In recent years, driven by recurring shortages and historically high prices for helium, we have seen an unprecedented number of helium exploration start-ups around the world – but especially in North America.
A lot of this activity has been focused on the Four Corners area in the southwestern United States, as well as the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta. While a few of the early movers, including North American Helium, Thor Resources, Canadian Helium and Navajo Transitional Energy Corporation (formerly Tacitus), have been producing helium for a few years, a handful of exploration start-ups, all publicly traded, have announced plans to commence production of gaseous helium later this year or early in 2024. If these companies successfully follow through on their announced plans, these start-ups could collectively add 100 million to 150 million cubic feet (MMCF) of production to North American supply by mid-2024.
Avanti Helium, based in Calgary, AB and with activity focused on the Greater Knappen area of southern Alberta and Montana and southwestern Saskatchewan, has recently announced plans to have a helium recovery unit (HRU) in operation by Q4 of 2023 to process gas from its Sweetgrass Project. Avanti has secured property in Liberty County, Montana for its HRU. Avanti has ~78,000 acres in the Greater Knappen area that is prospective for gas that is typically 98% nitrogen, with ~1% helium. Avanti has also announced a tolling arrangement with Paradox Midstream LLC. As Paradox recently announced plans to file for Chapter 11, Avanti may need to find a different tolling partner if it intends to sell bulk liquid helium. Avanti has not yet announced the supplier or expected capacity of its HRU.
Blue Star Helium, based in Subiaco, Western Australia, has been exploring for helium in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Blue Star’s Voyager project in Los Animas County, Colorado is their most advanced effort and the company has recently announced a three-well drilling program with intentions to have an HRU in operation by Q4 of 2023. Blue Star has not announced the supplier or expected capacity of its HRU.
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