The direct partial oxidation of methane to methanol in supercritical water has been investigated in an isothermal, laminar reactor over the temperature range of 400 to 450 degrees C at 250 bar. Methane was mainly oxidized to CO, CO2, CH3OH, and H-2. The highest selectivity to methanol obtained was approximately 35% with methane conversion of 1-3% at 400-410 degrees C. Since oxygen was the rate-limiting species, the reaction kinetics were determined on the basis of oxygen concentration.