Back in October 2025, Pulsar Helium announced that its Jetstream #1 well in Northern Minnesota, part of its Topaz Project, measured very rare helium-3 concentrations of 1.3 to 14.5 parts per billion (ppb). I wrote about the Topaz Project in March 2024. It is considered to be one of the largest helium discoveries in the U.S. The source of the helium is the local Precambrian Archaean-aged basement rocks. Helium is generated from the decay of uranium and thorium in these basement granites, migrating upward into overlying porous sedimentary reservoirs where it can accumulate beneath impermeable seals. It is conveyed through fractures initiated by the Mid-Continent Rift System, which runs through several U.S. states, including Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio.
Pulsar noted in its detailed announcement in October that the Jetstream #1 well had the highest amount of
helium-3 ever recorded in a well, in addition to among the highest
concentrations in the U.S. of helium-4, the more common form. Helium-4 has two
protons and two neutrons, while helium-3 has two protons but just one neutron.
They noted that the helium-3 levels recorded in the well were the:
“…highest accumulation of naturally occurring helium-3
ever publicly reported in a terrestrial gas reservoir worldwide. As previously
reported (Pulsar News Release September 19, 2025) the Jetstream #1 well also
had a sustained flow containing 7–8% helium-4 (the more common isotope of
helium), confirming that Topaz’s helium is not only high-grade in helium-4 but
also highly enriched in the rare helium-3 isotope.”
The company also noted that
NASA and the U.S government were exploring the possibility of extracting
helium-3 from the moon. However, the concentration averaged about 4 ppb. The
Jetstream # 1 well delivered comparable concentrations right here on Earth, with
the possibility of higher concentrations in the future. Below, they explain in
more detail:
“Helium-3: Value and Strategic Significance”
“Helium-3 is one of the rarest and most valuable
isotopes on Earth, with reported prices of up to US$18.7 million per kilogram,
more than 100,000 times the price of common helium (helium-4). Against this
backdrop, discovering a terrestrial source with sustained helium-3 content at
up to 14.5 ppb is an extraordinary development.”
“NASA and the U.S. Government are actively funding lunar
helium-3 extraction, with regolith concentrations estimated between 1.4 and 15
ppb, averaging around 4 ppb. Grants and early purchase agreements are
supporting technologies for regolith heating, gas separation, and transport,
reflecting helium-3’s strategic importance. In this context, the significance
of Pulsar’s discovery is clear, with terrestrial helium-3 levels now comparable
to, and potentially exceeding, average concentrations found on the Moon,
without the need for lunar excavation.”
Other highlights from the
well and gas analyses include, as noted, the high concentrations. Secondly, the
consistency of the helium-3-to-helium-4 isotope ratio indicates a stable helium
reservoir. The value provided by the helium-3 find could be significant.
The announcement further
explains the consistent He-3/He-4 isotope ratio. That consistency suggests:
“…a single, homogeneous source of helium charging the
reservoir, rather than sporadic pockets or contamination. Notably, one sample
containing 11.4% helium-4 by volume yielded approximately 14.5 ppb of helium-3,
consistent with the overall isotopic trend. This uniform enrichment of
helium-3, relative to helium-4, is a strong indicator of the unique genesis and
high quality of the Topaz helium source, setting it apart from typical helium
accumulations which often contain only trace helium-3.”
The company notes that helium-3 can be used in advanced
technologies as:
“…fuel for future fusion energy reactors, for enabling
quantum computing and advanced cryogenics (ultra-low temperature cooling), and
for high-efficiency neutron detection devices used in nuclear security and
research.”
The company notes that two
wells have been drilled, the Jetstream #1 with a total depth of 5,100 feet
(1,555 meters), and the Jetstream #2 with a total depth of 5,638 feet (1,718
meters). The Jetstream #1 well was flow tested at a peak gas flow rate of
approximately 1.3 million cubic feet per day (MMCFpd) with a sustained flow of
7–8% helium (as helium-4). This high gas flow rate also bodes well for a
decent-sized accumulation. It was tested using a wellhead compressor.
The company also went into
great detail in the announcement about how the gas was analyzed. It was
analyzed by two different independent lab systems. The analyzers were Smart
Gas Sciences LLC (Smart Gas) in Ohio and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
(WHOI) in Massachusetts. Both analyses concurred.
The announcement also notes
that there are places on Earth where higher recorded helium-3 occurs in
volcanic geological settings, such as mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal vent
systems, such as the East Pacific Rise, and in volcanic hotspots like Hawaii’s
Loihi Seamount. However, there is no viable way to commercially exploit such
sources, which are often inconsistent as well.
Below, they explain helium-3
and its importance:
The company also notes that
it is seeking to aid in the development of a separation technology for helium-3
that can work at scale.
“At present, there is no commercial technology in
operation that separates helium-3 from helium-4 in a gas stream at scale.
Pulsar is in active dialogue with potential collaborators and looks forward to
formalizing partnerships to evaluate methods for helium-3 separation in future
processing scenarios, with the aim of producing helium-3 as a pure product. The
Company invites interest from research groups and technology developers keen to
collaborate or trial their separation techniques at Topaz and actively encourages
open dialogue and outreach.”
The article in Slash Gear
notes that there is a possibility that wider availability of helium-3 could
result in more nuclear fusion experiments, which could increase the likelihood
and speed of discovery.
Pulsar has drilled two more wells, the Jetstream #3 and #4 and is currently drilling the Jetstream #5, which will be followed by the Jetstream #6. All wells have encountered pressurised gas. The 3,4, and 5 wells will be flow tested in the coming weeks. The company is also expanding leasing in the area, as well as expanding into testing similar points along the rift in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where they have acquired acreage by acquiring another helium exploration company.
References:
Pulsar
Helium Announces Helium-3 Discovery at Jetstream #1, Topaz Project, Minnesota.
Pulsar Helium. October 1, 2025. Pulsar Helium Inc. - Pulsar Helium
announces Helium-3 Discovery at Jetstream #1, Topaz Project, Minnesota
Rare
form of helium found in the US being hyped as possible future fuel source. Nate
Williams. Slash Gear. January 11, 2026. Rare form of helium found in the US
being hyped as possible future fuel source
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