Miga has received multiple reports of looming shortages of helium, which is used as a critical coolant for numerous medical equipment systems. Helium is a byproduct of natural gas (LNG) processing, and nearly one-third of the global helium supply is produced by the nation of Qatar.
On March 24th, due to the conflict in the Middle East, state-owned QatarEnergy declared force majeure conditions on existing LNG contracts (for up to five years). As a result, helium spot prices have spiked as much as 50%, as hospitals and semiconductor manufacturers (another major consumer) race to shore up supply.
Affected products that use helium:
- MRI systems: used to cool magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines
- NMR systems: used to cool nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) machines
- Heliox: helium/oxygen mixtures used for certain various respiratory therapies
- Gas chromatographs: used as an inert transport gas for vaporized samples
- Surgical lasers: used to cool some cosmetic and ophthalmologic lasers
Recommended action:
- Identify affected systems and estimated weekly/monthly helium usage
- Check helium contracts for any force majeure provisions that could be invoked
- Consider substitute products where feasible (e.g., hydrogen for gas chromatography)
Helium suppliers should be able to provide more specific updates that could affect your region. Contact suppliers for more information and potential mitigation strategies.
Miga Solutions will continue to monitor this situation and send additional relevant information as it becomes available.
– The Miga Team