an asset’s economic potential, or you need to design and optimize field development planning—including concept selection to optimize lithium production—SLB provides the technologies, services, and expertise to support your project.
Maximize resource potential
Accurately characterize reservoirs and simulate production to guide development decisions.
Accelerate project timelines
Reduce uncertainty and improve planning with high-resolution subsurface insights.
Enhance sustainability
Use aqueous flow and dynamic models to design more efficient extraction and reinjection strategies.
Leverage global expertise
Tap into SLB’s 100 years of subsurface experience and proven workflows.
Applications
- Augment in-house expertise with SLB’s subsurface modeling specialists
- Build basin, static, aqueous flow, and dynamic models tailored to lithium workflows
- Evaluate economic potential and optimize lithium-in-place estimates
- Mitigate exploration risks and improve confidence in resource reporting
- Optimize capex investments through improved field development planning
- Develop your resource for long-term sustainability
By your side every step of the project
Through a combination of subsurface expertise and our sustainable lithium production project engineering, implementation, and operational experience, we combine deep technical and scientific knowledge with the experience and learnings from commercial-scale technology integration and deployment.
We deliver insights and better-informed actions from every perspective. From evaluating the individual lithium-brine resource to extraction and reinjection, the SLB 3D subsurface models help customers gain the knowledge to confidently develop the best technological and economic solution.
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