The brine production industry is well established in Arkansas and has been continuously producing brine for the extraction of specific elements Smackover Formation from brine, such as Bromine and other elements since the 1950’s.
Lithium extraction will be an additional element extracted from the brine and will be regulated under the Arkansas Brine Production Act and in accordance with the Arkansas Brine Production Regulatory Program.
Leasing for Lithium extraction and test well activity to define the Lithium potential from the Smackover Formation is currently occurring, however no commercial Lithium production has been initiated. To date,
the Commission has issued well permits and several Orders dealing with a specific Lithium “pilot project” and the creation of a Brine Unit, and anticipates future Commission proceedings dealing with
additional Brine Units and Lithium royalty determination.
1. Laxness Corporation and Arkansas Lithium Corporation, are currently operating a Pilot Plant to test the commercial viability of the extraction of lithium from processed brine in accordance with Commission Orders.
After due notice and public hearing in El Dorado, Arkansas, on October 23, 2018, the Oil and Gas Commission approved the Applicants’ request for operation of a Pilot Plant to test the commercial viability of the extraction of Lithium from
processed brine produced from the Smackover Formation underlying certain lands in Union County, Arkansas was granted, effective November 08, 2018 with the following criteria:
Requirements for the project include:
- The term of the Pilot Plant testing period was established in the following Commission Orders.
- The Applicants are required to file a quarterly report, within 15 days of the conclusion of each calendar quarter.
- The Arkansas Lithium Corporation shall provide and update Oil & Gas Commission staff of any public
disclosures that are made as required under any applicable Canadian Securities Law.
The entirety of
Order No. 057-2018-10
is viewable here.
The entirety of
Order No. 088-2021-10
is viewable here.
The entirety of
Order No. 092-2022-12
is viewable here.
The entirety of
Order No. 058-2023-08
is viewable here.
2. After due notice and public hearing in El Dorado, Arkansas, on September 26, 2023, the Oil and Gas Commission approved an application submitted by TETRA Technologies, Inc. to establish a
Brine Unit for the production of Brine from the Smackover Formation underlying certain lands in Lafayette and Columbia Counties, Arkansas The Application was granted effective October 17, 2023.
The entirety of
Order No. 022-1-2023-04
is viewable here.
3. The Commission has issued drilling permits for the purpose of testing the Lithium production potential from the Smackover Formation. No commercial production of Lithium has been authorized pending determination
of a Lithium royalty by the Commission. The issued well permits can be viewed at:
https://aogc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=4f8a220a7136498faab879b7e58fb2d2
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