This gas plays a niche but important role. It is used in semiconductor manufacturing and medicine. The strikes on the Ras Laffan facility raise fears of further complications in supply.
Qatar accounts for about a third of the world’s helium production. Damage to the facility has already led to warnings of reduced supplies in the coming weeks as shipments are delayed and containers get stuck in the region.
Chip makers will cope
Helium is vital to the production of semiconductors. However, industry experts cited by cited by Euronews, believe the impact on chip makers may be limited, pointing to diversified supply sources and the sector’s ability to redirect resources.
Much more cause for concern in healthcare. MRI machines depend on liquid helium, and the medical industry has less ability to mitigate a sudden supply disruption.
The key question is whether it will be able to adjust quickly enough, and the answer may be more important to hospitals than to chip makers. The latter have adapted to supply disruptions many times before.
They are not limited to Qatar. The US, Algeria and Canada also produce it. So disruptions are only possible under extreme circumstances, if all other sources are also cut off.
Pressurized MRI systems
While the semiconductor industry may be able to withstand this blow, the risks could manifest themselves in healthcare.
Without sufficient helium, the scanner cannot operate and effectively becomes a very expensive paperweight.
Most MRI machines require large volumes of liquid helium, and if supplies tighten, some systems could be taken out of service if they cannot be refueled.
How quickly the effects will manifest themselves will depend on the duration of the crisis and how soon supply chains can be reconfigured.
