Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
North American Helium has acquired Weil Helium’s former Mankota processing facility. Photo courtesy North American Helium
CALGARY – North American Helium Inc. (NAH) announced on Aug. 17 it has successfully brought its third helium purification facility on production in May with zero operational issues. This facility is located near the Village of Mankota in southwest Saskatchewan.
That facility was built in and operated by Weil Helium in 2016, but had been dormant for several years. North American has recently drilled wells in the vicinity of the processing plant.
Commenting on this operational milestone, president and COO Marlon McDougall said, “As NAH continues to execute on its operating and development plans, we are now realizing our goal of creating a new global helium production hub in Saskatchewan. We have been diligent in our approach to obtaining a deep understanding of the helium reservoir and trapping systems on our substantial land position and remain firmly on track to double helium production in 2022. North American Helium continues to increase its level of investment in Saskatchewan as we advance exploration and development projects slated for 2023.”
McDougall said, “This is an exciting year for us, and we plan to add two additional helium production facilities before year-end 2022, while also doubling the capacity of one of our existing production plants. Our company remains committed to being a trusted partner for the supply of reliable, sustainably produced helium in North America.”
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This was the Weil Helium Mankota site during its grand opening in August, 2016. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
Long-term agreement with Air Liquide
Air Liquide is part of the growing Saskatchewan helium story, NAH said in its press release. This is the second successful NAH project in which the group is a major off-taker, the first being the Battle Creek plant, Canada’s largest helium purification facility. Both projects were completed on time and at projected capacity, providing certainty in the helium supply chain for its customers.
“Air Liquide is continuously looking at ways to increase the availability of helium for its customers and is pleased to be working with NAH again,” said Rich Brook, president, Air Liquide Helium America.
Regarding the increased helium production volumes now on long-term contract, Nicholas Snyder, chairman and CEO of NAH said, “We are pleased to once again be working with Air Liquide as the primary off-taker of the helium production from our new Mankota facility. We value having a leader in the industrial gas business as a partner and appreciate the financial stability the long-term off-take agreement brings to support our strategic growth objectives.”
When that facility first opened in 2016, Linde was the off-taker.
The Saskatchewanderer visited the facility in 2016, as seen below.
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