Vulcan Energy reports good productivity of first well drilled for Lionheart project in Germany
The Vercana drilling rig at the Schleidberg site near Landau, Germany (source: video screenshot, Vulcan Energy)
Carlo Cariaga
23 Jan 2026
Vulcan Energy has reported good productivity numbers from the first well drilled for the Lionheart project, in line with field development assumptions.
Vulcan Energy has reported strong production flow test performance from the LSC-1b sidetrack well, which is the first production well drilled for the Phase One Lionheart project in the Upper Rhine Valley in Germany.
Based on the well tests, Vulcan Energy reports productivity index (PI) values in the range of 2.1 to 2.5 L/s/bar. At a planned operating drawdown of 50 bars, this corresponds to flowrates of 105 to 125 L/s. This is in line with the company’s Phase One Lionheart development plan that is based on an average well production of 84 to 94 L/s.
Other parameters including temperature, matrix permeability, and lithium grade were also confirmed as meeting or exceeding the development plan assumptions.
The positive results provide further confidence as construction and execution work continues, following the securing of full project financing back in December 2025. When completed, the integrated lithium and renewable energy facility will produce 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate per annum, with a co-product of 275 GWh of renewable power and 560 GWh of heat over an estimated 30-year project life.
The first commercial production of lithium from the Phase One development is expected by 2028.
Vulcan Energy’s drilling subsidiary, Vercana, will continue the drilling operations in line with the Phase One development plan. A second rig will be deployed in H2 2026. The Field Development Plan targets the addition of 24 production and reinjection wells to support the integrated geothermal energy and lithium project.
“Having already confirmed or exceeded expectations for reservoir quality in terms of permeability, lithium grade, temperature, and pressure response, it is pleasing to see these successful production test results from LSC-1b which was executed safely, efficiently and within budget by our in-house teams,” said Vulcan Energy Managing Director and CEO, Cris Moreno.
“The outcomes further de-risk the delivery and construction of Phase One Lionheart, which is under way following the positive Final Investment Decision in December 2025, and once fully operational in 2028, will serve Europe with sustainable, low-cost lithium for battery and electric vehicle production, with co-production of renewable heat and power.”
Source: Vulcan Energy via ASX disclosure
