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Pulsar Helium announced Thursday it received the analytical laboratory results for gas samples from the Jetstream #1 appraisal well near Babbitt.
When the natural gas pocket was originally drilled into, the team at Pulsar took on-site tests to calculate helium concentration using a mass spectrometer.
This mass spectrometer measured helium concentrations of up to 12.4%, but in order to get a more accurate reading, the team sent 11 samples of the gas off to two different laboratories.
After analyzing the samples at the lab, Helium contents of up to 13.8% were measured from one of the samples obtained at 1,801ft in-hole depth.
The full suite of gas data was sent to Dr. Peter Barry, a noble gas isotope geochemist and associate scientist (an advisor to the company) at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
He concluded the value of 13.8% helium represents a minimum source estimate for helium due to the clear presence of small amounts of atmospheric (air) contamination in the samples.
The presence of this contamination decreases the measured helium content relative to the true source helium concentration.
“Comparing this to our extensive database for helium occurrences around the world, we are pleased to say the results from the Jetstream #1 appraisal well are the highest helium concentrations that we have ever seen,” said Cliff Cain, CEO of the Edelgas Group (an international gas advisor firm that is engaged by Pulsar).
The next data Pulsar expects back is data including reservoir depth and porosity from their Jetstream 1 appraisal borehole, which is “imminent” according to the president of the company, Thomas Abraham-James.
After the appraisal borehole punctured the natural gas pocket late last month, employees from Baker Hughes sent various instruments into the hole.
The Baker Hughes employees took measurements such as reservoir depth and porosity, which will ultimately help Pulsar Helium determine whether the natural gas pocket is big enough and conducive for helium extraction.
The samples were delivered to an off-site lab not long after the drilling was completed, where samples are currently being meticulously analyzed.
“That data is now in the process of being interpreted by Baker Hughes. We will be updating the market as soon as we receive it and letting everybody know,” said Abraham- James.
The data will help Pulsar Helium determine whether their drill pad near Babbitt, MN, is sitting on what many have said could be the largest helium reserve in the world.
“Once we have the data from the Jetstream 1 appraisal borehole, we’ll do a resource calculation in the vicinity of that drill hole, and we’ll then have a feel for what’s there,” said Abraham- James.
The news on the impending data was revealed in a press conference on Monday by Abraham-James and other employees.
According to Abraham- James, the next step in the process will be pressure and flow testing.
Due to abnormally high winter temperatures and the earlier-than-anticipated onset of Spring Load Restrictions on local roads, the well-testing package that includes flow testing, a pressure build-up program, and the collection of pressurized gas samples for laboratory analysis, is delayed until mandated road conditions allow heavy traffic to return.
Whether or not the natural gas pocket will be economical to extract the Helium is yet to be determined, but Abraham-James is steadfast in his commitment to hire local labor under the circumstance they build a helium processing plant.
“We already have that highly skilled workforce. We certainly wouldn’t be looking at bringing in any foreign labor,” said Abraham-James. “With that brings every advantage under the sun. You’re not looking at relocating people’s special packages or anything like that. You’re looking at using that local workforce that already exists.”
