UNIVERSITY researchers have used groundbreaking technique to find a huge gas field.

In a world first, Durham University scientists have found a supply of the rare gas helium buried deep beneath the Rift Valley in Tanzania.

Although best-known for party balloons and making voices squeaky, helium is critical for a number of uses including hospital MRI scanners, welding and nuclear energy, but global reserves are running out.

Until now helium has never been found intentionally, it has in the past been accidentally discovered in small quantities during oil and gas drilling.

Now, a research group from Oxford and Durham universities, working with Norwegian-based Helium One, has developed a new approach to exploration which has pinpointed a huge gas field in Tanzania with enough reserves of the gas to meet world supply for seven years.

Researcher Diveena Danabalan, of Durham University’s Department of Earth Sciences, said: ‘Volcanic activity likely provides the heat necessary to release the helium accumulated in ancient crustal rocks.

“However, if gas traps are located too close to a given volcano, they run the risk of helium being heavily diluted by volcanic gases such as carbon dioxide, just as we see in thermal springs from the region.

“We are now working to identify the ‘goldilocks-zone’ between the ancient crust and the modern volcanoes where the balance between helium release and volcanic dilution is ‘just right’.’

Professor Jon Gluyas, Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, said: “The impact of this and expected future helium discoveries will secure supply for the medical scanning and other industries.”