Through analysis of classification and researches characteristics of pathway system, the study status of it was particularly discussed.The pathway system research was been classified into two types of statics and dynamics.Then pathway systems were been divided into four sorts of reservoir, fault, unconformity surface and composite ones.The five kinds of characteristics of pathway system of independence, dynamic, twosidedness, complexity and synthesis were pointed out.From two sides of the static and dynamic, research techniques of pathway systems were detailedly introduced.Such as, sequence stratigraphy, sedimentology, diagenesis, basin simulation, dynamic research of oil and gas accumulation, earthly chemistry, experiment simulation of earthly physics, and geological modeling.On the base of discussion above, the problems and the development directions of pathway system researches were indicated.