An inert-membrane catalytic reactor has been tested for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. This reactor consists of a fixed bed of Li/MgO catalyst encompassed by a porous ceramic membrane. Oxygen was permeated through the membrane while ethane was fed axially. Two different configurations of the membrane reactor were tested : a homogeneous wall membrane reactor and a mixed system which was equivalent to a membrane reactor followed by a conventional fixed bed reactor. Using this system, high conversions of ethane were obtained, while maintaining a good selectivity. This gave yields to ethylene and higher hydrocarbons of up to 57%. In addition, the membrane reactor allowed a safe and stable operation, even when a relatively high proportion of oxygen was used in the overall feed.