Abstract: The disturbance of the original geology， geomorphology and hydrology in the area of oil and gas exploitation has become one of the main factors affecting the ecological environment of oil and gas exploitation areas. The ecological compensation system for soil and water conservation during oil and gas resource exploitation is faced with multiple limitations in its actual practice， which include imperfect legal system， unprecise definition of compensation subject and object， unclear standard of compensation and limited approaches of compensation. We suggest optimizing the ecological compensation system for soil and water conservation during exploitation of oil and gas resources by improving relevant laws and regulations， determining compensation subject in terms of compensation payment， compensation acceptance and compensation implementation， defining ecological benefit of soil and water environment as the object of compensation， calculating compensation standard according to the ecological service function value of soil and water conservation damaged by permanent and temporary expropriation of land， and by diversifying approaches of compensation.

Key words: exploitation of oil and gas resources, water and soil conservation, ecological compensation, compensation for water and soil conservation, ecological service