Abstract: In recent years, Sichuan Basin has been continuously explored and extensively developed as a shale gas enrichment area in China. This paper makes a detailed comparison and analysis of the exploitation of shale in southeastern Sichuan from the aspects of sedimentary environment, tectonic geological background and rock types. It is found that the sedimentary environment of Marine shale in the United States is similar, and the tectonic evolution of Sichuan Basin is more complex. Compared with Sichuan Basin, continental shale strata in Ordos Basin are more simple and stable, with shallow burial, small porosity and great difference in shale characteristics. The shale characteristics of Weiyuan, Changning and Zhaotong blocks in southeast Sichuan are basically similar, but there are significant differences in fracture development degree, connectivity degree, caking condition and groundwater occurrence of different tectonic units. The shale gas field in southeast Sichuan has some differences with other shale gas fields, so the existing exploitation experience cannot be copied completely, and the risk of groundwater pollution such as fracturing fluid and flowback fluid leakage may occur in the exploitation process.