Oxidative conversion of ethane to ethylene over a SrO-promoted Er2O3 supported on low-surface area macroporous silica-alumina commercial catalyst carrier (SA5205, obtained from Norton Co., USA) in presence of steam (steam/C2H6 mole ratio = 1.0) and limited O-2 (C2H6/O-2 mole ratio greater than or equal to 4.0) has been thoroughly investigated. Influence of different process parameters such as temperature (700-850degreesC), C2H6/O-2 feed ratio (4.0-8.0) and space velocity (50,000-200, 000 cm(3) g(-1) h(-1)) on the conversion of ethane and product selectivity in the process has been studied. High selectivity (greater than or equal to80%) of C2+ olefins at 50-70% conversion of ethane could be obtained at very low contact time without coke deposition on the catalyst at 800-850degreesC. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.