T5 Smackover Partners and Glencore Deal: A Turning Point for Geothermal Lithium in East Texas By: Robert Buluma When Geothermal Stops Being Just Energy A quiet but powerful shift is unfolding in the global energy landscape. For decades, geothermal energy has been discussed almost exclusively as a clean electricity source. But in 2026, that definition is rapidly expanding. The latest signal comes from East Texas, where T5 Smackover Partners has signed a binding offtake agreement with global commodities giant Glencore for lithium carbonate production from the Smackover Formation. On the surface, it looks like another lithium deal in a crowded critical minerals market. But underneath, it represents something far more significant: the merging of geothermal energy systems with large-scale mineral extraction, particularly lithium, at an industrial scale. This is not just about batteries. It is about energy systems becoming mineral systems—and mineral systems becoming energy syst...
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 owne...