October General Dinner

October General Dinner

Title: Unlocking Lithium Potential: The Smackover Formation's Role in the Future of Energy Storage

Speaker: Stephen O'Leary

Date: Monday 13 October

Time: 5:30 – 7:30

Location: Federal American Grill, 510 Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX 77007

Directions: Valet parking available

Cost: $45 Members, $55 Non-members, $40 Students

Details: Includes hearty appetizers and two drink tickets

Registration closes October 12 at midnight.

Presentation description:

The Smackover formation of the Gulf Coast region is a legacy oil and gas reservoir deposited in a late Jurassic carbonate ramp setting. The Smackover in southern Arkansas is also known for its Bromine brine fields and its high Lithium content. The formation's lithium concentration, strategic location, and strong community support make the trend highly favorable for a first-of-its-kind direct lithium extraction (DLE) project.

The electric vehicle and energy storage markets are driving long-term lithium demand. Government incentives to onshore lithium supply, and demand from EV manufacturers, and gigafactories seeking to secure domestic lithium supply through offtake contracts are creating significant market momentum.

Smackover Lithium is a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor. Formed in May 2024, Smackover Lithium is developing two DLE Project Companies in southwest Arkansas and east Texas. Standard Lithium has 55% interest and retains operatorship, while Equinor holds the remaining 45%.

The Southwest Arkansas project is in Lafayette and Columbia counties in southwestern Arkansas and is nearing final investment decision for the Phase 1 unit area. The East Texas projects are lithium exploration and appraisal areas for resource expansion along trend.

About the Speaker

Stephen O'Leary is currently Asset Manager for East Texas and leads Equinor's US Lithium subsurface team. Stephen holds a MS in Petroleum Geoscience from Imperial College, London and began his career with BHP Billiton in 2001. His early career with BHPB encompassed minerals and oil and gas operations within Australia. In 2006, Stephen joined Norsk Hydro and became involved in oil and gas exploration projects in Cuba, the Barents Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. Stephen has been based in Houston since 2009, serving in Exploration and Production leadership roles for subsurface projects in the Gulf of Mexico and Angola. In 2024, Stephen commenced roles in lithium exploration and development with partner Standard Lithium across Arkansas and Texas.