Reforming of methane with CO2 and oxygen was used to produce low H-2/CO ratio syngas over a Ni/MgO-SiO2 catalyst under certain reaction conditions. The effects of the reaction temperature, space velocity and feed gas composition were evaluated. The effect of catalyst fluidization on the conversion of methane was investigated over Ni/MgO-SiO2 and Pt-Ni/MgO-SiO2 catalysts. Circulation of Ni/MgO-SiO2 particles in the fluidized bed reactor gave much higher CH4 conversion than the case without circulation in the fixed bed reactor. This reactor effect was dependent on the catalyst properties. In addition, carbon deposition was inhibited in the fluidized bed reactor. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.