AN ELECTROCATALYTIC PROCESS IS DESCRIBED FOR PRODUCING SYNTHESIS GAS FROM LIGHT HYDROCARBONS SUCH AS METHANE OR NATURAL GAS. THE PROCESS GENERALLY COMPRISES THE STEPS OF(A)PROVIDING AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL COMPRISING A SOLID ELECTROLYTE HAVING A FIRST SURFACE COATED WITH CONDUCTIVE METAL, METAL OXIDE OR MIXTURES THEREOF CAPABLE OF FACILITATING THE REDUCTION OF OXIGEN TO OXIGEN IONS, AND A SECOND SURFACE COATED WITH CONDUCTIVE METAL, METAL OXIDE OR MIXTURES THEREOF, PROVIDED THAT BOTH COATING ARE STABLE AT THE OPERATING TEMPERATURES,(B)HEATING THE CELL TO A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 1000?C.(C)PASSING AN OXYGEN-CONTAINING GAS IN CONTACT WITH THE FIRST CONDUCTIVE COATING;(D)PASSING METHANE, NATURAL GAS OR OTHER LIGHT HYDROCARBONS IN CONTACT WITH THE SECOND CONDUCTIVE COATING, AND;(E)RECOVERING SYNTHESIS GAS.