BACKGROUND: Experimental technologies played an important role in shale oil geological evaluation. The evaluation parameters such as mineral composition, organic matter type, organic matter content, properties and brittleness in shale oil reservoir were obtained by these technologies.OBJECTIVES: To find the appropriate experimental methods for shale oil geological evaluation.METHODS: The research status and trends of various experimental technologies for determination of parameters in shale oil reservoir evaluation, including characteristics of hydrocarbon source rocks, reservoir property, oiliness, movability and compressibility were reviewed. Purpose and method of the experimental testing technologies were focused.RESULTS: Evaluation of the characteristics of hydrocarbon source rock should combine the parameters of organic matter type, organic carbon contents, organic maturity, biomarkers, major elements, trace elements and rare earth elements. The mineral composition and distributions of pores and fractures should be considered in reservoir evaluation. And the oil saturation, viscosity, density of shale oil should also be integrated in the evaluation of the oiliness and movability of shale oil reservoir. Evaluation of shale compressibility required comprehensive consideration of shale mineral composition, and rock mechanical characteristics.CONCLUSIONS: The future development direction of shale oil reservoir geological evaluation experimental technology is discussed. It is pointed out that multiple methods to characterize the spatial distribution characteristics of shale oil reservoir, the distribution characteristics of shale oil in different occurrences, and the analysis of natural fracture development, are the key research direction of shale oil reservoir geological evaluation technology.