The paper presents results of the studies carried out in 2011-2013 on gas content and outburst hazard of saliferous rocks at potash deposits in Kazakhstan at the exploratory drilling stage. The studies aimed at determining the gas content and blend composition of natural gases of productive strata and reservoirs, acquiring input data to evaluate mine ventilation and forecasting potential outburst hazard during field development. The research procedure included degassing of core samples of exploration wells by dissolution in the preliminary degassed water, analysis of gas show during drilling and drilling fluids research, data analysis using physical-mechanical properties of saliferous rocks. A short geological description is given to the Zhilianskoe and Satimola potassium salt deposits. Average values of gas content and blend composition of associated gases are given for lithological variety of rocks and deposits in general. The research discovered a strong relation between the content of hydrogen and methane in the samples. The value of overall content of free and associated gases, estimated relative gas abundance in productive strata and reservoirs are determined. The gas shows occurring during the exploratory drilling at the Satimola deposit are described. The analysis of the registered outbursts and foaming of drilling fluids is made. A map of gas shows over the deposit area is produced. Rock dislocations within the intervals of drilling fluid ourburst are observed. On the basis of the data obtained preliminary conclusions about outburst hazard of the deposit rocks are given.