Abstract: In recent years, the shale oil industry has been rapidly developing in US, strengthening domestic oil supply and also having an effect on energy supply framework all over the world. It is very significant to learn some experience and strategies through study the development process of shale oil upstream industry in US. In this paper, shale oil resources potential, exploration and exploitation history, situation as well as trend are all analyzed, based on these, three main pieces of experience are summarized, including core motivation from science and technology innovation, development potential aroused by improving mining market, growing vitality through reasonable polices. Therefore, several suggestions for shale oil industry development in China are put forward. Firstly, scientific development plan should be made by investigating shale oil distribution and quantity further. Secondly, to improve key theory and technique, which could be tried in typical test areas. Thirdly, to optimize management system and mechanism in order to active domestic mining market. Finally, extra polices in both stimulating shale oil development and protecting field environment need to be considered.