Abstract: The geo-tectonic environment for the development of growth-thrust faults is the transgressive sequences in compressive basins. The growth-thrust fault has three active periods: 1) The early thrusting and lifting period with the upblock actives 2) The chron-growth-period with the downblock active; 3) Growing upward period with dominent differential deposition. These three periods could be regarded as a complete activity cycle of the growth-thrust fault. Complicated growth-thrust fault zones may have resulted from multi-cycles of those activities. Since hydrocarbon exploration in thrust zones requires large amount of investment and takes great risks, all of the growth-thrust zones could not be regarded as frontiers for exploration, only those subtle thrust zones accompanying oil generation depressions may make good targets.