Junex was created in March 1999 by the association between Mr. Jacques Aubert and Mr. Jean-Yves Lavoie. As a member of the senior management team of Cascades for close to 20 years and after as president of SOQUIP (Société québécoise d’initiatives pétrolières), Jacques Aubert was adding his vast expertise in financing and business development to the technical competences of Jean-Yves Lavoie, petroleum engineer active in the hydrocarbon exploration field for more than 20 years.


The first round of financing of the company have been made through private investors which have provided the necessary funds for the exploration works which led to the discovery of natural gas in Galt and the natural brine in Bécancour. It is based on these foundations that Junex was able to proceed, in 2001, to an Initial public offering thus providing access to the necessary funds for the realisation of its growth strategy.

In 2002, Junex had become the first Quebecer’s company to develop and produce a natural brine field. During this same period, the company had also begun the exploitation of the first gas field in the history of Gaspésie.


The years 2003 to 2005 have been dedicated to miscellaneous basic exploration works on most of the company’s properties in order to build credible geological models that would then lead to the signing of partnership agreements. Moreover, the company has pursued the development of its production activity and of natural brine sale in addition to the acquisition of a drilling company (Foragaz) who has become a wholly owned division. These two activities have helped the company to generate its first quarterly net income in 2005 and to complete the year 2006 with positive cash flows for its exploitation activities.

Since 2006, Junex has concluded three exploration partnership agreements, two of which are with American companies and one with Pétrolia, a company in which Junex holds a 11.5% right. This last partnership has led to the discovery of oil in Haldimand where Junex holds a 45% participation.


Between 2007 and 2009, Junex’s exploration partnerships could lead to investments up to approximately $ 30 million where the majority of these funds will be supplied by the partners. The main objectives of these works will be the developments of the Utica Shales and the sedimentary layer of the Trenton/Black-River between Québec-City and Montréal as well as the development of the oil discovery of Haldimand. In parallel to these works, Junex will invest its own exploration funds on its projects in the areas of Bécancour/Champlain, Galt and Baie-des-Chaleurs.