Texas Helium Mineral Rights: The Panhandle and How to Sell

Texas helium is recovered as a component of natural gas and is concentrated in the Texas Panhandle, where the Hugoton–Panhandle complex clips the top of the state. Its historic center is Potter County (Amarillo), home to the Cliffside Gas Field and the Bush Dome reservoir — the site of the former U.S. Federal Helium Reserve and the reason the industry once crowned Potter County the "Helium Capital of the World" (1968 centennial). The remaining federal reserve was sold to Messer Group in 2024.

The highest concentrations come from the southwest, updip edge of the Panhandle field, where helium content runs up to ~1.3% or more — versus roughly 0.1% on the northeast edge. That high-helium edge runs through the cluster of Panhandle counties around Potter: Moore, Hartley, Hutchinson, Carson, and Gray. More recently, Texas helium has been recovered chiefly in Hansford County. The state's original (now depleted) source was Clay County, where helium was first produced in Texas from the natural gas of the Petrolia oilfield during World War I.

On fee minerals with a lease that addresses helium, you generally share in it. But two wrinkles matter: helium in gas from federal minerals has long been reserved to the U.S. government, and many older leases are silent on helium, which can leave the helium stream's ownership unclear. Verifying your mineral classification and lease language is the first step. See our national helium guide and Texas oil rights guide.

Buckhead Energy buys fee mineral and royalty interests in the Texas Panhandle's helium-bearing trends directly — our own capital, no broker commissions, and a free, no-obligation written offer after we review your lease, classification, and the host-gas footprint. Request a free offer or browse the Texas mineral rights hub.

Where is helium produced in Texas?

Almost entirely in the Texas Panhandle. Potter County (Amarillo) hosts the Cliffside Gas Field and Bush Dome reservoir — the former Federal Helium Reserve. The richest concentrations (up to ~1.3%) run along the southwest updip edge of the Panhandle field through Moore, Hartley, Hutchinson, Carson, and Gray counties, with recent recovery centered in Hansford County.

What is the Cliffside Gas Field / Bush Dome?

The Cliffside Gas Field in Potter County contains the Bush Dome reservoir, which served as the U.S. Federal Helium Reserve for decades. The remaining reserve was sold to Messer Group in 2024. It is the reason Potter County was called the "Helium Capital of the World."

Do I own the helium in my Texas gas?

On fee minerals with a lease that covers helium, generally yes. But helium from federal minerals is reserved to the U.S. government, and older leases are often silent on helium, so ownership can be unclear. Verify your mineral classification and lease before assuming.

Which Texas counties have helium?

The Panhandle counties: Potter, Moore, Hartley, Hutchinson, Carson, Gray, and Hansford are the core. Clay County in north Texas was the original (now depleted) source via the Petrolia oilfield.

Can I sell my Texas helium mineral rights?

Yes. Buckhead Energy buys Texas helium-bearing mineral and royalty interests directly, with its own capital and no broker commissions, and provides a free, no-obligation written offer.

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