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Quite a lot of natural hydrogen gas seeps have been discovered in the world, including in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia where the seeps are mixing with other gases such as inorganic methane.

Natural hydrogen is recently widely explored as a new alternate energy of fossil fuels, although it is only at its early stages. Its exploration methods are also being built.

The method for exploring natural hydrogen can imitate the method for exploring petroleum, namely petroleum system analysis. In early history, petroleum was explored based on the occurrence of surface oil seepages then it was explored to the subsurface (top-down approach). After science and technology advanced, it was analysed using various subsurface data to evaluate areas of potential petroleum source to trap (bottom-up approach).

This paper shows a bottom-up approach for exploring hydrogen system, analogue to the petroleum system analysis. All geological elements and processes for hydrogen generation, migration and accumulation are examined. The hydrogen system is divided into source-generation and migration-retention/entrapment subsystems.

Hydrogen generation and accumulation are developed in various geotectonic settings. Ultramafic rocks, particularly when serpentinized (altered by water), are a significant source of natural hydrogen (H2) due to the oxidation of ferrous iron-rich minerals, a process releases hydrogen gas. In Indonesia, key geotectonic settings favourable for hydrogen generation and accumulation are collision-ophiolite obduction (proven), mid-oceanic ridges of sea-floor spreading, passive margin/rifting, and subduction. Indonesia is blessed with rich geotectonic setting supportive for hydrogen exploration and production.