Blocked Qatar hit global helium supply

Scientists worry that they may be forced to stop testing or shut down laboratory equipment because the ongoing blockade of Qatar is threatening their supply of helium. The Gulf countries supply helium to global hospitals and laboratories. However, Saudi Arabia and seven neighboring countries have blocked most of their import and export business in June this year in a political dispute surrounding Qatar’s claim to support terrorism. To this end, Qatar had to shut down two helium production plants.

“The situation is changing every day, so we are paying close attention every day.” Sophia Hayes, a chemist at the University of Washington, who studies nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, said, “I am very worried.” Her research relies on continuous liquid helium supply to cool Superconducting magnets in laboratory spectrum analyzers. Liquid helium is also used in laboratory low temperature studies.

Another scientist who asked for anonymity said that its laboratory was reserving helium available for nuclear magnetic resonance instruments. If necessary, a young colleague who uses helium in large numbers has agreed to reduce its work to help solve the helium supply problem. “This will have a negative impact on his career, and all senior colleagues will do everything possible to avoid that,” the scientists said.

Qatar is the world’s largest helium exporter and second largest helium producer, meeting 25% of global helium demand. Phil Kornbluth, a consultant specializing in the helium industry in Bridgewater, New Jersey, said the blockade would inevitably lead to helium shortages in the coming months.

The country closest to Qatar may be the most affected. However, such as India, Japan, Singapore and other East Asian countries are also at risk. “No one will be affected,” said William Halperin, a researcher at Low Temperature Physics at Northwestern University.

The lab only accounts for about 6% of the helium market. Most of the helium is used in the electronics industry, hospital nuclear magnetic resonance imaging scanners, and airships and balloons. This means that when the supply is limited, suppliers tend to give priority to meet the needs of large customers, rather than scientists.

Many researchers have hoped that helium supply disruptions will not happen again because a large number of new plants have been built in Qatar and helped ensure global helium supply. However, Hayes said that taking into account the political turmoil in the Middle East, she warned the scientific community not to be complacent.