This paper summarizes the types and research progress of synthetic-based drilling fluids at home and abroad,and describes the main influencing factors affecting synthetic-based drilling fluids.And the development trend and prospect of synthetic-based drilling fluids are also prospected,and it is believed that the development types of synthetic-based drilling fluids are mainly based on bio-based and gas-to-oil,which will provide a reference basis for the subsequent development of drilling fluids in unconventional oil and gas fields.