Escaping Through Fractures: Chinese Team Unearths Record-Level Natural Hydrogen
August 21, 10:35
A gas seep on the southern edge of Chengdu, within the Sichuan Basin, has turned out to be almost pure natural hydrogen. After analyzing the seep, Chinese geologists measured hydrogen fractions ranging from 97.33% to 98.24% — the highest level ever recorded in China. According to the study, the gas originates in a deep, inorganic fluid system hosted in Permian volcanic rocks beside the Shimian-Miaowan ophiolite belt.
Only trace amounts of nitrogen and methane were present. The exceptionally low methane levels ruled out both biological breakdown and high-temperature cracking. The seep was first spotted in June 2026, and likely sources are serpentinized peridotite or diabase porphyry. The hydrogen moved upward through faults without undergoing Fischer-Tropsch reactions.
Why This Find Matters
Beyond China, the discovery touches the future of global energy. Underground hydrogen reserves worldwide are estimated at 5.6 million megatons. Producing only 2 percent of that total would yield nearly double the energy of all verified natural gas reserves.
“This achievement breaks China's concentration record for natural hydrogen and joins a small global club of discoveries exceeding 98.00% purity.”
The authors of the study note that the Bourakébougou field in Mali already produces commercial hydrogen with purity between 97.40% and 98.00%. The newly recorded seep in China goes beyond that, establishing a fresh benchmark.
The discovery could reshape both China's energy infrastructure and the international hydrogen market. Geologic hydrogen has become a focus in the search for low-carbon alternatives, so unusually rich seeps draw worldwide attention. With global momentum accelerating toward renewable sources, this reservoir offers a potential route away from fossil fuels. Further investigations could also accelerate development of extraction and utilization methods, strengthening energy security and supporting sustainable growth.