University scientists have discovered a way to extract lithium from oil and gas fields using plants

Scientists from Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) have developed a biotechnological method for extracting lithium from water sources using plants. Experiments have confirmed that the valuable metal can be extracted from the formation waters of oil and gas fields. These technologies will help Russia expand its lithium resource base.

Lithium is a trace element with a limited ability to concentrate in individual deposits. The demand for lithium is constantly increasing with the development of electric vehicles and autonomous energy storage systems. According to various estimates, global demand for lithium—the main element in lithium-ion batteries—could increase 2.5-3 times in the next five years. However, traditional sources of the metal are very limited and are concentrated in the unique lithium ore deposits of Australia and the salt lakes of China, Chile, and Argentina.

"In Russia, the development of domestic lithium mining facilities will reduce the significant dependence on imports and meet the growing demand for this metal in the domestic market. Already, the production of lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, laptops, cars, and other devices requires more than 80% of all lithium mined," noted Professor Vladimir Vinokurov, Head of the Department of Physical and Colloid Chemistry at Gubkin University.

Gubkin University scientists studied formation waters from oil and gas fields—underground water found in the pores and cracks of rocks—as a source of lithium. This water is extracted as a by-product during oil and gas field development. Formation waters are rich in mineral salts, but the technologies for processing them remain largely unexplored.

The researchers assessed the ability of various plants to absorb lithium from aqueous salt solutions. The experiments confirmed that rapeseed is suitable for lithium extraction. The plants were grown in a mixture of formation water and a standard nutrient solution, accumulating the valuable metal in their leaves and stems as they grew.

"Extracting lithium from existing biomass is less expensive than extracting it from traditional deposits. Given that Russia exclusively imports lithium, this poses risks to the development of the domestic industry. A biotechnological method for extracting lithium using plants will make it possible to utilize the existing infrastructure of oil and gas companies without the need to build expensive facilities. This is a promising approach," emphasized Vladimir Vinokurov.

In the next stage, the scientists plan to continue research into the optimal parameters for using the biotechnological method of lithium extraction. The goal is to develop a process flow diagram and begin pilot and industrial testing.

Formation waters are common byproducts of oil and gas fields. They can be present in the oil and gas reservoir since the deposition of ancient sediment, penetrate over time from the outside through atmospheric precipitation, recharge from rivers and seas, or arise in other ways. The mineralization of formation waters increases with depth. In addition to inorganic substances, oil field waters may contain bacteria, which impart various colors to the fluid—pink, red, or milky.

Formation waters are extracted during field development. The proportion of water in the fluid brought to the surface is quite high (for Russian fields, from 20% to 98%) and depends on the water cut of a particular field. The water separated from the oil is usually reinjected into the formation from which it was extracted.