Oklahoma House Panel Advances Iodine Production Bill
A bill that could perhaps make Oklahoma number one in iodine production in the world won approval in the Energy Committee of the Oklahoma State House.
Oklahoma is the only state nationally where iodine is produced. Extracted iodine is considered critical for pharmaceuticals, X-ray contrast media, animal feed, catalysts and industrial applications. It is removed as a valuable mineral from waste brine streams which are considered wastewater in Oklahoma and re-injected deep below the earth’s surface.
Iodine Production Already Centered In Oklahoma
Iodine is removed from brines containing high concentrations of iodine. Three reported producers in Oklahoma include Iofina Resources, Iochem Corp, and Woodward Iodine Corp.
Iochem Corp. is headquartered in Oklahoma City and its website proclaims it is the largest producer of high-purity crude iodine in North America. Its major operation is in Vici in the northwest part of the state.
“Our iodine products are used in a wide variety of fields, from large pharmaceuticals producing angiogram contrast dye, to disinfectants for food production,” stated the company.
Iofina Resources explained, “Extracting iodine from existing produced water brine streams is the most environmentally friendly method to produce iodine. Our WET® IOsorb® technology uses unique technologies to isolate the contained iodine and return the water to the operator for disposal. Without Iofina, the iodine in the stream would not be isolated and therefore wasted.”
Brine Development Act Wins Committee Support
HB4338, known as the Oklahoma Brine Development Act, won a Do Pass on a vote of 11-0 in the committee. Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, sponsored the measure, telling committee members, “This would expand the Oklahoma iodine production industry to potentially be number one globally.”
He explained Oklahoma is currently in the top 10 for global production but his bill would allow an even higher ranking. The iodine is recovered from wastewater but Rep. Moore said his bill does not change anything with regard to the disposal.
Industry Sees Potential For New Revenue
But the recovery of iodine is a challenge because wastewater in the state is disposed in deep areas of Oklahoma.
“Our highline companies could not retrieve it so it’s wasted for all time it’s not just currently wasted but is wasted forever. And so I’m trying to be trying to be responsible …what this bill would do is allow those oil and gas operators that are just paying someone to dispose of this water, wastewater, saltwater whatever you wanna call it this gives them an additional revenue source.”