{"id":32034,"date":"2023-05-26T07:06:22","date_gmt":"2023-05-26T06:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=32034"},"modified":"2023-06-01T09:38:58","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T08:38:58","slug":"helium-rich-gas-reserves-a-guide-to-effective-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/helium-rich-gas-reserves-a-guide-to-effective-management\/32034\/","title":{"rendered":"Helium-rich gas reserves: A guide to effective management"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Innovation News Network<\/em> provide insight into helium-rich gas distributions and explores the key environmental parameters which shape them.<\/h2>\n

Helium-rich gas reserves are an essential resource with a wide range of potential uses<\/a>. Therefore, understanding the characteristics and controlling factors associated with their distribution is critical to ensure the effective management of these resources.<\/p>\n

What are helium-rich gas reserves?<\/h3>\n

Helium-rich gas reserves are a valuable resource that contains concentrations of helium higher than what is typically found in nature. They can be identified and explored through several techniques, such as seismic surveys and drilling explorations. Gas reserves are classified based on their concentration levels, with those containing more than 0.1% helium being considered \u2018helium-rich\u2019.<\/p>\n

The exploration of helium-rich gas reservoirs requires various specialised methods due to the unique composition of the resource. Since it is not visible to the naked eye, seismic imaging is used to identify potential sites for further investigation. Once a promising area has been located, multiple wells may need to be drilled to sample its content and measure the flow pressure of the reservoir system. To ensure accurate readings, high-precision tools must often be employed during this process.<\/p>\n

In addition, real-time data from remote sensing technology can also help provide detailed information about characteristics such as temperature or porosity within an underground reserve formation \u2013 ultimately aiding in determining whether any significant amount of helium exists beneath the surface. With these technologies at hand, explorers have greater insight into where they should focus their efforts when looking for viable sources of this precious commodity.<\/p>\n

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Geological environments and sources of helium<\/h3>\n

Helium is a unique element as it is one of the few elements that exist in nature without being chemically bound to other substances. Its global reserves are, therefore, largely dependent on its geological environment, and understanding these environments can shed light on possible sources of helium-rich gas reserves. To put it another way, knowing where helium is found gives insight into how it might be discovered elsewhere.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9shutterstock\/Maksim Safaniuk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The abundance of helium varies greatly depending on its source; for example, coal beds tend to have much lower concentrations than those found in sedimentary rocks or magmas. The type and amount of rock present also affect the amounts discovered – igneous rocks usually contain more helium than sedimentary ones due to their higher temperatures during formation. Coal seams may appear promising at first glance but often contain significantly less helium than expected because they formed before significant quantities had been released from the Earth\u2019s mantle.<\/p>\n

In addition to geological factors influencing the discovery of helium-rich gas reserves, certain hydrochemical processes also play a role in determining availability. For instance, groundwater flowing through aquifers will pick up some trace amounts of dissolved helium along its journey to the surface, making them potential sites for further investigation. In short, research into both the source rocks and hydrochemical processes associated with the formation and accumulation of gas deposits could lead to new discoveries of large reservoirs in previously unknown or unexpected locations.<\/p>\n

Classification of helium-rich gas reserves<\/h3>\n

Helium-rich gas reserves are classified according to their amount of helium content, global distribution and commercial exploitation. Globally, there are four categories of helium-rich gas reserves:<\/p>\n