This research focuses on the seismic characteristics of various fluid flow systems at the southern margin of the South China Sea. We have considered their associated seismic responses and hydrocarbon accumulations and determined the relationships between fluid flow and hydrocarbon migration. From amplitude anomalies and geometric morphology, we identify different focused fluid flow systems, such as mud diapirs/mud volcanoes, gas chimneys, pipes, and fault-related flow systems. We observe that gas-bearing fields associated with high-amplitude anomalous, low-amplitude chaotic, and “drop-down” reflection events serve as distinguishing features of focused fluid flow systems. These systems are affected by tectonic movements and sedimentation, and they are closely related to deep, high-temperature, and high-pressure plastic fluids. Furthermore, our investigations show that focused fluid flow systems, which preferentially develop in the weak parts of the strata, as well as associated faults and fractures, often act as conduits for hydrocarbon migration and accumulation. Therefore, these systems should be given the utmost attention during seismic exploration for hydrocarbons.

The newly collected seismic data and the existing drilling data provide a good opportunity to better understand the carbonate platform distribution characteristics and the hydrocarbon resource potential in the Xisha sea area of the South China Sea. Based on the seismic data and the reflection characteristics of the carbonate platform’s edge, three boundary indicators were established: abrupt lithological interfaces, fault interfaces, and tidal channels. Combined with the regional geological settings, its spatial and temporal distribution was clearly identified for the first time. The development of the Miocene carbonate platform in the Xisha sea area is divided into six phases, which are further assigned to three evolutionary stages: the bloom stage, the recession stage, and the submerged stage. The sedimentary facies belt of the carbonate platform in each stage is well developed, and the reefs are mainly distributed on the west and southwest edges of the platform. The analysis of the data indicates that the area of the reef and carbonate platform reached 80,000 km² during the mature period, followed by a retreat period where the scale decreased with the platform’s decline. The Miocene carbonate rocks in the Xisha sea area are widely distributed. They have experienced multiple periods of exposure and infiltration, which further improved the quality of their physical properties for hydrocarbon reservoirs. According to the regional hydrocarbon geological conditions in this area—including the source rock, migration system and the capping layer—the hydrocarbon accumulation potential is preliminarily discussed in this paper. A reservoir model of the reef and carbonate platform is established, which is proposed as typical characteristics of “lower generation, upper accumulation”. It is pointed out that the carbonate platform in the Xisha sea area adjacent to the Huaguang Sag in the Qiongdongnan Basin and the northern Zhongjiannan Basin is a potential area for oil and gas exploration.

The southern continental margin-slope area of the South China Sea is a complex passive continental margin with diverse tectonic structures and movements. This area is rich in gas hydrate resources and is also an area with a high incidence of potential geological hazards. Identifying and understanding the potential submarine geological hazards in this area is very important for disaster prevention and management during the future exploration and development of marine resources. In this paper, five types of potentially hazardous geological bodies are identified in the research area through high-precision two-dimensional seismic processing and interpretation, including submarine mounds, pockmarks, mass transport deposits, submarine collapses and faults. At the same time, the seismic reflection characteristics and the changes in its morphology and surrounding strata are described. In addition to the causes of geological hazards in this region and their influence on exploration and development, the research prospects of geological hazards in this region are also suggested. Special tectonic and sedimentary conditions, fluid activities and hydrate decomposition may be the conditions for geological hazards in this region, which pose a significant threat to the exploration and development of seabed resources and marine engineering construction in this region. Not only does our conclusion provide useful data for the development and utilization of gas hydrate, but it also presents theoretical suggestions for reducing geological hazards in the development process.

Recent breakthrough exploration wells in the Huagang Formation in the Y-area of the central anticlinal zone of the Xihu Sag have confirmed the significant exploration potential of structure–lithology complex hydrocarbon reservoirs. However, limited understanding of the provenance system, sedimentary facies, and microfacies has hindered further progress in complex hydrocarbon exploration. Analysis of high-precision stratigraphic sequences and seismic facies data, mudstone core color, grain-size probability cumulative curves, core facies, well logging facies, lithic type, the heavy-mineral ZTR index, and conglomerate combinations in drilling sands reveals characteristics of the source sink system and provenance direction. The Huagang Formation in the Y-area represents an overall continental fluvial delta sedimentary system that evolved from a braided river delta front deposit into a meandering river channel large-scale river deposit. The results indicate that the primary provenance of the Huagang Formation in the Y-area of the Xihu Sag is the long-axis provenance of the Hupi Reef bulge in the northeast, with supplementary input from the short-axis provenance of the western reef bulge. Geochemical analysis of wells F1, F3, and G in the study area suggests that the prevailing sedimentary environment during the period under investigation was characterized by anoxic conditions in nearshore shallow waters. This confirms previous research indicating strong tectonic reversal in the northeast and a small thickness of the central sand body unrelated to the flank slope provenance system. The aforementioned findings deviate from conventional understanding and will serve as a valuable point of reference for future breakthroughs in exploration.

In this study, high-resolution seismic profiles and well data provided a good opportunity for better understanding the reefs and carbonate platforms in the Wan’an Basin, southwest of the South China Sea, and also provided valuable information for the oil–gas exploration in the reef reservoirs. Four evolutional phases, including the initial phase, the prosperous phase, the recession phase and the submerged phase, of the reefs and carbonate platforms are proposed according to our data. In the Early Miocene, a few small, isolated carbonate platforms initiated in the center of the basin. In the Middle Miocene, they flourished and mainly formed around the Northern Uplift and Central Uplift, with two belts of carbonate platforms in the western area and eastern area that were mainly platform-edge reefs, massive reefs and a few point reefs. In the Late Miocene, the carbonate platforms began to retreat towards the high topographic position because of the rising of sea level. Meanwhile, the numbers and styles of reefs increased to include platform-edge reefs, massive reefs, atoll reefs and point reefs. Since the Pliocene, most of the carbonate platforms have been covered by detrital materials from terrestrial sources. Crustal tectonic activity provides favorable topography for reef growth and the distribution of platforms, and eustasy controlled the vertical growth and lateral migration of reefs. Since the Late Miocene, the rapidly crustal tectonic subsidence and the rising of relative sea level may lead to the drowning of the carbonate platform.