LibertyStream Reaches 250,000-Barrel Milestone in Texas With Field-Scale Direct Lithium Extraction

Key Takeaways

LibertyStream’s Direct Lithium Extraction technology has processed over 250,000 barrels of brine in Texas in nine months.
The next milestone includes commissioning a lithium carbonate refining unit in early Q4 2025.
The company aims for a production potential of 220,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate equivalent.

Progress in Lithium Extraction Technology

LibertyStream Infrastructure Partners has achieved significant progress with its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, successfully processing more than 250,000 barrels of brine from the Permian Basin at its Texas field unit over the past nine months. This achievement represents a critical phase in enhancing the system, gearing up for the final de-risking stage, which involves transforming lithium chloride eluate into commercial-grade lithium carbonate.

During this period, the company implemented several targeted technical upgrades to optimize the field unit’s operation. One of the key enhancements was the addition of a pre-treatment step designed to remove impurities such as iron and organic compounds from the brine. This upgrade not only improved extraction efficiency but also reduced the consumption of chemicals used in the process. Moreover, the field team conducted extensive temperature management tests throughout both the DLE and acid recovery stages, which helped identify optimal thermal conditions. This experimentation resulted in improved processing kinetics, leading to faster production cycles and reduced operational costs. The modular system is structured into four distinct modules that facilitated real-time experimentation and benchmarking, reinforcing LibertyStream’s approach to continuous improvement and confirming its strategy for future modular expansions.

Looking ahead, LibertyStream is setting its sights on the commissioning of a lithium carbonate refining unit, anticipated for the first half of the fourth quarter in 2025. The company has already stockpiled lithium chloride eluate, ready for immediate processing once the refining unit becomes operational. The goal is to demonstrate the conversion of oilfield brine into battery-grade lithium carbonate at a single location.

With an estimated production potential of around 220,000 tonnes annually of lithium carbonate equivalent—based on current field validations—LibertyStream plans to expand modular operations into additional North American basins. This expansion will capitalize on existing water disposal infrastructures to promote cost efficiency and scalability.

Alex Wylie, President & CEO of LibertyStream, expressed excitement over reaching the 250,000-barrel processing milestone, acknowledging the team’s dedication and hard work in refining the system in preparation for commercial deployment. As 2025 approaches, the commissioning of the refining unit and the conversion of stockpiled lithium eluate into commercial-grade lithium carbonate will mark the final step crucial for rolling out full-scale operations, expected to commence in 2026.

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