The paper examines the current state of oil and gas exploration and production in the waters of the seas and oceans, substantiates the methods of marine geological exploration, geophysical and drilling studies. The main features of the geological structure, hydrogeology and oil and gas content of the southern and northern seas, as well as the shelf of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, the main types of sedimentary rocks of the water areas are described. The research technology of marine sedimentary rocks for prediction of oil and gas content of marine waters is given. The environmental, geological, and field bases for assessing offshore areas were refined to justify the operation of oil and gas wells. The composition and scope of environmental, field and research marine environmental monitoring during oil and gas production are justified.