Abstract: Undeveloped faulting and local structures in Tarim basin suggest that it has stability and substained subsiding features, which are favourable for source rock preservation rather than hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in the basin, we should devote more attention to the transporting and controlling effects of unconformities on hydrocaitx)n to find out additional petroliferous provinces. Among the main five-stage unconformities, these zones, such as tnmcated zone, multistage unconformity stacked zone, multistage pinch-out concentrated zone and nwvable pnc^ressive unconformable zone that resulted from sedimentation of the foreland basin, are all favourable plays for hydrocaAon accumulation.

Key words: Tarim basin, Unconformity, Control, Oil and gas distribution