How is Helium Gas Obtained? (2024)

FAQs

How is Helium Gas Obtained? ›

The process of obtaining helium gas begins with locating underground reservoirs of natural gas that contain the element in trace amounts. The extraction process consists of separating out the impurities from this natural gas, leaving behind only pure helium molecules.

Helium is a non-renewable natural resource that is most commonly recovered from natural gas deposits. Geologic conditions in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas make the natural gas in these areas some of the most helium-rich in the world (with concentrations between 0.3 percent and 2.7 percent).

Can helium be made artificially? Helium can be found in abundance all over the universe. In fact, it is the second most abundant element known to man. Because of its chemical composition, it is not possible to produce helium artificially, which is why it is extracted from natural gas wells.

Luckily for us, some of helium-4 gets entrapped and mixes with the natural gas found under layers beneath the earth's surface. Helium-4 is then extracted from the ground with wells drilled to release it. The amount of helium gas that can be found in the natural gas varies from almost negligible to 4% by its volume.

Helium is mined along with natural gas, using a drill rig to drill wells deep into the earth's crust. A drill rig must penetrate a layer called the Cap Rock to reach a natural gas reserve.

Helium is the only element on the planet that is a completely nonrenewable resource. On Earth, helium is generated deep underground through the natural radioactive decay of elements such as uranium and thorium.

There is no chemical way of manufacturing helium, and the supplies we have originated in the very slow radioactive alpha decay that occurs in rocks. It costs around 10,000 times more to extract helium from air than it does from rocks and natural gas reserves. Helium is the second-lightest element in the Universe.

Yes, you can! If you prefer to fill balloons yourself, we offer both small and large helium tanks that are perfect for parties or events. Our helium tanks are available for purchase online or via in-store pickup.

Once helium is released in the atmosphere, it will continue rising until it escapes into space, making it the only truly unrecoverable element. Helium in recoverable quantities is found in only a few locations around the world, and these sources are being rapidly depleted.

Helium shortages seem unlikely

Already, shortages have been easing since the second half of 2023 amid a dip in demand from the chip industry, and major changes in helium supply would not be likely in the short term during the government review.

Who owns the most helium on Earth? ›

Helium in the U.S.

Apart from being the world's main producer and one of the largest helium consumers, the U.S holds the most extensive helium reserves worldwide.

While most think helium is used mainly in party balloons, NASA is the single biggest buyer of helium. Annually, NASA consumes approximately 75 million cubic feet of helium, primarily used in rocket propulsion.

The US was the world's largest helium producer, providing 40 percent of world supply. In addition, the US federal government sold 30 million cubic meters from storage. Other major helium producers were Algeria and Qatar. Map showing helium-rich gas fields and helium processing plants in the United States, 2012.

Argon can be used instead of Helium and is favoured for some metals. Helium is used for many lighter-than-air applications, and Hydrogen is a possible substitute for many where the flammability of Hydrogen is not a concern.

If our supply ran out, it could spell the end of MRI testing, LCD screens and birthday party balloons. Or it could make all of those things much more expensive. Although argon — another inert gas — can be substituted for helium for welding purposes, no other element can do what helium can do in super cold applications.

Unfortunately, the supply of helium is limited because it is a nonrenewable resource. What's surprising is that helium is one of the most abundant elements in the universe. The problem is that its supply on earth is very limited.

When a gas pocket containing economically recoverable amounts of helium is found, a well is drilled to release the gas. It travels by pipeline to a processing plant where the helium is separated from the other gasses.

On the Earth, most helium is a radioactive decay product of uranium and thorium. It is found under the Earth's crust with other natural gases. Commercial helium is extracted from natural gas when the helium concentra on is above 0.3%.

Others suggest between 100 and 200 years of helium usage could be a best estimate. Regardless of the estimates, the knock-on effects to industry could be huge, not to mention the constant volatile nature of helium prices. All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing.