Abstract: The characters of sedimentary evolvement and source rock are studied, the potential of hydrocarbon resources is predicted and the bestplays and prospecting objects are evaluatedwith the techniques ofbasin analysis, sedimentary facies analysis, effective source rock evaluation, denudation thickness resume, and reformed basin modeling under the guidance of the theories of basin evolution, hydrocarbon generation, and reservoir formation. It is demonstrated that the northern part of Chaiwopu depression and the presentBogedamountain are deep lake to half-deep lake at late Permian; themain source rock, which is located in the northern partofChaiwopu depression, is UpperPermian which belongs to good to intermediate source rock; by crude oil and source rock contrast, crude oil in the Chaiwopu structure comes from UpperPermian source rock in the northern partofChaiwopu depression, theUpperPermian source rock has definite resources potentia;l the best plays are Chaiyang fault-fold belt and Sangeshan thrust-fault belt, the best prospecting objects are Chaiwopu structure and Akesu structure.

Key words: Chaiwopu depression, source conditions, sedimentary facies, reformed basinmodeling, resource potential