The United States and Qatar are the largest helium producers worldwide. In 2023, the production of helium in Qatar stood at approximately 66 million cubic meters, while U.S. helium production from natural gas and from Cliffside Field amounted to a combined 79 million cubic meters. Helium is one of the six naturally occurring noble gases. It is an odorless, colorless, tasteless monoatomic gas that presents a very low chemical reactivity.
Helium in the U.S.
In 2023, global sales of helium produced in the United States amounted to 79 million cubic meters, whereas domestic helium consumption reached 59 million cubic meters. Apart from being the world’s main producer and one of the largest helium consumers, the U.S holds the most extensive helium reserves worldwide. As of 2023, the country's helium reserves amounted to more than 8.5 billion cubic meters, surpassing the reserves of runners-up Algeria and Russia combined.
Uses of helium
Helium's major application is in the healthcare sector, mostly as a cooling gas in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers. It is also widely used in semiconductor and fiber optic cable manufacturing, an application that has seen a steep growth in recent years. As of 2021, a 32-percent share of the global helium consumption was attributable to its use in MRI scanners, while the semiconductor and fiber market was responsible for 18 percent.
