NGL Energy Partners LP and Natura Resources LLC have announced a strategic partnership that will combine Natura’s 100‑megawatt molten‑salt nuclear reactor with NGL’s extensive produced‑water treatment and desalination network in the Permian Basin.
The collaboration will use NGL’s infrastructure that currently transports, treats, recycles, and disposes of more than 3 million barrels of produced and flow‑back water per day, pairing it with the continuous power output of Natura’s reactor to run large‑scale thermal desalination, generate electricity, and produce clean water for beneficial reuse. The partnership also supports NGL’s plans to extract critical minerals from the treated water, creating a new high‑margin revenue stream.
Management said the deal positions both companies to turn a disposal challenge into a strategic asset. “Texas is facing a serious, long‑term challenge of ensuring enough energy and clean water to sustain the current economy and support growing demands for power and water,” said Doug Robison, founder and CEO of Natura Resources. “Our molten‑salt reactor combined with thermal desalination can provide a sustainable, competitive solution by generating clean, economic power; treating industrial water for beneficial use; and freeing up natural gas supplies for higher‑value applications.” Doug White, EVP of NGL Water Solutions Permian, added, “By working with Natura, we are evaluating how advanced molten‑salt nuclear technology can provide a continuous energy source to support large‑scale produced‑water treatment and transform produced water into a strategic asset that supports energy security, water resilience, and future critical mineral supply chains.”
The partnership aligns with broader industry trends toward water stewardship and sustainable energy solutions in the oil and gas sector. The Permian Basin produces more than 20 million barrels of water per day, and the deployment of a 100‑megawatt reactor is expected in 2029, following a 1‑megawatt test reactor that received a construction permit in September 2024. Regulatory approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System are key milestones for the integrated system’s demonstration and commercial rollout.
The collaboration could reduce operating costs, increase throughput, and open new markets for clean water in Texas and beyond, while also positioning NGL to capture value from critical mineral extraction and energy generation. The partnership represents a significant shift in how produced‑water challenges are addressed, potentially reshaping the midstream water business and creating a new revenue stream that leverages nuclear power for industrial water reuse.
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