The samples of water-based drilling cuttings were collected from shale gas fields of Fuling in Chonging, and their physiochemical properties and the main possible pollutants (24 items) were tested and analyzed. Results indicated that water-based drilling cuttings had the features of strong alkalinity and highly salinity; the content of potassium was relatively high (805-7 650 mg/kg), and the contents of phosphorus and nitrogen were relatively low; absorbable organic haloid, mineral oil, benzo-a-pyrene and fecal coliforms all met the requirements of Mud Used in Landscape of Urban Sewage Treatment Factory GB/T23486—2009; the contents of heavy metals all met the requirements of Green Planting Soil CJ/T 340—2016 Level I or Level II, and they met the control requirements of heavy metal contents for green belts on street and soil in the factory. Hakanson potential ecological risk index revealed that there was a “mild” potential ecological risk of heavy metals in water-based drilling cuttings in shale gas fields near Southwest China. Hg and Cd were the main contributors. Water-based drilling cuttings in shale gas fields of Fuling in Chongqing have the potential to be used for soil utilization in the green area.