The mechanism of the partial oxidation of methane has been investigated over a bimetallic Pt-Ru catalyst. Dedicated experiments aimed to separate and quantify the relative contribution of single reactions included in the so-called "combustion and reforming" mechanism using the same catalyst. The catalyst is 0.5% Ru and 0.5% Pt (w/w) supported on mixture of alumina, ceria and zirconia (75/4.4/20.6%, w/w), washcoated on a ceramic monolith. Steam reforming, dry reforming, direct and reverse water-gas shift reactions were investigated. The temperature range investigated is 300 < T < 800 degrees C, while the space velocity range is 25.000 < GHSV < 100.000 h(-1). Conditions at which single side reactions are expected to occur during the partial oxidation process, were approximated by tuning the reactant composition. The experimental results are also compared with thermodynamic equilibrium calculations. The CO and H-2 yields of partial oxidation have been quantitatively connected with steam and dry reforming, while the persistent water-gas shift reaction always rearranges the products and intermediates. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.