The values of grains containing oil inclusions (GOI) in 120 reservoir sandstone samples from the central Junggar Basin of Northwest China were investigated. The sandstones are characterized by different types of hydrocarbon production and shows. The values range from 0.015% to 19.9%, and show a fairly good correlation with the hydrocarbon production/shows, which are qualitatively suggestive of reservoir hydrocarbon abundance and petroleum migration. Thus, it may be implied that the values can reflect hydrocarbon migration, being not controlled mainly by the other influencing factors. Further correlation between the values and the reservoir hydrocarbon production and show types indicates that the GOI method can be used in hydrocarbon migration study when the petroleum type of a reservoir is normal oil or gas alone, but it should be used with caution when light oil charges the reservoirs or a complex hydrocarbon migration event takes place. The case study in the central Junggar Basin using the method presents some new understanding on hydrocarbon migration. Thus, the method may help to solve specific petroleum geological problems, and can be treated as a routine tool in hydrocarbon migration study.