Global drilling giant signs on for Cornwall’s lithium wells

A company that has spent more than a century drilling wells in some of the world’s toughest energy fields has just taken on a job much closer to home. Cornish Lithium has appointed Halliburton to handle the well services and testing for its Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project, the next step in finding out whether the granite deep beneath Cornwall can support a genuine lithium industry.

Two wells to prove the resource

Work will begin 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 contract, Halliburton will provide an integrated execution approach, covering subsurface modelling and well engineering together with the equipment and services needed to drill and test two appraisal wells.

The work is designed to estimate how much lithium is 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.

What the tests need to prove

These commercial-scale wells will let Cornish Lithium run extended testing over 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. The test work will also let the company explore the potential to harness geothermal heat for local homes and businesses.

Building towards a decision

Data gathered from the wells will feed into the project’s Final Investment Decision, and support Cornish Lithium’s wider ambition to build a network of modular geothermal lithium production hubs across Cornwall. Together, the company says, these sites could deliver a scalable, low-carbon and secure domestic supply of lithium for the UK.

A £14.5m programme with government backing

The Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project is supported by a £7.2m grant through the UK Government’s DRIVE35 programme, part-funding 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, confirming that lithium-rich geothermal waters circulate naturally through the rock formations beneath the site. 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.

What the two companies are saying

Martin Geissler, VP General Manager for Lithium in Geothermal Waters at Cornish Lithium, said: “We are delighted to appoint Halliburton as our technical collaborator for integrated service delivery on the well services and testing scope of our Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project.

“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.”

Halliburton is one of the world’s leading providers of products and services to the energy industry. Founded in 1919, the company says it creates technologies, products and services that help customers maximise value throughout the life cycle of an asset and advance a sustainable energy future.

Jean-Marc Lopez, Senior Vice President for the Europe, Eurasia and Sub-Saharan Africa region at Halliburton, added: “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 has already been granted by Cornwall Council, under planning reference PA25/05631.