Abstract: Tight oil has become one of the significant areas of global unconventional oil and gas exploration and exploitation.Many countries have speeded up the exploration and exploitation of tight oil,since it has gradually affected the energy supply and demand pattern worldwide.Based on investigation and research on the latest developments of tight oil in major countries in the world,this paper presents an overview of the world's tight oil resources,current exploration and exploitation and progress in technology of major countries,as well as the related policies.The U.S.,Canada and Russia,which are not only in the leading position in technologies innovation but also set up a series of policies on unconventional energy development,have realized the commercial production of tight oil.In view of the strategic significance of tight oil for China,this paper comes up with some suggestions with the aim of giving some reference for tight oil exploration and exploitation in China.