In this paper we present a standard protocol for measuring the petrophysical properties of hydrocarbon bearing shales. The importance of using preserved shale samples is clearly demonstrated. These techniques are adapted from methods we originally developed for non-hydrocarbon bearing shales over the past 25 years. Results from a series of experiments that determine the following petrophysical properties of hydrocarbon bearing shales are presented: native shale water activity, permeability, swelling parallel and perpendicular to the bedding planes, Brinell hardness, P-wave and S-wave velocities. Changes in these properties such as Brinell hardness and sonic velocities were measured before and after shale samples were brought into contact with water-based fluids. Between these measurements, swelling tests were performed to examine the sensitivity of shale to different water-based fluids. Our unique 2-D strain indicator enabled us to measure swelling in two directions simultaneously. Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio were calculated from P and S-wave velocity data. A pressure transient technique was employed to measure the permeability of water-based fluid passing through a shale sample and capillary entry pressure. The measurement techniques and procedures presented in this paper provide a standard measurement protocol for the petrophysical characterization of organic-rich shales.