Tapping Earth's Hidden Treasure
The key to solving a global helium shortage may lie not in natural gas fields, but in the steam and hot waters brewing beneath our feet.
When you think of helium, party balloons and high-pitched voices might come to mind. However, this noble gas is a critical strategic resource vital for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in hospitals, the manufacturing of semiconductors, cutting-edge scientific research in cryogenics, and the aerospace industry 1 . Traditionally, commercial helium is extracted as a byproduct of natural gas, a finite resource subject to supply chain tensions. But what if there was another way? Scientists are now turning to the Earth's own heat, discovering that geothermal systems can be significant sources of helium, offering a promising and sustainable path to secure this non-renewable element for the future 1 4 .
Helium is a fascinating product of the Earth's inner workings with unique properties that make geothermal extraction particularly promising.
Helium forms deep underground through the radioactive decay of elements like uranium and thorium present in crustal rocks 1 . In some geological settings, fluids from the Earth's mantle can also contribute helium.
In active geothermal regions, the same tectonic forces and high heat flow that create hot springs and steam vents also act like a giant oven, accelerating the release of helium from surrounding rocks.
Remarkably high helium concentrations have been found in geothermal fluids worldwide, sometimes far exceeding the 0.3% often considered the threshold for economic viability 4 .
With global helium demand growing by 2-3% annually and recurring supply shortages, the search for alternative sources has intensified 1 . Geothermal energy production, which involves tapping into hot water and steam from underground reservoirs, has emerged as a surprising and promising candidate.
This transforms geothermal plants from purely power-generating facilities into potential dual-purpose hubs for clean energy and critical resource production.
Recent discoveries have cemented this potential. Remarkably high helium concentrations have been found in geothermal fluids worldwide: up to 18.2% in the Tanzanian East African Rift, and up to 2.94% in geothermal wells in China's Weihe Basin 1 . These concentrations can far exceed the 0.3% often considered the threshold for economic viability 4 .
The potential of geothermal helium is being explored from the frozen landscapes of Greenland to the tectonic frontiers of the United States and China.
Pulsar Helium's Tunu project exemplifies the synergy between energy and resource extraction. An independent study confirmed an active geothermal system with reservoir temperatures between 80–130°C 2 . The plan is ambitious: use the geothermal heat to generate clean electricity for the local community and use the surplus power to separate helium from the produced gases, with recovery potentially reaching 350 thousand cubic feet per day 2 .
Meanwhile, in Kansas, USA, the company HyTerra reported a striking discovery in its McCoy 1 well. While exploring for natural hydrogen, they found gas mixtures containing up to 5% helium 5 . This find is significant not only for its high concentration but also because it demonstrates that helium can be co-located with other valuable resources like natural hydrogen, improving project economics 5 .
| Location | Project/Region | Key Finding | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Greenland | Tunu Project | Helium in geothermal fluids; reservoir temps of 80-130°C 2 | Potential for dual clean energy and helium production. |
| Kansas, USA | McCoy 1 Well | Helium concentrations up to 5% 5 | Co-location with high-purity natural hydrogen. |
| Tibetan Plateau, China | Various Hot Springs | Helium concentrations up to 2.31% 1 | High concentration linked to active tectonic processes. |
| Weihe Basin, China | Geothermal Wells | Helium concentrations up to 2.94% 1 | 41% of samples in China exceeded the 0.1% industrial grade 1 . |
| East African Rift | Tanzanian Section | Helium concentrations up to 18.2% 1 | Some of the highest recorded concentrations globally. |
China is also a major player in this field. A comprehensive 2025 study compiled data from 682 geothermal gas samples across the country and found that a substantial 41% had helium concentrations higher than the 0.1% industrial grade 1 . The research highlights specific promising areas, including the Tibetan Plateau and the Weihe Basin, and links helium enrichment to specific crustal structures and rock types 1 .
The theory is sound, but how do we efficiently extract a tiny fraction of helium from a complex mixture of steam and other gases?
This is where groundbreaking engineering comes in. Researchers at the German GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) in Potsdam are pioneering a clever solution using membrane-based separation technology 4 .
Their goal was to find a cost-effective and robust way to pull helium directly from the geothermal fluids as they are produced at a wellhead.
The experimental process was designed to mimic real-world conditions 4 :
Researchers prepared and tested two types of tubular polymer membranes: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), known for their durability and gas separation properties.
The membrane tubes were placed inside a pressurized autoclave. The autoclave was then flushed with an artificial, nitrogen-dominated gas mixture containing helium, simulating geothermal gas composition.
As the gas mixture came into contact with the membranes under pressure, different gases permeated through the tube walls at different rates, with helium passing through more readily.
A gas mass spectrometer was used to continuously analyze the composition of the gas that passed through the membrane, allowing precise measurement of helium separation efficiency.
The initial tests, both in the lab and during a field pump test at a geothermal site in Cornwall, UK, were highly promising. The researchers confirmed that both PDMS and PTFE membranes were suitable for separating gases from geothermal brine under real-world, ambient field conditions 4 .
A key finding was that the PTFE membrane exhibited rapid responsiveness to changes in the gas composition and concentration, a crucial trait for handling the variable conditions of a live geothermal production stream 4 . This successful demonstration of a compact, integrable membrane technology is a vital milestone. It suggests that helium extraction could be added to existing geothermal plants without major disruptions, transforming them into more economically efficient and multi-product facilities 4 .
| Material | Function in the Experiment |
|---|---|
| Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) | A flexible, durable polymer membrane that selectively allows gases to permeate, facilitating the separation of helium from the larger gas stream 4 . |
| Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) | Another robust polymer membrane material, noted for its quick response to changing gas conditions, making it suitable for dynamic geothermal environments 4 . |
| Gas Mass Spectrometer | An analytical instrument used for the continuous, real-time analysis of the gas mixture's composition before and after membrane separation, critical for measuring efficiency 4 . |
| Autoclave | A sealed pressure vessel used in the lab to simulate the high-pressure conditions of a geothermal wellhead, allowing for safe testing of the membrane materials 4 . |
Uncovering and utilizing geothermal helium requires a diverse arsenal of tools and technologies, from exploration to purification.
These are essential not only for testing man-made equipment but also adapted for geochemical exploration. They are exquisitely calibrated to detect and measure minute traces of helium in gas samples collected from hot springs and fumaroles, helping to pinpoint promising sites 3 9 .
This geophysical method involves deploying arrays of sensors to detect natural, low-frequency seismic waves. By analyzing how these waves travel, scientists can map subsurface structures and identify fractured, permeable rock zones capable of storing and channeling helium-rich fluids 2 .
Once a helium-rich gas stream is captured, it must be purified. Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is a common method where high-pressure gas is passed through vessels containing adsorbent materials that trap impurities 3 . Cryogenic Distillation is another method that uses extremely low temperatures to separate gases 3 .
In industrial and scientific settings where helium is used (e.g., in MRI machines), closed-loop recovery systems are vital for sustainability. These systems capture, purify, and liquefy used helium, ensuring this precious resource is not lost to the atmosphere but is instead reused 3 .
| Project / Location | Helium Concentration | Estimated Production Potential | Development Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunu Project, Greenland 2 | Up to 0.8% | ~350 Mcf per day (in high-case scenario) | Pre-Feasibility Study |
| McCoy 1 Well, USA 5 | Up to 5% | Data not published (Flow testing pending) | Appraisal & Flow Testing |
| Weihe Basin, China 1 | Up to 2.94% | Widespread resource (41% of samples >0.1%) | Academic Assessment & Pilot |
The journey to making geothermal helium a mainstream resource is not without challenges. Developers must contend with fluctuating market prices, the need for specialized and often costly midstream infrastructure like separation plants, and the imperative to minimize environmental impacts, which can include the safe management of other gases and fluids brought to the surface 8 .
However, the long-term outlook is promising. By leveraging the existing framework of geothermal energy development, we can create a more resilient helium supply chain. This approach aligns with broader sustainability goals: it provides a low-carbon source of a critical element, reduces reliance on fossil fuel extraction for helium, and extends the lifetime of our planet's finite helium reserves 3 . As one industry report notes, enhancing helium resource protection and recovery technologies is essential for improving its economic utilization 6 .
The steam rising from a geothermal vent is more than just hot air; it is the visible breath of a dynamic Earth, potentially carrying within it the solutions to some of our most pressing technological challenges. By harnessing this hidden treasure, we can ensure a steady supply of helium to cool our scientific discoveries and power our technological future.