Abstract: The topology layout optimization of oil and gas gathering and transportation system is a large-scale combinatorial optimization issue composed of multi-structure characteristic, multi-variable coupling and multi-scale constraint. Based on the research achievements in this domain, domestic and foreign research progress on topology layout optimization of gathering and transportation systems were reviewed from the aspects of development stages and theoretical methods. Then, the principal theoretical research direction of topology layout optimization of gathering and transportation systems was put forward. Finally, the research difficulties of topology layout optimization of gathering and transportation systems in the conditions of 3D terrain were pointed out and their feasible research thoughts were provided. It is necessary to study further the layout optimization of gathering and transportation systems considering complex influential factors and multiple pipeline network forms, the development of global optimization algorithm and the optimal pipeline network layout in the condition of 3D terrain. And 3D topology layout optimization of pipeline network can be theoretically innovated from the aspects of 3D terrain characterization, mathematical model establishment and pipeline routing optimization.