Abstract: In this paper, all historic development of the 20th century Chinese oil and gas geochemical exploration has been reviewed while it has been divided into four phases as exploring, regulating, developing and creating. Based on all available literatures and materials, in terms of the research on fundamental theory and application, the establishment of exploration method and techniques, innovations of the analysis and improvement technique, and the development of data treatment and interpretation, the technical advances and achievements in the oil and gas geochemical exploration field in China were reviewed. The author's opinions on the experience and lesson were also described.