A major helium purification facility has begun operations near Stewart Valley in southwestern Saskatchewan, marking a significant expansion of Canada’s helium industry. The new plant is expected to increase Saskatchewan’s helium production by more than 40 per cent, strengthening the province’s position as the country’s leading producer of the resource.
The facility, operated by Calgary-based North American Helium, is expected to produce approximately 73 million cubic feet of helium annually. Its opening represents an important development for Saskatchewan’s resource sector as global demand grows for helium used in health care, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
New Saskatchewan Helium Facility Expected to Boost Production and Exports
The purification plant, located near Stewart Valley, west of Regina, officially began operations on October 15, 2026.
Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Minister Chris Beaudry said the project would support the province’s efforts to diversify its resource economy while expanding its presence in international helium markets.
“Today is another step toward a stronger, more diversified resource economy,” Beaudry told reporters at a news conference.
“Around the world, helium demand is growing for medical imaging, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and the technologies that are shaping our future.”
According to the provincial government, the facility’s additional production capacity is expected to increase Saskatchewan’s helium exports by more than 40 per cent.
The development also highlights the growing economic importance of helium as countries seek dependable supplies of materials essential to medical equipment and advanced industrial applications.
Stewart Valley Site Holds Significant Helium Reserves
North American Helium, headquartered in Calgary, is responsible for operating the new purification facility.
In a September 22 news release, the company reported that an independent evaluator had estimated helium reserves of approximately 1.1 billion cubic feet at its Stewart Valley site.
Helium occurs naturally underground as radioactive elements, including uranium and thorium, decay over geological periods.
Although helium is commonly recovered as a byproduct of natural gas production, dedicated facilities can extract and process helium-bearing gas from underground reservoirs.
At purification plants such as Stewart Valley, helium is separated from other gases, including nitrogen, before being compressed and processed to achieve approximately 99 per cent purity.
Helium Investment Could Strengthen Southwestern Saskatchewan’s Economy
The new facility is expected to generate economic activity and additional government revenue while supporting the development of Saskatchewan’s helium industry.
Nicholas Snyder, chairman and CEO of North American Helium, said the project would provide a “meaningful increase in economic activity and government revenue over time.”
The investment comes amid concerns about the reliability of international helium supply chains.
Snyder pointed to geopolitical disruptions, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as examples of developments affecting global markets.
Such disruptions have increased attention on alternative production centres, including Canada, where Saskatchewan has substantial helium resources and an expanding production industry.
Swift Current Identified for Canada’s First Helium Liquefaction Facility
North American Helium is also planning a helium liquefaction facility in Swift Current, less than 40 kilometres south of the Stewart Valley purification plant.
The proposed development would establish additional processing capacity within Saskatchewan and reduce the industry’s reliance on facilities outside Canada.
“With Stewart Valley on stream, we now have the regional production base to support Canada’s first helium liquefier, which we intend to locate in the town of Swift Current,” Snyder said.
Helium is commonly liquefied to make transportation and storage more economical, particularly when shipping large quantities over long distances.
Currently, Canadian-produced helium requiring liquefaction must be processed at facilities in the United States.
A domestic liquefaction plant could help streamline transportation, reduce trucking emissions and retain more processing activity within southwestern Saskatchewan.
The proposed Swift Current project remains under development.
“I think there’s such an opportunity for this region, both geopolitically reliable (and) operationally reliable, right along the Trans-Canada Highway. I mean, this is just a multi-decade opportunity,” Snyder said.
Why Helium Is Important to Canada’s Technology and Health-Care Industries
Helium plays an essential role in several industries because of its unique physical properties, including its extremely low boiling point and chemical stability.
In Canadian hospitals, liquid helium is used to cool superconducting magnets in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, allowing the equipment to operate at the temperatures required for medical imaging.
The gas is also used in aerospace applications, including rocket launches, as well as specialized deep-sea diving operations.
Helium supports manufacturing processes involving fibre-optic cables, smartphones, flat-screen televisions and other electronic products.
Its importance across these sectors has made dependable helium supplies increasingly relevant to industrial planning and international trade.
Saskatchewan Positions Itself as a Growing Global Helium Supplier
The opening of the Stewart Valley purification facility represents another step in Saskatchewan’s efforts to expand beyond its established oil, natural gas, uranium and potash industries.
With annual production capacity expected to reach approximately 73 million cubic feet and a proposed liquefaction facility planned for Swift Current, southwestern Saskatchewan is emerging as an important Canadian helium production centre.
The expansion could strengthen domestic processing capabilities, support provincial exports and improve Canada’s position as a reliable supplier of helium to international markets.
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