Abstract: Salt structure is a geologic body formed by flow and deformation of halite and other evaporitic rocks. About 60% petroliferous traps are associated with the salt structure in the world. This paper discusses the basic materials and dynamic source of a salt structure of central uplift in Dongying sag of Jiyang depression, Bohai Bay basin, North China, based on seismic and drilling data, and presents three stages of the salt structural development: initial development stage, development stage and steady stage. Also, the effect of the salt structure development on sedimentary strata is analyzed. It is recognized that the configuration of the salt structure is related to the corresponding geologic climate of arid at that time; the faults related to the salt structure destroys the formation of petroleum reservoir and makes the strata in this area complicated. Salt structure is not well studied in China and it should be one of focuses for petroleum exploration in the future.

Key words: salt structure, Dongying sag, stage, climate, fault