The produced water from oil and gas fields is the largest by-product generated during the extraction of oil and gas containing organic, inorganic compounds and solid suspended matter. With increasingly serious environmental problems and strict legislation, how to effectively handle the produced water from oil and gas fields has become a problem that the petroleum industry must face. Based on the introduction of the basic principle and classification of membrane separation technology and its origin in the treatment of produced water from oil and gas fields, this paper focuses on elaborating the common membrane separation process flow, applications, membrane fouling mechanisms, control approaches, cleaning methods in the treatment of produced water, and the comprehensive cost comparison. Based on the comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the current membrane separation technology in the treatment of produced water from oil and gas fields, the suggestions and prospects for further development are put forward.