Iran's Moves in Qatar and the Strait of Hormuz Trigger Crisis in Global Helium Supply
Attacks on a gas facility in Qatar and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have sparked a crisis in helium, which is vital for the technology, healthcare, and defense sectors.
In the seven months since Iran's attacks on a gas facility in Qatar and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, global helium supplies have faced a severe shortage, negatively impacting critical sectors such as technology, healthcare, and defense.
With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February, one-third of the global helium supply became stranded in the Persian Gulf. Subsequently, in March, the Ras Laffan facility in Qatar was targeted by Iranian attacks. While Qatari officials stated that it would take at least three years for the facility to return to full capacity, this situation has shaken the global supply chain.
Among countries that are centers of global helium production—such as Algeria, Poland, Russia, Qatar, and the US—Qatar and the US hold the largest shares. While US helium exports have increased by 70% since the war began, experts note that it is uncertain how long the US can meet this demand and that spot prices for helium have tripled.
Sources
- cbsnews.com · Link