Abstract: Accurate understanding of recovery mechanism is a key to successful exploitation of shale gas.Development in researches on conceptual reservoir models,theoretical models and simulation techniques of shale gas exploration was analyzed.The conclusions are as follows:①reservoir model conforming to microstructure of gas shale in China must be established;②Deep burial shale gas reservoirs in China are featured by more complicated ground stress environment.Porosity and permeability of gas shale change with ground stress.Ground stress must be considered to research shale gas recovery mechanism;③Numerical simulation technique must be developed base on shale gas reservoir characteristics in China.