Abstract: To further clarify the direction of oil and gas exploration in low-exploration-degree sags during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, based on an analysis of the recent development and new progress of oil and gas exploration in the Bohai Bay super basin, this study reveals new insights into the sources of oil and gas, systematically sorts out the applicability of these insights, conducts prioritization and selection research, and finally proposes exploration ideas for low-exploration-degree sags. The research results indicate three new understandings about the sources of oil and gas in low-exploration-degree sags. First, there is an early hydrocarbon generation and multi-stage hydrocarbon generation mechanism in organic-rich algal source rocks of salinized lakes. Second, local thermal anomalies and hydrocarbon source rocks in salinized lakes reveal the potential for hydrocarbon generation in small and shallow sags. Third, the oil and gas originate from long-distance transport in adjacent major oil-rich sags. According to the current exploration progress, the theoretical and technological achievements in low-exploration-degree sags will boost the increase in reserves and production of oil and gas in the Bohai Bay Basin, which has important theoretical and practical significance for ensuring energy supply in the eastern region and driving regional socio-economic development.