DIGGING IN: A towering Helmerich & Payne drilling rig has gone up southwest of Magnolia, marking the start of a new chapter in Columbia County’s long history with natural resources. | Steve Ford, special to magnoliareporter.com
By STEVE FORD | magnoliareporter.com
Saltwerx LLC, a Texas-based company affiliated with ExxonMobil, has received approval from the Arkansas Oil & Gas Commission to drill an appraisal well named Hayden James 1 in the Dorcheat Macedonia Field.
The permit, issued July 22, authorizes the company to drill to a depth of more than 10,000 feet into the Smackover Formation — a geologic layer known for its brine deposits.
This well adds to a growing list of Saltwerx projects in the region, which have included exploratory and production wells in Columbia and surrounding counties over the past several years.
But unlike traditional oil or gas wells, this project is focused on brine production — specifically the potential to extract lithium, a key element used in batteries for electric vehicles, cell phones, and other modern technology.
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