1 Jan 2025
Processing Startup for Helium in Qatar
Qatargas expanded liquid helium capacity by 27.7 million cubic meters per year by 2025.
Commodity
Helium
Helium is a colorless, odorless, and chemically inert gas, widely known for its use in balloons and blimps. Its origin is both primordial and stellar; small amounts are produced by the natural radioactive decay of aluminum, uranium, and thorium isotopes. Most helium, however, is extracted from natural gas deposits, where it is found in varying concentrations, occasionally making up to 7% of the total volume of the ga...
Helium is a colorless, odorless, and chemically inert gas, widely known for its use in balloons and blimps. Its origin is both primordial and stellar; small amounts are produced by the natural radioactive decay of aluminum, uranium, and thorium isotopes. Most helium, however, is extracted from natural gas deposits, where it is found in varying concentrations, occasionally making up to 7% of the total volume of the gas. The primary uses of helium extend beyond lighter-than-air applications and include cryogenics, where it is used to cool magnets in MRI scanners and superconducting equipment; shielding in welding and industrial processes; and leak detection in various industries, owing to its ability to permeate through solids. Helium is produced through the fractional distillation of natural gas, where it is separated from other components such as methane, nitrogen, and hydrocarbons. After purification, helium is compressed and liquefied for transportation, storage, and distribution.
Production
Helium
Helium is a rare, naturally occurring gas extracted from natural gas fields, often used in cryogenics, welding, leak detection, and the manufacturing of semiconductors and other high-tech components due to its unique pro...
Helium is a rare, naturally occurring gas extracted from natural gas fields, often used in cryogenics, welding, leak detection, and the manufacturing of semiconductors and other high-tech components due to its unique properties.
Market intelligence
Relevant Events
1 Jan 2023
Processing Startup for Helium in Russia
Irkutsk Oil Company started liquid helium production in Irkutsk, Russia.
1 Jan 2023
Processing Startup for Helium in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabian Oil Group commenced liquid helium production in Saudi Arabia.
31 Dec 2021
Processing Shutdown for Helium in United States
Under the Helium Stewardship Act, the BLM was mandated to dispose of all helium assets, including the Cliffside Field storage reservoir and pipeline system, and complete the sale by year‑end 2021.
30 Sep 2021
Regulatory Change for Helium in United States
Deadline for disposal of federal helium assets under Phase D of the Helium Stewardship Act.
1 Jan 2021
Processing Startup for Helium in Russia
Gazprom began operating its first liquid helium liquefier in Amur, Russia.
1 Jan 2021
Regulatory Change for Helium in United States
BLM expected to dispose of federal helium assets in 2021.
1 Jan 2021
Regulatory Change for Helium in United States
BLM and General Services Administration worked to transition federal helium assets to private ownership.
30 Jun 2020
Other for Helium in United States
The USGS was scheduled to publish the results of the national helium gas assessment in 2020, providing updated reserve and resource estimates.
30 Jun 2020
Other for Helium in United States
The BLM planned to publish an update to its Helium Resources of the United States report by mid‑year 2020, offering revised resource assessments.
31 Dec 2019
Other for Helium in United States
In FY 2019, private companies purchased approximately 4.8 million cubic meters of in‑kind crude helium from the BLM, reflecting continued private sector demand.
31 Dec 2019
Other for Helium in United States
During FY 2019, the BLM’s Amarillo Field Office accepted about 3.0 million cubic meters of private helium for storage and re‑delivered nearly 24.2 million cubic meters to customers.
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