The kinetic features of thermo-degradation of kerogen in unmatured oil shales and low-rank coals are studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis.The study indicates that there is no unitary reaction order and the apparent activation energy varies also in the entire process of the thermo-dagradation.The maturing process of kerogen can be ascribed to zero-order reaction and has lower average apparent activation energy;the oil generation process of matured kerogen can be ascribed to first-order reaction and has higher average apparent activation energy.The relation between the kerogen types and average apparent activation energies in maturing process can be given as E

Ⅲ

E

Ⅱ

E

Ⅰ

;while in oil generation process as E

Ⅰ

E

Ⅱ

E

Ⅲ

.