Pulsar Helium (AIM: PLSR; TSXV: PLSR; WKN A3EP2C) is expanding its technical profile: The exploration and development company has appointed renowned geochemist Dr. Peter Barry from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) as its Scientific Helium-3 Advisor. The expert on noble gas isotopes will lead Pulsar Helium’s helium-3 research and provide scientific support for the ongoing development of the flagship Topaz project in the US state of Minnesota.
Helium-3 in Focus: Rare Isotope with Strategic Relevance
Helium-3 is considered one of the rarest and most valuable substances on Earth. It is utilised in high-tech applications, such as quantum computing, whilst nuclear fusion research is examining helium-3’s potential as a clean energy fuel. Reports cite prices of up to US$18.7 million per kilogram. Against this backdrop, the identification of measurable helium-3 content in the gas of the Topaz reservoir is of particular importance to Pulsar Helium. According to the company, concentrations of up to 14.5 parts per billion (ppb) were found in samples from the Jetstream #1 well – levels that are said to be comparable to values from lunar samples. At the same time, the field primarily supplies helium-4: in a production test in August 2025, Jetstream #1 achieved a peak production rate of around 1.3 million cubic feet of gas per day (approx. 36,800 m³/day) with a wellhead compressor and a sustained helium (He-4) concentration of 7–8%!
New role for Dr. Barry: Data interpretation, extraction pathways and validation
As Scientific Helium-3 Advisor, Dr. Barry will lead the scientific management of Pulsar Helium’s helium-3 activities. This includes interpreting noble gas isotopic data sets from helium drilling to precisely classify the content, origin, and dynamics of helium-3. He will also support the development of research proposals and collaborations with the aim of securing external funding and academic partnerships to help develop and further understand the Helium-3 resource opportunity at Topaz.
Another focus is the technical support of possible process chains: Dr. Barry will advise the engineering team on solutions relating to the extraction, containment, and conservation of helium-3. Another core element of the mandate is the independent confirmation of the measurement results. To this end, Dr. Barry is coordinating the resampling—initially at Jetstream #1, and potentially at other drill sites in the future. Precision measurements of the isotopic composition are intended to corroborate the previous results and serve as third-party confirmation.
Pulsar Helium points out that Dr. Barry has provided scientific support for the project since its early stages. He has already analyzed the gases from Jetstream #1, in which up to 14.5 vol.% helium was detected in the raw gas. Slight air admixtures could make this figure appear conservative, it is said. In his new role, Dr. Barry will broaden the scope of the work and, in particular, structure the helium-3 program at Topaz.
Status of Work and Next Steps on Pulsar Helium’s Topaz Project
The Topaz project is located in northern Minnesota, where Pulsar Helium holds exclusive lease rights as the first mover. The Jetstream #1 appraisal well reached a final depth of 5,100 feet (1,555 m) in January 2025 and completely penetrated the interpreted helium-bearing reservoir. Jetstream #2 followed on February 1, 2025, to 5,638 feet (1,718 m). Production tests conducted on Jetstream #1 in August 2025 confirmed the high helium (He-4) fraction and the and potential, technical recoverability of the gas using a wellhead compressor.
According to the company, recent laboratory analyses have also detected measurable helium-3 in the samples. Pulsar Helium refers to this as one of the highest publicly reported natural helium-3 values from a terrestrial gas reservoir. Based on the results to date, the company plans a work program of up to ten wells ito refine the geological model, better understand the spatial extent of the reservoir, and specify the development steps toward project maturity.
Significance for Pulsar Helium and the Helium Market
Pulsar Helium is developing a project that produces both marketable helium-4 and measurable amounts of helium-3. While helium-4 is well established for applications in medicine, industry, and research, helium-3 is being discussed for use in specialized areas such as detection technology and research into future clean energy concepts due to its properties. Dr. Barry’s appointment aims to strengthen the scientific basis for both strands: reliable data, independent validation, and a clear roadmap for how helium-3 could be handled technically and captured economically.
Regardless of this, implementation remains subject to technical, regulatory, and economic factors. With this step, Pulsar Helium is emphasizing its commitment to advancing work on Topaz in accordance with high scientific standards and broadening the data available on the helium-3 component. The announced cooperation with government laboratories, the continuation of drilling activities, and the ongoing geochemical evaluation are the next milestones in this endeavor.
