The types and basic characteristics of oily sludge are summarized, and the characteristics of subcritical water and the basic principles of low-temperature hydrothermal treatment of oily sludge are expounded.The application of low temperature hydrothermal treatment technology in treating with oily sludge in recent years is reviewed emphatically.Suggestions are put forward for the future development of low temperature hydrothermal technology in oily sludge treatment.