Paralic reservoirs reflect a range of clastic depositional environments developed along or near coastlines, including deltas, shoreline–shelf systems and estuaries. Such reservoirs provide the backbone of production in many mature basins around the world, and contribute significantly to global conventional hydrocarbon production. Strata that host these reservoirs are shaped by a wide variety of depositional processes and controls which reflect the upstream supply of sediment and water, the characteristics of the receiving basin, relative sea level, tectonic setting, and the internal dynamics of depositional systems. Consequently, they exhibit much variability in their stratigraphic architecture and sedimentological heterogeneity, which translates into complex patterns of reservoir distribution and reservoir performances that are challenging to predict, optimize and manage. This Special Publication presents new research and developments in established approaches to exploration and production of paralic reservoirs. It arises from the conference and associated core workshop titled ‘Sedimentology of Paralic Reservoirs: Recent Advances and their Applications’, which was organized by the Petroleum Group of the Geological Society of London and held in London from 18 to 21 May 2015.