Posted on 03/02/2023 7:29:54 AM PST by Red Badger
March 1 (UPI) -- The amount of helium in underground geological formations could satisfy thousands of years of global demand, researchers said in an article published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
Like other essential commodities, there are supply-side concerns for helium as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. Sanctions and other restrictions mean supplies from Russia's Amur plant, expected to satisfy about 35% of global demand, are no longer available.
Researchers from Oxford University, Durham University and the University of Toronto estimate helium is a $6 billion market. The element is used in everything from fiber optics to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to nuclear technology, where its isotopes are used a fuel. Much of the helium present today is a result of radioactive decay of elements such as uranium.
Research suggests that helium also tends to accumulate in underground natural gas deposits. Oxford scientist had already found a "full suite" of gases, from helium to argon, in samples taken from 22 wells across North America in 2015. Researchers at the time said this meant that estimates of available geological sources of helium may be vastly underestimated.
That background radioactivity that generates helium, meanwhile, also can split water (H2O) into its elemental components of oxygen and hydrogen, another component of the energy transition.
"This new understanding of helium accumulation provides us with a critical start of a recipe to identify where significant amounts of geological hydrogen, as well as helium, might still be found," John Gluyas, a co-author of the report from Durham University, said.
Members of the European Parliament backed measures in early February that would support the adoption of renewable natural gas and hydrogen into the grid as part of a bloc-wide effort to rely less on fossil fuels.
in a high squeaky voice
Thousands of years. That’s good, because when it runs out, it’s gone, into space.
Follow the yellow brick road!
Oh the humanity
“ All commercial helium is recovered from natural gas. Helium usually makes up a minuscule portion of natural gas, but can make up as much as 10 percent ”
Wait’ll they discover the truth about helium. Dumbasses.
Helium comes from the FUSION of tow hydrogen atoms.........................RUH-ROH RAGGY!..............
HOORAH for Bidens new US Balloon Force!
What a load of hooey. The helium deposits in North America are well-known. It typically takes at least 2% of the gas stream to be commercially viable. There is helium in small quantities in all gas fields, just like there are a few grains of gd in your backyard.
Gold
This is news? Oxford scientists aren’t very quick on the draw. Did they just wake up?
We have seen this for ages in gas samples. It is common in ghe area of the Panhandle area of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado. We had one well that made more money on Helium than natural gas.
They really are stupid aren’t they?
How is it that the Russians simply kept producing all the materials necessary to run a modern economy, while we off-shored everything in the name of wokeism, green-marxism and profit for Wall Street?
Follow Kamala... plenty of helium between her ears
How is it that the Russians simply kept producing all the materials necessary to run a modern economy,…
———-
For times like today. Russia is in need of nothing, vast resources, they have everything the West needs.
Yes. Gadolinium. It is one of the fruitier, yet robust elements. How about Au.
Two Hydrogen atoms hitched to the same mule.................
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