A review of the current status of gasification technology shows that many engineering systems are immediately available for use in the gasification of coal. Widespread international experience can be brought to bear on the atmospheric pressure gasification of all Canadian coals. » Unless a high ash content dictates the use of a fluid bed gasifier, it appears that bituminous coals can be used in fixed bed systems and that the strongly caking coals are most suited to the high pressure entrained bed systems. Existing and developing technologies in fluid bed gasification are attractive for reactive lignites and subbituminous coals. The Fischer-Tropsch based process is the only commercial embodiment of coal liquefaction; the use of Canadian coals in this process depends only on their gasification characteristics. Current developments in hydroliquefaction are directed towards carboniferous coals of medium or high rank. It is not clear that cretaceous coals of the same rank will give similar process yields and economics.