First Atlas Resources’ (CSE: HHE / OTC: BTKRF) technical partner, Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC / OTCQB: QIMCF), has set a new company record at Bennett Hill, Nova Scotia, after DDH-26-05 returned a preliminary mud-gas measurement of 30.0% H₂ at 413 metres.
First Atlas’ 2026 field exploration program is currently underway across the company’s natural hydrogen licences in Cumberland County, with QIMC using soil-gas and magnetic data in its R2G2™ targeting framework to identify drill targets.
DDH-26-05 Strengthens at Depth
QIMC identified an extensive fault-breccia and shear system beginning at approximately 326 metres. As drilling continued below this point, DDH-26-05 returned a series of elevated hydrogen readings:
12.6%, 15.8%, and 23.7% H₂ at 348 metres
19.1% H₂ at 368 metres
25.1% and 27.8% H₂ at 374 metres
10.4% and 12.1% H₂ at 377 metres
From 380 through 413 metres, hydrogen concentrations exceeded 20% H₂ at nine depths:
25.7% H₂ at 380 metres
22.4% H₂ at 386 metres
28.4% H₂ at 389 metres
21.3% H₂ at 392 metres
29.5% H₂ at 395 metres
25.7% H₂ at 398 metres
26.8% H₂ at 407 metres
23.5% H₂ at 410 metres
30.0% H₂ at 413 metres
Methane remained at 0% across the reported samples, while carbon dioxide remained at or below 0.1%.
Pressurized Free Gas Observed at Surface
Between approximately 413 and 416 metres, pressurized free gas reached the surface and triggered the drill site’s hydrogen alarm system, pausing drilling.
When operations later resumed, drilling water was introduced into the hole. QIMC reported that the resulting increase in pressurization led to a second release of free gas at the surface, triggering the alarm system and prompting another pause in drilling.
QIMC plans to continue drilling DDH-26-05 using equipment and operating procedures suited to the conditions encountered. The company is also evaluating equipment and procedures to measure pressure and gas flow as drilling continues.
Natural Hydrogen Exploration Expands Across Nova Scotia
Other companies have also begun natural hydrogen exploration work in Nova Scotia.
On August 21, Luma Hydrogen announced its Nova Scotia exploration program, with 30 exploration licences covering approximately 274 km² along the Cobequid-Chedabucto Fault Zone. The company has begun hydrogen and helium soil-gas surveys, geological mapping, prospecting, and soil geochemistry work.
On August 31, Primary Hydrogen Corp. announced the staking of the 1,101-hectare Wallace Natural Hydrogen Project in Cumberland County. The company plans to conduct data compilation, structural interpretation, and soil-gas surveys. No hydrogen drilling has been completed at Wallace, and no hydrogen occurrences have been reported on the property.
Exploration by other companies can contribute to a better understanding of the region’s hydrogen occurrences and the geological structures that may control them. While each company’s exploration data remains its own, increased field activity could provide useful context for First Atlas’ Cumberland County licences.
Exploration on First Atlas’ Land Package
QIMC is currently carrying out First Atlas’ 2026 field exploration program across the company’s natural hydrogen licences in Cumberland County.
Three field teams are conducting soil-gas sampling and ground magnetic surveying, including infill sampling over previously identified hydrogen anomalies. The resulting data will be integrated into QIMC’s R2G2™ targeting framework to help identify drill targets for First Atlas’ planned drilling program.
