Synthesis gas production by partial oxidation of methane (POM) (CH4/O-2 = 1.8-4.5/1) at 850-960 degrees C over NdCaCoO3.96 was investigated using a fixed bed flow-type reactor. The NdCaCoO3.96-derived catalyst demonstrated conversion of CH4 and O-2 up to 90% while CO and H-2 selectivities were over 90% at a H-2/CO ratio similar to 2. The decomposition of NdCaCoO3.96 at POM conditions results in the formation of finely dispersed Nd2O3, CaO, cobalt oxides and cobalt metal. The as-prepared catalyst exhibited excellent stability of the catalytic properties, and no activity decrease was observed for 140 h of reaction. Synthesis gas formation was accompanied by carbon deposition on the catalyst. However, this process has little or no influence on the catalytic properties of the material. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.