The preparation of synthesis gas from carbon dioxide reforming of methane (CDR) has attracted increasing attention. The present review mainly focuses on CDR to produce synthesis gas over Ni/MO x /Al 2 O 3 (X = La, Mg, Ca) catalysts. From the examination of various supported nickel catalysts, the promotional effects of La 2 O 3 , MgO, and CaO have been found. The addition of promoters to Al 2 O 3 -supported nickel catalysts enhances the catalytic activity as well as stability. The catalytic performance is strongly dependent on the loading amount of promoters. For example, the highest CH 4 and CO 2 conversion were obtained when the ratios of metal M to Al were in the range of 0.04-0.06. In the case of Ni/La 2 O 3 / Al 2 O 3 catalyst, the highest CH 4 conversion (96%) and CO 2 conversion (97%) was achieved with the catalyst (La/ Al = 0.05 (atom/atom)). For Ni/CaO/Al 2 O 3 catalyst, the catalyst with Ca/Al = 0.04 (atom/atom) exhibited the highest CH 4 conversion (91%) and CO 2 conversion (92%) among the catalysts with various CaO content. Also, Ni/ MgO/Al 2 O 3 catalyst with Mg/Al = 0.06 (atom/atom) showed the highest CH 4 conversion (89%) and CO 2 conversion (90%) among the catalysts with various Mg/Al ratios. Thus it is most likely that the optimal ratios of M to Al for the highest activities of the catalysts are related to the highly dispersed metal species. In addition, the improved catalytic performance of Al 2 O 3 -supported nickel catalysts promoted with metal oxides is due to the strong interaction between Ni and metal oxide, the stabilization of metal oxide on Al 2 O 3 and the basic property of metal oxide to prevent carbon formation.