Abstract: According to previous research and petroleum exploration data, Tarim Basin has experienced four evolution stages: the Cambrian-Devonian faulted basin, the Carboniferous-Permian basin, the Triassic-Jurassic intra-continental basin and the Cretaceous-Cenozoic large basin. The evolution of the Cambrian-Devonian basin was controlled by the peripheral plates splitting and convergence and was characterized by clastic, evaporite and carbonate build-ups. The basement had a structural pattern of west uplifting and east depressing from the Cambrian to Ordovician. The Late middle Ordovician tectonic events lead to the formation of the Shaya uplift, Tazhong uplift and Hetian paleo-uplift. The Late Silurian tectonic events led to the uplift and erosion of the basin as a whole. The Carboniferous - Permian basin was characterized by epicontinental sedimentary and intra-continental depression evolution of carbonates, gypsum-salt and clastic rocks. The basement had a structural pattern of southwest depressing and northeast uplifting in this stage. At the end of Permian, tectonic events led to the uplift and erosion of the basin. In the Triassic, the southern and northern piedmont depression and an intra-platform depression were formed. The Jurassic basin only existed on the front tectonic belt. From the Cretaceous to Paleogene, the Tarim gradually formed a large-scale intra-continental basin. The sea water invaded Basin again. At the end of Late Cretaceous, tectonic events led to the demise of the basin and the overall uplifting. The Late Cretaceous deposits were limited in the southwest and east Tarim. Kuche and southwest Tarim foreland basin formed because of tectonic event of the Late Neogene. Evolution of the superposed basins led to the formation of several sets of organic-rich source rocks, such as the Lower-Middle Cambrian, Middle-Upper Ordovician, Triassic, Jurassic. The gypsum, salt, mud and coal-bearing rocks developed in the Cambrian, Ordovician, Carboniferous, Triassic, Jurassic, Paleogene and Neogene are good seals. These seals and source rocks consist of high-quality combination within the basin. Carbonate karst reservoirs and sandstone reservoirs and the structural traps consist of favorable reservoir-trap combinations. The lower, middle and upper assemblages are favorable sequences for exploration in the basin. Exploration results show palaeohigh, paleoslopes and ancient source rocks control oil and gas distribution of the basin

Key words: paleo-uplift, paleo-slope, petroleum accumulation, superposed evolution, Tarim Basin