摘要
The northern Alxa is one of new petroleum exploration domains in West China. Three ophiolite belts in this area control the tectonic evolution and the petroliferous basins development. According to the characteristics of the regional tectonic setting, the northern Alxa can be divided into 6 units. The Guaizihu Depression was a sedimentary assemblage in Cambrian-Silurian,which featured passive continental margin. A long and stable continental margin setting provides the perspective area for hydrocarbon accumulation and exploration in this area.