Abstract: Marine geophysical exploration method are commonly used for various types of external detection of submarine pipelines, this article start with the state of submarine pipelines, mainly describes the existing characteristics, causes and treatment requirements of buried, exposed and suspended submarine pipelines, from the basic principle and application process of the instrument, the functions and characteristics of all kinds of traditional marine geophysical exploration techniques commonly used in subsea pipeline detection in China are presented, through the research of several detection methods such as side scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, multibeam bathymetry system used in Zhoushan cross-sea water pipeline detection project, the identification of the existence state of submarine pipelines is realized, and the range, detection effect and accuracy of different detection methods are indicated, combined with the interfering factors in the detection process and the limitations of the principle, analyzes and compares the capabilities and characteristics of various marine geophysical exploration methods, provides and summarizes the degree of applicability and advantages and disadvantages of various methods for different states of submarine pipelines in order to improve and guarantee the accuracy of the identification of pipeline status. In addition, new physical exploration techniques are listed, and summarized the development trend of submarine pipeline detection methods.