The development of natural hydrogen confronts numerous challenges. This paper summarizes the status of research and exploration in the natural hydrogen field and outlines future directions and trends. The accumulation of natural hydrogen is a dynamic process, and current research on its origins, migration pathways, reservoir and cap rocks, chemical and biological consumption and final occurrence state is still at the exploratory stage. This lack of comprehensive understanding hinders the exploration and commercial development of natural hydrogen. Due to the unique characteristics of natural hydrogen, there is currently a shortage of effective exploration technologies and commercial development cases for natural hydrogen. The dynamic enrichment process of natural hydrogen and the consumption reaction mechanisms during this process will be the main aspects of future theoretical research on natural hydrogen. Additionally, the exploration of natural hydrogen needs to be combined with more practical applications of theory to enrich experience. It is necessary to establish and standardize work processes for different geological environments to achieve commercial development of natural hydrogen.

The different reservoirs in deep Songliao Basin have non-homogeneous lithologies and include multiple layers with a high content of hydrogen gas. The gas composition and stable isotope characteristics vary significantly, but the origin analysis of different gas types has previously been weak. Based on the geochemical parameters of gas samples from different depths and the analysis of geological settings, this research covers the diverse origins of natural gas in different strata. The gas components are mainly methane with a small amount of C₂₊, and non-hydrocarbon gases, including nitrogen (N₂), hydrogen (H₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and helium (He). At greater depth, the carbon isotope of methane becomes heavier, and the hydrogen isotope points to a lacustrine sedimentary environment. With increasing depth, the origins of N₂ and CO₂ change gradually from a mixture of organic and inorganic to inorganic. The origins of hydrogen gas are complex and include organic sources, water radiolysis, water-rock (Fe²⁺-containing minerals) reactions, and mantle-derived. The shales of Denglouku and Shahezi Formations, as source rocks, provide the premise for generation and occurrence of organic gas. Furthermore, the deep faults and fluid activities in Basement Formation control the generation and migration of mantle-derived gas. The discovery of a high content of H₂ in study area not only reveals the organic and inorganic association of natural-gas generation, but also provides a scientific basis for the exploration of deep hydrogen-rich gas.