Series of Re2O7/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts promoted with Ni, Co, and K were studied as sour gas shift catalysts. Samples were prepared by consecutive incipient wetness impregnation. Catalytic measurements were performed in a fixed bed reactor at atmospheric pressure in the range of 180-400 degrees C at GHSV of 4000 h(-1) and steam/gas ratio of 0.3. The samples were characterised by means of N-2 physisorption, X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that oxidation state ratio of rhenium sulphidic to rhenium oxygen-containing species, namely Re4+/(Re7+(+Re6+)), gives important information about redox relationship between Re4+ and Re7+ oxidation states according to additive type (K, Ni, and Co) and combinations among them. Three factors, namely, uniform deposition of K-Co-Re species on carrier surface, balance between Re sulphidic and oxidic species, and synergism among components were beneficial to the highest activity of KCoRe catalyst. This system was considered a promising catalyst for water-gas shift reaction with sulphur-containing feed in the 250-400 degrees C temperature range.