In the long geological history

the marine strata in southern China have experienced polycyclic tectonic movement and intensive late reformation

and the hydrocarbon generation

migration

accumulation

preservation and destruction in Mesozoic and Paleozoic have experienced multi-stage phasic development and evolution.Areas with relatively stable tectonic settings and well preservation conditions

such as Sichuan basin

are characterized by multiple sources

early accumulation

oil-gas conversion

and late finalization;the Middle and Lower Yangtze areas overlain by Mesozoic and Cenozoic strata are characterized by secondary hydrocarbon generation and late reservoiring; while the areas with outcropping carbonates

such as western Hunan and Hubei and Yunnan-Guangxi-Guizhou regions

are characterized by early hydrocarbon generation and late destruction and reformation.According to early or late hydrocarbon generation and whether the original sealing systems have been broken in the course of primary hydrocarbon accumulation through to the finalization of the oil and gas pools

the reservoiring models of petroleum in marine strata in southern China can be divided into three types: including primary

secondary and regeneration types.Based on the reservoiring conditions and characterstics in different areas

exploration of marine strata in southern China should be carried out in three different levels: key exploration should be carried out in Sichuan basin

try by all measures to get breakthroughs in northwestern Guizhou

southern Jianghan plain in Middle Yangtze area and Jurong-Hai'an regions in Lower Yangtze area

and regional reconnaissance should be carried out in southern Guizhou

Yunnan-Guangxi and western Hunan and Hubei regions.