News Release

Tapping Alberta’s overlooked brines

Value in wastewater could spark land grab and renaissance in prospecting for lithium rather than oil

byEnverus

CALGARY, Alberta (Sept. 6, 2023) — Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR), a subsidiary of Enverus, the most trusted energy-dedicated SaaS platform, has released a new report that outlines the untapped opportunities in Alberta’s lithium brines, focusing on the potential for direct lithium extraction and prospects in wastewater processing. The report reviews the competitive landscape and offers insights into strategic considerations for operators. 

“Rising demand for lithium, a key metal in the transition of energy sources to lower-carbon alternatives, is sparking a land grab in Alberta and a renaissance in prospecting, this time for lithium rather than oil,” said Graham Bain, report author and a vice president at EIR.

“In the current scenario, extracting lithium during wastewater processing can become a goldmine of opportunity,” Bain added. “In one case study, we found lithium produced from a single company’s water could potentially generate a staggering yearly revenue of C$583 million. This could be a revolutionary shift in how we view wastewater processing.”

Key takeaways from the report:

  • Alberta’s lithium brine concentration averages 42 parts per million (ppm.) The concentration is highest in the Woodbend Group, with an average concentration of 59 ppm.
  • Nine operators in Alberta identified for direct lithium extraction hold nearly 5 million hectares of land.
  • Extracting lithium during wastewater processing represents a massive opportunity from a services perspective. One identified company produces 22 million barrels of water a month. At a lithium concentration averaging 50 ppm and at a C$55,000 LCE spot price, the company could produce 10,600 tonnes of LCE/year and yearly revenue of C$583 million.
  • As of Jan. 1, 2023, all industrial and metallic minerals have been placed under the jurisdiction of the Alberta Energy Regulator. New brine-hosted mineral licenses and lease bonus payments are expected to bring an additional C$152 million to the province in the first six years.

EIR’s analysis pulls from a variety of Enverus products including Enverus Intelligence® Research, and Enverus Fusion® Connect.

Members of the media should contact Jon Haubert to schedule an interview with one of Enverus’ expert analysts.

About Enverus
Enverus is the most trusted, energy-dedicated SaaS platform, offering real-time access to analytics, insights and benchmark cost and revenue data sourced from our partnerships to 98% of U.S. energy producers, and more than 35,000 suppliers. Our platform, with intelligent connections, drives more efficient production and distribution, capital allocation, renewable energy development, investment and sourcing; and our experienced industry experts support our customers through thought leadership, consulting and technology innovations. We provide intelligence across the energy ecosystem: renewables, oil and gas, financial institutions, and power and utilities, with more than 6,000 customers in 50 countries. Learn more at Enverus.com.

About Enverus Intelligence Research
Enverus Intelligence ® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments, technical evaluations and macro-economic forecasts; and helps make intelligent connections for energy industry participants, service companies and capital providers worldwide.

Media Contact: Jon Haubert | 303.396.5996

Picture of Enverus

Enverus

Energy’s most trusted SaaS platform — creating intelligent connections that uncover insights and opportunities to deliver extraordinary outcomes.

Related News

What’s next for the Strait of Hormuz?
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research’s latest Strait of Hormuz outlook highlights a stocks-driven “higher for longer” setup, modeling OECD crude and product inventories falling from 2.82 Bbbl (YE25) to a 2.36 Bbbl trough in Q4 2026. The report also flags a potential...

Let’s make a deal Brent upgraded, Henry Hub downgraded
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus’ latest Fundamental Edge report, “Let’s Make a Deal | Brent Upgrade, Henry Downgrade,” raises its 2H26 Brent forecast to $110/bbl on a late-June deal and gradual Strait of Hormuz reopening while maintaining a capped summer Henry Hub outlook and...

Class VI approvals build, submissions slow
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Enverus Intelligence® Research’s Class VI Update 1Q26 finds approvals building while submissions slow: three final permits issued in 2026 so far, five draft permits in 1Q26, and active Class VI injection capacity at 5.2 mtpa with forecasts above 100 mtpa...

The Binding Constraint From EUV Machines to Megawatts
News Release
ByJon Haubert

About Enverus Intelligence® Research Enverus Intelligence ® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments,...

Time-to-power gap Big generation’s Achilles’ heel in the AI data center race
News Release
ByJon Haubert

AI-driven data center demand is shifting power markets as faster-to-deploy distributed solutions outpace grid infrastructure; Enverus details the time-to-power gap.

Northern Bets On Canada with Parallax Stake
Analyst Takes News Release
ByAndrew Dittmar

Enverus analysts break down Northern Oil and Gas’ Parallax stake and what it reveals about cross-border capital flows and Canada’s competitive energy assets.

Qatari LNG outage shifts global gas market into structural deficit
News Release
ByJon Haubert

Qatari LNG supply disruptions could shift global gas markets into a structural deficit through 2030, with elevated TTF and JKM pricing, intensified Europe-Asia LNG competition and increased strategic value for Pacific-facing export projects, according to Enverus Intelligence® Research.

U.S. electrification will add 24 GW of power load by 2035
News Release
ByJon Haubert

U.S. electrification will add ~24 GW of power load by 2035, led by industrial demand and heating transitions, with growth concentrated in PJM, MISO and NYISO, according to Enverus.

U.S. upstream M&A hits $38 billion in 1Q26 before volatility temporarily pauses the market
News Release
ByJon Haubert

U.S. upstream M&A reached $38 billion in 1Q26 before volatility slowed activity, with Enverus Intelligence® Research expecting higher oil prices to drive a rebound. The outlook points to increased private sales, continued corporate consolidation and sustained influence from international and...

Find Out How Enverus Can Help Your Business
Subscribe to the Energy Blog

A weekly update on the latest “no-fluff” insight and analysis of the energy industry.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Get Started

Sign up for our Blog

Ready to Subscribe?

Ready to Get Started?