This article reports the main formation models and distribution of the oil and gas pools in Tarim basin, China, including (1) occurrence of the found oil and gas pools, (2) main formation models of oil and gas pools, and (3) distribution law of oil/gas pools. Petroleum is distributed widely in the strata of Tarim basin from the Sinian at the bottom to the Neogene at the top. However, the found oil and gas fields are mainly distributed in Shaya (沙雅) uplift, Tazhong (塔中) uplift, and Kuche (库车) depression. This article presents 4 main formation models, namely, early formation and long-term preservation, early formation and late reformation, middle-late multiphase-multisource formation, late single-stage formation. Tarim basin is very rich in petroleum resources. Long-term inherited intrabas- inal paleohighs and slope zones are the most favorable areas for accumulation of hydrocarbons, but the types of oil and gas pools are different from area to area. The control of unconformities and faults on hydrocarbon accumulating is prominent in Tarim basin. Preservation conditions are of utmost impor- tance. Formation of some oil and gas pools is the result of reforming and re-accumulating of early ac- cumulated hydrocarbons. This article reports the main formation models and distribution of the oil and gas pools in Tarim basin, China, including (1) occurrence of the found oil and gas pools, (2) main formation models of oil and gas pools, and (3) Distribution law of oil / gas pools. Petroleum is distributed widely in the strata of Tarim basin from the Sinian at the bottom to the Neogene at the top. However, the found oil and gas fields are mainly distributed in Shaya uplift, Tazhong uplift, and Kuche depression. This article presents 4 main formation models, namely, early formation and long-term preservation, early formation and late reformation, middle-late multiphase-multisource formation, late single- stage formation. Tarim basin is very rich in petroleum resources. Long-term inherited intrabas- inal paleohighs and slope zones are the most favorable areas for accumulation of hydrocarbons, but the types of oil and gas pools are different from area to area. The control of unconformi ties and faults on hydrocarbon accumulating is prominent in Tarim basin. Preservation conditions are of utmost impor- tance. Formation of some oil and gas pools is the result of reforming and re-accumulating of early ac- cumulated hydrocarbons.