Abstract:Based on geological mineral data and basic geological exploration results related with shale gas, such as petroleum, mining and coal exploration, regarding upper Paleozoic CarboniferousPermian sedimentary environment and distribution characterisitcs of dark shales as well as organic geochemical characteristics as the focus, exploration prospects of upper Paleozoic shale gas in Luxi area has been predicated primarily. It is showed that three dark shale formations with great thickness developed in the upper Paleozoic in Luxi area, they are Shanxi formation, Taiyuan formation and Heishan formation. They are formed in the sedimentary environment which is abundant in organics that are easily preserved. The sedimentary environment is generally from cratonic basin epicontinental sedimentary to offshore river delta lacustrine sedimentary. The thickness is 31~193m, the depth is 240~4000m, TOC is 1.8%~2.6%,organic matter is mainly type Ⅲ, followed by typeⅡ2, the average value of Ro is 0.7%~1.0% showing in the gas stage of mature. Based on comprehensive analysis of these conditions, it is revealled that the upper Paleozoic dark shales have good conditions of producing shale gas. According to dividing indices of the unconventional energy (shale gas and oil)prospect areas(zones), four prospective areas have been predicated, they are Caoxian coal mine, Yutai depression, Huanghebei coal mine and YangguChiping coal mine.