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Cliffside Helium Reserve, Amarillo
Amarillo, United States35.28°N 101.90°W
computed criticality10/100
reading
≈6 billion cu ft stored; sold to Messer (2024)
2024Fault line
The Bush Dome geologic reservoir long regulated a major share of world helium, an irreplaceable gas for MRI, semiconductors and space. In 2024 the US government sold the entire system to Messer, handing a single private operator a unique, hard-to-rebuild strategic stock.
Actors
Messer
US BLM (former manager)
Air Liquide, Linde (distribution)
Sources