Abstract:
Helium has numerous unique properties and has irreplaceable applications in many fields such as high-tech industries, medical care, aerospace, and the defense industry. It is an important strategic resource. However, China has long been dependent on imports for helium. With the changes in international relations, such as trade frictions and geopolitical conflicts, the security situation of its supply is not optimistic. Based on many field investigations and literature reviews, this paper analyzes the global and China’s helium supply and demand situations and makes prospects for the future. Global helium resources are mainly concentrated in countries such as the United States, Qatar, Russia, and Algeria. There has been an adjustment in the global helium production pattern: from the early situation where the United States dominated alone, it has gradually formed the current duopoly of the United States and Qatar, and in the future, a tripartite confrontation among the United States, Qatar, and Russia may emerge. In the next three years, the global economy will continue its current weak trend, and the growth rate of helium demand will slow down. Meanwhile, with the helium extraction plants constructed in the early stage being put into production one after another, the global helium market will experience a situation of loose supply. In terms of domestic helium supply and demand, China has great potential for helium resources. Helium production has been booming since 2020, and the output has increased rapidly. In the next three years, China’s newly added helium production capacity will be considerable. There has also been a structural adjustment in China’s helium import pattern. The imports of helium from the United States and Australia are gradually decreasing, while those from Qatar and Russia are gradually increasing. In the future, the imports of helium from Russia will further increase. With the increase in domestic supply and the enhanced stability of import sources, China’s ability to ensure the security supply of helium will continue to improve.