Differences between the Cenozoic and pre-Cenozoic strata and structures in the middlesouth South Yellow Sea are analyzed using high-resolution airborne gravity data combined with data from offshore wells, seismic exploration and the regional geological background, using forward and inverse methods. We discuss why hydrocarbon exploration has so far failed in the South Yellow Sea, and put forward alternative future exploration plans. The results show that there are thick Cenozoic strata over Jurassic–Cretaceous continental strata in the southern basin of the South Yellow Sea, contrasted with thick Mid-Paleozoic marine strata preserved in the middle uplift area. In the mid-southern South Yellow Sea, airborne Bouguer gravity anomalies are fragmentized with scattered local anomalies. Many tensile normal faults and minor fault blocks occur in the Cenozoic strata. In contrast, reverse faults and nappe structures are found in pre-Cenozoic strata. The essential reasons for the lack of a breakthrough in hydrocarbon exploration are the complexity of geological structures, hydrocarbon accumulation environments, seismic-geologic conditions, and the difficulty of interpreting and understanding these features, rather than an imbalance of exploration framework. Hydrocarbon exploration should be targeted at Mid-Cenozoic continental strata, especially of Paleogene age, in the middle to southern parts of the South Yellow Sea. Special attention should be paid to the favorable structural belts SYI1, SYI2, SYI3 and SYI4 in the southern basin of the South Yellow Sea, where detailed seismic exploration or drilling should be carried out. Attention should also be given to Mid-Paleozoic marine strata in the middle uplift area of the South Yellow Sea. Key strategies that could lead to a hydrocarbon exploration breakthrough are improving exploration resolution, conducting detailed studies of fine structures, and accurately locating minor structures. Differences between the Cenozoic and pre-Cenozoic strata and structures in the middlesouth South Yellow Sea are analyzed using high-resolution airborne gravity data combined with data from offshore wells, seismic exploration and the regional geological background, using forward and inverse methods. We discuss why The exploration show that there are thick Cenozoic strata over Jurassic-Cretaceous continental strata in the southern basin of the South Yellow Sea, contrasted with thick Mid- Paleozoic marine strata preserved in the middle uplift area. In the mid-southern South Yellow Sea, airborne Bouguer gravity anomalies are fragmentized with scattered local anomalies. Many tensile normal faults and minor fault blocks occur in the Cenozoic strata. In contrast, reverse faults and nappe structures are found in pre-Cenozoic strata. The essential reasons for the lack of a break through in hydrocarbon exploration are the complexity of geological structures, hydrocarbon accumulation environments, seismic-geologic conditions, and the difficulty of interpreting and understanding these features, rather than an imbalance of exploration framework. Hydrocarbon exploration should be targeted at Mid-Cenozoic continental strata, especially of Paleogene age, in the middle to southern parts of the South Yellow Sea. Special attention should be paid to the favorable structural belts SYI1, SYI2, SYI3 and SYI4 in the southern basin of the South Yellow Sea, where detailed seismic exploration or drilling Should be carried out. Attention should also be given to Mid-Paleozoic marine strata in the middle uplift area of ​​the South Yellow Sea. Key strategies that could lead to a hydrocarbon exploration breakthrough are improving exploration resolution, conducting detailed studies of fine structures, and accurately locating minor structures.