Magnetic survey techniques have been used in many years in an attempt to better evaluate the likelihood of recoverable hydrocarbon reservoirs by determining the depth and pattern of sedimentary rock formations containing magnetic minerals, such as magnetite. Utilizing airplanes, large area magnetic surveys have been conducted to estimate, for example, the depth to igneous rock and the thickness of sedimentary rock formations. In this case, the vector magnetic survey method can simultaneously obtain the modulus and direction information of the Earths magnetic field, which can effectively reduce the multiplicity on data inversion, contribute to the quantitative interpretation of the magnetic body and obtain more precise information and characteristics of magnetic field resource, so as to improve the detection resolution and positioning accuracy of the underground target body. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the application situations, the technical features, and the development of the instruments for different application scenarios, i.e., ground, wells, marine, airborne, and satellites, respectively. The potential of multi-survey technique fusion for magnetic field detection is also discussed.