IRKUTSK, September 20 (RIA Novosti) - Russia may shift the U.S. from its leading position in helium production and sales by 2025-2030, a Gazprom deputy board chairman said Wednesday.
Alexander Ananenkov said that by 2015, the world market might face a shortage of helium, which is used in the high-tech industry. He also said China increased helium consumption by 30% last year.
The helium industry, he said, will be part of Russia's general strategy for gas development until 2030, which might be approved in the first half of 2007.
The scheme will cover all aspects of Russia's gas industry, including gas production and supplies in East Siberia and the Far East, as well as gas chemistry and the like.
