Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) has been used to probe the evolutionary paths of kerogen in selected black mudstone. The evolutionary regime of kerogens (for instance, the immaturity, early maturity, middle maturity, late maturity, and catagenesis stages) can be indicated by the absorption coefficient in the THz region. The present study of identification based on THz-TDS was in good agreement with programmed pyrolysis experiments and suggests that THz technology can act as a nondestructive, contact-free tool for probing the ability to generate hydrocarbons from kerogens. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) has been used to probe the evolutionary paths of kerogen in selected black mudstone. The evolutionary regime of kerogens (for instance, the immaturity, early maturity, middle maturity, late maturity, and catagenesis stages) The present study of identification based on THz-TDS was in good agreement with programmed pyrolysis experiments and suggests that THz technology can act as a nondestructive, contact-free tool for probing the ability to generate hydrocarbons from kerogens.