Serious drilling problems have been encountered by a number of deepwater operators in the Gulf of Mexico. The problem stems from the presence of geologically young unconsolidated sands that provide an excellent conduit for high-pressured interstitial fluids when pierced by the drillbit. Furthermore, the shallow nature of these formations is problematic in that casing is not always installed when the sands are perforated, and mud weights necessary to overcome formation pressures cannot be used as these may in turn fracture the sands and cause a rapid loss in circulation. A partial solution to the problem may be obtained by mapping the shallow seismic sequence stratigraphy, with emphasis on the depth, thickness, and types of sand-bearing facies or systems tracts. In addressing this particular drilling problem and related foundation engineering properties of near seafloor sediments on the upper slope, it is paramount to understand the origin and nature of the shallow deposits. These characteristics may be determined prior to drilling by applying the concepts of sequence seismic stratigraphy in the interpretation of high resolution seismic data routinely acquired for hazards studies. This article reviews the application of the seismic stratigraphic concept as a basis for the interpretation of Pleistocene sedimentary sequences to depths of 3,000 ft on the continental slope, northern Gulf of Mexico.