The problems of synthesis gas manufacture in relation to the thermochemical characteristics of the interaction of hydrocarbons with various oxidants (H(2)O, CO(2), O(2)), coke formation, and catalyst deactivation are considered. Prospects for the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons have been discussed in light of recent developments in the field of oxygen-permeable membrane materials. Data on oxide systems containing active lattice oxygen are presented, which opens the possibility of manufacturing synthesis gas from hydrocarbon mixtures, in particular, from associated gas.