Cornish Lithium has awarded the contract for its Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project to Halliburton. Halliburton is an American multinational corporation and the world's second-largest oil service company, responsible for most of the world's fracking operations.
The project aims to confirm the site's potential for the commercial production of lithium. Work will begin at the Chacewater site near Truro, with the drilling of two wells to establish the lithium resource potential of geothermal waters, also known as brine, that circulate deep underground.
Under the deal, Halliburton, which has dual headquarters in Houston, Texas and Dubai, will provide an "integrated execution approach, encompassing subsurface modelling and well engineering, together with equipment and services for the drilling and testing of two appraisal wells".
Cornish Lithium said the work will help estimate the amount of lithium contained within the geothermal system of the Cornubian Batholith, the large body of granite formed around 280 million years ago that lies beneath much of Cornwall and Devon.
These commercial-scale wells will allow Cornish Lithium to carry out extended testing during a defined timescale to validate sustainable production conditions, assess water reinjection rates and confirm the company's preferred Direct Lithium Extraction technology at demonstration scale.
In addition, these test works will allow the company to explore the potential to harness geothermal heat for local homes and businesses.
Data gathered from the wells will inform the project's final investment decision and help inform Cornish Lithium's wider ambition to develop a network of modular geothermal lithium production hubs across Cornwall.
The firm said that together, these sites could deliver a scalable, low-carbon and secure domestic supply of lithium for the UK.
Martin Geissler, vice president and general manager for lithium in geothermal waters at Cornish Lithium, said: "Halliburton brings deep industry expertise and knowledge, and will support the drilling and testing phases of our project, from well design to construction.
"Their team was highly proactive throughout the tender process, demonstrating a clear understanding of our requirements and a strong commitment to supporting the project's objectives.
"We look forward to working with Halliburton and other collaborators as we continue to advance the project, support Cornwall's proud mining heritage, and create high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth for the region."
The Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project is supported by a £7.2m grant through the UK Government's DRIVE35 programme to part-fund Cornish Lithium's £14.5m programme of drilling and testing.
DRIVE35 is delivered by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Innovate UK.
Cornish Lithium first drilled and tested an exploration borehole at Cross Lanes in 2023, which confirmed that lithium-rich geothermal waters circulate naturally through its underlying rock formations.
Lithium is a key component of lithium-ion batteries, which power consumer electronics, electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems, as well as a broad range of advanced manufacturing applications.
Jean-Marc Lopez, senior vice president, Europe, Eurasia, and Sub-Saharan Africa region, for Halliburton, said: "Halliburton will support Cornish Lithium on the well services and testing scope for the Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project.
"With more than 70 years of geothermal development experience and over a century of well delivery expertise, I expect our teams will execute the drilling programme safely and efficiently to support Cornish Lithium's technical and operational objectives."
Planning consent for the first phase of the Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project was granted by Cornwall Council and can be viewed on the council's planning register under reference PA25/05631.
Halliburton to Lead Cornwall Lithium Project