The continental hydrocarbon-bearing basins of China

formed in different periods during the Meso-Cenozoic times

have their own peculiarities ingeological and tectonic framework

type of sedimentary formation and hydro-carbon potential.Tectonic phase plays the most important role in controllingand distinguishing them.In time and space

the stress patterns of tectonic phases are converted each other due to the change of limiting conditions ofstress fields

thus determining the generation

distribution and type of basinsof various ages and regions

and their characters of sedimentation and miner-alization

etc.According to the relation between time and space of evolution of basins

they can be initially subdivided into two fundamental types:trough-basin andopen-basin.Their origin

sedimentary formation and hydrocarbon potentialshow different characteristics

which just reflects genetic relationship between basin evolution and tectonic phase A concept of“petroleum stratigraphy”is advanced for studying the rela-tion of stratigraphic combination and hydrocarbon potential Although a de-finite meaning is not given to the term“petroleum stratigraphy”

its study in-cludes the relationship of various sedimentary formations in all types of basinsto hydrocarbon generation

migration

accumulation and redistribution;whilethe source-reservoir-cap rock combinations are also its important component.Only when the relation of tectonic trace in present basin to hydrocar bonaccumulation is further analysed on the basis of the recognition of how tec-tonic phase correlates with generation and sedimentation of different types ofbasins

can it be able to indicate the basin-forming and oil-generating peri-ods of China in Meso-Conozoic times

to evaluate hydrocarbon potential

and to guide prospecting and exploration for oil and gas.