CPG · KFUPM • Online International Colloquium Series

Direct Lithium
Extraction

From Subsurface Brines — Science, Technology & Commercialization for Oil & Gas and Geothermal Systems

September 2 – November 4, 2026
Online via Zoom — free registration required, seats limited

View Schedule & Register About the Series

About the Series

Turning a Byproduct Into a Strategic Resource

Growing global demand for lithium is driving new interest in an unconventional source: the brines produced alongside oil & gas and geothermal operations. Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) offers a path to recover critical minerals from these fluids — turning produced water from an operational liability into a strategic asset, while leveraging infrastructure and expertise the energy industry already has.

The Opportunity

Recent advances in electrochemical systems, membrane science, selective sorbents, and reactor engineering have accelerated DLE from lab concept toward commercial deployment — but selectivity, fouling, scale-up, and techno-economics remain open challenges.

The Goal

Bring together academic researchers, technology innovators, and industry practitioners to examine the state of DLE science and technology, surface remaining technical gaps, and catalyze new academia–industry partnerships.

The Vision

Position CPG–KFUPM — alongside Saudi Aramco and Dhahran Techno Valley — as an international hub for research, technology development, and commercialization in integrated subsurface resource systems.

DLE is part of the future of the subsurface — integrating minerals, energy, water, and sustainability.

Why This Series Matters

Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition

Lithium and other critical minerals are essential for batteries, clean energy, and advanced technologies.

Turning Challenges Into Opportunities

Produced water and geothermal brines contain valuable minerals that can be sustainably recovered.

Industry Relevance

Solutions must be robust, scalable, cost-competitive, and integrated into existing field operations.

Collaboration Drives Impact

Partnerships across academia, startups, and industry will accelerate innovation and commercialization.

Toward Integrated Subsurface Systems

A future where energy, minerals, water, and environmental solutions are produced in synergy.

Program Structure

Nine Sessions, Four Chapters

Industry Challenges R&D Frontiers Technology & Scale-Up Way Forward & Action Plan

Talk 1

Industry Challenges & Opportunities

A brief opening welcome from CPG–KFUPM and partner leadership opens the session. This is followed by a talk from Saudi Aramco, framing the discussion in the realities of E&P operations, where produced water and geothermal brines are increasingly seen as sources of critical minerals rather than waste streams.

Talks 2–4

R&D Frontiers in Direct Lithium Extraction

Academic presentations on the science underpinning modern DLE — electrochemical systems, membrane science, reactor engineering, and selective ion transport — surfacing research gaps and future R&D directions from Prof. Chong Liu, Prof. Amir Razmjou, and Prof. S. Lisa Biswal.

Talks 5–8

Technology, Scale-Up & Commercialization

Leading DLE technology companies — Lilac Solutions, IBAT, EnergyX, and Vulcan Energy — present technology readiness, the KSA business case, pilot requirements, and scale-up hurdles on the path to commercial deployment.

Talk 9

The Way Forward: From Opportunity to Action

A CPG–KFUPM way forward discussion charts strategic research directions and partnership opportunities, expanding the discussion beyond lithium to an integrated subsurface system for energy, water, and mineral production.

Schedule

Nine Talks, One Global Online Series

Free registration is required; seats are limited. Register individually for each session you'd like to attend — a confirmation with the Zoom link will follow.

Talk Speaker Organization Topic Date Time (KSA)

Series Opening and Industrial Challenges

1 CPG–KFUPM Event Opening & Welcome 3:30 PM Sept 2, 2026

Dr. Bandar Ghassal Saudi Aramco Industry Challenges & Opportunities 4:00 PM

R&D Frontiers

Prof. Chong Liu University of Chicago Materials Design for Direct Lithium Extraction Sept 9, 2026 4:00 PM

Prof. Amir Razmjou Edith Cowan University Direct Lithium Extraction: Emerging Membrane Technologies for Sustainable Lithium Recovery Sept 16, 2026 2:00 PM

Prof. S. Lisa Biswal Rice University From Brines to Batteries: Innovations in Electrochemical Lithium Recovery Sept 22, 2026 4:00 PM

Technology & Scale-Up

Dr. David Snydacker Lilac Solutions Ion Exchange for Lithium Brines: Lilac’s Unique Capabilities Sept 30, 2026 4:00 PM

Dr. John Burba International Battery Metals (IBAT) Modular DLE Systems Oct 7, 2026 4:00 PM

Mr. Teague Egan EnergyX GET-Lit™: Unlocking Lithium from Oil & Gas and Geothermal Brines Through Next-Generation Direct Lithium Extraction Oct 14, 2026 4:00 PM

Dr. Francis Wedin Vulcan Energy Resources Building Europe’s Sustainable Lithium Supply Chain: Integrating Geothermal Energy and Lithium Production Oct 28, 2026 3:00 PM

The Way Forward

Dr. Mahmoud Abdulhamid ·
Dr. Mohannad Mayyas KFUPM Way Forward – Toward Integrated Subsurface Resource Systems Nov 4, 2026 4:00 PM

Speakers

Meet the Series Lineup

Schedule & Speakers

Nine Talks, Nine Experts

Free registration is required; seats are limited. Tap a speaker below for their full bio, and register individually for each session you’d like to attend — a confirmation with the Zoom link will follow.

Head of Brine Resources Exploration Division, Aramco Transition Minerals

Talk 1 · Industry Challenges & Opportunities

Industry Challenges

Associate Professor, University of Chicago

Talk 2 · Materials Design for Direct Lithium Extraction

Full Bio LinkedIn

R&D Frontiers

Associate Professor, Edith Cowan University

Talk 3 · Direct Lithium Extraction: Emerging Membrane Technologies for Sustainable Lithium Recovery

Full Bio LinkedIn

R&D Frontiers

Chair Professor, Rice University

Talk 4 · From Brines to Batteries: Innovations in Electrochemical Lithium Recovery

Full Bio LinkedIn

R&D Frontiers

President & CTO, Lilac Solutions

Talk 5 · Ion Exchange for Lithium Brines: Lilac’s Unique Capabilities

Full Bio LinkedIn

Technology & Scale-Up

Founder & CTO, International Battery Metals

Talk 6 · Modular DLE Systems

Full Bio LinkedIn

Technology & Scale-Up

CEO, EnergyX

Talk 7 · GET-Lit™: Unlocking Lithium from Oil & Gas and Geothermal Brines Through Next-Generation Direct Lithium Extraction

Full Bio LinkedIn

Technology & Scale-Up

Executive Chair of the Board, Vulcan Energy Resources

Talk 8 · Building Europe’s Sustainable Lithium Supply Chain: Integrating Geothermal Energy and Lithium Production

Full Bio LinkedIn

Technology & Scale-Up

KFUPM

Talk 9 · Way Forward – Toward Integrated Subsurface Resource Systems

Full Bio LinkedIn

The Way Forward

Committees

Executive Steering Committee

Dr. Ali Alyousef

Dean, CPG–KFUPM

Dr. Ali Al-Shaikhi

VP, Research & Innovation, KFUPM

Dr. Saleh Alsaleh

VP, Aramco Transition Minerals, Aramco

Mr. Mohammed Abusharifah

CEO, Dhahran Techno Valley

Organizing Committee

Dr. Mahmoud Abdulhamid

Research Faculty, CPG–KFUPM

Dr. Bandar Ghassal

Head of Brine Resources Exploration Division, Aramco

Dr. Ahmed Alfadhel

Exec. Director of Innovation & Technology Commercialization, DTV

Mr. Moin Muhammad

VP, Chemicals, Water & Technology Center, NESR

Dr. Mazen Kanj

Consultant, CPG–KFUPM

Dr. Mohannad Mayyas

Center Director, KFUPM

Dr. Taqi Alyousuf

UARC, Aramco

Mr. Jarvis Cline

Director, Remote Sensing & Digital Solutions, CPG–KFUPM

Mr. Sameer Junaid

Head of Media & Communication, CPG–KFUPM

Collaborators & Partners

Bridging Academia, Industry & Startups

Join Us Online

Free registration is required; seats are limited. Follow CPG on LinkedIn for session reminders and speaker announcements.

Direct Lithium
Extraction