Natura Resources Partners with NGL Energy Partners to Enable Large-Scale Produced Water Treatment with Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in the Permian Basin

NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL) and Natura Resources announced a collaboration to pair Natura's 100-megawatt molten-salt reactor (MSR-100) with thermal desalination to treat produced water at industrial scale in the Permian Basin.

Rhea-AI Summary

NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL) and Natura Resources announced a collaboration to pair Natura's 100-megawatt molten-salt reactor (MSR-100) with thermal desalination to treat produced water at industrial scale in the Permian Basin. The deal targets power generation, produced water treatment, and critical mineral extraction, and cites an expected TPDES permit and a commercial MSR-100 deployment target for 2029.

The partners highlight Natura's modular, lower-capex molten-salt design, an existing NRC construction permit for a 1-megawatt test reactor (Sept 2024), and NGL's produced-water operations handling over 3 million barrels per day.

Positive

• Agreement to pursue pairing MSR-100 with thermal desalination
• NGL treats, recycles, or disposes of >3 million barrels/day
• Permian Basin produces >20 million barrels/day of produced water
• NRC issued a 1-megawatt construction permit in September 2024
• Target commercial MSR-100 deployment in 2029

Negative

• Collaboration depends on an expected TPDES permit (not yet granted)
• 100-megawatt commercial deployment is a projected 2029 target, not completed

Argus Feb 3 session

-2.54% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – NGL

On Feb 3, the day this news came out, NGL closed 2.54% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Feb 3 session.

Key Figures

Reactor capacity: 100 megawatt Water handled by NGL: 3 million barrels per day Permian produced water: 20 million barrels per day +2 more

Reactor capacity

100 megawatt

Natura MSR-100 molten-salt reactor design

Water handled by NGL

3 million barrels per day

Produced and flowback water in the Permian Basin

Permian produced water

20 million barrels per day

Total produced water in the Permian Basin

Pilot reactor size

1 megawatt

Natura reactor at Abilene Christian University

Commercial deployment target

2029

Expected first 100-megawatt commercial-scale reactor

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 14

5 events

1. Jan 14

   Earnings call notice

   24h Move

   -0.7%

   Announcement of date and time for upcoming earnings release and call.

2. Dec 16

   Preferred distribution

   24h Move

   +2.0%

   Quarterly cash distributions declared for Class B, C, and D preferred units.

3. Nov 04

   Earnings results

   24h Move

   +26.4%

   Stronger profitability, higher Adjusted EBITDA, raised guidance, and record water volumes.

4. Oct 15

   Earnings call notice

   24h Move

   +1.1%

   Scheduling of quarterly earnings release and investor conference call.

5. Sep 18

   Preferred distribution

   24h Move

   -4.7%

   Declaration of quarterly preferred unit distributions with specified per‑unit amounts.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

molten-salt nuclear reactors, thermal desalination, Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES), produced water, +2 more

6 terms

molten-salt nuclear reactors technical

"Natura Resources LLC (Natura), a leading developer of advanced molten-salt nuclear reactors, has signed"

A molten-salt nuclear reactor is a type of power plant where the reactor’s heat-generating material or coolant is a liquid salt that circulates through the core at high temperature but low pressure, like hot oil flowing through a stove. It matters to investors because the design promises potential safety, efficiency, smaller plants and different waste profiles compared with traditional reactors—traits that can change construction costs, operating risk, regulatory hurdles and long-term revenue prospects for energy projects.

thermal desalination technical

"combine Natura's advanced nuclear reactor technology with thermal desalination for power production"

Thermal desalination is a process that removes salt and minerals from seawater or brackish water by heating it to produce vapor and then condensing that vapor as fresh water — like boiling seawater and collecting the steam as clean water. Investors care because the method is capital- and energy-intensive, so project profitability depends on fuel or heat costs, plant efficiency and scale, and regulatory or environmental constraints; it can offer stable long-term cash flow where water demand is high.

Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) regulatory

"The collaboration will utilize NGL's expected Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit"

The Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) is the state program that issues permits and sets limits for wastewater and industrial discharges into Texas waters, enforcing water quality rules under the federal Clean Water Act. For investors, TPDES matters because permits, compliance steps, monitoring and potential fines can affect operating costs, project timelines and legal risk for companies that treat or release water—think of it as a company’s required ‘road map’ for safely dumping and reporting wastewater.

produced water technical

"treating produced water from oil and gas operations on an industrial scale and will generate"

Produced water is the salty, oily wastewater that comes up from underground alongside oil and gas when wells are drilled and operated; it contains dissolved salts, leftover hydrocarbons and treatment chemicals. For investors, produced water matters because handling, treating, storing and disposing of it creates ongoing operating costs, regulatory obligations and environmental risk—similar to how a factory’s wastewater can drive cleanup bills or fines—while opportunities to reuse or recover resources can offset some costs.

Gen IV reactor technical

"timeline for advanced reactor deployments estimates Natura's MSR-1 will be the first Gen IV reactor"

Gen IV reactor refers to a group of next-generation nuclear power designs being developed to be safer, more efficient, and produce less long-lived waste than older reactors. Think of them as modernized engines for producing large-scale, low-carbon electricity that aim to run longer between refueling and resist accidents; investors watch them for potential long-term returns, technology and regulatory risk, capital intensity, and shifts in energy markets.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulatory

"The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit in September 2024 for Natura's 1-megawatt"

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is a government agency responsible for overseeing the safety and security of nuclear power plants and radioactive materials. It sets rules and monitors practices to prevent accidents and protect public health. For investors, its regulations can influence the stability and operation costs of nuclear energy companies, affecting their long-term viability.

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• Natura's 100-megawatt, molten-salt reactor design offers an ideal option for power production and produced water treatment, providing solutions for critical problems in Texas and other energy producing states
  
  
• Agreement to pursue pairing Natura's MSR-100 reactor with desalination technology to create large-scale produced water treatment opportunities

ABILENE, Texas, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Natura Resources LLC (Natura), a leading developer of advanced molten-salt nuclear reactors, has signed an agreement with NGL Water Solutions Permian LLC, a subsidiary of NGL Energy Partners LP (NYSE: NGL), to pursue opportunities to combine Natura's advanced nuclear reactor technology with thermal desalination for power production and oil and gas produced water treatment. NGL transports, treats, recycles and disposes of more than 3 million barrels per day of produced and flowback water generated from crude oil and natural gas production in the Permian Basin.

Under the terms of the agreement, Natura and NGL will collaborate in seeking opportunities to combine Natura's 100-megawatt molten salt reactor with NGL's produced water treatment and desalination expertise. The collaboration will utilize NGL's expected Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit to provide a flexible, economic solution for power generation and create a new water source for Texas. The combined system will have potential application for treating produced water from oil and gas operations on an industrial scale and will generate power and clean water for potential beneficial use in data centers, agriculture, and as a new water source for other industries. The collaboration also will support NGL's development of critical mineral extraction from its produced water.

"Texas is facing a serious, long-term challenge of ensuring that there is 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. Collaborating with NGL allows us to advance the application of our breakthrough nuclear technology where it can make a measurable difference for industry, communities, and the environment."

"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," said Doug White, NGL Water Solutions Permian LLC.

Managing produced water is a growing challenge in the Permian Basin and other major oil and gas producing regions. The Permian Basin alone produces more than 20 million barrels of produced water daily. The ability to economically treat large volumes of produced water and enable its beneficial use, particularly for other industrial applications like data centers, will create a scalable alternative to address serious concerns associated with produced water disposal by injection, thereby sustaining the longevity of oil and gas development in the region.

Natura's modular construction, smaller footprint and reduced water requirements make it an ideal nuclear power technology for collocation with thermal desalination. Its lower capital costs and shorter construction timelines will generate power that is cost competitive with other clean, 24/7 sources, including natural gas. Natura's liquid-fuel, molten-salt system also will operate at atmospheric pressure, enhancing safety, reducing waste, and enabling the potential use of different fuels, including recycled nuclear fuel.

The U.S. Department of Energy's timeline for advanced reactor deployments estimates Natura's MSR-1 will be the first Gen IV reactor deployed in the U.S. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit in September 2024 for Natura's 1-megawatt reactor at Abilene Christian University, which is expected to be deployed later this year. The company expects to deploy its first 100-megawatt commercial-scale reactor in 2029.

About Natura Resources

Natura Resources LLC is a leading advanced small modular reactor developer committed to answering increasing domestic and global demands for reliable energy, medical isotopes, and clean water. Natura's reactors are liquid-fueled and molten salt-cooled, which enhances safety and reduces waste. With the first construction permit for a liquid-fueled reactor from the NRC, Natura has established itself as a leading force in the advanced nuclear industry, fueled by a commitment to support America's energy future. The company is privately owned and has secured more than $120 million in private funding and a commitment of $120 million from the State of Texas. For more information, https://www.naturaresources.com/ .

About NGL Energy Partners LP

NGL Energy Partners LP is a leading energy and water infrastructure company focused on developing scalable solutions for produced water management, treatment, recycling, and beneficial reuse across the United States. Through its extensive pipeline, disposal, and water handling network in the Permian Basin and other major producing regions, NGL provides critical infrastructure that supports reliable energy production while enabling new approaches to water stewardship.

NGL Energy Partners also operates complementary crude oil and liquids logistics assets, including pipelines and terminal infrastructure, enabling an integrated platform that serves producers, industrial customers, and downstream markets. For more information, visit www.nglenergypartners.com

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SOURCE Natura Resources

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did NGL (NYSE: NGL) and Natura announce on February 3, 2026?

They announced a collaboration to pair Natura's MSR-100 molten-salt reactor with thermal desalination for large-scale produced water treatment. According to the companies, the effort aims to generate power, produce clean water, and support critical mineral extraction in the Permian Basin.

How much produced water could NGL treat using Natura's reactor technology?

The collaboration targets industrial-scale produced water treatment to address the Permian's >20 million barrels/day production. According to the companies, NGL already treats, recycles, or disposes of over 3 million barrels per day, which the pairing seeks to expand economically.

When does Natura expect to deploy its first commercial 100-megawatt reactor?

Natura expects to deploy its first commercial 100-megawatt reactor in 2029. According to the company, this follows an NRC construction permit for a 1-megawatt test reactor issued in September 2024 and DOE deployment timelines.

What permits and approvals are referenced for the NGL–Natura project?

The collaboration references an expected Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit to enable discharge or reuse. According to the companies, the TPDES permit is anticipated and is a component of the planned produced water treatment pathway.

How could Natura's molten-salt reactors benefit power and water users in Texas?

Natura's modular, lower-capex molten-salt design aims to produce continuous, cost-competitive power and enable thermal desalination for clean water. According to Natura, the system can supply power and treated water for data centers, agriculture, and industrial users while reducing natural gas demand.