wasn't Ukrain also a major helium producer before the war (and this having caused issues when the war started)?
Not directly. It was a bit of a chain reaction.
1. Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted Europe's established natural gas supply.
2. Europe needed more gas from alternative suppliers, including Algeria.
3. Algeria sent more gas through its pipeline to Spain rather than processing as much gas into LNG at Arzew.
4. Less gas passed through the LNG process that made helium recovery economical.
5. Helium production fell, even though the underground gas deposits could still contain helium.
alt Hacker News
Not directly. It was a bit of a chain reaction.
1. Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted Europe's established natural gas supply.
2. Europe needed more gas from alternative suppliers, including Algeria.
3. Algeria sent more gas through its pipeline to Spain rather than processing as much gas into LNG at Arzew.
4. Less gas passed through the LNG process that made helium recovery economical.
5. Helium production fell, even though the underground gas deposits could still contain helium.