PROJECT
Lithium Potential from Brine By-Product in Alberta
In 2023, Alberta wells produced 3.5 billion cubic meters of water for oil and gas production. It contains 175,000 tonnes of lithium estimated. This equates to approximately 953,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) or 839,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).
Lithium Canada Project
Large-scale oil and gas production sites possess their own water treatment facilities but lack the capability for lithium extraction from wastewater. Integrating a lithium extraction facility into existing water treatment infrastructure at large-scale oil and gas production sites, offering a dual-purpose solution for wastewater management and resource recovery.
Also, in the oil and gas industry, production sites often face challenges in managing wastewater generated during operations. Typically, this wastewater is directed to conventional water treatment facilities. However, with advancements in technology and increasing demand for lithium, there is an opportunity to extract lithium from this wastewater while simultaneously treating it.
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Market Potential : The demand for lithium, driven by its use in various industries including energy storage and electric vehicles, presents a lucrative market opportunity. Additionally, the need for efficient wastewater management solutions in the oil and gas sector further underscores the potential for this integrated facility.
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Technical Viability : Technological advancements have made it feasible to extract lithium from wastewater with ~50 ppm Li+ concentration. Integrating a lithium extraction facility into existing water treatment infrastructure is technically viable and can be optimized for efficient operation.
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Revenue Streams: Revenue generation will additionally stem from the sale of extracted lithium not only from the water treatment. Leveraging both revenue streams enhances the financial viability of the project.