Catalysts were prepared from hydrotalcite precursors, characterized and tested in the reaction of methane steam reforming to produce hydrogen. The precursors were synthesized by: the traditional technique, with co-precipitation of Ni, Mg and Al nitrates with carbonate; coprecipitation of Mg and Al nitrates with pre-synthesized nickel chelate and anion-exchange of NO3- of hydrotalcite with nickel chelate. The oxides were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, specific surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) with H-2, catalytic tests and elemental analysis. The catalytic tests demonstrated high methane conversion, high activity for hydrogen production and high stability during the time of reaction for a molar ratio in the feed H2O:CH4 = 2:1. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.