Abstract: The Donghe sandstone is a major target sequence for petroleum prospecting in Tarim basin. This paper shows by classification and correlation of the sequences and study of spatial and vertical distribution of them that its planar distribution is controlled by the regional structural setting and the ancient uplift and depression framework,its thickness controlled by the depositional environment and paleoground feature, paleogeography like carbonate paleoburied hill, anticlinal canyon softened weathering zone and single hill softened weathering belt. It is the anticlinal canyon and single hill in ancient uplift that control the favorable reservoir and sedimentary facies in Donghe sandstone and the favorable areas in paleo-uplift and its surrounding dip part, especially areas developing non-structural trap in it, including the dip part in Lunan salient-Hadeson-the western margin of Gucheng nose uplift.

Key words: Tarim basin, Devonian, Donghe sandstone, sequence, distribution regularity, exploratory direction