Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC) has announced a significant milestone in its Nova Scotia exploration programme, with independent isotope analysis by InnoTech Alberta confirming thermogenic natural gas as the third confirmed gas in the company's Cumberland Basin multi-gas system, alongside clean natural hydrogen and helium. The results have expanded the district's defined target zones from two to five, all sitting within the 63.7 line-kilometre 2D seismic programme currently in processing. Investors may be watching the release closely given the convergence of independent geochemical data, seismic coverage, and ongoing drill testing at Bennett Hill.

Key Points

  • Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC, OTCQB: QIMCF, FSE: 7FJ)
  • InnoTech Alberta's carbon-isotope analysis confirms thermogenic ethane and propane across 17 kilometres of the Cumberland Basin, Nova Scotia
  • Five defined target zones now identified: West-Advocate, Bennett Hill, Northern Zone, New Salem Seep Corridor Zone, and Apple River Seep Zone; Apple River Seep Zone recorded 4,007 ppmv methane in August and a helium peak of 5.573 ppmv in September
  • Investors may watch for seismic processing results from Nova Scotia, Québec, and Ontario as integration of surface geochemistry and subsurface imaging advances

InnoTech Alberta Isotope Results Pin Thermogenic Origin Across Cumberland Basin

Independent carbon-isotope analysis performed by InnoTech Alberta confirmed that ethane and propane sampled at the surface in the New Salem–Apple River area are thermogenic, generated from hydrocarbon source rocks at depth. The release states that ethane δ¹³C values near −29‰ are typical of thermogenic gas, ruling out a microbial origin. The data further suggest two thermogenic sources of different maturity, pointing to more than one hydrocarbon system charging the district. Ethane concentrations were described as approximately three times those measured on the company's background survey lines. A qualified person, Professor Marc Richer-Laflèche, Ph.D., P.Geo. of INRS, reviewed and approved the technical disclosure.

Three New Target Zones Join West-Advocate and Bennett Hill in the Cumberland District

Building on the two previously defined clean natural hydrogen zones at West-Advocate and Bennett Hill, the isotope and concentration data define three additional zones. The Northern Zone is a corridor approximately 6 kilometres by 2 kilometres where the strongest thermogenic isotope signature, elevated ethane, and anomalous helium are observed together. The New Salem Seep Corridor Zone spans approximately 3 kilometres with anomalous ethane at 21 of 47 stations and recorded 3,785 ppmv methane. The Apple River Seep Zone produced the most consistently reproduced seep on the project, with the September methane peak co-located with the highest helium reading in the September survey at 5.573 ppmv — the first direct coincidence of a gas seep and helium anomaly at a single station.

Seismic Acquisition Completed Across Nova Scotia, Québec, and Ontario Projects

The 63.7 line-kilometre 2D seismic programme, completed by Echo Seismic Ltd. on October 14, 2026, is currently in processing at Earth Signal Processing Ltd. of Calgary. The company notes all five defined target zones lie within that seismic footprint, and that integrating surface geochemistry with subsurface imaging is what advances a surface anomaly toward a drill-ready target. The release also confirms that seismic acquisition has been completed on QIMC's natural hydrogen projects in Québec and Ontario, with those datasets now advancing to processing alongside the Nova Scotia programme. Ongoing testing continues at drill hole DDH-26-05 at Bennett Hill, where drilling previously returned up to 30% clean natural hydrogen.