Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently joined ExxonMobil and state leaders to announce that the company will drill its first lithium well in Arkansas, marking an early investment into what may well be one of North America’s largest lithium deposits. Numerous Arkansas leaders came forward to express support for the development.
“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,” Sanders said. “My administration supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy that guarantees good, high-paying jobs for Arkansans – and we’ll continue to cut taxes and slash red tape to make that happen.”
“Arkansas is blessed with an abundance of lithium deposits. Investments in capturing this mineral will enhance economic growth in the region and boost America’s domestic energy production,” Senator John Boozman said.
To pursue its goal of becoming a leading producer of lithium, ExxonMobil has acquired the rights to 120,000 gross acres of the Smackover formation in southern Arkansas. After using conventional oil and gas drilling methods to access lithium-rich saltwater from reservoirs about 10,000 feet underground, ExxonMobil will utilize direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology to separate lithium from the saltwater. This process produces fewer carbon emissions than hard rock mining and requires significantly less land.
“This project is a win-win-win,” said Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions. “It’s a perfect example of how ExxonMobil can enhance North American energy security, expand supplies of a critical industrial material, and enable the continued reduction of emissions associated with transportation, which is essential to meeting society’s net-zero goals.”
“When we utilize what’s under our own two feet, we can create jobs, expand our economy, and make life more affordable for Arkansans. ExxonMobil’s lithium well will enhance the Natural State’s role in achieving American-led energy innovation and help curb inflation caused by high energy prices,” said Representative Steve Womack (AR-03).
Lithium is an essential component of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, energy storage systems and other clean energy technologies. Demand for lithium is expected to quadruple by 2030, and virtually all lithium today is produced outside of North America. ExxonMobil is targeting its first lithium production for 2027, and by 2030 aims to be producing enough lithium across its operations to supply the manufacturing needs of over a million electric vehicles per year.
“Southwest Arkansas has the capabilities to be a leader on the global stage for lithium production. Investments like ExxonMobil’s will position the Natural State to play an active role in easing our dependence on our foreign adversaries for this mineral, which plays a major role in much of our daily lives. This announcement has the opportunity to bolster our state’s lithium sector, ushering in new jobs for Arkansans and a broad economic impact on the 4th District,” said Representative Bruce Westerman (AR-04).
