24/07/2024
Helium (He) gas is the substance with the lowest boiling point in nature (-268.95℃). It is colorless, odorless, and non-flammable. It is a highly chemically inert gas and has high application value in high-tech industries. From the significant growth in new low-cost rockets and semiconductor manufacturing to the advancement of nuclear fusion, to the upgrade of Internet infrastructure, and new therapies targeting cancer cells with ion beams, the unique physical properties of helium make it increasingly important to our present and future. Helium is an irreplaceable and important element in most modern high-tech industries and is known as the "golden gas".
The sources of helium in the global helium reservoirs that can be mined mainly include crustal helium and mantle helium. There are two main types of helium deposits discovered so far: ① Associated minerals of hydrocarbon natural gas, produced as a byproduct of natural gas processing or liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; ② Helium fields located in nitrogen-rich natural gas reservoirs. Most of the helium exploration and development activities recently started internationally focus on this nitrogen-rich non-hydrocarbon gas. Currently, about 95% of the world's helium supply is produced as a byproduct of natural gas processing or liquefied natural gas production. The formation of helium-containing natural gas deposits requires special geological conditions and is relatively rare in the world.
The total global helium resources are about 51.9 billion m3, the global helium production in 2019 was 160 million m3, the global helium production in 2020 was estimated to be 140 million m3, and the global helium supply in 2021 was estimated to be 167 million m3. The current market demand for helium is about 193 million m3/a, and the global helium market is in a state of supply and demand, with a large supply gap.
Current research shows that global helium resources are mainly distributed in the United States, Qatar, Russia, Algeria and other countries, and their helium resources account for more than 90% of the world's total resources.
The countries where the main helium deposits are located and the amount of helium resources are: the United States 20.6 billion m3; Qatar 10.1 billion m3; Algeria 8.2 billion m3; Russia 6.8 billion m3; Canada 2 billion m3 (USGS, 2021).
The United States is currently the world's largest helium resource country. The two most important sources of helium in the United States are the mid-continent Hugoton Panhandle gas field complex in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, most of which is connected to the helium pipeline and Bush Dome; and the Riley Ridge field in southwestern Wyoming (owned by ExxonMobil). Other sources of helium include Rands Butte in Wyoming (owned by Cimarex Energy) and St John's field in Arizona (owned by Enhanced Oil Resources).
Qatar's natural gas is essentially all located in the North Field, which is the world's largest non-associated natural gas field. Although the North Field has a low helium content, the reservoir is large and is expected to have a large helium resource. Algeria's helium comes from the Hassi R'Mel field as a byproduct of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, which accounts for 60% of Algeria's natural gas exports. Russia has the world's largest natural gas reserves, and most of the gas fields with high helium concentrations are concentrated in Eastern Siberia and the Far East.
China began to pay attention to the value of helium resources relatively late, and the evaluation and exploration level is relatively low. Existing data show that China has discovered some helium-rich and high-helium natural gas reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin, Tarim Basin, Qaidam Basin, Ordos Basin, Weihe Basin, Songliao Basin and other regions, and some helium resources have also been found in geothermal wells and hot springs in some regions.
The Weiyuan gas field in the Sichuan Basin is the only area in China that has achieved commercial helium production so far. The helium-producing stratum is the Sinian Dengying Formation, with an average helium content of 0.2%. It was discovered in 1964, and the helium reserves are estimated to be 80 million m3. In recent years, studies have found that the helium content in the natural gas reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin varies widely, and helium-rich natural gas is mainly found in the Sinian System, and the helium content of the overlying strata is less than 0.1%.
Some natural gas fields with high helium content have been discovered in the Tarim Basin, indicating that the Tarim Basin may have good helium resource potential. Helium resources in the region are mainly distributed in the Tabei uplift, Bachu uplift and Tazhong uplift, among which the helium content of Sha 13 well in the Tabei area can be as high as 2.19%.
Since 2013, the China Geological Survey has concluded through investigation and evaluation that the Weihe Basin in Shaanxi has good helium resource potential. Helium resources are widely distributed in the Cenozoic geothermal wells in the Weihe Basin, among which the helium content in Weishen 13 well is as high as 2.13%-4.14%. There are 63 wells in the area with helium content greater than 1%, with the highest reaching 9.23%.
Although China's helium resources are distributed in many points and wide areas, the country currently focuses on the study of helium isotope geochemical characteristics, and the evaluation of helium resources is still relatively lacking. The analysis methods and standards for helium content in natural gas reservoirs are not standardized enough, and the overall exploration level of domestic helium resources is relatively low. At present, China's helium self-sufficiency is very low, and the supply of helium basically depends on imports.
Helium is a non-renewable resource, and the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of global helium demand is about 3%. The international helium market has repeatedly experienced supply shortages in the past 10 years (2011-2021). Helium shortage 2.0 (2011-2013) and 3.0 (Q1 2018 to Q1 2020) have often received media attention, while pushing up helium prices. As a result, many entrepreneurs with oil and gas exploration or mining backgrounds have begun to pay attention to helium, established helium exploration companies, or turned existing companies to helium exploration, and some small startups have shown unprecedented interest in helium exploration.
According to Gasworld, it is estimated that 30 or more startups are currently engaged in helium exploration, mainly in the southwestern United States, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, Tanzania, Australia and South Africa.
Helium has high application value in high-tech industries and has been included in the "critical mineral list" by many developed countries. The United States has positioned helium as a federal reserve resource.
