Authigenic laumontite cements are widely developed in continental lake basin reservoirs dominated by lithic arkose and arkose, which have been reported in almost all petroliferous basins in China. Therefore, to review and summarize the characteristics, origin and distribution of laumontite is not only of great theoretical value, but also of great significance for oil and gas exploration. The rich well data and diverse depositional environments of Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin lay a good foundation for the study of authigenic laumontite in sedimentary sequences, so we study the formation, distribution and its exploration significance of laumontite by taking Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin as an example. Methods: The thin sections, scanning electron microscope and energy spectrum were analyzed combined with outcrops observation, as well as the theoretical model of laumontite genesis and the regional evolution history of Ordos Basin, to illustrate the petrological characteristics, diagenetic evolution, genetic mechanism and temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of laumontite in Yanchang formation. Results: It is found that laumontite can be used as a tracer mineral in the process of reservoir formation under specific conditions, because of its relative low density, easy dissolution but resist to pressure, and sensitive to diagenetic environment. It would fill the pores as cement in the alkaline environment from early to early middle diagenetic stage, while it would dissolve to produce a great quantity of secondary pores when diagenetic fluid changes into acidic for the organic acid produced by hydrocarbon expulsion. The secondary dissolution facies related to laumontite is controlled by middle diagenetic stage in time, and by provenance, sedimentary environments and diagenetic fluid related to source rocks and transport system in space. Conclusions: Based on the analysis of laumontite content, dissolution, relationship with reservoir physical properties and its implication of hydrocarbon accumulation, the favorable target areas are presented for the exploration and evaluation of Chang- 10 from Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin, providing some new clues for the exploration of analogous sedimentary basins.