You are currently viewing Reliance Subsidiary Acquires 21% Stake in US-based Wavetech Helium for $12 Million, Expanding Footprint in Low-Carbon Sector

Reliance Subsidiary Acquires 21% Stake in US-based Wavetech Helium for $12 Million, Expanding Footprint in Low-Carbon Sector

Indian giant Reliance Industries Limited acquired 21% stake in the US-based Wavetech Helium, Inc. (WHI) in a total acquisition of $12 million. This was reportedly through RIL’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Reliance Finance and Investments USA LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited. It is the company’s first foray into the business of helium. The acquisition, finalized with the use of a stock purchase agreement, is set to move further Reliance’s efforts to find ways in the low-carbon path to meet its long-term aim in having 2035 net-zero carbon emissions. 

Wavetech Helium was established in July 2021. It deals with helium exploration and production from underground resources. It has a considerable amount of helium gas resources in the critical helium-producing regions of East-Southeast Colorado, Western Kansas, and Northwest Montana, that are among the most famous helium fairways in the world. WHI started its commercial operations in 2024. 

Industry analysts see the acquisition as a strategic move for RIL to further get rooted in helium markets, whose range of applications goes from healthcare and scientific research to aerospace, electronics, and fiber optics. Indeed, with the increasing demand for semiconductors, fueled by the surge in AI technologies and data centers, the demand for helium in manufacturing processes is projected to increase. 

Helium, one of the non-renewable natural resources, witnessed two decades of an incredible escalation of demand, because of its importance of the applications and depletion. With its cost reaching over $300 per million cubic feet or MCF, that drastically contrasts with natural gas with a substantially smaller value price. The skyrocketed cost has only drawn in value to helium as one strategic source, hence is now in a segment highly demanded investment. 

Acquiring a stake in Wavetech Helium, RIL also continues its push to expand its portfolio diversification while further strengthening its position in those sectors that can contribute toward cleaner and more sustainable energy. It comes on the heels of earlier investments made by RIL in US shale gas assets, where it had divested holdings in 2021 in a bid to shift the focus toward low-carbon industries. 

With Reliance Industries now positioning itself to be a leader in sustainable energy solutions, helium investment is an important step in this direction of the company’s growth strategy that could change its future in the global energy landscape.