Abstract: Bangladesh is located in Southern Asian subcontinent, which is an important hydrocarbon district. Most territories of the country are covered by Bengal Basin. In recent years, exploration in the basin has been rising year by year, and many new discoveries were found one after another. According to the data, Bengal Basin has two effective source rocks. The source rocks of Oligocene Jenam Formation are mainly distributed in Surma Depression, while the maturation zone of source rocks in Miocene Bhuban Formation concentrates in northern Hatia Depression. The latter one is in lowmature stage and has limited hydrocarbon supply. Horizontally, oil and gas distribution is obviously affected by these two source rocks and traps; vertically, Miocene reservoir in the eastern of Foredeep Belt contains the majority of oil and gas. Comprehensive analysis showed that favorable exploration area of Bengal Basin was the eastern Foredeep Belt, and Miocene reservoir would be the hotspot and focus for next exploration

Key words: Bangladesh, Bengal Basin, hydrocarbon resource, exploration potential, Miocene