Abstract: Hydrocarbon resource potential in Argentina is great,from north to south there are four basins developed,namely Cuyo,Neuquen,San Jorge and Austral basins.The tectonic evolution can be divided into basement period before rifting,rifting period,post rifting subsidence period and Andean foreland period.Less affected by the Andean orogeny,San Jorge basin is controlled by various traps formed in fault depression and depression periods.Greatly influenced by Andean orogeny,the rest three basins form the southern part of basin groups of Sub-Andeans retro arc foreland basin.The hydrocarbon source rocks of Cuyo basin is given priority to rifting period,the rest three basins are given priority to Marine mudstone and carbonate rock in thermal subsidence period,and sedimentary strata over the same period act as the main accumulation combination.Reservoirs are given priority to clastic rock and small amounts of carbonate reservoir are developed in Neuquen basin.The discovery degree of four basins is higher,great potential is in the sea area and deep waters of San Jorge basin.The resources of shale oil &gas are rich in Neuquen basin and it may become the hotspot for future exploration.