Abstract: Based on the geochemical and logical analysis of oil shale samples in southern Ordos basin, The characteristics and distribution of oil shale from Yanchang Formation have been investigated.The result shows that oil shale has the typical identification marks.The thickness of oil shale is 10～40m,the distribution of which is significantly controlled by the sedimentary environment.Deep lake and semi deep lake facies which is near the central of lake basin is the main development zone for the development of oil shale.Oil shale is developed at Binchang area,the north of xunyi and the southwest of Fuxian,which becomes the favorable area for exploration.