Abstract: Combustible ice is globally recognized as a clean and efficient energy and attracts the concerns and investment of governments. The distribution of combustible ice all over the world and its exploration and development status in the United States, Japan, Russia and Canada were firstly investigated. Secondly, the cases of combustible ice production test in subsea areas and land tundras were analyzed. Thirdly, the researches on combustible ice development program, the formation of key exploitation technologies and the process of successful production test in China were introduced. Fourth, eight innovative techniques applied to the combustible ice production test in Shenhu, the South China Sea were analyzed. Fifth, the principles and applicable reservoirs of nine combustible ice exploitation modes were expounded. Finally, it was pointed out that the commercial exploitation of combustible ice is faced with the problems in terms of exploitation cost, greenhouse effect, geological disaster and environmental effect. It is recommended to treat the exploitation of combustible ice cautiously, and consider "resource demand" and "environmental safety" overall. It is necessary to protect the basic environment for the survival of human being, while making combustible ice resources benefit the offspring constantly.