In early 2024, explorers struck what could be one of the richest helium deposits in North America near Babbitt, Minnesota. Here’s what we know:
What was found—and why it matters
- In February, Pulsar Helium confirmed gas samples from depths of 1,750–2,200 feet near Babbitt showed an incredible 12.4% helium concentration, about 30 times higher than typical commercial thresholds (~0.3%).
- Subsequent laboratory tests raised the bar even higher—seeing concentrations up to 13.8%, the highest ever recorded in North America.
- The reservoir appears expansive, both in width and depth, based on recent seismic surveys.
Geological context
- The deposit sits in the Duluth Complex, shaped more than a billion years ago during the Midcontinent Rift—a geological formation marked by fractures, granite intrusions, and ideal conditions for helium to accumulate.
- These fractures act like natural channels (“plumbing”) for helium formed via radioactive decay of uranium and thorium, providing both migration pathways and trapping structures, making this discovery geologically rare.
What This Means for Northeastern Minnesota
Economic and regional potential
- The helium deposit could position Minnesota as a major player in global helium supply, offering economic growth and job creation to a region historically dependent on iron mining.
- Local officials have noted that if developed, the resource could support lower property taxes, infrastructure projects, and community programs in Lake County, which is largely public land.
Legal and regulatory groundwork
- Minnesota currently lacks rules tailored for non-petroleum gas extraction. In response, the state’s DNR and legislature are crafting new regulations and a royalty framework to govern helium (and hydrogen) production, with legislation (HF5350) already in motion.
- A Technical Advisory Committee will help shape permit requirements, environmental safeguards, and ensure fair compensation to state and local stakeholders.
Broader implications
- Helium is vital but scarce—used in MRI machines, aerospace, superconductor cooling, fiber optics, and scientific research. With global supply tight, this Minnesota find could offer much-needed domestic supply and stability.
- Unlike helium tied up with natural gas in places like Qatar or Russia, this deposit stands alone—meaning extraction could be simpler, more direct, and more secure.
Looking Ahead: Key Questions to Watch
Will additional wells define the deposit’s full size and recoverability?
How robust and community-friendly will the new legal framework be?
Will extraction be environmentally safe, especially near public lands and forested areas?
Will royalties and jobs materialize for local communities?
Could this deposit stabilize helium prices and supply chains nationally?
Final Thoughts
The Helium discovery near Babbitt is more than a local curiosity—it’s a potential game-changer for Minnesota and global helium markets. With rare geological conditions giving rise to astonishing gas purity and volume, the challenge now lies in responsible development: establishing regulations, protecting the environment, and ensuring benefits flow back to the region.
Please note: Any opinions discussed in this article belong solely to the author, Marissa Berends, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Capitol Lien.
About the Author
Marissa Berends is a Certified Abstractor and Industry Relations Coordinator at Capitol Lien, a nationwide due diligence and risk mitigation services provider. Since joining the company in September 2021, she has earned abstractor certifications in Minnesota, Nebraska, and North Dakota. She is pursuing her Wisconsin Title Examiner certification, which is expected to be completed in Fall 2025.
Marissa is involved with the following groups: Wisconsin Land Title Association’s (WLTA) Convention Committee & Young Title Professionals; Nebraska Land Title Association’s (NLTA) Convention Committee; Property Record Industry Association (PRIA) National Education Committee; Illinois Land Title Association’s (ILTA) Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Acceptance (IDEA) Committee; and the National Association of Land Title Examiners and Abstractors (NALTEA).
About Capitol Lien
Capitol Lien empowers real estate and title professionals with trusted public record research and due diligence services nationwide. With 35 years of experience, Capitol Lien specializes in fast, accurate property and title searches, lien reports, and document retrieval that help title agents, underwriters, and legal teams operate their businesses with confidence. The Capitol Lien team takes the hassle out of title research with local experts and innovative tools that make it easier to mitigate risk, stay on schedule, and keep your closings moving smoothly.
Learn more at capitollien.com. Ready to simplify your title research? Send your next order to Capitol Lien and experience the difference trusted diligence makes. Stay in touch with Capitol Lien on LinkedIn for industry updates and information. Reach out! contact@capitollien.com or 800-845-4077.
Sources:
CBS News: “A dream. It’s perfect”: Helium discovery in northern Minnesota may be biggest ever in North America
Live Science: ‘It’s had 1.1 billion years to accumulate’: Helium reservoir in Minnesota has ‘mind-bogglingly large’ concentrations
MPR News: Northeast Minnesota starts drilling for helium as prices rise
EarthX: Massive Helium Reservoir Found in Minnesota
KAXE: What to know about Minnesota’s richest-in-the-world helium deposit
Wikipedia: Midcontinent Rift System; Duluth Complex; Helium production in the United States
Hadco International Oilfield Appraisers: Helium Discovered In Minnesota: A New Resource Unveiled
National Association of Counties: Helium find could be a boon to a 82% public lands county in Minnesota
Minnesota House of Representatives: Northern MN helium discovery prompts proposed regulatory framework for gas, oil production
Freethink: Helium discovery is the supply breakthrough science, medicine, and industry needed