In Henan Province, shale gas is most enriched in marine-continental transitional sediments, which have the characteristics of frequent interbedded lithology, small thickness of single layer and rapid change of longitudinal lithology. Due to the Sedimentary characteristics and micro-structures developed in some areas, it is very difficult to identify the thin layers and determine the bit direction. To solve this problem, the element logging data of quality shale gas layers in study area was used for fine characterization of target thin layers by means of statistical analysis. This paper put forward a method to establish element intersection charts of mudstone, sandstone and coal by virtue of the relationship change among 8 element contents ( Si, Al, Na, Fe, S, K, Mn and Ti), as well as a quantitative model while drilling depending on the relationship of depth and element combination ( Ba, Ti, Ca, and Sr). The element intersection charts was used to identify target thin layers, in order to provide the accurate basis for window-entering of horizontal well; and the quantitative model while drilling was used to determine the bit direction. The application of element logging technology in one horizontal shale gas well in central Tongxu Uplift has achieved remarkable results.