Abstract: In order to study the distribution pattern of cold seeps in the South China Sea, cold seep data is systematically collected and their oil and gas significance discussed. Upon the basis, sub-bottom profiling and multi-beam water column imaging techniques are adopted to identify submarine cold seeps. Studies show that cold seeps are widely distributed in the South China Sea, in the areas of Shenhu, Southwest Dongsha, Northeast Dongsha, Southeast of Hainan island, Xisha Trough, South Nansha, and coastal Vietnam. Cold seeps are mainly found in the areas 200 to 3 000 meters in water depth. Submarine cold seeps are closely linked to deep oil and gas and gas-hydrate resources. Cold seeps and associated rocks or so-colled seep carbonate rocks, are obvious indicators of marine oil and gas, especially gas hydrate. Sub-bottom profile and multi-beam water imaging technology is not only effective to detect and identify cold seeps themselves, but also helpful to detect acoustic submarine geological anomalies, such as cold seep carbonate rock, mud diapirs and gas chimneys, etc. with low-cost and high-efficiency. By using the technique, therefore, the success rate of marine oil and gas and gas hydrate exploration is greatly improved.