Valorization of Critical Minerals and Elements from Oilfield Produced Waters
Produced water from oil and gas operations has long been treated as a waste stream. Growing interest in recovering critical minerals, rare earth elements, and other elements of interest (EOI) is changing this view, especially as these materials are essential for batteries, electronics, and advanced technologies.
Murray GeoConsulting, LLC is a recognized leader in evaluating and valorizing EOI in produced water. Analysis of more than 400 U.S. samples has revealed distinct geochemical signatures, highlighted regions with strong economic potential, and defined a pathway for large-scale extraction.
A review of Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) data identified 288 produced-water samples analyzed by the Geological Survey of Canada. These data enable assessment of concentrations, gross values, and hypothetical yields across key formations, including Beaverhill Lake, Charlie Lake, Ellerslie, Gilwood, Granite Wash, Keg River, Leduc, Montney, Nisku, Slave Point, Swan Hills, and Wabamun.
This presentation integrates U.S. and Canadian findings, evaluates techno-economic considerations, and outlines implications for Canadian resource development. The results provide a framework for assessing produced water as a strategic source of critical minerals and supporting efforts to improve resource recovery and advance circular-economy objectives.
Registration closes on Monday, February 23 at 8AM MST.
Date/Time
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Registration: 11:45 AM MST
Start Time: 12:00 PM MST
End Time: 1:00 PM MST
Location
Calgary Petroleum Club | 319 5 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 0L5
*This event will be in-person only, and will not be recorded.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Kyle E. Murray
Principal Scientist, Murray GeoConsulting LLC
Dr. Kyle E. Murray is the Principal Scientist at Murray GeoConsulting, LLC, based in Denver, Colorado, USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and has been actively engaged in geoscience research and consulting since 1995.
Dr. Murray’s expertise spans hydrogeology, water and natural resources, GIS-based geoscience databases, induced seismicity, produced water management, and resource recovery. His current work focuses on the evaluation and geochemical characterization of produced water from oil and gas operations. Specifically, he analyzes these waters for over 60 elements of interest (EOI) and estimates their gross economic value.
His overarching goal is to identify and evaluate produced water, other water resources, and industrial waste streams as potential sources for the sustainable recovery of critical minerals and valuable elements. Dr. Murray has conducted geochemical assessments in major basins across the United States and is increasingly engaged with international clients to provide resource characterization and technoeconomic evaluations.
In recognition of his contributions to the field, Dr. Murray was selected as a Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Distinguished Lecturer in 2025, presenting the topic, “Pathway for Recovering Valuable EOI from Subsurface Brines and Oilfield Produced Waters,” to SPE sections worldwide.
**Please Note
Lunch will be served. Please be sure to include your dietary restrictions during the online registration process so we can do our best to accommodate.
An event reminder will be sent the day before and the morning of the event.
Group Discounts
Group discounts are now available! A discount of 10% will be applied at checkout for groups of 6-9 people, and a discount of 15% will be applied for groups of 10+ people. Please note the discount will only be applied if all tickets are purchased in the same transaction.
If you wish to reserve a table, please email calgarysection@spe.org and specify your company name and the specific event title/date to hold the reservation. Please note that table reservations only apply to groups of 8.
Group Discount (10+ People)