Canada's Helium Reserves Could Fill Global Supply Gap Amid Middle Eastern Conflict

Turmoil in the Middle East has disrupted global helium supplies due to conflicts in oil and natural gas markets. The US and Israel's war on Iran in late February led to a significant reduction in helium production from Qatar, which accounted for about one-third of global supplies before the conflict.

Helium is used in various applications, including cooling MRI machines, pressurizing rocket components, detecting leaks in nuclear plants, and manufacturing advanced computer chips. Asian players like Taiwan and South Korea rely heavily on Qatari helium, with limited backup supplies.

CANADA HAS THE RESOURCES TO HELP FILL THE GAP - WITH ONE-FIFTH OF THE WORLD'S HELIUM RESERVES, BUT MAKES UP ONLY TWO PERCENT OF GLOBAL PRODUCTION. The resource is mainly centered in the southern Prairies, particularly in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

North American Helium Corp. is looking to establish a helium hub in southwest Saskatchewan, but industry players say the government lacks the right policies and incentives for them to develop and sell their resources.