Beneath the familiar layers of natural gas lies a quietly unfolding opportunity that could reposition a niche industrial resource as a strategic asset. Helium, often a secondary output in mature energy regions, is starting to move to the forefront, not by force of scale, but by precision and timing.
Current production volumes remain modest, originating from a handful of wells and averaging just over 2,000 cubic metres daily by the end of 2023. However, projections suggest a significant ramp-up over the next decade, with output expected to reach over 12,000 cubic metres per day by 2033. That trajectory hinges on the successful rollout of new infrastructure and the timely completion of drilling activity already in motion.
A key step forward was achieved recently with the commissioning of a new purification facility, anchoring the early development of a full-cycle helium supply chain. Additional wells under development are poised to come online progressively, supporting the expected output increase. The sector’s early blueprint is now beginning to take shape, combining upstream extraction with midstream refinement in a vertically cohesive model.
What makes the sector particularly investable is its leverage of existing energy infrastructure and deep operational know-how developed over decades. These advantages reduce time to scale and capital intensity, critical factors in a market where speed may dictate value. The ability to repurpose established networks for a premium commodity provides operational flexibility rarely available in other resource launches.
Nevertheless, structural constraints remain. Competition for land use is intensifying, especially in areas where subsurface rights are equally attractive for other emerging energy developments. This dynamic could limit the scope for new entrants and push existing players to secure acreage aggressively. At the same time, the policy landscape has yet to offer tailored fiscal incentives, leaving helium ventures to navigate financing and development without the advantages often extended to other mineral or renewable segments.
The overarching challenge may ultimately be one of timing. The global helium market, long characterised by intermittent shortages, is poised to shift. Large-scale international projects are expected to enter the supply chain over the next several years, potentially easing the tightness that has underpinned recent pricing strength. If this materialises, the window for margin-rich returns could begin to narrow.
For investors, the calculus is both clear and complex. The sector presents low relative entry costs, first-mover infrastructure advantages, and access to high-value industrial markets. But the upside depends on fast, disciplined execution. Delays in buildout or slippage in production timelines could leave operators exposed to softer pricing and longer paybacks.
Spending across emerging resources, which includes helium, hydrogen, lithium, and geothermal—is currently moderate, estimated near CAD 700 million annually, with expectations to surpass CAD 1.1 billion by the end of the next decade. Helium’s share remains small but not insignificant, offering rare exposure to a niche product with unique supply constraints and high downstream relevance.
The helium sector is not a volume play, it’s a timing play. With core infrastructure in place, a path to production unfolding, and capital beginning to flow, the opportunity lies in backing those who can deliver before the broader market adjusts. For investors attuned to subsurface economics and tight execution windows, this niche may soon be impossible to ignore.
General Helium Inc is an emerging helium production company led by experienced oil and gas industry veterans. Focused on developing existing resources rather than exploration, GH prioritizes generating free cash flow.
