T5 Smackover Partners signs offtake agreement for geothermal lithium in Texas
Rig operations of T5 Smackover Partners at Franklin County, Texas (source: T5 Smackover Partners)
Carlo Cariaga
3 Jun 2026
T5 Smackover Partners has signed a lithium carbonate offtake agreement with Glencore to support their combined geothermal and lithium project in East Texas.
T5 Smackover Partners (T5), a subsidiary of Texas-based T5 Holdings LP, has signed a binding offtake agreement with Glencore Ltd. for the supply of lithium carbonate from T5’s planned geothermal power and critical minerals project in East Texas Smackover Formation. Under the agreement, Glencore will market 100% of T5’s Phase 1 lithium production, estimated at approximately 5,000 metric tons per year over a 5-year term, totaling approximately 25,000 tons, with deliveries beginning at first commercial production.
“Partnering with Glencore brings speed to market for T5 in East Texas. Their global lithium presence allows us to focus on production and on getting royalty checks into the hands of East Texas landowners faster. This community made T5 possible, and they deserve to share in that global value as soon as possible,” said T5 CEO and Founder, Bruce Thompson.
Earlier this year, T5 announced the advancement of its combined geothermal power and critical minerals project covering Franklin, Titus, and Hopkins Counties in Texas. Originally permitted as a geothermal well, T5’s initial development has exceeded temperature expectations. In parallel with the discovery of geothermal resources, T5 has identified multiple zones within the Smackover Formation containing some of the highest lithium concentrations reported globally (at around 800 ppm vs 100 ppm global average).
Based on current development plans, T5 expects its initial Franklin, Titus, and Hopkins County project to produce approximately 35 to 50,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year.
“We are pleased to have signed this offtake agreement with T5 Smackover Partners, further deepening Glencore’s North American critical minerals partnerships. T5’s East Texas project is positioned to deliver a reliable, domestically produced source of battery-grade lithium carbonate, supporting customers across North America and globally,” commented Robin Francois, Head of Lithium at Glencore.
Source: T5 Smackover Partners via PR Newswire
