Why you should care about a helium shortage | 60 Minutes

You've no doubt noticed that since the You've no doubt noticed that since the war with Iran broke out, gas prices have war with Iran broke out, gas prices have war with Iran broke out, gas prices have spiked, up more than 50% since January. spiked, up more than 50% since January. spiked, up more than 50% since January. But there's another less well-known But there's another less well-known But there's another less well-known natural resource also impacted by the natural resource also impacted by the natural resource also impacted by the conflict. Helium. The world and the war conflict. Helium. The world and the war conflict. Helium. The world and the war don't function without it. No helium, no don't function without it. No helium, no don't function without it. No helium, no new cell phones, laptops, cars, MRI new cell phones, laptops, cars, MRI new cell phones, laptops, cars, MRI machines, missiles, all require this machines, missiles, all require this machines, missiles, all require this finite and irreplaceable resource. The finite and irreplaceable resource. The finite and irreplaceable resource. The closing of the straight of Hormuz in closing of the straight of Hormuz in closing of the straight of Hormuz in February trapped onethird of the global February trapped onethird of the global February trapped onethird of the global helium supply. Then just weeks later, helium supply. Then just weeks later, helium supply. Then just weeks later, Iranian strikes on cutter's major gas Iranian strikes on cutter's major gas Iranian strikes on cutter's major gas facility further rattled the supply facility further rattled the supply facility further rattled the supply chain. With the extent of the damage chain. With the extent of the damage chain. With the extent of the damage unknown, American industry is left unknown, American industry is left unknown, American industry is left desperate for answers as the helium desperate for answers as the helium desperate for answers as the helium crisis remains up in the air. crisis remains up in the air. crisis remains up in the air. Last March, as a new war raged, Iranian Last March, as a new war raged, Iranian Last March, as a new war raged, Iranian missiles and drones hit military targets missiles and drones hit military targets missiles and drones hit military targets throughout the Middle East, throughout the Middle East, throughout the Middle East, oil tankers stuck in the Persian Gulf, oil tankers stuck in the Persian Gulf, oil tankers stuck in the Persian Gulf, and energy infrastructure. All of it and energy infrastructure. All of it and energy infrastructure. All of it meant to destabilize the global economy.

meant to destabilize the global economy. meant to destabilize the global economy. One of those high value targets attacked One of those high value targets attacked One of those high value targets attacked Ross Lefan in Cutter, the world's Ross Lefan in Cutter, the world's Ross Lefan in Cutter, the world's largest facility for natural gas and its largest facility for natural gas and its largest facility for natural gas and its byproduct helium. byproduct helium. byproduct helium. 7100 miles away at the University of 7100 miles away at the University of 7100 miles away at the University of Chicago, Joe Saken was watching closely Chicago, Joe Saken was watching closely Chicago, Joe Saken was watching closely from his lab. When you heard the news from his lab. When you heard the news from his lab. When you heard the news that there was an attack on the facility that there was an attack on the facility that there was an attack on the facility in Cutter, where did your thoughts go? in Cutter, where did your thoughts go? in Cutter, where did your thoughts go? >> Um, I hope people weren't hurt was first >> Um, I hope people weren't hurt was first >> Um, I hope people weren't hurt was first and then second's like this is going to and then second's like this is going to and then second's like this is going to be a problem. I mean, I won't say the be a problem. I mean, I won't say the be a problem. I mean, I won't say the words I was thinking, but you know, it's words I was thinking, but you know, it's words I was thinking, but you know, it's like crap, we're going to have to deal like crap, we're going to have to deal like crap, we're going to have to deal with this and I might not be able to get with this and I might not be able to get with this and I might not be able to get helium. Helium is critical for those helium. Helium is critical for those helium. Helium is critical for those large cylinders, nuclear magnetic large cylinders, nuclear magnetic large cylinders, nuclear magnetic resonance machines. In Saken's lab, resonance machines. In Saken's lab, resonance machines. In Saken's lab, these machines are used by students, but these machines are used by students, but these machines are used by students, but also for higher stakes research to also for higher stakes research to also for higher stakes research to develop breast cancer drugs, develop breast cancer drugs, develop breast cancer drugs, immunotherapies, and treatments for immunotherapies, and treatments for immunotherapies, and treatments for Alzheimer's. Suddenly, it's all Alzheimer's. Suddenly, it's all Alzheimer's. Suddenly, it's all imperiled. Collateral damage from the imperiled. Collateral damage from the imperiled. Collateral damage from the Iran war. Iran war. Iran war. Helium is the coldest liquid on Earth.

Helium is the coldest liquid on Earth. Helium is the coldest liquid on Earth. So every couple months, Sakabin uses So every couple months, Sakabin uses So every couple months, Sakabin uses this long tube to pour 100 L of helium this long tube to pour 100 L of helium this long tube to pour 100 L of helium on these magnets to stabilize them at on these magnets to stabilize them at on these magnets to stabilize them at 452° 452° 452° below zero F. below zero F. below zero F. >> Once it gets to a critical level, we >> Once it gets to a critical level, we >> Once it gets to a critical level, we have to put helium back in the magnet to have to put helium back in the magnet to have to put helium back in the magnet to keep it cold. keep it cold. keep it cold. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> If that doesn't happen, we break the >> If that doesn't happen, we break the >> If that doesn't happen, we break the magnet. magnet. magnet. >> You got problems if that doesn't happen. >> You got problems if that doesn't happen. >> You got problems if that doesn't happen. >> Huge problems. >> Huge problems. >> Huge problems. >> You're saying there there's no >> You're saying there there's no >> You're saying there there's no workaround here. There's no other workaround here. There's no other workaround here. There's no other substance you can substitute in. substance you can substitute in. substance you can substitute in. >> No, nothing else boils that low. How >> No, nothing else boils that low. How >> No, nothing else boils that low. How many many many >> Saken's lab contracts with one supplier >> Saken's lab contracts with one supplier >> Saken's lab contracts with one supplier to deliver the helium he needs each to deliver the helium he needs each to deliver the helium he needs each month. month. month. >> First U of Chicago supplier plays Saken >> First U of Chicago supplier plays Saken >> First U of Chicago supplier plays Saken and his colleagues on what's called and his colleagues on what's called and his colleagues on what's called allocation essentially rationing. allocation essentially rationing. allocation essentially rationing. >> They basically have said well we'll give >> They basically have said well we'll give >> They basically have said well we'll give you 50% of what you used last year. That you 50% of what you used last year. That you 50% of what you used last year. That doesn't help us. And so what we have to doesn't help us. And so what we have to doesn't help us. And so what we have to do is decide which machine are we going do is decide which machine are we going do is decide which machine are we going to sacrifice and which one are we going to sacrifice and which one are we going to sacrifice and which one are we going to try to keep. to try to keep. to try to keep. >> That's where we are now. >> That's where we are now. >> That's where we are now. >> That's where we are now. we can't get >> That's where we are now. we can't get >> That's where we are now. we can't get the helium. Fortunately, we found the helium. Fortunately, we found the helium. Fortunately, we found another supplier that is getting us another supplier that is getting us another supplier that is getting us helium on a fairly regular basis, but helium on a fairly regular basis, but helium on a fairly regular basis, but they can't guarantee it. So, we never they can't guarantee it. So, we never they can't guarantee it. So, we never know if they're going to say, "Oh, this know if they're going to say, "Oh, this know if they're going to say, "Oh, this week we don't have any."

week we don't have any." week we don't have any." >> Then last month, Saken got a message >> Then last month, Saken got a message >> Then last month, Saken got a message saying that supplier was about to run saying that supplier was about to run saying that supplier was about to run out. It's not just university research out. It's not just university research out. It's not just university research labs. 1if of the world's helium is labs. 1if of the world's helium is labs. 1if of the world's helium is consumed by the semiconductor industry consumed by the semiconductor industry consumed by the semiconductor industry alone. to make every modern-day alone. to make every modern-day alone. to make every modern-day electronic you might use from your electronic you might use from your electronic you might use from your iPhone to your pacemaker. iPhone to your pacemaker. iPhone to your pacemaker. Outside Minneapolis, we visited one of Outside Minneapolis, we visited one of Outside Minneapolis, we visited one of those chip makers, Polar Semiconductors. those chip makers, Polar Semiconductors. those chip makers, Polar Semiconductors. >> All right, so G, go ahead and put that >> All right, so G, go ahead and put that >> All right, so G, go ahead and put that on first. on first. on first. >> We suited up alongside Sura, Polar's >> We suited up alongside Sura, Polar's >> We suited up alongside Sura, Polar's president and COO, to go inside what's president and COO, to go inside what's president and COO, to go inside what's called the FAB, the ultra sterilized called the FAB, the ultra sterilized called the FAB, the ultra sterilized area where they make the chips. are area where they make the chips. are area where they make the chips. are barriers to entry, so to speak. Two barriers to entry, so to speak. Two barriers to entry, so to speak. Two masks, two booties, and two pairs of masks, two booties, and two pairs of masks, two booties, and two pairs of gloves. gloves. gloves. >> You wonder how many people going to the >> You wonder how many people going to the >> You wonder how many people going to the Mall of America have no idea what's Mall of America have no idea what's Mall of America have no idea what's going on a few hundred yards away. going on a few hundred yards away. going on a few hundred yards away. >> That's absolutely true. >> That's absolutely true. >> That's absolutely true. >> Inside, workers in roundthe-clock >> Inside, workers in roundthe-clock >> Inside, workers in roundthe-clock shifts, manufacture semiconductors for shifts, manufacture semiconductors for shifts, manufacture semiconductors for engine systems and cars, the US engine systems and cars, the US engine systems and cars, the US military, and those ubiquitous data military, and those ubiquitous data military, and those ubiquitous data centers around the country.

centers around the country. centers around the country. >> How does helium figure into this? I >> How does helium figure into this? I >> How does helium figure into this? I would say almost 40 50% of the machines would say almost 40 50% of the machines would say almost 40 50% of the machines in this factory would have helium in in this factory would have helium in in this factory would have helium in some way or the other in the machine. some way or the other in the machine. some way or the other in the machine. >> So it's not just one step of the >> So it's not just one step of the >> So it's not just one step of the process. process. process. >> No, no, no. Hundreds of steps in the >> No, no, no. Hundreds of steps in the >> No, no, no. Hundreds of steps in the process involve helium. process involve helium. process involve helium. >> Such as this machine where helium keeps >> Such as this machine where helium keeps >> Such as this machine where helium keeps the environment clean and stable to the environment clean and stable to the environment clean and stable to avoid defects on the wafers. Polar is avoid defects on the wafers. Polar is avoid defects on the wafers. Polar is able to hedge its helium reserves by able to hedge its helium reserves by able to hedge its helium reserves by relying on three suppliers. Still, the relying on three suppliers. Still, the relying on three suppliers. Still, the company has felt the effects of the company has felt the effects of the company has felt the effects of the shortage. One of their suppliers has put shortage. One of their suppliers has put shortage. One of their suppliers has put them on allocation as well, that them on allocation as well, that them on allocation as well, that rationing program. rationing program. rationing program. >> Just to be clear, if you did not have >> Just to be clear, if you did not have >> Just to be clear, if you did not have helium, what would happen to this helium, what would happen to this helium, what would happen to this facility? facility? facility? >> Well, that's a situation that I don't >> Well, that's a situation that I don't >> Well, that's a situation that I don't want to even imagine because if we do want to even imagine because if we do want to even imagine because if we do not have helium, we'd have to shut down. not have helium, we'd have to shut down. not have helium, we'd have to shut down. >> Shut down. >> Shut down. >> Shut down. >> Everything gets shut down. And the >> Everything gets shut down. And the >> Everything gets shut down. And the helium crisis is hitting at a time when helium crisis is hitting at a time when helium crisis is hitting at a time when Polar Semiconductors plans on doubling Polar Semiconductors plans on doubling Polar Semiconductors plans on doubling production capacity to 140 million chips production capacity to 140 million chips production capacity to 140 million chips a month. Demand's not going down. The AI a month. Demand's not going down. The AI a month. Demand's not going down. The AI data centers are growing. Lot of demand data centers are growing. Lot of demand data centers are growing. Lot of demand for semiconductors. Electrification is for semiconductors. Electrification is for semiconductors. Electrification is growing. Demand for semiconductors. And growing. Demand for semiconductors. And growing. Demand for semiconductors. And that means the demand for helium is that means the demand for helium is that means the demand for helium is going to be growing for a long time.

going to be growing for a long time. going to be growing for a long time. These data centers we keep hearing These data centers we keep hearing These data centers we keep hearing about, yeah, about, yeah, about, yeah, >> trillions of dollars popping up all over >> trillions of dollars popping up all over >> trillions of dollars popping up all over the US, those don't happen if we don't the US, those don't happen if we don't the US, those don't happen if we don't have helium. have helium. have helium. >> Oh yeah. Without helium, none of these >> Oh yeah. Without helium, none of these >> Oh yeah. Without helium, none of these things happen. That's why local supply things happen. That's why local supply things happen. That's why local supply in the United States is so important to in the United States is so important to in the United States is so important to us. us. us. >> Besides cutter, the United States is the >> Besides cutter, the United States is the >> Besides cutter, the United States is the other major producer of helium for the other major producer of helium for the other major producer of helium for the world. And most of that comes from a world. And most of that comes from a world. And most of that comes from a single facility in Wyoming. US helium single facility in Wyoming. US helium single facility in Wyoming. US helium exports are up 70% since the war began exports are up 70% since the war began exports are up 70% since the war began and Ross Leafon was hit. This is mostly and Ross Leafon was hit. This is mostly and Ross Leafon was hit. This is mostly to accommodate countries manufacturing to accommodate countries manufacturing to accommodate countries manufacturing semiconductors. semiconductors. semiconductors. But the US can't offset the shortage But the US can't offset the shortage But the US can't offset the shortage indefinitely. And here's another issue. indefinitely. And here's another issue. indefinitely. And here's another issue. Ramping up production of helium is not Ramping up production of helium is not Ramping up production of helium is not easy, even if you can find it. 4 hours easy, even if you can find it. 4 hours easy, even if you can find it. 4 hours north of the Twin Cities, we've visited north of the Twin Cities, we've visited north of the Twin Cities, we've visited the site of a helium discovery, the the site of a helium discovery, the the site of a helium discovery, the Topaz Project. Cliff Kane is president Topaz Project. Cliff Kane is president Topaz Project. Cliff Kane is president of the startup exploration company. of the startup exploration company. of the startup exploration company. >> So this is a wellhead. We drilled down >> So this is a wellhead. We drilled down >> So this is a wellhead. We drilled down around 3,500 ft. We hit the pocket of around 3,500 ft. We hit the pocket of around 3,500 ft. We hit the pocket of gas down there and up comes the gas and gas down there and up comes the gas and gas down there and up comes the gas and we'll come out this gauge here. And uh we'll come out this gauge here. And uh we'll come out this gauge here. And uh that's how it goes.

that's how it goes. that's how it goes. >> And once it goes, >> And once it goes, >> And once it goes, this finite resource is gone forever. For the record, Kane estimates about a For the record, Kane estimates about a dollar of helium is released every dollar of helium is released every dollar of helium is released every second that valve is open. His company second that valve is open. His company second that valve is open. His company has inserted seven wells around a 100 has inserted seven wells around a 100 has inserted seven wells around a 100 square mile plot of land. In most cases, square mile plot of land. In most cases, square mile plot of land. In most cases, including the cutter facility, helium is including the cutter facility, helium is including the cutter facility, helium is a byproduct of the money maker, natural a byproduct of the money maker, natural a byproduct of the money maker, natural gas extraction. In Minnesota, though, gas extraction. In Minnesota, though, gas extraction. In Minnesota, though, it's all helium all the time. But it's all helium all the time. But it's all helium all the time. But finding helium is one thing. Getting it finding helium is one thing. Getting it finding helium is one thing. Getting it to market, even in the best case to market, even in the best case to market, even in the best case scenario, will take years. scenario, will take years. scenario, will take years. This is all encouraging, but this isn't This is all encouraging, but this isn't This is all encouraging, but this isn't going to help us next month. going to help us next month. going to help us next month. >> It's not going to help us next month. >> It's not going to help us next month. >> It's not going to help us next month. It's not easy to find. It's not easy to It's not easy to find. It's not easy to It's not easy to find. It's not easy to build. The logistics are hard, right? build. The logistics are hard, right? build. The logistics are hard, right? You got to keep something that's 452 You got to keep something that's 452 You got to keep something that's 452 degrees below zero cold and it's degrees below zero cold and it's degrees below zero cold and it's perishable. perishable. perishable. >> That's because helium starts to boil off >> That's because helium starts to boil off >> That's because helium starts to boil off as soon as it's in transit. It's that as soon as it's in transit. It's that as soon as it's in transit. It's that complicated supply chain that worries complicated supply chain that worries complicated supply chain that worries Kane, making helium, he says, Kane, making helium, he says, Kane, making helium, he says, particularly vulnerable to disruption.

particularly vulnerable to disruption. particularly vulnerable to disruption. So we've been trying to warn the markets So we've been trying to warn the markets So we've been trying to warn the markets about this for decades. We're too about this for decades. We're too about this for decades. We're too concentrated with our supply in the concentrated with our supply in the concentrated with our supply in the world. When you look at it, you got world. When you look at it, you got world. When you look at it, you got supply in cutter, you have some supply supply in cutter, you have some supply supply in cutter, you have some supply in Algeria, you have a little in Poland, in Algeria, you have a little in Poland, in Algeria, you have a little in Poland, you have a source in Russia, and we have you have a source in Russia, and we have you have a source in Russia, and we have a few here in the United States. So all a few here in the United States. So all a few here in the United States. So all it takes is a few of those to fall and it takes is a few of those to fall and it takes is a few of those to fall and the whole supply chain comes unraveled. the whole supply chain comes unraveled. the whole supply chain comes unraveled. >> The longer the war with Iran continues, >> The longer the war with Iran continues, >> The longer the war with Iran continues, the tighter the global supply of helium the tighter the global supply of helium the tighter the global supply of helium gets. But how tight? That's difficult to gets. But how tight? That's difficult to gets. But how tight? That's difficult to answer. If helium is hard to acquire, so answer. If helium is hard to acquire, so answer. If helium is hard to acquire, so is information about it. is information about it. is information about it. >> Is opaque a fair word? Oh, yes, >> Is opaque a fair word? Oh, yes, >> Is opaque a fair word? Oh, yes, absolutely. It's a very tight-knit absolutely. It's a very tight-knit absolutely. It's a very tight-knit business with these six main players who business with these six main players who business with these six main players who are responsible for the majority of the are responsible for the majority of the are responsible for the majority of the sales sales sales >> prices originally. >> prices originally. >> prices originally. >> Rich Brook would know. He's a former >> Rich Brook would know. He's a former >> Rich Brook would know. He's a former executive at Heirl, one of the six major executive at Heirl, one of the six major executive at Heirl, one of the six major international helium suppliers, and is international helium suppliers, and is international helium suppliers, and is now an industry consultant. now an industry consultant. now an industry consultant. >> How much have prices gone up this year? >> How much have prices gone up this year? >> How much have prices gone up this year? The spot market prices have tripled uh The spot market prices have tripled uh The spot market prices have tripled uh and and they can go even higher because and and they can go even higher because and and they can go even higher because it tripled. Yes.

it tripled. Yes. it tripled. Yes. >> You think it's expensive to fill your >> You think it's expensive to fill your >> You think it's expensive to fill your car up with gas? car up with gas? car up with gas? >> That's right. The US produces helium as >> That's right. The US produces helium as >> That's right. The US produces helium as well. Are there countries that had been well. Are there countries that had been well. Are there countries that had been relying on cutter that are now coming to relying on cutter that are now coming to relying on cutter that are now coming to the US for their supply? the US for their supply? the US for their supply? >> Yes, absolutely. Especially the >> Yes, absolutely. Especially the >> Yes, absolutely. Especially the countries that were heavily requiring countries that were heavily requiring countries that were heavily requiring helium for their semiconductor helium for their semiconductor helium for their semiconductor industries. There's only been industries. There's only been industries. There's only been traditionally two qualified sources. traditionally two qualified sources. traditionally two qualified sources. Cutter and Exxon, which is here in the Cutter and Exxon, which is here in the Cutter and Exxon, which is here in the US. When cutter went down, those US. When cutter went down, those US. When cutter went down, those companies which are predominantly based companies which are predominantly based companies which are predominantly based in places like Korea and Taiwan and in places like Korea and Taiwan and in places like Korea and Taiwan and Singapore immediately started looking Singapore immediately started looking Singapore immediately started looking towards the US for supply. How long can towards the US for supply. How long can towards the US for supply. How long can the US accommodate this demand from the US accommodate this demand from the US accommodate this demand from other countries? other countries? other countries? >> Well, it depends on how long the >> Well, it depends on how long the >> Well, it depends on how long the shortage lasts and also it depends on on shortage lasts and also it depends on on shortage lasts and also it depends on on how much product we can continue to how much product we can continue to how much product we can continue to recover out of the out of the caverns. recover out of the out of the caverns. recover out of the out of the caverns. >> He's referring to helium storage >> He's referring to helium storage >> He's referring to helium storage caverns, two in the US, one in Germany. caverns, two in the US, one in Germany. caverns, two in the US, one in Germany. Illustrated in this diagram in blue, Illustrated in this diagram in blue, Illustrated in this diagram in blue, they're underground, made of salt, and they're underground, made of salt, and they're underground, made of salt, and naturally impermeable, which makes them naturally impermeable, which makes them naturally impermeable, which makes them ideal for holding excess helium when the ideal for holding excess helium when the ideal for holding excess helium when the market is long. Do we have any idea how market is long. Do we have any idea how market is long. Do we have any idea how much helium is in these caverns?

much helium is in these caverns? much helium is in these caverns? >> So, that's a closely held secret by the >> So, that's a closely held secret by the >> So, that's a closely held secret by the owners of the cavern. The market at one owners of the cavern. The market at one owners of the cavern. The market at one point last year was long, so they were point last year was long, so they were point last year was long, so they were actually taking helium and pumping it actually taking helium and pumping it actually taking helium and pumping it into those caverns. Of course, now into those caverns. Of course, now into those caverns. Of course, now they've reversed the direction. they've reversed the direction. they've reversed the direction. >> 3 months from now, what does supply look >> 3 months from now, what does supply look >> 3 months from now, what does supply look like? Well, if you can tell me what's like? Well, if you can tell me what's like? Well, if you can tell me what's going to happen in the straight of going to happen in the straight of going to happen in the straight of Hormuz between now and three months from Hormuz between now and three months from Hormuz between now and three months from now, I can tell you exactly what will be now, I can tell you exactly what will be now, I can tell you exactly what will be happening in the helium business. happening in the helium business. happening in the helium business. Unfortunately, you can't and so I can't. Unfortunately, you can't and so I can't. Unfortunately, you can't and so I can't. In the aftermath of the Iranian strikes In the aftermath of the Iranian strikes In the aftermath of the Iranian strikes on Ross Leafon in March, the Qatari said on Ross Leafon in March, the Qatari said on Ross Leafon in March, the Qatari said it would take at least 3 years to get it would take at least 3 years to get it would take at least 3 years to get the facility back in full operation. We the facility back in full operation. We the facility back in full operation. We wanted to know about the extent of the wanted to know about the extent of the wanted to know about the extent of the damage of the helium infrastructure damage of the helium infrastructure damage of the helium infrastructure specifically, but our request for specifically, but our request for specifically, but our request for comment went unanswered. comment went unanswered. comment went unanswered. With so much at stake and so much With so much at stake and so much With so much at stake and so much swirling uncertainty about the state of swirling uncertainty about the state of swirling uncertainty about the state of this vital element, we enlisted Joe this vital element, we enlisted Joe this vital element, we enlisted Joe Bermudez to assess how bad it could get. Bermudez to assess how bad it could get. Bermudez to assess how bad it could get. A senior imagery analyst at the Center A senior imagery analyst at the Center A senior imagery analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, for Strategic and International Studies, for Strategic and International Studies, Bermudez looked for clues using what Bermudez looked for clues using what Bermudez looked for clues using what little information we do have. It comes little information we do have. It comes little information we do have. It comes from a satellite.

from a satellite. from a satellite. >> It'd be nice if the Qatari government uh >> It'd be nice if the Qatari government uh >> It'd be nice if the Qatari government uh shed a lumar. We provided Bermudez two shed a lumar. We provided Bermudez two shed a lumar. We provided Bermudez two images of an area of Ros Leafon that images of an area of Ros Leafon that images of an area of Ros Leafon that facilitates helium production. One facilitates helium production. One facilitates helium production. One before the Iranian strikes in March, one before the Iranian strikes in March, one before the Iranian strikes in March, one four days after. He showed us this area four days after. He showed us this area four days after. He showed us this area where he says that it looks like water where he says that it looks like water where he says that it looks like water or firefighting foam dried to make a or firefighting foam dried to make a or firefighting foam dried to make a black stain on the cement. black stain on the cement. black stain on the cement. >> It looks like uh something necessitated >> It looks like uh something necessitated >> It looks like uh something necessitated the pipes in this area, the equipment in the pipes in this area, the equipment in the pipes in this area, the equipment in this area to be hosed down. So, you're this area to be hosed down. So, you're this area to be hosed down. So, you're not prepared to say what it was or the not prepared to say what it was or the not prepared to say what it was or the severity, but something happened. severity, but something happened. severity, but something happened. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Yes, absolutely. >> For all the unanswered questions about >> For all the unanswered questions about >> For all the unanswered questions about the extent of the damage at the cutter the extent of the damage at the cutter the extent of the damage at the cutter facility, this we know. The helium facility, this we know. The helium facility, this we know. The helium supply chain issues are sufficiently supply chain issues are sufficiently supply chain issues are sufficiently serious that Cliff Kaine has briefed serious that Cliff Kaine has briefed serious that Cliff Kaine has briefed policy makers in Washington. policy makers in Washington. policy makers in Washington. >> When you address the Pentagon about >> When you address the Pentagon about >> When you address the Pentagon about helium specifically, what were you helium specifically, what were you helium specifically, what were you telling them? telling them? telling them? >> That we have a problem. We have a single >> That we have a problem. We have a single >> That we have a problem. We have a single critical point of failure in the system. critical point of failure in the system. critical point of failure in the system. We have cutter go down. Now that single We have cutter go down. Now that single We have cutter go down. Now that single critical point of failure is coming critical point of failure is coming critical point of failure is coming closer to term and I think that's what's closer to term and I think that's what's closer to term and I think that's what's got concerned because that's all it does got concerned because that's all it does got concerned because that's all it does take.

take. take. >> Kane says it's especially concerning >> Kane says it's especially concerning >> Kane says it's especially concerning given that on account of the war with given that on account of the war with given that on account of the war with Iran, the US is experiencing a munition Iran, the US is experiencing a munition Iran, the US is experiencing a munition shortage. And yet the Pentagon has asked shortage. And yet the Pentagon has asked shortage. And yet the Pentagon has asked some defense contractors to quadruple some defense contractors to quadruple some defense contractors to quadruple their production capacities of certain their production capacities of certain their production capacities of certain weapons. weapons. weapons. >> You can't make modern warfare without >> You can't make modern warfare without >> You can't make modern warfare without helium. And that's just a fact. You've helium. And that's just a fact. You've helium. And that's just a fact. You've heard about the missiles, the heard about the missiles, the heard about the missiles, the hypersonics. Without helium, you can't hypersonics. Without helium, you can't hypersonics. Without helium, you can't make the fiber optics. You can't produce make the fiber optics. You can't produce make the fiber optics. You can't produce the munitions. You can't produce the the munitions. You can't produce the the munitions. You can't produce the electronics that goes on these things. electronics that goes on these things. electronics that goes on these things. And so, if you don't have helium, your And so, if you don't have helium, your And so, if you don't have helium, your opportunity to make war becomes even opportunity to make war becomes even opportunity to make war becomes even more difficult. more difficult. more difficult. We are 7 months into the war now with no We are 7 months into the war now with no We are 7 months into the war now with no end in sight. Since September, nearly end in sight. Since September, nearly end in sight. Since September, nearly two dozen ships have been hit while two dozen ships have been hit while two dozen ships have been hit while attempting to pass through the straight attempting to pass through the straight attempting to pass through the straight of Hormuz. And no ships carrying helium of Hormuz. And no ships carrying helium of Hormuz. And no ships carrying helium are leavingQatar.