The scientist said that the chemical element determines the economic, intellectual and military potential of any country.
As a part of an interview to CentralAsia.news Doctor of Technical Sciences, professor from Turkmenistan Allaberdi Ilyasov told about the strategically beneficial economic prospects for increasing helium production for the Republic of Turkmenistan and the countries of the world. According to the scientist, the natural substance will significantly increase the progressive, high-tech, and science-intensive development of humanity.
Will the helium be in high demand due to the existence of alternative sources?
— The scope of this gas is wide enough. Helium, due to its relatively small volumes, is almost invisible amid the natural gas and oil, but it is difficult to name an industry which doesn’t use it. And the consumption of this gas in the world will grow. According to experts, by 2030, its use may reach 238-312 million cubic meters, and production by this time will be only 213-238 million cubic meters. That means that there will be a shortage of helium in the world, and a significant increase in its production will be required to fill the gap.
On earth, helium is a less common chemical element in the Periodic Table. Its greatest concentration is found in natural gas or associated oil. Here are two sources from where it is mined. Moreover, within the complex deep processing of natural and associated petroleum gases, the release of helium becomes economically feasible.
What will the diversification of production of this valuable product bring to Turkmenistan?
— Turkmenistan has a huge potential for creating a whole complex infrastructure for the production of this gas, as well as for the sale of additional volumes on world markets. A Turkmen state with a stable economy and, accordingly, with a developed oil and gas infrastructure could develop a set of measures to regulate the production and use of helium-containing natural gas.
The Galkynysh gas field, the promising Tadjibay area in the Lebap province, the Bagtyyarlyk contract area, and other equally promising natural gas fields may be possible sources of helium. Each of them must be examined for the percentage of helium. Natural gases are practically the only source of raw materials for the industrial production of helium. With the development of gas fields, the Turkmen state will be able to occupy a leading position among the largest producers of helium. The production potential of this highly scarce industrial product in Turkmenistan is determined by the level of its reserves in natural gas fields.
Let’s say it has been decided to launch the practical implementation of large-scale helium production, what steps should be the priority?
— If research says that the content of helium in any gas field will be very high — 0.2-0.8 percent per thousand cubic meters of natural gas, which is very likely, then the development and production of helium is very promising.
As a priority project, it is possible to implement a project for a comprehensive study of gas condensate fields, including gas production and processing, creation of an infrastructure for the extraction, storage and supply of helium. The possibility of producing helium is determined by the level and structure of its reserves, which in turn depend on the volume of reserves of natural gas deposits and the content of helium in it, and it also shows the economic feasibility of its extraction.
It should be added that Turkmenistan has the world’s fourth-largest gas reserves.
What about the market?
— The largest centers of consumption are the USA, China, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, India, Japan, Scandinavian countries, Australia, and New Zealand. The number of countries that develop technologies using helium is constantly increasing.
According to analysts, in 2020–2022, as a result of increased consumption and depletion of helium reserves in the world market, there will be a shortage of this gas in the storage facilities of leading manufacturers. The most dynamically developing market is in the Asia-Pacific region — the increase in demand for helium in recent years reached 5-10 percent.
For completeness, please name the areas where helium can be used?
— Helium is in demand in the field of medicine. Helium air is much more active and it faster «brings» oxygen to the alveoli, and also quickly removes carbon dioxide. This unique property is used to treat diseases of the larynx, as well as to get rid of bronchial asthma.
Helium is widely used in industrial equipment. In particular, it is used as a refrigerant for achieving ultra-low temperatures. The gas is actively used for welding work. Its properties make it possible to improve the formation of seams and at the same time reduce the likelihood of pore formation. This advantage is especially important if it is necessary to weld elements with a large heat sink. Helium provides uniform, the gradual heating of the weld pool.
It is also an important element of industrial progress of mankind, which determines the economic, intellectual and military potential of any country used in the aviation, rocket and space, electronic and nuclear industries.
Turkmenistan has practically all natural, technological and human resources to become a major global helium producer and supplier of this valuable product to the world market.
