Helium
Helium is a chemical element with the symbol of He and atomic weight of 2 is the first in the noble gas group on the periodic table of the elements. This gas is a byproduct of the natural radioactive decay of heavy radioactive elements from both uranium and thorium typically accumulating in combination with natural gas. Helium is chemically inert and does not form compounds making it unique amongst atmospheric gases.
Both Canada and the United States include helium on the list of National Critical Minerals and Elements essential to industrial applications including medical MRI machines, semiconductor & fiber optics manufacturing and aerospace systems. Additionally, helium is used in advanced “High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors” within the small modular reactors (SMR) market as an inert high efficiency coolant.
Helium reserves occur on a global basis including Africa, Russia, Middle East and Australia. Additionally, helium occurs in significant volumes within North America in particular the United States of America (Texas, Oklahoma & Kansas) and Canada (Alberta and Saskatchewan). Extraction of helium involves sophisticated separation processes from natural gas streams from wellbores followed by initial processing, removal of water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.

