Turning Produced Water into a Strategic Lithium Resource
Lithium is the driving force behind electric vehicles and energy storage systems. As demand accelerates and supply chains are increasingly under pressure, new technologies and sources of supply will be essential to keep pace with demand for this strategic mineral, including from unconventional resources.
One such resource is produced water, a complex mix of formation water, dissolved salts, hydrocarbon residues, suspended solids, chemicals, and even microbes, brought to the surface alongside oil and gas production.
For every barrel of oil produced, several barrels of produced water come to the surface. Hidden within this water are dissolved minerals like lithium – sometimes in concentrations that matter.
“Produced water has predominantly been treated as a cost of doing business. With the right technology and execution strategy, it can become a strategic resource, one that supports both sustainability goals and the energy systems of the future,” says Hari Ravindran, Senior Vice President, Technology Solutions.
“Produced water is one of the most chemically diverse effluents in the oil and gas industry,” adds Claudia Pudack, Director, Technology. “Its composition varies significantly based on geology, location, and extraction methods. The challenge isn’t just extracting the lithium – it’s doing it sustainably, at scale, and under real-world operating conditions.”
Here’s how it works:
- Produced water flows from existing facilities into modular DLE units.
- Advanced pretreatment creates the right conditions for efficient lithium extraction.
- Lithium is extracted and refined into battery-grade lithium carbonate.
- Treated water is reused or reintegrated with the depleted brine for reinjection.
The result: An untapped resource lithium that supports the energy transition and powers the future.
By combining deep expertise in process engineering and water treatment, KBR enables lithium production from produced water with advantages in cost, speed, and carbon footprint.
Reach out to us at technology@kbr.com for more.
