Helium in New Mexico—geologic distribution, resource demand, and exploration possibilities Ronald F. Broadhead, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM 87801 Abstract gases contain less than 0.1 mole% helium United States increased from 112 million (Tongish 1980). Only 17.6% of all natural m3 during 1998 to 121 million m3 during Helium gas has been produced in New Mex- gases in the United States contain more 2004, an increase of 8%. As sales have ico since 1943. Production has been from than 0.3 mole% helium. A very few reser- eight oil and gas fields located on the Four increased, domestic production has fallen voirs have gases with more than 7% heli- 3 Corners platform of northwestern New Mex- by 24% from 112 million m during 1998 to ico. Almost 950 MMCF (million cubic feet) um. In general, gases with helium contents 85 million m3 during 2004 (Peterson 2001; helium has been produced from reservoirs of of more than 0.3% are considered to be of Pacheco 2005). The shortfall in production Permian, Pennsylvanian, Mississippian, and commercial interest as helium sources. in recent years has been filled by with- Devonian age on the Four Corners platform Most of the helium produced in the United drawing helium from storage. The United in San Juan County. States is obtained from reservoirs with less States does not import helium but instead In northwest New Mexico, elevated levels than 1.5% helium in their gases. Six natural exports it as a major worldwide supplier; of helium in natural gases occur not only in gas reservoirs contain an estimated 97% of in 2004 the United States provided 85% of Paleozoic reservoirs on the Four Corners all identified helium reserves in the United the world’s helium production (see Pache- platform but also in Paleozoic reservoirs in States (Table 1; Pacheco 2002). Several of the deeper parts of the San Juan Basin locat- co 2005). The trends of increasing demand ed east of the Four Corners platform. The the reservoirs listed in Table 1 also have and decreasing production indicate a need orthogonal sets of high-angle faults that off- been produced for their hydrocarbons, to identify and develop new sources of set Precambrian basement throughout the which constitute the largest component of helium. deeper parts of the San Juan Basin acted as the reservoir gas and drive the economics Helium prices have increased as produc- migration pathways that transmitted helium of production. Total gas production, and tion has fallen below demand. The private from its basement source into overlying therefore helium production, from these industry price for Grade A helium was Paleozoic reservoirs. reservoirs is in decline. estimated to be from $60 to $65 per thou- Helium has not been extracted from pro- In New Mexico, known (that is, discov- 3 duced gases in the New Mexico part of the sand ft in 2003 (Pacheco 2005), up from ered) reservoirs with more than 7% helium 3 Permian Basin where the concentration of $42 to $50 per thousand ft in 2000 (Peter- helium in most reservoir gases is significant- are confined to the Four Corners platform son 2001). Some producers added a sur- ly less than 0.1%. However, gases with heli- in the extreme northwest part of the state charge to these prices. um contents ranging from 0.3 to almost 1.0% (Figs. 1, 2; Table 2). The content of hydro- occur in Pennsylvanian and Permian reser- carbon gases in most of these reservoirs is voirs along the northwest flank of the basin. less than 20%; most of the non-helium frac- History of helium production in The helium appears to have originated by tion of the reservoir gas is nitrogen. Pro- radiogenic decay of uranium and thorium in duction from these reservoirs is driven by New Mexico Precambrian granitic rocks and migrated helium economics and not by hydrocarbon Helium has been extracted from produced vertically into Pennsylvanian and Permian economics. reservoirs through regional, high-angle, gases in New Mexico since 1943 (Casey strike-slip faults. Known accumulations of 1983). All production has been from Paleo- helium-rich gases are located near these Helium uses, demand, and zoic reservoirs located on the Four Corners faults. Lower Permian evaporites provide economics platform in San Juan County (Figs. 1, 2; vertical fault seals. In this area, lower and Table 2). The gases in most reservoirs con- middle Paleozoic strata are only a few hun- Helium has a number of uses (Pacheco tain a low percentage of hydrocarbons and dred feet thick, resulting in short vertical migration distances between the Precambri- 2002). Major uses in the United States have, in most cases, been produced solely an source and helium-bearing reservoirs. include cryogenics, pressurizing and purg- for their helium content. Helium content of The fault trends define exploration fairways. ing, welding, and controlled atmospheres. the gases ranges from 3.2% to 7.5% (Table Other basins and areas in New Mexico are Leak detection, synthetic breathing mix- 2). Production began during World War II characterized by helium-rich gases and are tures, chromatography, lifting (blimps), as a result of increased need for lifting of significant exploratory interest. These and heat transfer are other uses. The major gases for lighter-than-air ships (blimps). areas include the Chupadera Mesa region of cryogenic use is in magnetic resonance The first production of helium in New eastern Socorro and western Lincoln Coun- imaging (MRI) instruments. There is no Mexico was from the Rattlesnake field ties in the central part of the state, the substitute for heli- Tucumcari Basin in the east-central part of TABLE 1—The six natural gas reservoirs that contain 97% of identified the state, and a wide region across Catron um in cryogenic helium reserves in the United States. Data from Pacheco (2002), Parham and southern Cibola Counties in the west- applications where and Campbell (1993), and U.S. Bureau of Mines data. central part of the state. Elevated levels of temperatures less helium are found in Pennsylvanian and Per- than –429° F are Reservoir State Helium content of gas mian gases in these areas. required (Pacheco mole percent 2005). Hugoton Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas 0.2–1.18 Introduction Sales of Grade A Panoma Kansas 0.4–0.6 refined helium have Keyes Oklahoma 1.0–2.7 Helium is a common constituent of natural increased in recent Panhandle West Texas 0.15–2.1 gases. It is believed to be present in trace years (Pacheco Riley Ridge area Wyoming 0.5–1.3 amounts in all natural gases (Tongish 2002, 2005). Total 1980). More than one-half of all natural helium sales in the Cliffside Texas Currently He-storage reservoir November 2005, Volume 27, Number 4 NEW MEXICO GEOLOGY 93 FIGURE 1—Principal basins and uplifts in New Mexico and area of historical helium production (shaded). 94 NEW MEXICO GEOLOGY November 2005, Volume 27, Number 4 Geology of helium in crustal reservoirs—an overview Origin and migration of helium Helium has two isotopes, 3He and 4He. 3He is derived mostly from the mantle and is relatively rare in reservoir gases (Mamyrin and Tolstikhin 1984; Hunt 1996; Oxburgh et al. 1986). Some 3He may be derived from neutron capture reactions by hydrogen in lithium-bearing sediments (Hiyagon and Kennedy 1992; Mamyrin and Tolstikhin 1984). 4He, on the other hand, is derived mainly from radiogenic decay of uranium and thorium in crustal rocks (Hunt 1996; Jenden et al. 1988; Oxburgh et al. 1986; Bal- lentine and Lollar 2002). Granitic basement rocks are major sources of radiogenic 4He. 4He may also be derived from radiogenic decay of uranium and thorium in orebod- ies (Selley 1998). Most helium in reservoir gases is 4He derived from radiogenic decay of uranium and thorium in crustal rocks. Enhanced FIGURE 2—Outline of San Juan County, eastern edge of the Four Corners concentrations of 4He in crustal fluids have platform, and oil and gas reservoirs that have been produced for their heli- been ascribed to three processes (Pierce et um gas. al. 1964; Torgersen et al. 1998; Ballentine and Lollar 2002): 1) mass-related diffusive transport out of the basement (granitic) (Fig. 2). The helium produced from Rat- In 2001 production resumed from the rocks in which the helium is produced; 2) tlesnake was transported in a pipeline to a Beautiful Mountain Mississippian and Big thermal release of 4He from the crustal separation plant near Shiprock, which was Gap Organ Rock (Permian) reservoirs. rocks in which it is produced; and 3) pro- operated by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. As New wells were drilled in the latter reser- duction in sedimentary ore deposits with the demand for helium increased with voir. The gas is produced from wells oper- high concentrations of uranium and thori- time and as production from existing, dis- ated by Mountain States Petroleum Corp. um. Transport of radiogenic helium out of covered reservoirs declined, exploration The produced gas is processed at the Red basement rocks appears to be related to the increased, and several additional helium- Valley plant, which is owned by Newpoint presence of fracture and fault systems that bearing gas reservoirs were discovered, Gas Services and is located just south of serve as migration pathways for the move- developed, and produced (Table 2). Pro- Shiprock. ment of the gas out of the otherwise imper- duction of helium in San Juan County meable granites in which it is generated. ceased around 1990. Enhanced levels of helium in ground TABLE 2—Oil and gas reservoirs that have produced commercial helium in New Mexico, percent helium in gas, 2003 annual and cumulative gas pro- duction, and estimated cumulative volume of produced helium.