Abstract: Melut basin is one of the passive rift basins in West and Central Africa. The discovery of the world?class giant Palogue oilfieldand followed exploration activities verified that the north Melut sub?basin (NMSB) of this basin is a hydrocarbon?rich sag. The Lower Cretaceous source rock is the major source rock of Melut basin, the Palaeogene is its main seal?reservoir assemblage and the Upper Cretaceous is its secondary reservoir?forming play and the main deep target for petroleum exploration. The mantle?origin CO2 invading into the NMSBfurther increased its enrichment of hydrocarbon accumulation. In recent years, Melut basin entered into the period of mature exploration,and there are less and less structural traps left. It is suggested that the lithologic traps of the Palaeogene target zone and the secondary reservoir-forming play of the Upper Cretaceous could be the main explorative targets in Melut basin in the future