This paper is the result of oil and gas exploration engineering. Objective The Sanmenxia Basin located in the composite and joint part of the Zhongtiaoshan fault block, Xiaoqinling fault block and Xiaoshan fault block has undergone many stages tectonic movements and changes. It gradually evolved into a triangular fault basin on the Precambrian crystalline basement. Methods Due to its complex structure and low exploration level, the structural framework and evolution history of Sanmenxia Basin has unknown. This has affected the potential evaluation and exploration process of oil and gas resources in the study area. In this paper, Sanmenxia Basin is selected as the research object. Based on regional geological data, field geological survey, comprehensive interpretation of non–seismic exploration and recent drilling results, the structural framework and burial depth of the top and bottom of Paleogene are preliminarily identified to explore the prospect of oil and gas resources. Results The evolution process of Sanmenxia Basin has mainly experienced four stages: (1) Precambrian metamorphic basement and depression trough formation stage; (2) The Paleozoic transgression and orogenic stage. During this stage, marine facies and marine–terrestrial transition facies were mainly developed, after which the basin was uplifted and the depression trough evolved into a syncline structure; (3) The Mesozoic graben–type faulted basin formation stage; (4) Paleogene faulted basin development and post–sedimentary stages. Conclusions At this stage, due to the influence of the Himalayan movement, Sanmenxia Basin was in an extensional environment, and formed inland lake bounded by three–sided uplifts in the South, North, and East. The graben area was relatively descended to accept deposits. The Paleogene in the Lingbao Sag of the Sanmenxia Basin has the characteristics of large thickness and continuous distribution, and the dark mudstone is particularly developed, which has good prospects for petroleum resources.