$2.379 per cubic meter ($66 per Mcf) on
January 1, 1993, with additional costs for
container services and  rent.  On
November 1, 1993, the bulk liquid
helium price was raised to $2.524 per
cubic meter ($70 per Mcf).  Private
industry also increased its helium prices
last year, but lagged behind the USBM's
price.
Foreign Trade
Exports of Grade-A helium, all by
private industry, decreased by 9% in
1993 to 28 million cubic meters (1,008
MMcf). (See table 3.) About 45% of
the exported helium was shipped to
Europe. Belgium-Luxembourg, France,
and the United Kingdom, collectively,
received about 88% of the European
exports. About 36% of the U.S. helium
exports went to Asia, with Japan
receiving about 84 %. Other exports were
as follows: about 8 % to North America;
about 4 % to Australia-New Zealand, 3 %
to the Middle East; 2 % to South
America; 1 % to Central America; and
less than 1 % each to Africa and the
Caribbean.  The shipments of large
volumes of helium to Western Europe
were attributed to helium uses in
cryogenic research and superconducting
applications. Significant volumes also
were used in breathing mixtures for
diving, welding, and as a lifting gas.
Although no helium was imported by the
United States in 1993, import tariffs on
helium remained at the 3.7% rate for
most favored nations established on
January 1, 1987. The non-most-favored-
nation tariff also remained unchanged at
25%. No changes in import tariffs are
scheduled at this time.
World Review
World production of helium, excluding
the United States, was estimated to be 11
billion cubic meters (400 MMcf), most of
which was extracted in Poland and
Russia. The remainder was produced in
small plants in China and India. (See
table 5.)


OUTLOOK


Until recently, all superconductors
required liquid helium (-2691C or -4520F)
to reach superconducting temperatures.
Current research on superconductors has
resulted in the discovery of supercon-
ducting materials that operate above liquid
nitrogen temperatures (-1960 C or -3200F).
These new superconductors have physical
limitations, such as brittleness and poor
current-carrying capacities, which have
precluded their use in most
superconducting applications. As these
physical problems are solved, the new
materials will replace liquid helium-
cooled superconductors.
Since 1989, the market for U.S.-
produced helium has grown at an average
annual rate of 4.6%. Private industry's
market has been growing at 5.7% per
year, while the Federal market has
dropped   18 %  since   1989.    In  1993,
private industry supplied about 88% of
the domestic demand while the USBM
supplied the remaining 12%. Private
industry supplies all of the U.S. helium
exports. The foreign market decreased
this year, accounting for only 29.3% of
U.S. helium sales, but it has grown at an
average rate of almost 6 % per year since
1989.
The outlook for helium is slowing in
the Federal sector with cutbacks and
elimination of programs that use large
volumes of helium. High-temperature
superconductors are beginning to be used
in commercial applications, but an
adverse impact is not expected in the near
future.
'AU metric helium volumes herein reported are at
101.325 kilopascals absolute (14.696 psia) and 15 'C (59
OF). Helium volumes, reported in parentheses following
metric units, are measured in cubic feet at 14.7 psia and 70
'F. One thousand cubic feet (1 Mcf) at 14.7 psia and 70 'F
= 27.737 cubic meters at 101.325 kilopsscals absolute and
15 'C. One cubic meter at 101.325 kilopsscals and 15' C
= 36.053 fts at 14.7 psia and 70 OF.


OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Bureau of Mines Publications
Helium. Ch. in Commodity Annual Report,
annual.
Helium. Ch. in Minerals Commodity
Summary, annual.
Information Circular 9129, Analyses of
Natural Gases, 1917-85, by B. J. Moore
and S. Sigler.
Information Circular 9301, Analyses of
Natural Gases, 1986-90, by J. E. Hamak
and S. Sigler.
Information Circular 9318, Analyses of
Natural Gases, 1991, by J. E. Hamak and
B. D. Gage.
Information Circular 9356, Analyses of
Natural Gases, 1992, by J. E. Hamak and
S. Sigler.
Information Circular 9342, Helium
Resources of the United States, 1991, by J.
E. Hamak and B. D. Gage.


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