Abstract: Deep- to ultra-deeply buried tight sandstone reservoirs have great potential for hydrocarbon exploration. The development and distribution patterns of micro-fractures are key factors for the improvement of reservoir performance in the deep- to ultra-deeply buried tight sandstone reservoirs. [Objective] Tight sandstone in the Cretaceous Yageliemu formation, Kuqa Depression is selected to illustrate the genesis of micro-fractures in tight sandstone and implications for controlling reservoirs. [Methods] Based on drilling core, thin section, laser confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, detrital zircon dating, heavy mineral composition, and carbon and oxygen stable isotopes, the genetic types and main controlling factors of micro-fractures in tight sandstone in the Yageliemu Formation are revealed, and the evolution model of microfractures is established. [Results] The results show that rock types in A well area are mainly lithic feldspathic sandstone and feldspathic lithic sandstone, followed by lithic sandstone. Rock fragment in A well area is mainly metamorphic rock. Rock types in B well area are mainly lithic sandstone and feldspar lithic sandstone. Rock fragment in B well area is mainly magmatic rock. The content of the rock fragment is higher in B well area with respect to that of A well area. [Conclusion] Tectonic micro-fractures are mainly developed in the study area. Three stages of micro-fractures are identified: (1) In the first stage, the fracture is wide opening (2mm-4mm), high angle and near vertical fracture (70°~90°), straight and smooth, mainly shear fracture, filled with calcite cement, and the fracture filling occurs at 90~65 Ma, corresponding to the slow and shallow burial stage from late Yanshanian to early Himalayan; (2) In the second stage, the fracture is narrow opening (1mm-2mm), medium- to high-angle fracture (40°~60°), slightly curved, mainly tension-shear composite fracture, filled with kaolinite cement, and the fracture filling occurs in 40~20Ma, corresponding to the rapid deep burial stage in the middle of Himalayan; (3) In the third stage, the fracture is the narrowest opening (0.2mm-1mm), low-angle fracture, near horizontal fracture (10°to 30°), curved fracture, mainly tensional fracture, filled with ankerite cement, and the fracture filling occurs in 10~6Ma, corresponding to the late Himalayan nappe adjustment stage. Under the uniform tectonic compression settings, different reservoir evolution models induced by micro-fractures in the A and B well area are developed owing to different provenance and mineral compositions. The contents of brittle mineral are more enriched in A well area and result in significant development of micro-fractures during extensive tectonic compression. Therefore, the existence of these micro-fractures would facilitate for later acidic dissolution and enhance porosity and permeability more apparently in A well area. Subsequently, reservoir quality in A well area is better that in B well area.