Abstract: The Tarim basin is abundant both of oil and gas, there developed multiple sets of source rocks such as Cambrian, Middle and Upper Ordovician, Carboniferous and Triassic-Jurassic systems. They are the basis of crude oil prospecting,and formed the characteristics of multi-staged formation of pools. The analysis suggested that as the later- generated-hydrocarbon underwent less destructive influence of tectonic movements, so it benefited favorably on forming of existing pools. While for earlier formed pools, some have been destroyed and some are well preserved. The prerequisites for which deep-buried hydrocarbon could be preserved are high pressure and low heatflow. The five sets of reservoir-caprock assemblages developed in the basin have provided essential conditions to form large and super-large oil-gas reservoir. Besides, combined with concrete geologic conditions concerned, the paper discussed the exploration orientation for Kuche petroleum system, Tabei region and Tazhong region.

Key words: Tarim basin, source bed, reservoir preservation condition, oil and gas exploration