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Pulsar Helium announced that at 2:05 a.m. on Feb. 28, the Jetstream #1 appraisal well at the Topaz helium project east of Babbitt reached total depth (TD) of 2,200 feet.
Prior to reaching TD, helium shows were encountered during drilling between 1,750 – 2,200 feet with concentrations of up to 12.4% helium measured by the onsite mass spectrometer.
When TD was reached, the well was conditioned with air to assist in removal of residual drill fluid, the well then began to naturally flow helium-rich gas at an unmeasured rate to surface at 6:30 a.m. where the mudlog gas composition increased from 3.7% to 5.1% helium over a five-hour clean-up period. Due to the significant air volumes pumped into the well during the drilling process, these measurements are considered to be a minimum value due to dilution by atmospheric contamination.
Pulsar’s President & CEO, Thomas Abraham-James said, “This is an outstanding result, I am delighted that helium has been identified in the Jetstream #1 appraisal well. It is a big day for helium exploration, confirming the original discovery in the new jurisdiction of Minnesota. I look forward to keeping the market updated with further results as they are received.”
State Rep. Roger Skraba (R-Ely) said, “I’m excited to hear the positive news. Perhaps we will have a helium CO2 filtering plant in northeast Minnesota.”
Due to the loss of circulation and returns while drilling, the origination depth of the gas shows are unable to be resolved until the suite of open-hole wireline logs has been collected and processed by Baker Hughes. Upon completion of the logging program, the well will be suspended for flow testing and the rig released.
The geology was consistent throughout the well, interchanging troctolite/anorthosite, both of which are mafic igneous rocks with intermittent fractures.
The gas compositions were measured by the independent surface logging team using their on-site quadrupole mass spectrometer. Isotube gas samples have been taken from the mass spectrometer at the various show intervals and will be shipped to a specialist gas laboratory for full molecular composition, removal of atmospheric (air) contamination, and isotopic characterization.
Drilling of the well ended 50 feet higher than planned due to high winter temperatures and the start of spring load restrictions on local road systems. A well testing package will execute a flow testing and pressure buildup program, plus collect pressurized gas samples for laboratory analysis when road conditions allow heavy traffic to return.
