Marine carbonate reservoirs in Sichuan basin are characterized by 5 distinct geological features

i.e.there is more gas than oil

the reservoirs are laterally and vertically superimposed

the gas pools have different sizes

there are plenty of good reservoirs though they are relatively tight as a whole

and there are various trap types but dominated by anticlinal traps. Five key problems influencing exploration of marine carbonate reservoirs that should be highlighted are presented in this paper

i.e.the development zone of marine carbonates with the features of superimposed basin

the formation and evolution of palaeohighs in the process of deposition in the craton;accurate identification of the distribution of marine carbonate reservoirs and the subsurface geometry of local structures in the formations of interest

the significant technical principles of insisting on targets but not solely on the targets

and focusing on discovery of oil and gas;as well as development of practical and advanced exploration technologies.