Bridgewater, N.J., U.S., June 27, 2024 – Messer, the largest privately held industrial gas company in the world, is pleased to announce that it has successfully closed on its purchase of the Federal Helium System from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Following the closing, the organizations will work closely to ensure the smooth transition of the System to Messer’s ownership.
The Federal Helium System includes the Federal Helium Reserve, the Cliffside Field with its wells and gathering system, the 423-mile-long crude helium pipeline, and additional operational assets.
“We are grateful to everyone who helped us get to this point. The Messer team has worked hand-in-hand with the BLM for the last several months to close the transaction. And for over two years before the transaction itself, Messer and BLM collaborated closely to ensure the safe and reliable operations of the System’s Cliffside Gas Plant,” said Elena Skvortsova, President and CEO, Messer Americas. “Messer is committed to being a safe and responsible operator of the Helium System and continuing to serve the many industries that rely on this vital resource.”
Since April 2022, Messer has operated the Cliffside Gas Plant under contract with the BLM. Under Messer’s stewardship, the plant recently marked the delivery of a cumulative one billion standard cubic feet of helium, reflecting a near 99 percent reliability rate since Messer took over operations.
As a leading global supplier of helium, Messer understands how this critical gas sustains and empowers growth and innovation in multiple sectors of the economy, including medicine, aerospace, semiconductors and manufacturing. Messer’s dedication to maintaining a safe and reliable helium supply drives society’s progress.
About Messer
Messer is the largest privately held industrial gas business in the world and a leading industrial and medical gas company in North America, South America, Asia and Europe. Messer offers more than 125 years of expertise in industrial, medical, specialty and electronics gases. The company delivers quality gases, related services and technology via an extensive production and distribution network. Health and safety, sustainability practices and environmental protection are core Messer values that are embedded in the company’s daily operations. Messer Americas sales account approximately for 52% of Messer worldwide sales of $4.7 billion USD. For more information, visit: www.messeramericas.com.