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.
In October 2013, the BLM fully repaid the $1.3 billion helium program debt, with 11 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of helium still remaining unsold in the Reserve. Congress authorized continued operation of the Reserve by passing the Helium Stewardship Act (HSA). The intent of the HSA is to allow for a smooth transition to private means of helium production as the Reserve is steadily drawn down. In September 2017, the reserve has 3.5 Bcf of unsold Federal crude helium and has generated an additional $600 million dollars in revenue from interim sales and auctions under the HSA, raising the total revenue to the U.S. Treasury to $1.9 billion to date.
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