Abstract:Jiaolai depression is located in the eastern part of Shandong province. It is the best deposit and preservation area of Mesozoic Cretaceous. According to the strata and sedimentary characteristics of Jiaolai depression in Mesozoic period, Shuinan formation of Laiyang group is the best layer of dark shale deposit in Jiaolai depression. It is also the conventional oil and gas display horizon. Through analysis of organic geochemical and reservoir properties of the dark mud shale in Laiyang group, the organic carbon content of the dark mud shale of Shuinan formation is 0.17%~2.92%, and the average value is 1.04%. The type of kerogen is mainly typeⅡ, and the vitrinite reflection is 0.54%~2.04%. It is believed that the dark shale of Shuinan formation has the material basis of shale gas formation and good hydrocarbon generation ability, the degree of organic matter has entered a large number of hydrocarbon generation stages, and some of them have entered a large number of gas generating stages. The porosity of dark shale in Shuinan formation is generally 4.0%~8.0% ,and the content of brittle minerals is more than 50%. This indicates that dark shale in Shuinan formation is favorable for shale gas occurrence and later fracturing. Four prospective areas, such as Laiyang sag, Taocun sag, Xiagezhuang sag and Zhucheng sag have been selected., and the potential resources of shale gas have been estimated to be 537.8×108m3, which indicates the direction for further work.