The production of synthesis gas has gained increasing importance because of its use as raw material for various industrial syntheses. In this paper synthesis gas generation during the reaction of a coal/methane with steam and oxygen, which is called the co-gasification of coal and natural gas, was investigated using a laboratory scale fixed bed reactor. It is found that about 95% methane conversion and 80% steam decomposition have been achieved when the space velocity of input gas (oxygen and methane) is less than 200 h(-1) and reaction temperature about 1000 degrees C. The product gas contains about 95% carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The reaction system is near the equilibrium when leaving the reactor. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.