The distribution of marine hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Paleozoic Tarim craton basin is very complex. The formation and distribution of large oil and gas fields are controlled by several factors including paleouplifts

effective source rock distribution and later tectonization.Among these factors

the palaeouplifts and their slopes are the most important because they have the most favorable combination of hydrocarbon accumulation conditions in the craton basin.The palaeouplifts in the Tarim craton basin can be divided into four types:inherited

residual

superimposed

and failed.The first two types

which are larger in scale and have long history of development

as well as their slopes

are the best for oil and gas enrichment.That oil and gas accumulation is controlled by palaeouplifs

hydrocarbon is enriched in the slopes

reservoiris in the high of uplifts are easy to be adjusted and destroyed and the slope areas are favorable to hydrocarbon enrichment and preservation

are the rules of the hydrocarbon accumulation and distribution in the Tarim craton basin.The muhiphase of accumulation and muhistage tectonic adjustment are the important characteristics of the marine hydrocarbon accumulation in the Tarim craton basin.The Late Caledonian and the Early Hercynian were the main periods for the formation of primary oil reservoirs in craton areas.The Late Hercynian was both the main period for the formation of primary gas reservoirs and the important period for the adjustment of earlier-formed reservoirs to secondary hydrocarbon pools.The Yanshan and the Himalayan periods were the main periods of adjustment

finalization and destruction of earlyformed hydrocarbon reservoirs.It was therefore concluded that the theory of late stage hydrocarbon accumulation was not applicable to the multicyclic marine Tarim craton basin.Consequently

the inherited and residual palaeouplifts and their slopes were considered to be the most favorable regions for the discovery of giant oil and gas fields in the Paleozoic craton basin.Base on these understandings

a palaeouplifts-controlling hydrocarbon theory was put forward and discussed.