Mixed oxide catalysts derived from hydrotalcites were applied to model biogas reforming (CH4:CO4 = 1.5:1). Ni-x/MgAl and Ni-x/MgAlCe (x = 10% or 25% w/w nominal nickel content) were prepared by the coprecipitation method. Both Ni10%/MgAl and Ni10%/MgAlCe catalysts showed potential for syngas production due to their stability. CO2-TPD measurements and XANES results helped understand the Ni10%/MgAl and Ni10%/MgAlCe catalysts performance be similar. XANES spectra suggested that the majority of Ni+2 would be present inside the solid solution in Ni10%/MgAlCe, making the activation process more difficult, which probably compromised the conversions enhancement in relation to Ni10%/MgAl. The H-2/CO ratio lower than unity makes the obtained syngas suitable for the Fischer-Tropsch process. The carbon deposits on Ni10%/MgAlCe catalyst were less stable, which means that it could be gasified more easily. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.