A hydrogenation catalyst particularly suitable for hydrogenating oxygenates in a hydrogenation unit of a Fischer-Tropsch plant is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises more than 5% and less than 20% nickel based on a wide pore alumina support. The catalyst successfully hydrogenates oxygenates which otherwise tend to poison a catalyst in a hydroconversion unit downstream. Moreover, the temperature at which the unwanted hydrogenolysis of long chain paraffins to methane occurs is higher for one catalyst disclosed herein than a comparable known catalyst. This allows the hydrogenation plant to operate at a higher temperature.