As gasworld’s Helium Super Summit 2025 prepares to open its doors in Austin today (21–22 October), we take a deeper dive into helium in the host state of Texas and provide a preview of topics and issues that will be up for discussion.
Texas holds a significant amount of helium, primarily in the form of reserves within natural gas fields and the now-sold national stockpile, which once held about 32 billion cubic feet (877 million cubic metres) in the Cliffside Field.
While the US government’s national reserve has been depleted through extraction over time, helium is still found as a byproduct from helium-rich natural gas, with fields like Panhandle West still contributing to the US supply.
In 2024, the US government sold its helium stockpile, stored at the Federal Helium Reserve in Amarillo.
The Amarillo Helium Plant was a vitally important facility where almost all of the world’s supply was produced before World War II.
Today, Texas is a hub for helium storage, rather than a primary centre for extraction.
Linde, one of the event’s participating sponsors, recently brought online one of the world’s largest helium storage caverns in Beaumont, Texas.
The storage cavern – developed and operated by Caliche Development Partners – can hold over three billion cubic feet of helium and helps balance supply and demand through storage and extraction.
Linde has said the cavern is be one of just three of its type globally. Air Liquide operates one in Germany and Air Products one in Texas.
Anshul Sarda, Managing Director of Global Helium and Rare Gases at Linde, said the investment strengthens Linde’s global supply network to ensure reliable access to helium.
“Helium’s unique properties make it indispensable for our customers in vital industries, including aerospace, electronics, healthcare and manufacturing,” he said.
Linde also operates a helium recovery and processing plant in Freeport, Texas, with a capacity of nearly 200 million cubic feet.
Helium is recovered as a byproduct in Texas LNG production, specifically from the Freeport LNG facility, where it is removed from the natural gas feed and purified.
The availability of energy infrastructure in the Permian Basin has attracted companies like New Era Helium to explore developing large-scale AI data centres in Texas, where helium may play a supportive or integrated role. The company has signed a letter of intent to provide natural gas to a 250MW AI data centre in Ector County.
Summit to discuss opposing views
gasworld’s Content Director Rob Cockerill looks forward to welcoming the 300 registered delegates to its seventh helium summit at Downright Austin, A Renaissance Hotel.
In an 1895 podcast, he reflected on the changing dynamics in the helium business and previewed the agenda for the next two days.
“This is one of the first times, for a number of years, that the helium supply chain is stable and plentiful,” he said. “What we’re trying to drive this time around is yes, those market realities, but also success enablement – we want to find out where you can find demand, new applications and seek new opportunities.”
In a series of online polls, however, around 25% of readers said there are regional variations impacting sourcing and 22% believe the sector is ‘volatile’ with supply and price disruptions, so speakers will be sharing their insights on helium’s current and future outlook. To hear the podcast, click here.
Recent US helium moves
Galactica-Pegasus unveils helium and CO2 timeframes
Helium One Global has announced that first helium at its Galactica-Pegasus project in Colorado is scheduled for delivery in December, with first carbon dioxide for sale in the first half of 2026. Well site tie-ins, a gas gathering system and construction planning are being finalised, with mobilisation due this month.
Helix Exploration confirms Rudyard ‘clean hydrogen’ and helium potential
Helix Exploration, the helium exploration and development company with production assets within the ‘Montana Helium Fairway’, has published scientific results from its Rudyard project. An independent study confirmed rock cuttings from the wells contain the same minerals that naturally generate hydrogen deep within the earth, including serpentine, olivine, and magnetite. Isotopic modelling also suggests roughly 9% of Rudyard’s helium originates from the mantle component.
Pulsar Helium mobilises rig and equipment
Pulsar Helium’s drill rig and supporting equipment are due to arrive at the company’s flagship Topaz project in Minnesota soon. Up to ten additional wells are to be drilled, with the campaign designed to further interrogate the helium-bearing reservoir identified in previous drilling and flow-testing campaigns. A peak gas flow rate of approximately 1.3 million cubic feet per day is being targeted with a sustained flow of 7% to 8% helium (as helium-4).
Find out latest data and trends in US South-West Pulse report
gasworld Intelligence’s US South-West Pulse report, which includes Texas, notes that the region is one of the strongest for helium, expanding from $131m of production in 2015 to $340m in 2024 (+160%).
“With continued growth projected through 2029, the South-West is set to remain the US leader in hydrogen and helium, while sustaining strong performance across traditional gases,” it notes.