Faced with the global helium shortage, which affects gas exploration, technology and manufacturing, the aerospace industry, and cryogenic fuels, Pulsar Helium’s new discovery of 230,000 tons in Minnesota represents a window of hope for these sectors. Used in the aerospace industry, fiber optics, and welding; in leak detection for pipelines and vacuum systems; and in quantum computing research, helium has become an irreplaceable component without which many fields could not develop.
There is a global shortage that also affects the United States, and this is not the first time: it had already sold its helium reserves to address its external debt in 1996. Following the fire that destroyed 30% of the world’s helium supply between 2002 and 2023, investigations were carried out on storage in other regions such as Tanzania, Australia, and Minnesota. This latter generated excitement due to the results it produced. Over 230,000 tons of gas, which has sparked the interest of governments, engineers, researchers, and the industry, but which advocates hope will be directed toward sustainable energy security and technological sovereignty.
Helium crisis and helium-hydrogen synergy
Modern science has made helium a critical and irreplaceable component for its development. It is essential in industries such as aerospace technology, fiber optics and welding, leak detection in systems, and quantum computing research. However, global scarcity is affecting gas exploration, technology/manufacturing, space industries, and cryogenic fuels. These periods of scarcity are not new, as they have been occurring since the 1980s, having a direct impact on policies, industry, and the stability of hydrogen-based operations.
Just look back to 1996, when the United States was forced to sell its helium reserves to cope with the external debt it faced. In addition, it also had to resort to cheap helium in its space exploration operations, as well as for hydrogen cryogenics. Well, just as hydrogen exploration emerged in the United States, through tests carried out in laboratories between 2011 and 2013 for cryogenic storage. According to experts, there is a strong geological connection: several geological formations with helium also contain hydrogen. Therefore, the discovery of helium is “critical for the discovery of hydrogen in the United States”.
Finding in Minnesota
30% of the global supply of helium 4.0 was destroyed between 2022 and 2023 due to a fire, sparking increased interest in hydrogen discoveries in the United States. Investigations were carried out in Tanzania, Australia, and Minnesota, with the latter achieving the best results, especially considering that this is not a gas field.
This discovery carried out by Pulsar Helium does not only encourage the development of strategic policies focused on helium-hydrogen ‘synergy’ for joint exploration and infrastructure, but also creates jobs in exploration, drilling, and engineering, while reducing imports. Supporters of this discovery hope it will contribute to sustainable energy security, technological sovereignty, and rapid advancements.