Lithium Heats Up: Chevron Moves In, Lafayette Gears Up, Summit on the Horizon
This Week: Big Moves & Momentum: Chevron Enters the Game, Lafayette County Gears Up, and Summit Registration Opens
Chevron enters the Arkansas lithium scene with a 125,000-acre acquisition, marking its first step toward a U.S.-based lithium business using direct extraction technology.
Lafayette County prepares for transformation as a $1.6 billion lithium plant moves forward post-royalty approval — with officials focused on housing, jobs and revitalizing local life.
Registration is open for the 2025 Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit — happening Oct. 28–29 in Little Rock. Reserve your spot now.
Let’s dive in!
Chevron Dives Into Domestic Lithium With Arkansas, Texas Leasehold Purchases
Chevron USA is entering the lithium race through the acquisition of about 125,000 acres in the Smackover Formation in northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas. The deal, announced June 17, marks the energy giant’s first step toward a commercial-scale U.S. lithium business.
The Details:
Chevron bought 100,000 net acres from TerraVolta Resources of Houston and another 25,000 from East Texas Natural Resources (ETNR).
TerraVolta, backed by Energy & Minerals Group, called the deal a strategic sale that advances its development gains.
Chevron said it plans to deploy direct lithium extraction (DLE), a cleaner, more efficient method than traditional mining.
An Expansion
In its announcement, Chevron New Energies President Jeff Gustavson said the deal aims to help expand U.S.-based critical mineral supplies:
“Establishing domestic and resilient lithium supply chains is essential not only to maintaining U.S. energy leadership but also to meeting the growing demand from customers,” Gustavson said. “This opportunity builds on many of Chevron’s strengths, including subsurface resource development and value chain integration.”
The companies did not disclose financial terms of the deal. Allison Cook, a Chevron spokesperson, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that it was not able to provide the exact amount of land it acquired in Arkansas:
“We can't disclose details regarding some of your questions, however, what I can tell you is that this investment allows Chevron to leverage strengths to safely deliver lower carbon energy to a growing world,” Cook wrote in an email. “It aligns with the company's solution, scale and speed approach; we will first work on the development of the solution (DLE), demonstrate its performance and then make moves to scale, based on market conditions.”
Chevron’s corporate headquarters in Houston. (Google Maps)
The Big Picture
Chevron, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway’s $200 billion Chevron Corp. of Houston, joins a growing list of heavyweights betting on Arkansas as a domestic lithium hub, just weeks after regulators approved a 2.5% royalty rate for lithium extraction at a Lafayette County production unit.
More: Read coverage from Arkansas Business, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Times and Reuters. See the announcements from Chevron USA and TerraVolta.
Lafayette County Preps for Transformation After Royalty Decision
With Arkansas regulators approving a royalty rate for Standard Lithium’s Reynolds Brine Production Unit in Lafayette County, local leaders say the community is preparing for a once-in-a-generation economic shift — and they’re ready to help steer the change.
Danny Ormand, a former Lafayette County judge and the assistant to current county Judge Valarie Clark (a past Lithium Link guest), told Lithium Link that county officials are pleased that the royalty is now set — not for its amount, but for bringing long-awaited certainty.
The royalty decision clears the path for Standard and its partner, Equinor, to move toward building a $1.6 billion plant that could redefine the rural area’s economic future.
Ormand said:
Local officials didn’t push for a specific number, just a “fair and equitable” rate to unlock development, Ormand noted.
ExxonMobil has its own royalty hearing coming up on June 23, and the county is watching closely.
“This is going to change our county, totally,” Ormand said. “When you have major companies coming in, spending $1.6 billion, that's life-changing for our citizens.”
The Lafayette County Courthouse. (Google Maps)
By the Numbers:
Lafayette County has about 6,200 residents.
It has only one grocery store and is officially classified as a food desert.
Leaders hope the new industry will bring new economic activity, everything from grocery options to barbershops and “activities for the kids.”
Ormand said county officials are focused on the basics:
Temporary housing for incoming construction workers
Permanent job placement once operations begin
Recreational opportunities for quality of life — like highlighting the county’s lake and outdoor assets
Between the Lines
The county sees its role as a connector between citizens, contractors and lithium companies like Standard and Exxon.
“We’re just here mainly to say, what can we do? What do you need?” Ormand said.
What’s Next
County leaders expect a surge in inquiries — from job seekers to developers — and are ready to match people with the right company contacts as projects move forward. Meanwhile, all eyes are on the upcoming oil and gas commission hearings expected to consider ExxonMobil’s royalty application.
Register Now for the 2025 Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit
🗓 Oct. 28-29, 2025
📍 Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock, Arkansas
Registration is now open for the 2025 Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit — a two-day gathering of innovators, policymakers, industry leaders and community stakeholders working to shape the rapidly emerging lithium economy in Arkansas and across the U.S.
Why attend?
Learn from national experts and tech pioneers in critical minerals, direct lithium extraction (DLE), battery manufacturing and clean energy.
Connect with startup founders, global investors, university researchers and local officials all building the lithium value chain.
Explore the latest in workforce development, infrastructure planning and how South Arkansas is positioning itself as a key player in the domestic lithium supply.
🎟️ Space is limited — sign up today on Eventbrite to secure your spot:
👉 eventbrite.com/e/2025-arkansas-lithium-innovation-summit-tickets-1408819670559?utm_source=lithiumlink
Plus: Learn about sponsorship opportunities.
Previously: Learn more about the summit with this look at last year’s inaugural event: Video | White paper