Natura Resources LLC has completed the acquisition of Shepherd Power from NOV Inc. and signed a strategic agreement with the latter to industrialise the commercialisation of its molten salt nuclear reactors. The deal marks a key step in the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) aimed at data centres and high-consumption industrial sites.
The partnership seeks to combine NOV’s expertise in manufacturing, supply chain and project management with Natura’s technology. The stated goal is to deliver several gigawatts of advanced nuclear capacity between 2029 and 2032. Shepherd Power, for its part, brings recognised experience in full-scale reactor deployment, including regulatory and licensing processes, reinforcing Natura’s capacity to lead end-to-end energy generation projects.
A strategy focused on industrial applications and modularity
Natura is developing reactors that use liquid fuel dissolved in a molten salt mixture. This process, which operates at high temperature and atmospheric pressure, enhances safety while reducing radioactive waste. The design also allows for the use of various fuel types, including recycled waste, and enables the production of rare medical isotopes.
The modular architecture of these 100-megawatt reactors reduces capital costs compared to traditional nuclear installations. Natura expects the technology to be cost-competitive with other baseload energy sources, including natural gas. The company is also targeting applications such as desalination of produced water in areas like the Permian Basin, where demand for fresh water is rising.
Regulatory milestones underway and near-term ambitions
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit in September 2024 for the 1-megawatt demonstration reactor located at Abilene Christian University. The reactor is scheduled for deployment in 2026. Natura plans to submit two commercial reactor applications by the end of 2025: one for medical isotope production and another for grid-scale electricity generation.
NOV will become a shareholder in Natura as part of the transaction and will appoint a representative to the board of directors. This involvement strengthens Natura’s position in a sector experiencing rising energy demand driven by digital infrastructure, high-temperature industrial processes, and medical applications.
