[Erik Latranyi]

The tenor of the article, though, seems to be "peak oil"-type crisis creation.

I did not get that vibe. Instead, I understand that the price of helium would skyrocket, impacting semiconductor prices the most and eliminating balloon sales.

But the fact that helium production is declining poses an opportunity for a greedy capitalist!!!

[crusty old prospector]

Helium is usually found when the reservoir sits right on top of Precambrian basement. There is no helium in any of the shale plays. It is all concentrated in a few small fields shown on the maps above in the High Plains.

[PENANCE]

Well, maybe it's just me then.

I guess I'm just overly sensitive to any hint of "crisis" as a result of a resource production peak in one place or another. The "feeling" of crisis may actually be a good thing for the industry so that industry makes plans that anticipate production declines. BUT, when certain people (mostly the Left) get hold of the "crisis feeling" they take it to unreasonable extremes -- especially if it remotely relates to those evil fossil fuels..

"the fact that helium production is declining poses an opportunity for a greedy capitalist!!!"

Indeed! good point.

I would still be interested to know the Helium content of the Marcellus and Utica (I'm in Tioga County to your immediate north).