Provenance systems analysis are important part of sedimentary basin characterisation. A comprehensive analysis of the provenance systems characteristics of the Enping Formation in the Enping sag was undertaken based on 3D seismic data and drilling data from the Enping sag, and paleontological environment analysis, zircon U- Pb dating, identification of ancient valleys, progradation reflection, seismic multi- attribute and characteristics of sedimentary facies. The research results show that the PSQ1- PSQ2 of the Enping Formation exhibits obvious lacustrine rift basin characteristics, and the provenance is dominated by Paleozoic metamorphic and Mesozoic igneous rocks in the uplift region of the Pearl River Mouth basin, and a small amount of Proterozoic metamorphic rocks in the northern South China fold belt.During the PSQ3, the fault activity gradually ceased, the lake level continued to rise, and the provenance supply capacity of the South China fold belt increased and gradually became the main provenance of the Enping sag. The lack of complete core profiles of continental basins in the northern South China Sea limits the structural- sedimentary coupling research during the rifting period and affects the next oil and gas exploration in this area. Therefore,it is suggested that ocean drilling should be carried out in continental sedimentary basins (such as the Pearl River Mouth basin) in the northern South China Sea,in order to obtain core section which are continuous, undisturbed and chronologically well constrained. This is not only beneficial to guide the next hydrocarbon exploration, but also provides an important basis for understanding the paleoclimate and predicting future climate change by reconstructing the sedimentary change process of the continental sedimentary basin in a different geological period.