Abstract: The upper Carboniferous Keluke formation coal-bearing rock series in Shihuigou area, eastern margin of Qaidam basin is characterized by large thickness and wide distribution, and possesses the conditions for the formation of coal-bearing gas resources. The coal measure hydrocarbon source rocks are distributed in the whole area, and the middle part of the mine is the thickest. According to the lithologic assemblage characteristics, the Keluke formation is divided into four sections. The organic matter abundance of the whole section is higher, but the organic matter abundance of the first section is slightly worse than that of the other three sections. The hydrocarbon source rocks in Keluke formation is given priority to typeⅡ kerogen, part of them are typeⅢ, and all segments showed no difference in maturity-high maturity evolution degree. Based on the effective information of bottom boundary burial depth, mudstone cumulative thickness and limestone cumulative thickness, this paper delineates the optimum area for coal measures gas development of Carboniferous Keluke formation in the study area, that is to say the area west of CY well.