Ultra-pure natural hydrogen discovery redefines China's energy potential

Chinese researchers report record natural hydrogen purity up to 98.24% in the Sichuan Basin, suggesting an inorganic deep-Earth source and rapid ascent along faults, challenging previous ideas that hydrogen is too leaky to be a reliable resource. The finding shows cratonic basins can host high-purity deposits, and if just 2% of underground natural hydrogen could be harvested, it would exceed energy from all proven natural gas reserves. The study outlines steps to map deep rocks, trace migration pathways, and use isotope tests to quantify ongoing production.