Halliburton has won a contract for GeoFrame Energy’s geothermal and direct lithium extraction (DLE) project, with the company set to plan and design the first demonstration phase wells in the Smackover Formation in east Texas, USA.

Work is expected to begin in late 2025.

“GeoFrame Energy is in an excellent position to capitalise on the current demand for lithium through brine extraction,” Duane Sherritt, VP of Low Carbon Solutions, Halliburton, said. “Halliburton’s 100-year legacy of well expertise and execution, combined with innovation to support new energy projects and decades of experience in the Smackover Formation, makes us the best candidate to help support GeoFrame Energy’s vision.”

Bruce Cutright, CEO of GeoFrame Energy, said: “GeoFrame Energy’s East Texas Project will lead the United States’ domestic lithium production and will be the first to deliver battery-grade lithium carbonate from the Smackover Formation. Halliburton, as a critical member of our team, will support the drilling phase of our project through the construction, design and operation of the demonstration wells and the expansion into full field development.”

Cutright noted that GeoFrame Energy’s project is more than just a lithium production facility; it is a model for responsible mining. The company plans to use geothermal brine to generate renewable electricity through zero-emission binary cycle generators. This process will power its direct lithium extraction and lithium carbonate production plant with renewable energy. The company will sell the excess geothermal power produced electricity to the grid.