Abstract: Oil shale, an unconventional oil and gas resource, has been listed as a substitute for energy because of its abundant resources and exploitable utilization. Taking the Huangkou depression as an example, this paper analyzed the distribution characteristics of oil shale in the typical depression in eastern China to explore the methods of further prospecting for oil in this area. Oil shale in the typical depression of eastern China occurs in the middle and lower parts of the Dawenkou Formation of Eocene to Oligocene of Paleogene. Dark gray to black massive shale rich in organic matter is characterized by well development of muddy rhythmic layering, stable deposition, wide distribution, good continuity, low and medium grade, simple structure, and distinct geophysical anomaly. The further prospecting in the area is to investigate oil(shale)and salt together using geophysical prospecting followed by drilling verification.