Article content With global helium prices hitting stratospheric levels, exploration companies are racing to snap up assets in Alberta in a bid to turn this province into a significant supplier of the in-demand gas. “It’s a bit of a land rush right now, to be honest,” said Chris Bakker, CEO of Calgary-based Avanti Energy, which recently leased 7,000 acres in southern Alberta for the purpose of helium exploration and is in negotiations for another 12,000 acres in Montana. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or 'Land rush' on in Alberta as demand for lighter-than-air helium takes flight Back to video