Abstract: As the key equipment of long-distance oil and gas pipeline stations, the tubular heater system of the long-distance pipeline in China has realized the automatic control based on the solidification procedure of PLC by now. However, due to its complex dynamic characteristics and cumbersome process flow, the research on unattended intelligent operation technology of the heater is still in the initial stage. Herein, the current situation of the automatic control system for tubular heater of the long-distance pipeline in China was analyzed, and the technical framework was put forward for the intelligent operation of tubular heater for the long-distance oil and gas pipeline according to the development concept of "intelligent pipeline and intelligent pipeline network". On this basis, the key technologies that restrict the unattended intelligent operation of tubular heater were discussed, with the solutions proposed and technical prospects made. Specifically, the supporting equipment of tubular heater was intellectualized through the intelligent upgrading technology of supporting equipment and the optimization technology of I/O points. Finally, the intelligent operation and perception of the heater was finally achieved with the intelligent monitoring video system of the station based on the intelligent control technology integrated with the neural network and PID, as well as the forecasting, early warning and fault diagnosis technology of the heater, thus facilitating the intelligent construction of the long-distance oil and gas pipeline station.