As the global demand for energy-efficient transportation and energy security continues to rise, the need for battery-grade lithium has increased significantly. Traditional lithium extraction methods often present environmental challenges, leading to a pressing need for more efficient, sustainable, and future-proof solutions. At SLB, we have developed well-to-product integrated lithium solutions that incorporate direct lithium extraction (DLE), addressing growing demand while supporting our commitment to environmental stewardship.
SLB provided well-to-product lithium solutions that integrate SLB subsurface expertise with advanced surface engineering technologies. These technologies include brine pretreatment, direct lithium extraction (DLE), polishing and concentration, and conversion. The solutions optimize all systems and technologies to produce more battery-grade lithium within hours, achieving faster time to market. This allows the industry to more responsively adjust production based on demand and enables new opportunities for the production of lithium in regions across the globe where lithium-rich brine may be found.
More than 50% of today’s lithium production is concentrated in areas with high water stress levels. SLB’s water resource management reduces water consumption by up to 95% compared with traditional methods. Spent brine is tested and treated to ensure its composition and characteristics meet those of the feed water before reinjection. This approach helps minimize impact in high water stress and other sensitive environments.
SLB understands what it takes to test, develop, implement, and operate a new DLE-based production facility. At our demonstration plant in Clayton Valley, Nevada, we embarked on a full-scale project journey that took us from exploration and subsurface model building, front-end engineering and design (FEED), and permitting to DLE, concentration, and conversion technologies integration, construction, and operation.
We learned a lot during this time and are eager to apply our knowledge and experience to your DLE project to electrify the energy transition.
By choosing SLB's well-to-product integrated lithium solutions, our customers gain:
The solution integrates advanced technologies to enhance lithium extraction yield of over 90%—compared with less than 50% with conventional solutions—while reducing energy and chemical reagent consumption. Battery-grade lithium is produced onsite and does not need to be shipped to other countries for processing. This makes the domestic supply chain more resilient and cost effective while accelerating production.
The entire process from extraction to conversion takes hours, while the conventional evaporation process can take between nine to 18 months, depending on weather conditions.
Capital (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) efficiency are keys to project success. SLB brings technology innovation and integration to achieve operational efficiency. Product standardization and modularization of our lithium process provides additional capital and speed-to-market advantages.
Minimizing land, power consumption, freshwater usage, waste streams, and chemical reagent consumption is integral to the approach. The facility utilizes less than 10% of the land footprint of traditional methods. Responsible water resource management also reduces water consumption by up to 95%. Spent brine is carefully tested and then reinjected to reduce its impact on areas experiencing high water stress and other environmentally sensitive regions.
With our surface and subsurface expertise, SLB offers an ecosystem of lithium production solutions that ensure efficiency and reliability at every stage of the process—with minimum impact to the environment.
We’re here to help. Talk to one of our lithium experts today.