Abstract: This paper reviews the exploration history of large oil/gas fields in the Lower Paleozoic carbonates in the Tarim Basin, sums up experiences and draws the necessary lessons, analyzes the geological conditions of the Shunnan gas reservoir, and predicts the exploration potential of the Lower Paleozoic carbonates, so as to provide references for exploration in the Cambrian and Ordovician carbonates. Exploration practice shows that the discovery of giant oil and gas fields are closely related with theory innovation, mentality transformation and technological progress. The exploration of the Lower Paleozoic Carbonate reservoirs has experienced three stages including buried hill (karst monadnock) trap stage, karst fractured-vuggy trap stage and interior fractured-vuggy trap stage. The well SN4 in Shunnan gas reservoir discovered an interior fractured-vuggy reservoir of multiple origins and tested high gas flow in a dry gas reservoir in Yingshan Formation, indicating the exploration of the Lower Paleozoic carbonates entering the stage of interior fractured-vuggy trap with multiple origin. The main target areas of the future exploration are the southern slope of Shaya Uplift, the northern slope of the Tazhong Uplift and the southern slope of central uplift zone.

Key words: exploration history carbonate rock, Lower Paleozoic, Shunnan gas field, Tahe oil field, Tarim Basin