IIR document

Assessment of the storage of crude helium in reserves in Europe or elswehere.

Number: pap. n. 059

Author(s) : CLARKE R. H., SCURLOCK R.

Summary

Since the USA terminated its Helium Conservation Program, and started selling off its Federal Reserve helium, little action has been taken to counter the consequences to the international cryogenic industry. The Federal Reserve used to provide a “flywheel effect” which stabilised the global helium market; this stability is now lost and periodic shortages have emerged. Two issues now dominate the helium market: (1) refining capacity in the short term and (2) long term resource availability. Market modelling indicates how recurring under-supply is a serious threat to long term market sustainability. It will increasingly undermine the continuation of helium’s use, the development of new applications and the sustenance of existing ones. The obvious need to re-establish the “flywheel effect” requires the replacement of the old and depleted US reserves with additional refining capacity and a number of large scale helium storage reservoirs inside and outside the USA. This paper assesses: (1) the sourcing of crude helium, surplus to demand, for filling long-life storage reservoirs, (2) the availability of suitable geological structures in Europe and elsewhere for the long term storage of crude helium, and (3) possible ownership and financing options.

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Pages: 296-301

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Details

  • Original title: Assessment of the storage of crude helium in reserves in Europe or elswehere.
  • Record ID : 30006728
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Cryogenics 2012. Proceedings of the 12th IIR International Conference: Dresden, Germany, September 11-14, 2012.
  • Publication date: 2012/09/11

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