Abstract: The analysis of prevailingpetroleum migration pathways can help evaluate petroleum exploration targets. Three factors control migration pathways, including the heterogeneity of carrier beds, the attitude of migration pathways and fluid dynamic force. A case study was made in the XJZ oilfieldin the Gaoyou Sag, North Jiangsu Basin, to considerthe controlling effects on petroleum migration pathways. Fluid dynamic force plays a core role and controls the direction of petroleum migration. The attitude of pathways constrainsfluid dynamic force. The he-terogeneity of carrier beds determines whether petroleum can migrate and the velocity of migration. Petroleum migration pathways are determined bythe interaction of three factors.