Helium Exploration and Development
Helium is an increasingly valuable commodity in today’s clean energy and high-tech environments. It is inert and non-toxic, with the lowest melting point of any element. Because of these properties, it plays essential roles in key areas such as:
Medical Imaging (MRI scanners)
Fiber Optics
High-tech welding and electronics
Leak Detection
Pressurizing and purging vessels
Lifting
Helium is found in subsurface reservoirs in sedimentary basins, usually in association with natural gas, and often with high concentrations of other inert gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
PRCL leverages its extensive knowledge of Canadian sedimentary basins and gas exploration expertise to support grassroots exploration programs for new helium reserves. We began developing our helium exploration strategies in 2013, and since 2017 have been actively engaged providing strategic and technical support for Canadian helium explorers.
PRCL has co-founded two publicly-traded junior helium explorers: First Helium (www.firsthelium.com) and Imperial Helium, now owned by Royal Helium (www.royalheliumltd.com), and led the technical teams securing first assets for both companies. PRCL is currently serving as technical advisor to Alpha Helium (www.alphahelium.com) , pursuing new exploration strategies for helium in Canada. We are being engaged by other private and public firms to identify and acquire core exploration and development assets, both in Canada and internationally.
More information is available in this pdf by Brad Hayes: Helium 101
PRCL facilitates 21st century Energy Transitions
We apply our subsurface geoscience and engineering expertise to oil and gas, water resource characterization, geothermal resources, subsurface energy storage and carbon sequestration, and exploration for helium and other strategic commodities
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THE 21st CENTURY ENERGY TRANSITION
Petrel Robertson is playing an important role as Canada and the world transition to more diverse energy sources and storage.
Oil and gas will be critical for energy and petrochemicals for decades to come. PRCL supports orderly, efficient, and environmentally responsible development of oil and gas resources. Much of our oil- and gas-related work now supports initiatives such as identifying water source and disposal opportunities for unconventional oil and gas, while ensuring protection of fresh water resources.
We are also finding opportunities to leverage our subsurface skill sets beyond oil and gas, including:
- Exploring for and developing other resources, such as minerals-rich saline brines and helium, found in deep gas reservoirs
- Characterizing saline water resources in deep aquifers to supply water for hydraulic fracturing, and to safely dispose of waste water from petroleum and other industrial processes
- Characterizing fresh water resources in shallow aquifers, as water supply for many uses, and to guard against contamination
- Mapping areas at risk from induced seismicity
- Evaluating and planning geothermal energy development
- Assessing and planning subsurface energy storage, as in caverns and fracture systems
News
Geoscientists Canada recently award Brad Hayes the 2024 Canadian Professional Geoscientist Award
Geoscientists Canada recently award Brad Hayes the 2024 Canadian Professional Geoscientist Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership and commitment to public education and community service. Press release at www.geoscientistscanada.ca
