Abstract: Through the studies on the distribution pattern of oil and gas and the failed wells on the northwest shelf of Australia, we found that there were three major factors, which controlling gas accumulation, i.e. an effective hydrocarbon generation center, a deltaic system and weak tectonic activities. The gas generation center and the main migration direction control the horizontal distribution of large gas fields. The large scale deltaic systems provide gas reservoirs. The paleostructures with weak post-tectonic activity provides the favorable conditions for gas-accumulation. According to this study, we recommend the northern belt of the Exmouth Plateau in the North Carnarvon basin the next exploration target.