Nowadays due to depletion of the west Siberian resource base, the research of unconventional reservoirs has become relevant. One of such objects is the Bazhenov formation and its analogues. In this paper, according to the results of the complex petrographic and geochemical studies, the nature of heterogeneity of the Tutleim formation was clarified. It was specified that investigated fragment of the section has two main lithotypes with clear mineralogical features. The alternation of the lithotypes in the section indicates cyclical deposition of sediments. This information and the results of XRF analysis have made it possible to divide section in details and distinguish four stages of development of the Tutleim formation. Each of these stages has certain physical and chemical parameters.