JamesFL
June 3rd, 2012, 07:22 PM
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/helium/mcs-2012-heliu.pdf
This is a look at FY20011's use of helium, you tech guys sucked down 80,000,00 cubic feet of helium, and the government is selling at 50% of market value, private sellers have to buy just as much government gas as they can make. Making their costs artificially low. There is no actual shortage, just interference in the market. There is a well known phenomena in resource management, as you need something, you find more and more of it. Oil is a wonderful example. In the 1920's, everyone thought we would run out of oil in a few years, and we're still worried about running out. The Helium shortage is just that, market forces are taking over the price of helium. Since the price has been artificially deflated for so many years, it seems like a shortage, but once the market takes over, a balance will be reached, and prices will stabilize. I'm not technical, and won't be for a few years yet, but I don't believe I'll be forced to use hydrogen for trimix dives.
This is a look at FY20011's use of helium, you tech guys sucked down 80,000,00 cubic feet of helium, and the government is selling at 50% of market value, private sellers have to buy just as much government gas as they can make. Making their costs artificially low. There is no actual shortage, just interference in the market. There is a well known phenomena in resource management, as you need something, you find more and more of it. Oil is a wonderful example. In the 1920's, everyone thought we would run out of oil in a few years, and we're still worried about running out. The Helium shortage is just that, market forces are taking over the price of helium. Since the price has been artificially deflated for so many years, it seems like a shortage, but once the market takes over, a balance will be reached, and prices will stabilize. I'm not technical, and won't be for a few years yet, but I don't believe I'll be forced to use hydrogen for trimix dives.