In this paper CO(2) reforming of methane combined with partial oxidation of methane to syngas over noble metal catalysts (Rh, Ru, Pt, Pd, Ir) supported on alumina-stabilized magnesia has been studied. The catalysts were characterized by using BET, XRD, SEM, TEM, TPR, TPH and H(2)S chemisorption techniques. The H(2)S chemisorption analysis showed an active metal crystallite size in the range of 1.8-4.24 nm for the prepared catalysts. The obtained results revealed that the Rh and Ru catalysts showed the highest activity in combined reforming and both the dry reforming and partial oxidation of methane. The obtained results also showed a high catalytic stability without any decrease in methane conversion up to 50 h of reaction. In addition, the H(2)/CO ratio was around 2 and 0.7 over different catalysts for catalytic partial oxidation and dry reforming, respectively. (C) 2010 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.