Abstract: Surface geochemical exploration have been adopted for oil and gas in China for more than 50 years with a rough and bumpy road. By reviewing successful cases we can realize again its great significance and important roles in terms of oil and gas prospecting. This article presents 12 cases which have been published in books and magazines, while there are a lot of successful cases unpublished. Regional geochemical prospecting method has a strategic function of reducing the target size. Local surface geochemical techniques have its special function in evaluating structural and hidden petroleum bearings. This would be a great enhance for oil and gas prospecting by integrating surface geochemical and seismic techniques.