Abstract: The Lower Jurassic Ahe Formation in Yinan area of the Kuqa Depression has favorable geologic conditions for the formation of tight sandstone gas reservoirs. Core, logging, drilling data, thin section observation, cast thin section identification, scanning electron microscope and the X-ray diffraction analysis of clay minerals showed that the tight sandstone reservoirs in the study area mainly originated from braided distributary channels and underwater distributary channels.Lithic sandstones are dominant with low compositional maturity and medium textural maturity. Fractures were well developed. The porosity is 4%-12%, averages 7.53%. The permeability is (0.1-100)×10^-3 μm², average 12.33×10^-3 μm². The samples with a permeability less than 1×10^-3 μm² account for 75%, consistent with typical tight sandstone reservoirs. Reservoir formation is related to sedimentation, diagenesis and tectonism. Favorable facies belts and characteristic curves were applied to reconstruct sandstone thickness and fracture distribution, and to predict favorable exploration targets combined with tectonic background. The study showed that the area to the south of wells Yinan2, Yinan5 and Tuzi2 is a potential play for tight sandstone gas exploration, especially the area to the south and southwest of well Yinan2.