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NEWS RELEASE | JANUARY 19, 2026 | CASCAIS, PORTUGAL
U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LABORATORIES VERIFY HELIUM-3 RESULTS AT PULSAR
HELIUM'S TOPAZ PROJECT IN THE USA
Pulsar Helium Inc. (AIM: PLSR, TSXV: PLSR, OTCQB: PSRHF) ("Pulsar" or the
"Company"), a primary helium company, is pleased to announce that two U.S.
Federal laboratories have independently confirmed the helium-3 isotope
concentration from the Company's Topaz helium project in Minnesota, USA. The
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Noble Gas Laboratory in Denver and Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California each analyzed raw gas
samples from the Jetstream #1 well, with both labs reporting values closely
matching those verified by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
(Pulsar news release October 1, 2025), confirming the presence of helium-3
(³He) in the gas with a concentration range of 11.2-11.9 parts-per-billion
(ppb) and associated with 7.7-8.0% helium-4 (4He), respectively.
Highlights:
• Strategic Significance: ³He is an exceptionally
rare and high-value isotope (~US$2,500 per liter, or >US$18 million per
kilogram) with applications in neutron detection for nuclear security,
low-temperature physics/quantum computing, and potentially as a future fuel
for nuclear fusion reactors. Its global scarcity, and value underscore why the
Topaz discovery is seen as strategically important.
• Third-Party Confirmation: Independent analyses by
two U.S. Federal laboratories at the USGS and LLNL found ~8% ⁴He and a
³He/⁴He isotopic ratio of ~0.10 Rₐ in the Jetstream #1 gas sample,
consistent with WHOI's results (7.7% ⁴He, ³He/⁴He = 0.104 Rₐ) and
confirming a ³He concentration of approximately 11.2-11.9 ppb.
• Consistent Isotopic Signature: All three laboratories
measured essentially the same ³He/⁴He ratio (~0.1 Rₐ, where Rₐ is the
atmospheric ³He/⁴He ratio), indicating highly reproducible data. This
aligns with earlier reservoir-wide measurements (~0.09 Rₐ) that suggested a
single, stable helium source throughout Topaz.
• Among the Highest Helium-3 Levels on Earth: The
~11-12 ppb ³He confirmed in Topaz's gas ranks among the highest naturally
occurring ³He concentrations reported in a terrestrial reservoir. Previously,
Pulsar reported sustained ³He levels up to 14.5 ppb in Jetstream #1, a level
comparable to estimates of ³He in lunar regolith (∼1.4-15 ppb).
• Rigorous Sampling Methodology: The verified sample was
collected by Pulsar's Scientific Helium-3 Advisor, Dr. Peter Barry of WHOI on
December 10, 2025, using the industry-standard copper tube (Cu-tube) sampling
method. Gas was continuously purged from the well and trapped in sealed copper
tubing every ~40 minutes over the course of the day, yielding 21 discrete
samples. One representative Cu-tube sample was then selected for
interlaboratory comparison, with aliquots distributed to WHOI, USGS, and LLNL
for noble gas isotope analysis. Copper-tube sampling is a widely used
technique for noble gases, gas samples for helium isotope analysis are
captured in sealed copper tubes that are clamped and taken to the lab to
prevent contamination. This rigorous approach ensured that all three labs
analyzed identical source material under controlled conditions.
• Scientific Validation of Topaz Data: The close
agreement of ³He results from three separate laboratories (including two U.S.
government labs) provides strong third-party validation of Topaz's helium
content. All labs reported 4He in the 7.7-8.0% range and ³He/⁴He ratios
~0.10 Rₐ, confirming that Pulsar's initial ³He discovery data are accurate
and reproducible. Such consistency underscores the reliability of the
Company's geochemical dataset and bolsters confidence in the significance of
the Topaz discovery.
Thomas Abraham-James, President & CEO of Pulsar, commented:
"Having the USGS and LLNL independently verify our helium-3 results is a
landmark moment for Pulsar. We are extremely encouraged to see that all labs
report essentially identical helium-3 concentrations in our gas, which gives
us and our stakeholders full confidence in the accuracy and significance of
this discovery.
Beyond the scientific validation, these results carry strategic implications
for the Topaz project. Helium-3 is a rare and critical resource, and now that
multiple laboratories have confirmed its presence and grade in our Jetstream
#1 well, we intend to actively engage with the U.S. government regarding
Topaz's development. We see an opportunity to collaborate with government
agencies to fast-track this project as a new domestic source of helium-3.
Considering these confirmations, Pulsar will be pursuing U.S. government
participation in Topaz, a step that could accelerate our path forward and help
realize the full strategic value of this discovery for all stakeholders."
Confirmatory Results by USGS and LLNL
The USGS Noble Gas Lab (Denver) and LLNL both conducted independent analyses
on a raw gas sample drawn from the Jetstream #1 well, and each lab's findings
closely mirrored the others. WHOI, which had previously analyzed Pulsar's
samples, reported 7.7% ⁴He with a ³He/⁴He ratio of 0.104 Rₐ, while the
USGS measured 7.9 ± 0.2% ⁴He with a ³He/⁴He of 0.098 ± 0.005Rₐ, and
LLNL found 7.9% ⁴He with 0.108 Rₐ. (for reference, Rₐ denotes the
3He/4He ratio normalized to air's composition.) All three datasets correspond
to a helium-3 concentration on the order of 10−8 by volume, i.e. roughly
11-12 parts per billion of the gas. The fact that three separate labs working
blind of each other arrived at virtually identical results illustrates the
excellent reproducibility of Topaz's ³He assay.
This independent verification directly affirms Pulsar's earlier laboratory
findings. In the initial discovery phase, gas from Jetstream #1 was analyzed
by Smart Gas Sciences (Ohio) and independently verified at WHOI, revealing
³He concentrations up to 14.5 ppb. Those October 2025 results established
Topaz as one of the richest terrestrial ³He sources on record. Now, the USGS
and LLNL have reconfirmed the presence and magnitude of ³He in Topaz gas with
their own instruments, solidifying the discovery with two additional layers of
third-party confirmation. Notably, the ³He/⁴He isotopic ratio observed
(~0.1 Rₐ) is the same across all samples and labs, reinforcing that the
helium at Topaz originates from a single, consistent source in the subsurface.
The ability of completely independent laboratories to replicate the ³He
results gives strong credence to the accuracy and robustness of Pulsar's data.
Cu-Tube Sampling Ensures Reliable Data
A high degree of confidence in these results was achieved through careful
sample collection and handling. On December 10, 2025, Dr. Peter Barry
(Associate Scientist at WHOI and Pulsar's Scientific Helium-3 Advisor)
personally conducted the sampling of gas from Jetstream #1 using the Cu-tube
method. In this procedure, gas flowing from the well was continuously purged
to remove stagnant fluids, and a series of sealed copper tubes were filled at
regular intervals (approximately every 40 minutes) over the course of the day.
A total of 21 copper tube samples were collected from morning to afternoon,
ensuring a comprehensive representation of the well's gas output under
steady-state conditions. Each copper tube was crimped using a specialized
clamp immediately after filling, preserving the gas at well pressure in an
airtight container. This method is a standard in noble gas geochemistry, for
example, USGS scientists collect volcanic gas samples in the field by clamping
them into copper tubes, which are then transported to the laboratory for
helium isotope analysis. The use of sealed Cu-tubes prevents air ingress or
loss of helium, thereby maintaining the integrity of the sample's noble gas
content from wellhead to lab.
For the interlaboratory comparison, one representative copper-tube sample
(aliquot) was selected and divided among WHOI, USGS, and LLNL. Each lab
received an identical portion of gas from this same sample to analyze using
its own noble gas mass spectrometry protocols. By distributing aliquots of a
single sample, any variability in results would directly reflect analytical
differences; instead, all three labs reported the same helium isotope values.
This outcome demonstrates not only the precision of each laboratory's
measurements, but also the effectiveness of the sampling protocol. The Cu-tube
sampling and triple-laboratory analytical approach provided a rigorous check
on the data: the concurrence of results across laboratories confirms that
Topaz's ³He readings are reproducible and not an artifact of any single
collection or analysis process. It is a strong validation that the ³He
enrichment at Topaz is both genuine and consistently measurable.
Scientific Validation and Strategic Significance
The interlaboratory consistency achieved is a scientific validation of the
Topaz helium discovery and a milestone for Pulsar's ³He program. As
previously announced, on October 1, 2025, the Company revealed a landmark
discovery of ³He at Topaz, with a sample yielding approximately 14.5 ppb ³He
in produced gas alongside 11.4% ⁴He. Pulsar subsequently appointed Dr. Peter
Barry of WHOI as its Scientific Helium-3 Advisor, tasking him with
coordinating independent verification of the ³He results. The analyses by
USGS and LLNL now fulfill that mandate, providing an unequivocal, third-party
agreement with the initial findings. In essence, three separate laboratories
have drawn the same conclusion: the Topaz reservoir contains ³He in
concentrations on the order of 10 ppb.
This confirmation elevates the significance of Topaz's discovery on the world
stage. ³He is an extremely rare isotope, it exists in Earth's atmosphere at
only about 7 parts per trillion, and even in the crust it is vanishingly
scarce, typically appearing (if at all) in the parts-per-trillion to
parts-per-billion range. For context, a recent peer discovery in Australia
reported only sub-ppb traces of ³He. Topaz's ³He content, now rigorously
established at ~11 ppb, places it firmly among the highest recorded on Earth.
In fact, the Topaz gas sample contains a ³He concentration on par with
estimates for lunar regolith: NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy have been
funding research into extracting ³He from Moon rocks (which contain on the
order of 1.4 to 15 ppb ³He). ³He is coveted for its unique applications, it
has a high value (currently around $2,500 per liter, or $18+ million per
kilogram) due to uses in neutron detection for nuclear security, in
low-temperature physics/quantum computing (as a cooling agent in dilution
refrigerators), and potentially as a future fuel for nuclear fusion reactors.
This rarity and value underscore why the Topaz discovery is seen as
strategically important. With ³He so scarce globally that governments have
historically relied on specialized reactors and advance purchase agreements to
obtain it, a domestic natural source of ³He in the United States could be of
significant scientific and geopolitical value.
Next Steps
With the independent verification now complete, Pulsar will move to capitalize
on this momentum. The Company believes that the Topaz ³He discovery, now
vetted by third parties, represents an opportunity for the Company at a time
when ³He is in high demand for research, computing and security uses.
Management will be reaching out to relevant U.S. Government agencies and
departments to explore partnerships, funding, or other forms of participation
to advance the Topaz project. Such involvement could range from research
collaboration and technology development (for ³He extraction and separation)
to offtake agreements or strategic investment. Now backed by independent
verification, Pulsar is uniquely positioned to present Topaz as a strategic
domestic ³He asset.
All helium analyses and comparisons reported herein were reviewed by Dr. Barry
(WHOI) for accuracy and consistency. The Company thanks the USGS and LLNL
teams for their expert contributions to this interlaboratory study.
About the Topaz Project
The Topaz Project is located in northern Minnesota, USA, where Pulsar is the
first mover in helium exploration and holds exclusive leases over the project
area. Topaz is a primary helium discovery that contains helium-4, helium-3 and
CO2, not associated with primarily hydrocarbon production. Multiple wells
drilled by Pulsar have confirmed a laterally extensive helium-rich gas
reservoir beneath the project lands. These results appear to indicate a
high-quality helium resource. The ongoing Jetstream multi-well appraisal
program at Topaz is designed to map out the reservoir's extent, pressure
regime, and gas composition, which will inform resource estimation and
development planning.
On behalf of Pulsar Helium Inc.
"Thomas Abraham-James"
President, CEO and Director
Further Information:
Pulsar Helium Inc.
connect@pulsarhelium.com (mailto:connect@pulsarhelium.com)
+ 1 (218) 203-5301 (USA/Canada)
+44 (0) 2033 55 9889 (United Kingdom)
https://pulsarhelium.com (https://pulsarhelium.com)
https://ca.linkedin.com/company/pulsar-helium-inc
(https://ca.linkedin.com/company/pulsar-helium-inc) .
Strand Hanson Limited
(Nominated & Financial Adviser, and Broker)
Ritchie Balmer / Rob Patrick
+44 (0) 207 409 3494
Yellow Jersey PR Limited
(Financial PR)
Charles Goodwin / Annabelle Wills
+44 777 5194 357
pulsarhelium@yellowjerseypr.com (mailto:pulsarhelium@yellowjerseypr.com)
About Pulsar Helium Inc.
Pulsar Helium Inc. is a publicly traded company quoted on the AIM market of
the London Stock Exchange (United Kingdom) and listed on the TSX Venture
Exchange with the ticker PLSR (Canada), as well as on the OTCQB with the
ticker PSRHF (United States of America). Pulsar's portfolio consists of its
flagship Topaz helium project in Minnesota, USA, and the Tunu helium project
in Greenland. Pulsar is the first mover in both locations with primary helium
occurrences not associated with the production of hydrocarbons identified at
each.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that
term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Qualified Person Signoff
In accordance with the AIM Note for Mining and Oil and Gas Companies, the
Company discloses that Dr. Peter Barry, Scientific Helium-3 Advisor of the
Company, has reviewed the technical information contained herein. Dr. Barry
has a PhD in geochemistry and approximately 20 years of experience working
with noble gases. He has worked closely with the oil and gas industry for more
than a decade.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of
Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements")
that relate to the Company's current expectations and views of future events.
Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations,
beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance
(often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will
likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is
anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans",
"forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not
historical facts and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements herein include, but are not limited to, statements relating to
exploring funding and partnership opportunities with the US government, the
potential impact of the drill results, the potential of CO2 and/or Helium-3 as
a valuable by-product of the Company's future helium production; and the
potential for future wells. Forward-looking statements may involve estimates
and are based upon assumptions made by management of the Company, including,
but not limited to, the Company's capital cost estimates, management's
expectations regarding the availability of capital to fund the Company's
future capital and operating requirements and the ability to obtain all
requisite regulatory approvals.
No reserves have been assigned in connection with the Company's property
interests to date, given their early stage of development. The future value of
the Company is therefore dependent on the success or otherwise of its
activities, which are principally directed toward the future exploration,
appraisal and development of its assets, and potential acquisition of property
interests in the future. Un-risked Contingent and Prospective Helium Volumes
have been defined at the Topaz Project. However, estimating helium volumes is
subject to significant uncertainties associated with technical data and the
interpretation of that data, future commodity prices, and development and
operating costs. There can be no guarantee that the Company will successfully
convert its helium volume to reserves and produce that estimated volume.
Estimates may alter significantly or become more uncertain when new
information becomes available due to for example, additional drilling or
production tests over the life of field. As estimates change, development and
production plans may also vary. Downward revision of helium volume estimates
may adversely affect the Company's operational or financial performance.
Helium volume estimates are expressions of judgement based on knowledge,
experience and industry practice. These estimates are imprecise and depend to
some extent on interpretations, which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate
and require adjustment or, even if valid when originally calculated, may alter
significantly when new information or techniques become available. As further
information becomes available through additional drilling and analysis the
estimates are likely to change. Any adjustments to volume could affect the
Company's exploration and development plans which may, in turn, affect the
Company's performance. The process of estimating helium resources is complex
and requires significant decisions and assumptions to be made in evaluating
the reliability of available geological, geophysical, engineering, and
economic date for each property. Different engineers may make different
estimates of resources, cash flows, or other variables based on the same
available data.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties,
many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual
results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or
implied by such forward- looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, that Pulsar may be unsuccessful in drilling
commercially productive wells; the uncertainty of resource estimation;
operational risks in conducting exploration, including that drill costs may be
higher than estimates ; commodity prices; health, safety and environmental
factors; and other factors set forth above as well as risk factors included in
the Company's Annual Information Form dated July 31, 2025 for the year ended
September 30, 2024 found under Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca
(http://www.sedarplus.ca) .
Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are as of the date
of this news release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors
emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict
all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which
any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially
from those contained in any forward-looking statement. No assurance can be
given that the forward-looking statements herein will prove to be correct and,
accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are
expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
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