Abstract: Maosai Kibi Basin(also Senegal Basin)in West Africa has been the focus in the global hydrocarbon exploration.The comprehensive geological research in recent 5 years has indicated that the basin has developed 2 major source rocks:the upper Cretaceous Cenomanian -Turonian and the lower Cretaceous Aptian-Albian marine source rock. There are 2 new exploration targets:lower Cretaceous Albian shelf margin deltaic reservoir and upper Cretaceous lower Cenomanian deep water turbidite reservoir. The research concluded that The Lower Cretaceous Albian deltaic sandstone in the continental shelf and the Upper Cretaceous lower Cenomanian turbidite in deep water are favourable accumulation assemblage. The distribution of sandstone reservoir in the margin of the continental shelf and the structural-stratigraphic complex trap configuration in deep water are controlling factors of new exploration targets. The new understandings provide guidance and directions for the exploration in Maosai Kibi basin.