Blue Star Helium has officially broken ground on its highly anticipated Galactica development in Las Animas County, Colorado — marking a major milestone in the company’s efforts to expand the domestic helium supply. The project remains on schedule to begin helium production in December 2025, supporting U.S. demand for a critical resource used in medical, aerospace, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing applications.
Construction crews are actively developing the production facility pad, a 400 ft. by 500 ft. prepared site with upgraded access roads designed for heavy equipment and tanker transport. Work is also underway on the gathering system that will connect the Jackson 31 well and other existing well infrastructure to the Pinon Canyon Plant for future processing.
Once operational later this year, Blue Star Helium plans to steadily increase capacity throughout the first half of 2026. In addition to helium output, the company expects the site to produce and sell carbon dioxide during that same period, unlocking an additional commercial revenue stream.
Blue Star Helium Managing Director and CEO Trent Spry emphasized the significance of the development progress, stating, “Seeing construction begin on the production facility and gathering system makes our development plan tangible.”
The project has received strong support from the county as well. Local officials — including the Board of County Commissioners — granted approval earlier this year, determining that the location and facility design were suitable and met regional industrial development needs.
The Galactica project is part of the broader Galactica-Pegasus discovery confirmed by Blue Star in 2022. The multi-well program offers scalable opportunities for future exploration and production, as well as the potential for long-term helium supply stability in North America as demand continues to surge.
In a partnership that reinforces confidence in the resource, Helium One — a helium exploration company with global focus and primary operations in Tanzania — holds a 50% working interest in the Galactica development. The joint venture is intended to accelerate commercialization efforts and strengthen output capabilities.
The construction launch positions Blue Star Helium as a growing player in the world’s critical gas market at a time when the U.S. has faced periodic helium shortages, impacting hospitals, research labs, and high-tech manufacturing.
With infrastructure installation progressing and processing systems set to come online soon, the company says it remains focused on safely delivering first production this year while expanding operational scale into 2026.
Originally reported by Molly Burgess in Gas World.
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