Abstract: Forward modeling of balanced cross section has become a basic technique for hydrocarbon explorationThe technique can check various hypotheses rapidly and give out a reasonable model for interpretation. It can also demonstrate the deformation history dynamically and provide evidence of formation and evolution of hydrocarbon. The subsidence history of rifting basin can be divided into 3 periods, i. e. rifting stage, postrifting stage and inverted stage. The extensional ratio can be used to calculate thermal flow, which can predict the petroleum potential.0 Daqing Research Institute 0f Petroleum Explorati0n Development, Daqing l637120 Zhongyuan Research Institute of Petroleum Fxploration Development, CNPC0 Daqing Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration DeveIopment, Daqing l637l2