The Volga-Ural oil and gas basin is a region with a complex history of geological development. Especially with regard to the tectonic development of the region, which largely controls all other processes: sedimentation, generation and migration of hydrocarbons, formation of deposits, further preservation of traps. This paper examines the history of the geological development of the Rubezhinsky trough, located in the southern part of the Volga-Ural basin. In the history of the formation of this tectonic element, several stages of tectonic activation and restructuring of the structural plan are distinguished. The complex tectonic structure of the Rubezhinsky trough greatly complicates the geometrization of oil and gas traps. Repeated tectonic activation of the sedimentary cover increases the risks of deposit preservation. The project team performed a comprehensive facies and structural-tectonic interpretation of the geological structure of the Rubezhinsky trough based on 3D seismic data. Interpretation includes not only mapping horizons and fault tectonics, but also performing paleoreconstructions. Special attention was paid to highlighting local structural features. An important part of the work was also the integration of local tectonic features of the region into the history of the formation of oil and gas complexes and the assessment of the safety of deposits in the process of development of the region. The formation of most deposits in the Volga-Ural oil and gas province is controlled by tectonics. Within the framework of the performed research, the main tectonic stages of the development of the Rubezhinsky trough are determined, local features of its structure are revealed. The results obtained made it possible to assess the risks for the safety of deposits within the deflection.