RIYADH, 15 Oct. - (ANA) - State energy giant Saudi Aramco has awarded a contract to a US oilfield services provider to set up the first lithium extraction project in Saudi Arabia.

 

The five-year deal with National Energy Services Reunited (NESR) is valued at almost $200 million, the American company said in a statement.

 

The project is expected to start producing 2,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate in late 2027.

 

Lithium is a major component in the energy transition chain, in sectors such as electric vehicles, energy storage and renewables.

 

NESR said it will use modular solutions to condition brine feedstock and extract lithium in a single, integrated process, enabling rapid and scalable deployment.

 

Brunswick Exploration, a Montreal-based minerals company, began searching for lithium in Saudi Arabia in November 2025.

 

Aramco and Maaden, both listed on the Saudi bourse, said in January they were launching a joint venture to explore for minerals and mine in the kingdom.

 

Saudi Arabia has been advancing its EV push through two main channels: the Public Investment Fund’s majority ownership of US manufacturer Lucid, and Ceer, a homegrown joint venture between PIF, Foxconn and BMW. Ceer launched its first vehicles in September.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/15 October 2026 - - -