Developments related to the Saudi Arabian-led blockade of Qatar as announced on 5th June have already begun to impact the global helium supply, says Phil Kornbluth, President of Kornbluth Helium Consulting, and editorial advisor to gasworld magazine (US Edition).
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Yemen and Bahrain all united last week to sever diplomatic links, cut off air travel and close land borders with neighbouring Qatar.
It has now been five days since the blockade was announced, with early indications suggesting that it could remain in place for at least a few weeks if not longer; the Saudi-led group of countries are showing no signs of backing down and the US does not seem willing to intervene to resolve the crisis, thus far.
Kornbluth explained that whilst Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and exports is continuing without disruption, its effects are already being heavily felt in the helium supply chain.
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