In the present paper,the authors examined some oily core by microscopic infrared spectral imaging methods.Those methods can be classified in three modes,referred to as “transmission mode”,“reflection mode” and “attenuated total reflection(ATR) mode”.The observed oily core samples belong to siltstone.The samples were made of quartz(-20%),feldspar(-50%) and other rock(igneous rock 25%,metamorphic rocks 1%,sedimentary rock 4%);a little recrystallized calcite (-1%) was in the pore,and the argillaceous matter was distributed along the edge of a pore.The experimental work has been accomplished using SHIMADZU Model IRPrestige-21 Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer plus AIM8800 infrared microscope.For IRPrestige-21,the spectral range is 7 800-350 cm^-1,spectral resolution is 1 cm^-1,and AIM8800 microscope with motorized stages has a resolution of 1 micrometer.The experiment was preformed at room temperature.In “transmission mode” infrared spectral imaging method,the spectral range was limited in wavenumbers greater than 2 000 cm^-1 because the base glass piece has strong light absorption.In contrast with “transmission mode”,in “attenuated total reflection(ATR) mode”,the depth of penetration into sample is very small (1-2 micrometer),then the absorbance value has nothing to do with base glass piece light absorption.In microscopic infrared transmission spectra,the experimental result shows that there are some strong absorption peaks at 2 866,2 928,3 618 and 2 515 cm^-1.respectively.The former two peaks correspond to methyl(methylene) symmetrical and unsymmetrical stretch vibration mode,respectively.The latter two peaks correspond to hydroxyl-stretch vibration mode and S—H,P—H chemical bond stretch vibration mode,respectively.In microscopic longwave infrared ATR spectra,there are other stronger absorption peaks at 1 400,1 038 and 783 cm^-1 respectively,corresponding to methyl(methylene) widing vibration mode and optical mode of quartz crystal,respectively.On the basis of the above-mentioned experimental result,the authors have separately accomplished microscopic infrared transmission and ATR spectral imaging using mapping procedure.The “transmission mode” and “ATR mode” have their own advantage and disadvantage.According to specific structural and spectral properties of sample and the practical research goal,we should select a practical procedure.