Drill Baby Drill11 Jun 2026 14:13
With the current debate around Net Zero and whether the UK can ever “drill baby drill” again, I found myself asking the question of whether fracking and drilling for oil and gas around UK waters and the mainland might discover Helium and hence make the UK rich rather than to remain in its current pitiful state. Lots to go at, including -
From 2017 https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2017/september/headline_551280_en.html
From AI - Yes, hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and deep drilling operations have found helium. Because helium is created by the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium in ancient rocks, it gets trapped in underground reservoirs alongside hydrocarbons.
Historical Discoveries & Byproduct Extraction
• Accidental Finds: The vast majority of historically produced helium was discovered by accident while exploring for natural gas and oil. In many cases, petroleum drillers and fracking operators release or burn off the gas, but in highly concentrated fields (typically >0.3% helium), it can be captured and separated using cryogenic techniques.
• Shale and Coal Seams: In regions like the UK and Texas, scientists have detected significant amounts of helium while sampling deep coal beds and shale gas formations. While typically making up <0.05% of the gas mixture in the middle of standard shale basins, higher concentrations are found when drilling near deep underground fault lines.
GLA. I am still picking up a few HEX when funds allow. 100% with this company.
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