Skip to main content

Occidental Petroleum and Berkshire Hathaway To Extract Lithium From Geothermal Brine

Occidental Petroleum and Berkshire Hathaway Join Forces to Revolutionize Lithium Extraction from Geothermal Brine

By:Robert Buluma

In an exciting development for the energy sector, Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) has announced a groundbreaking joint venture with Berkshire Hathaway to commercialize direct lithium extraction (DLE) from geothermal brine in California's Salton Sea. This initiative represents a significant step towards sustainable lithium production, leveraging cutting-edge technology and the vast geothermal resources of the region.

 A Game-Changing Partnership

Occidental Petroleum, a Houston-based oil and gas giant, is collaborating with its largest shareholder, Berkshire Hathaway, to tap into the lucrative and essential market of lithium production. This partnership is set to utilize geothermal waste brine, a byproduct from Berkshire’s extensive network of geothermal plants, as the primary feedstock for lithium extraction.

The Salton Sea, home to 10 geothermal plants owned by Berkshire Hathaway, generates 345 MW of electricity and produces a staggering 50,000 gallons of lithium-rich brine per minute. By harnessing this brine, the joint venture aims to extract high-purity lithium, a crucial component in batteries that power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles.

TerraLithium's Revolutionary Technology

At the core of this venture is TerraLithium, a subsidiary of Occidental formed in 2019. TerraLithium has developed a highly efficient DLE technology that uses advanced adsorbents and chemically modified approaches to capture trace amounts of battery-grade lithium from brine solutions. Impressively, TerraLithium’s process boasts a capture efficiency rate exceeding 99%, making it a leading technology in the field.

Expanding Horizons

If the current demonstration tests prove successful, Berkshire Hathaway plans to expand its operations, building, owning, and operating additional DLE facilities across California. Furthermore, the joint venture intends to license TerraLithium’s technology for use in other regions, potentially revolutionizing the lithium extraction industry on a global scale.

 Competitive Landscape

Occidental’s ambitious project is part of a broader trend among energy companies to invest in lithium extraction. ExxonMobil and Equinor have also entered the North American lithium brine market. Equinor recently announced a significant investment deal with Standard Lithium, potentially pouring up to $130 million into lithium projects in Texas. Similarly, ExxonMobil has initiated plans to drill lithium brine wells in Arkansas, with commercial production anticipated by 2027.

 A Sustainable Future

This partnership not only underscores the growing importance of lithium in the global energy landscape but also highlights the potential of innovative technologies to drive sustainability. By utilizing geothermal brine, a renewable and abundant resource, Oxy and Berkshire Hathaway are paving the way for a greener and more efficient lithium extraction process.

This is not the first time Oil and gas has resolved to bank in Geothermal as Repsol earlier on did the same

The joint venture between Occidental Petroleum and Berkshire Hathaway marks a significant milestone in the energy transition, blending traditional oil and gas expertise with cutting-edge renewable technology. As the world moves towards sustainable energy solutions, initiatives like this will be crucial in meeting the increasing demand for essential resources like lithium, while minimizing environmental impact. Keep an eye on this space as these industry giants continue to innovate and shape the future of energy.

Source:Spe

Connect with us:Alphaxioms

Comments

Popular posts

Meta and XGS Energy Partner on 150 MW Geothermal Power Project in New Mexico

Meta and XGS Energy Partner on 150 MW Geothermal Power Project in New Mexico A Game-Changer for AI, Clean Energy, and the Future By Robert Buluma – Alphaxioms Energy Blog In a bold move that signals the future of energy and technology convergence, XGS Energy and Meta Platforms, Inc. have announced a groundbreaking agreement to develop 150 megawatts (MW) of next-generation geothermal energy in New Mexico. This partnership not only promises to reshape the state's energy landscape but also underscores the growing demand for sustainable, round-the-clock power to fuel the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven economies. Clean Power Without Water – XGS’s Unique Edge At the heart of this partnership lies XGS Energy’s proprietary solid-state geothermal technology. Unlike traditional geothermal systems that rely heavily on water and specific geological conditions, XGS’s innovation enables electricity production from hot, dry rock  with zero operating water use. This water-inde...

Driving the UK Toward Net Zero: Chris Sladen on Geothermal’s Untapped Potential

Alphaxioms, we talked to Chris Sladen about his involvement in geothermal both in the UK, and globally By:  Robert Buluma Chris, please begin by explaining a little about yourself, and why you have a passion for geothermal? I have spent over 45 years involved in energy. Following undergraduate studies in geology at Southampton University, and a PhD in sedimentology at Reading University, I joined the energy sector in Aberdeen in 1980. It was a fascinating era when it seemed like at least one giant oil & gas field was discovered offshore every month; the wealth creation for the UK was gigantic. I got to see so much geology and rocks - my true passion. I moved to China in late 1983; not today’s China, this was over 40 years ago, a country closed for decades and embarking on an open-door policy, in part to bring both investment and technology. I became very interested in energy trends, energy politics, and new geography created by changing politics leading to opportunities for ene...

Turboden to Deliver 180 MW of Gen-2 ORC Plants for Fervo’s Cape Station Geothermal Project in Utah

Turboden ,  Fervo and the Future of Geothermal: 180 MW of Gen-2 ORC Plants for Cape Station, Utah By:  Robert Buluma October 2, 2025    In a landmark move for clean energy and geothermal power, Turboden America LLC   the U.S. arm of Turboden S.p.A. (a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group company)  has been selected to supply 180 MW of Gen-2 Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power plants for Fervo Energy’s Cape Station geothermal project in Utah. A New Milestone in Geothermal Deployment This award relates to Phase II of the Cape Station development, following  Turboden’s earlier participation in Phase I. Under Phase II, Turboden will provide three ORC units , each with a gross output of 60 MWe, summing to 180 MWe. Once installed and operational (targeted by 2028), these Gen-2 units will bring the total ORC capacity on site to 300 MWe , making Cape Station one of the largest geothermal installations globally. The earlier Phase I installation, invol...

XGS Energy Achieves 3,000-Hour Milestone in Geothermal Innovation

XGS Energy  Achieves 3,000-Hour Milestone for Water-Independent Geothermal System By : Robert Buluma HOUSTON, Sept 30, 2025 – In a groundbreaking achievement for the geothermal sector, XGS Energy has announced the successful 3,000-hour operation of its water-independent geothermal system at commercial scale. This milestone not only validates the system’s commercial economics but also positions XGS as the first company to demonstrate such technology under real-world, commercial conditions. A New Era in Geothermal Innovation The operations took place at the Coso Geothermal Field in California’s Western Mojave Desert, a site owned by Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure and operated by Coso Operating Company. XGS Energy  revitalized a well that had been idle for over two decades, installing its proprietary closed-loop geothermal system enhanced by Thermal Reach Enhancement (TRE) technology. Flow testing delivered a record performance, maintaining a sustained temperature differenc...

Geothermal Projects In Africa, Countries Overview

 Geothermal Projects in Africa: Country-wise Overview By : Robert Buluma Africa is increasingly turning to geothermal energy as a sustainable solution to meet its growing electricity demands. With abundant geothermal resources spread across the continent, several countries have embarked on ambitious projects to harness this clean and renewable energy source. Let's delve into the geothermal projects in various African countries, highlighting key players and prospects. Algeria Algeria is exploring its geothermal potential, particularly in the northern regions. Although in the early stages, initiatives are underway to assess feasibility and potential locations for geothermal power plants.  Burundi Burundi has shown interest in developing its geothermal resources, primarily in the northwest region near Lake Tanganyika. The government is actively seeking partnerships with international firms to kickstart exploration and development efforts. Comoros The Comoros Islands are situated ...

From Iceland to the World: A Geothermal Engineer’s Journey

A Global Journey in Geothermal: Insights from an Industry Expert From Iceland’s pioneering geothermal plants to Kenya’s wellhead projects and Indonesia’s remote fields, few By: Robert Buluma Image: Lydur skulason with a geothermal well head  professionals have had as wide-ranging a journey in geothermal as Lydur Skulason With decades of hands-on experience in marine engineering, power plant operations, and international project management, he has combined technical expertise with global collaboration to help shape the sector’s growth. In this conversation, he shares lessons from his career, insights on geothermal innovation, and his vision for the future of clean energy. Career & Experience Can you walk us through your career in geothermal and how it began? I began my career in Iceland, where geothermal energy is a natural part of daily life and a cornerstone of the national energy system. After studying Marine Engineering and Mechanical Technology at  Reykjavik Univ...

Eavor and SLB Partners To Develop Eavor Loop Technology

Eavor  & SLB : Unlocking a Revolution in Clean Energy Production By:  Robert Buluma Image: The SLB & Eavor Team at Geretsried Imagine a world where energy is not only clean but also consistent, dependable, and accessible worldwide. This vision is becoming a reality, thanks to an innovative partnership between  Eavor Technologies and  SLB (formerly Schlumberger). Together, they are pioneering a groundbreaking approach to harnessing renewable energy, promising to redefine how we produce and consume power and heat. At the heart of this collaboration lies Eavor 's revolutionary technology, the Eavor-Loop™, a closed-loop geothermal system that is unlike anything seen before. The partnership reached a critical milestone recently at Getesried, the home of the first commercial Eavor-Loop™, where the SLB and Eavor teams met to celebrate this transformative project. What Is the Eavor-Loop™? The Eavor -Loop™ is a closed-loop geothermal system that eliminates the tradi...

Cornish Lithium Secures £35M to Advance Geothermal Lithium and Critical Mineral Projects in the UK

Cornish Lithium  Secures £35M in Equity Funding  A Milestone for UK Critical Minerals By:  Robert Buluma In a major boost for the UK’s domestic battery supply ambitions,  Cornish Lithium has announced that it has secured £35 million in new equity funding. This capital raise is intended to propel its key projects closer to construction and commercial stages, marking a pivotal moment in the firm’s trajectory. Backing & Investors The funding round is led by existing institutional backers, with up to £31 million coming from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) , and approximately £4 million from TechMet , a long-standing investor in the company. Cornish Lithium’s legal counsel for the deal was Mayer Brown. What the Funds Will Be Used For Cornish Lithium will allocate the capital toward advancing two flagship projects: Trelavour Lithium Project : The funds will support further engineering work, feasibility studies, and help lead the project toward a construction...

Unlocking Geothermal Power: Subsurface Secrets of Mount Erciyes Revealed”

Mount Erciyes: A Hidden Geothermal Treasure Beneath Cappadocia By: Robert Buluma Beneath the snow-capped slopes of Mount Erciyes , central Turkey’s highest peak, lies more than just volcanic history  it harbors the promise of geothermal energy . A new study published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research has mapped the subsurface of Erciyes using three-dimensional magnetotelluric (MT) imaging , revealing zones of high electrical conductivity that point to heat, fluids, and possible magma bodies deep underground. Cracking the Code Beneath the Mountain Researchers led by S.B. Tank used advanced MT techniques to peer beneath Erciyes and its surroundings. Their results uncovered conductivity anomalies   regions where electricity flows more easily due to the presence of saline fluids, hot water, or partially molten rock . For geothermal experts, these anomalies are gold. They act as subsurface fingerprints of geothermal reservoirs , highlighting where heat ...

Pertamina Geothermal & Toyota: A New Chapter for Green Hydrogen in Indonesia

Jakarta, September 2025   In a move that could change how Indonesia leverages its enormous geothermal endowment, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk  (PGE) and PT  Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) signed a joint declaration to develop a green hydrogen ecosystem in Indonesia.  By:  Robert Buluma The announcement  made at the 11th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition (IIGCE) in Jakarta  signals an ambition to turn geothermal heat into a strategic feedstock for low-carbon fuels and industrial feedstocks, not just electricity. Why this matters Indonesia sits on some of the world’s richest geothermal resources. Traditionally those resources have been used to generate baseload electricity; PGE’s partnership with Toyota broadens the conversation: use geothermal power and heat to produce green hydrogen, then convert that hydrogen into transport fuels, ammonia, methanol, or industrial hydrogen for heavy industry. That pivot...