Accurate flow metering in pipelines is not only the premise of logistics handover but also an important factor in measuring a country’s scientific and technological level. This article summarized the classification of single-phase flow metering technology and the progress of energy metering. The characteristics and technical limitations of three multi-phase flow metering methods:Gas-liquid separation metering, gas-liquid mixed-phase metering, and gas-liquid sampling metering were clarified. And the principle, characteristics, implementation methods and limitations of virtual metering were described. It is believed that traditional single-phase flow metering technology has reached a significant level of maturity. However, it still faces various key technologies and challenges, including flow metering technology for extreme parameters and complex environments, multi-phase flow metering technology for oil, gas, and water under phase change conditions, bulk crude oil trade and handover metering system, complex slurry flow metering technology, and pipeline flow value traceability. In response to the metering requirements for new pipeline business forms and scenarios, the following suggestions were put forward: Strengthening the research and development of multiphase flow meters for new business forms and scenarios and establishing multi-phase metering standards; constructing a pipeline flow value traceability system to rapidly calibrate flow meters; accelerating the research and development of models driven by data and mechanisms and promoting the large-scale application of virtual metering; building a unified and open pipeline data sharing center to advance the in-depth utilization of metering data resources.