Abstract: Since 2013, large-scale tight oil reservoirs have been discovered in the upper Ganchaigou formation of Neogene in Zhahaquan area of Qaidam basin. In order to evaluate the availability of the source rocks in the area and to effectively support the well deployment, a core-calibrated logging method to identify effective source rocks is established on the basis of core observation, whole rock analysis, geochemical analysis, sedimentary environment analysis and log response comparison. The logging response characteristics of the source rocks in study area are not very typical, and the TOC is poorly correlated with logging parameters such as interval transit time, natural gamma ray, resistivity and density. It is found that the TOC is well correlated with the difference between total natural gamma ray and de-uranium natural gamma ray and the ratio of thorium to uranium, respectively; and then a formula is built to calculate TOC. The method is simple and effective. The vitrinite reflectance of the source rocks in study area is 0.624%~1.265%, which is in the mature stage and is conducive to oil generation. After identifying the effective source rocks of 24 wells in study area, it is found that the effective source rock development zones in the Ⅳ toⅠ sand member gradually migrate from the northwest to the southeast. Furthermore, the source rocks and the beach bar overlap each other vertically in shallow lake area, forming a good source-storage configuration. The method can be a guidance for source rock evaluation and tight oil exploration and deployment