Closure plans take shape for US Federal Helium Program

摘要

The BLM Amarillo Field Office is currently planning for the closure of the Federal Helium Program, at the direction of the U.S. Congress. The plans call for the offering for sale of the federal helium program real property and all U.S. interests in the Federal Helium Reserve (Reserve). This action is the final step to fully privatizing the helium production facilities constructed under the original conservation program started in the 1960s. By October 1, 2021, the federal helium operations will cease. The current timeline for sale and transfer of functions to a private entity, and associated BLM activities, is outlined in the remainder of this article.