Abstract: Based on various principles, the assessment methods for conventional hydrocarbon resources are divided into five categories, i.e., genetic method, volumetric method, statistical method, analogy method and expert evaluation method. The genetic method is popular in China, while the statistical method and analogy method are dominant in other countries. In this paper, all these methods were illustrated systematically in respect of applicability, advantages, disadvantages and main progress. The genetic method, statistical method and analogy method are more matured with significant progresses. The source-rock limited space method is noteworthy, for which more efforts are required on its theory and application. The expert evaluation method is less studied, for which further efforts are in urgency. It is pointed out that the future hydrocarbon resource evaluation should focus on hierarchy evaluation of hydrocarbon resources, spatial distribution prediction of remaining resources, deep-ultra-deep resource evaluation, hydrocarbon resource assessment system based on basin simulation and big data application technologies as well as the combination of multiple methods, expert decision analysis system and economic evaluation.

Key words: basin simulation, key parameters, hydrocarbon generation in limited space, remaining resources, resource assessment, future development