Background and Purpose  Against the backdrop of intensifying global warming and the urgent advancement of the “Dual Carbon” goals, natural hydrogen, an emerging strategic energy resource that is nearly carbon-free and renewable, holds great significance for reshaping the clean energy system and addressing the challenges of carbon neutrality. This study systematically reviews the major generation mechanisms and enrichment processes of natural hydrogen, summarizes global progress in its exploration and development, and, on this basis, analyzes the geological characteristics of hydrogen-bearing basins in China and identifies prospective exploration areas. In addition, methods, workflows and future research directions of natural hydrogen exploration and development are discussed, aiming to provide a reference framework for future exploration and development of natural hydrogen resources in China.

Advances  (1) The primary origins of natural hydrogen include inorganic processes, such as water-rock reactions, radiolysis of water, and deep degassing, as well as organic matter pyrolysis and microbial activity. Hydrogen-enriched gas reservoirs (accumulation zones) are predominantly formed through inorganic processes, such as water-rock reactions. However, reliable and universal criteria for distinguishing these origins are still lacking. (2) Natural hydrogen is primarily transported via advection through fracture systems and occurs in multiple states within diverse reservoir rocks, with free hydrogen holding the greatest industrial potential. The subsurface accumulation of natural hydrogen requires a sustained hydrogen source, effective migration pathways, a favorable reservoir-seal assemblage, and a dynamic balance between hydrogen supply and consumption. (3) Globally, natural hydrogen occurrences are mainly concentrated in Eastern Europe and North Asia. In China, the Bohai Bay Basin and the Songliao Basin show promising potential for further exploration.

Prospects  Based on these findings, this study proposes a preliminary exploration workflow centered on hydrogen source rocks, summarizes the existing challenges in current exploration and development, and suggests corresponding solutions.