Abstract: Central Sumatra basin is a back-arc rift basin developed along the edge of the Sunda craton. The basin is very rich in oil and gas resources, the lacustrine shales of Brown Shale formation of the Pematang group of the Paleogene are the principal source rocks, the fluvial and deltaic sandstones of the Sihapas group are the main reservoirs and the overlying shales of the Telisa formation are the main seals in this basin. Essentially there are three source rock facies of the Pematang group, they are deep lacustrine facies, shallow lacustrine facies and carbonaceous marsh facies. The lacustrine facies is oil prone, the carbonaceous marsh facies is gas and condensate prone. The northwestern flanks and offshore in Central Sumatra basin are the targets for future petroleum exploration.

Key words: Central Sumatra basin, rift basin, lacustrine source rock, stratigraphic trap