A new record of calcareous nannofossils in Jurassic black shales from the Qiangtang Basin, northern Tibet comprises two series, representing shelf to basin settings. By microscopic observation, the first discovery of the family Watznaueriaceae had been made: Watznaueria fossacincta is distinguished from Watznaueria britannica. From the biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy, the sediments are characterized by paucity of assemblages, prevalence of coccospheres, and a relatively high organic content. There are two classes of preservation: poorly and moderately preserved assemblages. Total nannofossil abundance and species diversity show lower values within calcareous beds, compared to the argillaceous. Assemblage composition appears quite different in the marls and argillaceous rocks compared with limestones. Fossil abundance and preservation are partly determined by diagenesis, selective dissolution and sedimentary environment. Dysaerobic or anoxic bottom-water conditions are indicated by coccospheres, with nannofossils the main source of hydrocarbons. The black shale facies with organic carbon contents be attributed to coccolithophorid high productivity and blooms, indicating that the Qiangtang black shales have a great oil-generation potential.