Abstract: The evolution of Atlantic passive continental margin of South Atlantic Ocean can be subdivided into pre-rifting, syn-rifting, transitional, and post-rifting phases, forming a series of the passive continental margin basins in Brazil (Campos, Santos, and Espirito Santo Basins) and West Africa (Niger Delta, Lower Congo, Gabon, and Kwanza Basins). Recently, several super giant oil and gas fields (including Tupi and Jupiter) have been discovered in the deep water area of Santos Basin. As a typical passive continental margin basin, Santos Basin could be good reference for other basins in terms of geological condition and hydrocarbon distribution. The primary source rocks in Santos Basin consist of Barremian-Aptian lacustrine shale and Cenomanian- Maastrichtian deep-marine shale. The subsalt synrifting lacustrine carbonate and postsalt marine turbidite sandstones are the predominant reservoirs. As a regional seal, the Aptian evaporate widely developed in South Atlantic Ocean, dominates the formation of traps and hydrocarbon migration. This paper summarizes the characteristics of hydrocarbon distribution and control factors in Santos Basin with analysis of the petroleum systems (Guaratiba- Guaratiba / Guaruja / Ilhabela and Itajai-Acu-Ilhabela / Marambaia) and plays (Guaratiba, Guaruja, Ilhabela et al.). In contrast to the geological conditions of basins in Brazil and West Africa, it is considered that the subsalt syn-rifting unit in deep water area of South Atlantic Ocean is the prolific strata, which could be the major target for exploration in the fut

Key words: passive continental margin, giant oil and gas field, petroleum system, distribution law, Santos Basin, South Atlantic Ocean