Activation of a nickel-chromium catalyst for low temperature steam reforming of C2+-alkanes to methane rich gas has been studied by TPR and XRD in situ techniques. The activation procedure has been studied with the following reducing agents: hydrogen, syngas, methanol and the reaction mixture of low-temperature steam reforming. Attempts were made to activate the catalyst at 300, 340 and 420 degrees C. Activated samples were tested in low-temperature steam reforming of a methane-propane mixture. A passivation process has been proposed and tested for compatibility with following activation in the LTSR reaction mixture.