3 ms·
The helium shortage is a production problem. At the current usage rate its estimated we have a 200 year supply left.
by ourmandave 7y ago
The helium shortage is a production problem.
At the current usage rate its estimated we have a 200 year supply left.
- throwaway2048 7y agoThis is true, helium is present in basically all natural gas wells (it emanates from radioactive decay deep in the earth, and gets trapped in the same spots natural gas does). Currently it is just vented out into the air, because capture isn't profitable.
- martinpw 7y agoBut usage rate is growing fast - 8.5% per year according to this: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160201005634/en/Global-Helium-Market-2016-2020---Market-Grow https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160201005634/en/Glo... an (obviously naive) extrapolation at that rate gives 35 years supply.