The present invention relates to offshore oil and gas exploration drilling field and, in particular, to a surface layer conductor running tool for deep-water well drilling, which is used to run a conductor to a designated position, so that the drill stem can be released and the drilling can be continued. The surface layer conductor running tool for deep-water well drilling comprises a mandrel, an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a main body, wherein the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve, and the main body are fitted over the mandrel sequentially; the inner sleeve can slide up and down but cannot rotate in relation to the mandrel, the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve are connected via a transmission thread pair, and the main body is situated on the inner sleeve; a retaining pawl penetrating the main body and radially slidable in horizontal direction; and an anti-rotation pin penetrating the main body and the outer sleeve, so that the outer sleeve can move up and down in the main body only, but cannot rotate.