Abstract: The deep water area of the Gulf of Mexico Basin (DWGoM) is one of the most active areas in the world for oil and gas exploration. Integrated analysis of petroleum geologic conditions and exploration status suggests that the basin is excellent for petroleum accumulation, and there are four characteristics in terms of exploration. ① there are complex geologic settings, and seismic data imaging is essential for exploration; ② salt movement is the key to trap formation and oil accumulation; ③ the distribution of exploration plays is characterized by obvious zonation; ④ the main risks of exploration in this area depend upon the reliability of trap and the availability of reservoirs. Data also indicate that subsalt trap evaluation and reservoir prediction are the two major problems affecting the outcome of exploration in this basin, and the main methods to solve the problems are the improvement of subsalt seismic imaging, restoration of salt palaeostructure and prediction of sedimentary palaeochannels.