煤炭地下气化(UCG)是我国煤炭能源结构转型的重要路径。欧盟国家在UCG领域开展了80余年探索，丰富的经验可为推进我国UCG产业化提供借鉴。英国是世界上最先筹备UCG先导试验的国家。在1944—2014年，欧盟国家先后借鉴前苏联及美国经验，分3阶段至少实施了12个UCG先导试验项目，为UCG技术进步做出了重要贡献。发明了盲孔法及V型炉体结构，率先将浅部UCG先导试验成功延伸到深度500~1000 m，系统环境监测结果为消减UCG环境安全担忧提供了实际依据。同时，欧盟国家成功与失败案例均给将来的UCG技术发展带来珍贵启示。UCG炉密封性地质条件研究及针对性的工程技术措施极其重要。提高气化效率及产品气质量，是实现UCG项目商业竞争力的关键。依靠自修复功能可以在短时间内使UCG炉附近地下水环境风险自行解除，但环境动态监控需要加强。

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is an important way of transforming China’s coal energy structure. European Union (EU) countries explored UCG for over 80 years, and their rich experience can be used as a reference for promoting UCG industrialization in China. The UK prepared for UCG pilot tests for the first time in the world. From 1944 to 2014, based on the experience of the former Soviet Union and the United States, EU countries successively implemented at least 12 UCG pilot test projects in three stages, making important contributions to the progress in UCG technologies. They invented the blind-hole method and a V-shaped gasifier structure, successfully extending UCG pilot tests from shallow parts to depths of 500‒1000 m first. The systematic monitoring results of the environment provided a practical basis for reducing the concern for the UCG-induced risks to environmental safety. Meanwhile, the cases of successful and unsuccessful UCG pilot tests of EU countries have brought valuable insights into the future development of UCG technologies. It is critical to investigate the geological conditions associated with UCG gasifier gas tightness and develop targeted engineering and technical measures. Furthermore, the key to achieving the commercial competitiveness of UCG projects is to improve gasification efficiency and product gas quality. The risks to the groundwater environment near a UCG gasifier can be eliminated automatically in a short time relying on its self-repair. However, it is necessary to enhance dynamic environment monitoring.