U.S. Leads Global Storage; China 95% Reliant on Imports

Our country's helium dream: Breaking through the "helium hegemony" and achieving independent control of helium is uncertain what you may be using, but it is definitely indispensable; perhaps it is not eye-catching, but it is one of the important resources for the development of modern science and technology.

In the equipment you read this article, there is its figure. As an important cooling medium for superconductors, helium plays an irreplaceable role in high-tech industries such as nuclear magnetic resonance, medical imaging, photolithography machines, semiconductors, and optical fiber communication.

However, our country relies on imports for 95% of its helium, facing an embarrassing situation where others control our throat.

The global helium market is expected to reach 3.1 billion US dollars by 2025, with major suppliers including the United States, Qatar, Algeria, Russia, etc., and our country has hardly obtained a place in this large-scale commercial competition.

This is mainly because the United States has occupied a dominant position in helium through strategic layout and market control, while our country far away is accelerating forward with the posture of "hurried years".

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Our country has increased the exploration of helium resources and technological攻关 efforts, and has successively discovered potential helium resources in the Sichuan Basin, Tarim Basin, and other places, and clarified the conditions for the formation of helium reservoirs.

On this basis, we are strengthening the research and development of helium extraction technology, improving extraction efficiency, and exploring the establishment of a helium recycling system.

We also hope to accelerate the realization of independent control of helium through the platform and opportunities of international cooperation.

From both resources and technology, our country faces the challenge of breaking through heavy encirclement, but perhaps it is precisely because of these difficulties and challenges that our country may usher in some surprises and breakthroughs in the future.

If we did not have or control any important resources in the past, then in the next ten to twenty years, we may achieve breakthroughs in some important resource fields.That's helium! With the rapid development of the high-tech industry, the global demand for helium is increasing, and the current annual consumption of helium worldwide has exceeded 350 million cubic meters.

According to the current growth trend, by 2030, the global demand for helium is likely to exceed 600 million cubic meters.

It is clear that our country, as a major high-tech country, will also have an increasing demand for helium. However, we are currently facing a situation of extreme dependence on imports, and once others have bad intentions or problems arise.

The source of helium, which is essential for the development of our high-tech industry, may be affected. In the next ten to twenty years, we hope to break through the encirclement and achieve autonomous and controllable helium.