BLM Completes Sale of Cliffside Federal Helium System to Messer
- AKAP
- Jun 27, 2024
- 2 min read
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has finalised the sale of the Cliffside Federal Helium System to Messer as mandated by the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, marking the end of federal management of helium assets after 99 years. The sale, concluded after a public bidding process in Jan'24, transitions the oversight from the BLM to private ownership. Messer bid US$353mm for the system and all its assets, plus a further US$70m (increased from an initial $21m bid) for 1 bcf of helium contained therein. As of 2023, the BLM assets make up ~25% of the US and ~10% of global helium supply. BLM will assist Messer during a 45-day hand-off period to ensure a smooth transition.