Abstract
In order to study the formation of petroleum and to find petroleum reservoirs, 500 samples were taken from the Chexi Sunken, Jiyang Depression, northern China. These samples were analysed by microscopical and organic geochemical methods. The results indicate that the main source rocks were present in the Shahe formation (ES), Paleogene. The important source rock is within the ES3 formation. Further geological study indicates that the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion occurred mainly in the Neogene. Most reservoirs are present below the ES3 formation.
