Exploration prospects of the Carboniferous and Permian in the southern North China

Based on the study of the covered structures and analysis of the hydrocarbon evolution types in coal-bearing strata of southern North China, it was showed that there was good hydrocarbon source in the Carboniferous-Permian sequence. The thickness of original middle layer in coal-bearing strata, the Triassic and Jurassic-Cretaceous, was relatively thin. Some Neogene sags showed favorable potential such as three covered structures and late hydrocarbon generation. The coal-forming gas accumulation could be formed in the secondary hydrocarbon generation of Himalayan stage, so it was showed the good exploration prospects in southern North China. Based on the coal-forming gas accumulation features, the evaluation principle was proposed and some gainful exploration targets were evaluated.