Methane reforming with CO2 over Samaria-promoted Ni and Co/SBA-15 was comparatively investigated. The Co, Ni (10%wt) and Sm (0.5, 1 and 1.5%wt) ions were introduced by two solvent impregnation method. The Ni and Co catalysts with/without promoter, were examined by N2 adsorption-desorption, x-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods, and then evaluated in CO2 reforming of methane. The XRD and TEM results indicated that Ni and Co/SBA-15 promoted by 1%wt of Samaria, had the smallest NiO and Co3O4 particles size and the highest dispersion; as a result, they would rather studying dry reforming of methane test. Catalytic results indicated that Samaria promoted Ni/SBA-15 had the highest conversion (CH4 conversion similar to 58% at 700 degrees C, while a remarkable decrease of catalytic activity was observed over Samaria-promoted Co/SBA-15 (CH4 conversion similar to 25% at 700 degrees C). The positive effect of Samaria on Ni/SBA-15 catalyst activity is probably due to smaller NiO particles, higher NiO dispersion and lower trend to carbon deposition. On the contrary, the negative effect of Samaria on Co/SBA-15 catalyst activity is maybe due to Co oxidation to inactive phase and sintering of Co particles in high temperatures. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.