Alumina-supported nickel catalysts modified with redox (Mo, Mn and Sn) oxides were tested in the catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) of methane and the wet catalytic partial oxidation (wet-CPO) of methane for syngas production. The influence of different reaction parameters on the performance of these systems was studied for both reactions. Certain insights on catalyst surface structure were revealed by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermal programmed reduction (TPR). The joint analysis of all the results led to certain correlations between the structure of the catalysts and catalytic activity, indicating that the redox additives to some extent modify the stability of the active nickel phase by altering the nickel-alumina interface interaction. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.