# US Energy Department Adds Helium to Critical Materials List

> US Energy Department designates helium as critical for chipmaking after Qatar supply shock.
- Title: US Energy Department Adds Helium to Critical Materials List
- Summary: US Energy Department designates helium as critical for chipmaking after Qatar supply shock. US Energy Department added helium to critical materials list to…
- Keywords: us energy department, helium, critical materials list, qatar helium plant, iranian strike, chipmaking, semiconductor supply chain, desert mountain energy, avanti helium, startups, business, Energy
- Source: Startup Fortune — https://startupfortune.com/us-energy-department-designates-helium-a-critical-material-for-chipmaking
- Published: 2026-10-23T23:03:13+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: us energy department, helium, critical materials list, qatar helium plant, iranian strike, chipmaking, semiconductor supply chain, desert mountain energy, avanti helium, startups, business
## Helium Designated Critical Material
US Energy Department added helium to critical materials list under Energy Act of 2020.

> helium becomes the 20th material on that list
## Qatar Helium Plant Strike Impact
Iranian missile strikes damaged qatar's helium plant in march 2026, cutting exports by 14%.

> qatarge energy cut its annual helium exports by 14%
## Helium's Role in Chipmaking
Helium cools superconducting magnets in mri machines and carries heat from silicon wafers during fabrication.

> it carries heat away from silicon wafers during fabrication
## US Helium Production Decline
US helium production fell from 82 million cubic meters in 2020 to 68 million cubic meters in 2024.

> us domestic helium production fell from roughly 82 million cubic meters in 2020 to about 68 million cubic meters in 2024
## Avanti Helium Lobbying
Avanti Helium Corp petitioned federal government since september 2025 to add helium to critical list.

> avanti helium corp had been petitioning the federal government since september 2025
## Desert Mountain Energy Expansion
Desert Mountain Energy added 12,219 acres of helium leases in arizona's holbrook basin in june 2026.

> desert mountain energy has spent 2026 expanding its footprint in arizona's holbrook basin
## Qatar Repair Timeline
QatarEnergy estimates repairs for helium plant take three to five years.

> qatarge energy told customers repairs could take three to five years
## Critical Materials Benefits
Designation opens federal financing for producers and faster permits for helium projects.

> a critical material designation under the energy act of 2020 opens the door to federal financing support for producers
## Key takeaway

US Energy Department added helium to critical materials list to address supply chain risks after Iranian strikes damaged Qatar's helium plant.