 Hydrogen can be prepared in several different ways , but economically the most important processes involve removal of hydrogen from hydrocarbons , as about 95 % of hydrogen production came from steam reforming around year 2000 . Commercial bulk hydrogen is usually produced by the steam reforming of natural gas . At high temperatures ( 1000 – 1400 K , 700 – 1100 ° C or 1300 – 2000 ° F ) , steam ( water vapor ) reacts with methane to yield carbon monoxide and H 
