As a coal resource with special purposes, oil- rich coal has an important position in the coal deep processing industry because of its high tar yield. Through the systematic review of China’s oil- rich coal resources, the distribution characteristics of China’s oil- rich coal resources and their development and utilization potential are deeply discussed. It is divided into six oil- rich coal areas: Shanxi, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ning Xia, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Ganqing and Yunnan, and the key information such as geographical distribution, geological characteristics, coal seam development and tar yield of each region are analyzed in detail. In terms of the prospect of the development and utilization of oil- rich coal, China’s oil- rich coal resources have great potential, and their development and utilization are of great strategic significance for alleviating China’s dependence on foreign oil and gas resources and promoting the transformation and upgrading of the coal industry. With the upgrading of the coal deep processing industry and the proposal of carbon neutrality goal, the quality and grading utilization of oil- rich coal has become an important way for coal transformation and development. In terms of the utilization technology of oil- rich coal, both surface and underground utilization technologies have good development prospects. In the future, we should continue to strengthen the exploration and development of oil- rich coal resources, and at the same time promote the research and practical exploration of oil- rich coal quality and grading utilization technology. Through technological innovation and industrial upgrading, we will realize the efficient, clean and low- carbon development and utilization of oil- rich coal resources, and make important contributions to China’s energy security and sustainable development