Abstract: This paper deals with the basic geological problems of European petroliferous basins based on the data collected from various channels. In terms of tectonics, the European petroliferous basins could be classified into three types, i.e.the craton basin, foreland basin, and relatively stable tensional rifting basin (intermount basin). Attention is paid to the study of sedimentology, tectonics, evolution, and petroleum system in each of the basins. The result reveals that the craton basin is the most potential among the three types of basins.