Abstract: Liupanshan district is situated on the Qinling-Qilian tectonic transformational area,with its predominant geotectonic position. However, since the vast area of Lipanshan district is covered by Cretaceous and Tertiary, study has been conducted on its peripheral districts outside the covered area, but little has been done on the basement characteristics and structtures inside the covered area. In recent years, such geophysical prospecting methods as gravity, electronic,seismic and geologic remote sensing have been carried out to reveal the great deal of geologic tectonic features and information of evolution in this area. On such basis, the paper discussed the deposits composition, basement tectoniccharacteristics, tectonic evolution since Mesozoic, source rock distribution and maturity etc, suggesting the hydrocarbon exploration prospect and favorable exploration areas in this district.

Key words: Liupanshan basin, Mesozoic, Cenozoic, tectonic evolution, hydrocarbon potential, prediction