# Cliffside Federal Helium Reserve and Storage Facility History

**TL;DR:** The Cliffside facility in Potter County, Texas served as the U.S. Federal Helium Reserve's primary storage site from the 1920s through most of the 20th century, using the Bush Dome reservoir to stockpile helium extracted from Hugoton-Panhandle natural gas. Operated by the Bureau of Land Management, this facility defined commercial helium production in the United States for decades and highlighted the strategic value of helium-bearing gas in the Texas Panhandle region.

## Key Takeaways

- The Cliffside helium storage facility, located north of Amarillo in Potter County, Texas, was the centerpiece of the U.S. Federal Helium Reserve for most of the twentieth century
- Created by the Helium Act of 1925, the Federal Helium Reserve supported U.S. military and aerospace helium needs through strategic stockpiling
- The facility stored helium recovered from Hugoton-system natural gas in a depleted natural gas reservoir (Bush Dome)
- Cliffside operations defined commercial helium production in the United States for decades and demonstrated the economic value of the Texas Panhandle/Oklahoma Panhandle/southwest Kansas helium-bearing gas system
- Texas Panhandle mineral owners should understand that their acreage may contain commercially significant helium content, making helium royalty treatment an important consideration in lease negotiations
- The facility was operated by the Bureau of Land Management as a strategic federal stockpile
- Helium content in Panhandle gas is notable and continues to have economic implications for mineral and royalty owners in the region

## Page Highlights

**Federal Helium Reserve Creation:** Established by the Helium Act of 1925 to ensure adequate helium supply for military and aerospace applications, representing a strategic national resource.

**Cliffside Operations:** The Bureau of Land Management operated the facility to extract helium from Hugoton-system natural gas and store it underground in the Bush Dome reservoir, creating a strategic federal stockpile.

**Impact on Regional Production:** The facility's operations shaped the development and economics of Texas Panhandle helium production throughout the twentieth century, establishing the region's importance in U.S. helium supply.

**Mineral Owner Implications:** Texas Panhandle mineral owners should recognize that their acreage may contain commercially significant helium, making royalty treatment and lease language important considerations for any new leases, ratifications, or amendments.

## Related Topics

- [Helium Mineral Rights & Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/helium-mineral-rights)
- [Helium Royalty Rates](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/helium-royalty-rates)
- [Helium Lease Language](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/helium-lease-language)
- [How to Sell Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/how-to-sell-mineral-rights)
- [What Are My Minerals Worth?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/what-are-my-minerals-worth)
- [Should I Sell? Beginner's Guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/should-i-sell)
- [Getting a Fair Price](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/getting-a-fair-price)
- [US Drilling Activity Index](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/us-drilling-activity-index)

---

**About Buckhead Energy:** Buckhead Energy is a BBB-accredited mineral rights acquisition company that has purchased mineral and royalty interests with its own capital since 2007, operating across 33 states with no broker commissions or listing fees.

Ready to explore your options? [Get your free mineral rights valuation](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell)