The gas hydrate-discovering well in the Muli coalfield was chosen as the analog model in this test to study the applicability and reliability of the microbial geochemical (MGCE) detection method in exploring onshore natural gas deposits. The result of the test proves that the microbial geochemical exploration method is a sensitive, fast and cost-effective technique for exploring gas hydrate and petroleum reservoirs in Tibetan Plateau permafrost region and therefore could be widely employed in this region.