NR Helium · A helium initiative of National Rocks
We apply ten years of geological and geophysical fieldwork in Oman and the GCC to helium — screening geology, imaging the subsurface and working with partners to recover a gas the world cannot manufacture.
The emission lines of helium. In 1868, astronomers studying the Sun saw a yellow line at 587.6 nm that matched no known element — the first evidence of helium.
He I · D3 587.6 nmWhy helium
Helium has no man-made source. Every cubic metre we use was formed slowly underground and held in place by rock. Here is what it is, where it comes from and why the world needs more of it.
Found in the Sun first. In 1868, astronomers saw an unknown yellow line in sunlight and named the element after helios, the Greek word for Sun. It was first found on Earth in 1895, inside a uranium-bearing mineral. Sun image: NASA/SDO, public domain.
Three things must happen in the rock for a helium deposit to exist. This is why geology, not chemistry, decides where helium is found.
Uranium and thorium in very old rocks slowly decay and release tiny helium particles. This takes millions of years.
Heat and faults in the crust free the helium and let it travel upward through cracks and porous rock.
A tight layer such as shale or salt stops it rising. Helium gathers below, often mixed with nitrogen, CO₂ or natural gas.
Gas where helium is the main valuable product, usually mixed with nitrogen or CO₂ rather than hydrocarbons. This is the target of new helium explorers, including in East Africa's rift basins.
Helium carried in small amounts inside natural gas. Most of the world's helium today is separated this way, at gas processing plants.
Helium is used in hospitals, chip factories and science labs. Here is how helium sold in the United States was used in 2025.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — Helium. Remaining 2% other uses.
World helium comes from a small number of places. When one plant stops, users everywhere feel it. New sources make supply more secure.
World helium production, 2025 estimate · million m³
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 — Helium.
Our approach
Each stage narrows the target before the next, more costly one begins. The methods are ones National Rocks already runs in the field.
STAGE 1
Desktop studies, remote sensing and field mapping to find source rocks, migration paths and seals.
STAGE 2
Gravity, 3D IP, ERT and seismic surveys outline basins, faults and possible traps.
STAGE 3
Collect soil-gas and well-gas samples and analyse them by gas chromatography to measure helium concentration.
STAGE 4
Confirm the resource with drilling and flow testing, then plan the wells, gas processing and helium separation needed for production.
No survey method detects helium directly. We use geophysics to decide where to sample, then rely on measured gas concentrations before any commercial decision.
Backed by National Rocks
National Rocks for Geological Consultancy LLC has delivered geophysical, geological, survey and drilling work across the Arabian Peninsula since 2016. The photos below are from National Rocks field operations.
Geophysical field teams
MagUAV drone surveys
Round-the-clock drilling
ERT
Geological mapping
Night ERT survey
Oman & the GCCSee National Rocks' services, projects and field work.
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