Helium Production Sites

 

On Earth, helium is formed by the radioactive decay of the earth itself. In a struggle to escape into space, it seeps into underground gas deposits, some of which are tapped by humans. Some of these fields, especially in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma, have helium in high enough concentrations to be considered economically viable for helium extraction. Though the USA once controlled 95% of the helium production in the world, and currently controls around 40% of it, there are fewer than 15 helium refineries in the country, and only half a dozen large ones. Production and distribution is dominated by three industrial gas companies, as well as the Bureau of Land Management.