Abstract: In view of the problems such as lack of data and high difficulty in prediction of favorable tight oil and gas areas in basins with low exploration degree, through the analysis of oil and gas accumulation mechanism of typical tight oil and gas basins at home and abroad, the main controlling factors of hydrocarbon accumulation were studied, and the prediction theory and process of favorable tight oil and gas areas in basins with low exploration degree were formed, and relevant standards were proposed. The study shows that the formation and distribution of tight oil and gas are directly controlled by hydrocarbon generation, reservoir physical properties and structural stability. The criteria of favorable distribution areas for tight oil and gas are as follows: there are effective source rocks that have entered hydrocarbon generation threshold; the minimum value of hydrocarbon generation intensity is from 7×10⁸-10×10⁸m³/km² during geological history; the surface permeability of the reservoir adjacent to the source rock profile is less than 1.00 mD; the regional stratum dip angle is below 4 °; the faults are not developed. The Chengzihe Formation in the Jixi Basin has effective hydrocarbon generation ability, it has adjacent source and reservoir, and oil and gas have been found in tight sandstone reservoir, thus it has tight oil and gas exploration prospect. According to the comprehensive analysis of hydrocarbon generation, reservoir and structural background, the favorable areas for tight oil and gas are distributed near the depression area, with an area of 291.3 km². This method accords with the reservoir forming mechanism and has operability, thus it can provide reference for tight oil and gas exploration in similar basins with low exploration degree.

Key words: tight oil and gas, favorable area prediction, reservoir forming mechanism, hydrocarbon generation conditions, Jixi Basin