ExxonMobil drills first lithium well in Arkansas for EV supply by 2030

Exxon Mobil Corporation announced it has initiated the first phase of lithium production in southwest Arkansas, aiming to tap into significant lithium deposits in the region. The lithium product, branded as Mobil™ Lithium, builds on the longstanding technical partnership between Mobil and the automotive industry, according to a press release by Exxon Mobil Corporation.

The first phase of lithium production is slated for 2027. This showcases ExxonMobil's commitment to advancing energy transition with environmentally conscious practices. Utilizing direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, ExxonMobil plans to extract lithium from saltwater. This method reduces carbon emissions and environmental impact compared to traditional mining methods, said Exxon Mobil Corporation.

"Lithium is essential to the energy transition, and ExxonMobil has a leading role to play in paving the way for electrification," said Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions. "This landmark project applies decades of ExxonMobil expertise to unlock vast supplies of North American lithium with far fewer environmental impacts than traditional mining operations," he added.

In early 2023, ExxonMobil secured rights to 120,000 acres in the Smackover formation in southern Arkansas which hosts a highly abundant lithium resource in North America. To support the growth of Arkansas' burgeoning lithium sector, ExxonMobil has partnered with local and state authorities. They aim to implement an innovative production method that will tap into extensive lithium reservoirs while also contributing towards energy security and U.S. climate goals.

"South Arkansas is our state’s all-around energy capital, producing oil, natural gas, and now thanks to investments like ExxonMobil’s and their combination of skills and scale, lithium," said Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. "My administration supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy that guarantees good, high-paying jobs for Arkansans – we’ll continue cutting taxes and slashing red tape."