Abstract: Starting from an analysis of the plate-tectonic evolution of the area under study, this paper discuss-es the characteristics of petroleum geology of Jurassic in the area, and points out that the three subsidence belts formed at the end of Indosinian are geologically favorable for the formation of oil and gas fields. The Jurassic in this area developed thick and highly-po- tential source beds and good reservoir and sealing conditions, thus constituting an important target of exploration. On the basis of this work, the explo-
ration potential of the area is predicted.

Key words: Hexi area, Subsidence belt, Jurassic, Ex-ploration potential