Abstract: A systematic review is conducted on the high-quality exploration activities, theoretical and technological progress, and exploration achievements of Sinopec during the 14^th Five-Year Plan period, and a development strategy is proposed for the future petroleum exploration. Since the 14^th Five-Year Plan period, Sinopec has strengthened its confidence in resource development and vigorously promoted high-quality exploration practices, which support to make significant exploration achievements in fields such as deep carbonate rocks, continental shale oil, deep shale gas, clastic rocks in western regions, subtle oil and gas reservoirs in mature exploration areas, and deep CBM in Tarim, Sichuan, Bohai Bay, Junggar, and Ordos basins, solidifying reserve basis for stable oil output growth and rapid gas output growth. In addition, significant progress has been made in the development and improvement of deep strike-slip fault-controlled fracture-cavity type hydrocarbon accumulation theory, the innovative shale oil reservoir formation, hydrocarbon accumulation and enrichment theory, and the deep understanding of “dual enrichment” of marine shale gas and differential enrichment mechanisms of oil and gas reservoirs in tight clastic rocks. Furthermore, the key exploration and engineering technologies for targets with complex geological and reservoir structural conditions, represented by seismic exploration, well drilling and completion in deep to ultra-deep formations, wireline logging, mud logging and well testing in ultra-deep formation, and horizontal well fracturing, have been researched and developed. Looking ahead, Sinopec has a solid resource foundation in its exploration areas for achieving steady oil output and rapid increase in gas production. The exploration work will focus on three core responsibilities of securing and expanding mining rights areas, achieving exploration breakthroughs, and increasing reserves and resources on a large scale. Guided by deep earth engineering, shale oil and gas demonstration projects, benefit development of tight clastic rock oil and gas reservoirs, and coordination of conventional and unconventional resources, efforts will be strengthened to accelerate the strategic breakthroughs, and establish large-scale reserve increase bases, so as to further consolidate resource foundation for the sustainable development of the upstream.