Based on the integrated analysis of key geological features and distribution of oil and gas fields in the North Ustyurt Basin

central Asia

this paper focuses mainly on hydrocarbon accumulation rules

their controlling factors

and exploration potential in the basin.Because hydrocarbons are originated from multiple source rocks and depositional settings of source rocks vary

hydrocarbon distribution in the North Ustyurt Basin is characterized by‘oil accumulations in the west and gas in the east’.Oil and gas accumulated respectively in the middle Jurassic and Eocene reservoirs with high-quality.Favorable migration paths have played a key role in hydrocarbon accumulation in the North Buzachi Uplift

where the most favorable traps in the Mesozoic are the elongated faulted anticlinal structures in the northern part and top of the Uplift.Exploration potential in the Paleozoic Bashkirian and Asselian carbonate reservoirs also cannot be ignored.In the middle and eastern part of the basin

the Jurassic and Eocene reservoirs are of limited potential

but the Lower Cretaceous in the northeastern region may become a new exploration target.In addition

it is possible to discover hydrocarbon in the Carboniferous Visean reservoirs in the southeastern part of the Basin.