RE: Helium In Demand26 May 2026 15:19
Helium demand
Global demand is estimated to be around 6 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per annum, with China alone importing 1 Bcf a year. Annual demand expected to increase from 6.0Bcf to 8.5Bcf by 2030, with a current global import growth of 10% year on year (AKAP Energy, 2024).
Iran situation
More than 50% of global helium comes from areas affected eg Qatar as Qatar is also responsible for a third of the world's helium. Without helium, MRI scanners cannot function and certain quantum computers cannot work, since they depend on the gas to cool their magnets and circuits. The Gulf provides around half of the world's sulphuric acid, without which you cannot make explosives or refine copper. In short, you can expect the disruption in the Gulf to fan out in the broader world with every day that goes by.