This study reported the synthesis of Ni -based catalysts on Al2O3 support carried out by twodifferent methods including co-impregnation and sequential impregnation. Different nitrate solutions of nickel, lanthanum, and magnesium were used for support impregnation. The calination process was carried out at 650 °C and 850 °C for 2 h under air. The XRD patterns of the catalyst samples presented main phases of Al2O3 and other diffraction lines corresponding to metal and oxide promoters; Ni, MgO and/or NiO, (Ni,Mg)Al2O4, La2O3 and La(AlO3). Prepared catalysts appeared in irregular shaped agglomerates of small particles of less than 1 micron. Surface area of co-impregnated catalysts increased with increasing calcination temperature while ones from sequential impregnation decreased except for those last impregnated with nickel salts. The La2O3-MgO-Ni/Al2O3 sequential impregnated catalyst had the highest surface area of 8.0-8.5 m2/g.