Abstract:After mid Caledonian movement,the Tarim basin was compressed in northsouth direction by both the downthrusting north-Oceanic plate and the Tethys Sea plate,so that the northwest and northeast shear stresses appeared,which caused a series of compressive-torsional structures in this basin. These compressive torsional structures are respectively formed by major compressive-torsional fault,derivative fault and fold;and they occur in some regular compressive-torsional structure systems;to speak in detail,the derivative secondary faults and folds are oblique with the major fault,forming echelon pattern along one side of the major fault. The compressive-torsional structures are characterized by early generation,very obvious heritable characteristics,weak change due to later structural movement, and favourable condition for hydrocarbon accumulation and reservation. Most discovered Palaeozoic reservoirs and some discovered Mesozoic structural reservoirs exist in the traps of the compressive-torsional structure systems. It may be seen from these that compressive-torsional structure system in the Tarim basin is important area of hydrocarbon exploration.