Abstract: The central and western areas in China possessing vast lands and favourable conditions of petroleum geology, are the base prepared for the future development of China's oil industry. Ten prospecting target areas are picked out as the main ones for petroleum exploration in these areas during the “Ninth Five-Year Plan” period. Facing the new situation, we should strengthen regicmal geology study in western areas and improved techniques in the fields of geophysical prospecting, drilling,well logging, testing and logging.

Key words: China, Northwest, Giant oil and gas fields, Exploration area, Regional geology, Synthetic, Study