A process for producing a carbon dioxide depleted synthesis gas product by steam reforming is provided. The process includes cooling crude synthesis gas stream produced in a main reforming stage in a first cooling device and reacting in a carbon dioxide absorption column, reacting a carbon dioxide loaded absorbent stream from the carbon dioxide absorption column in an absorbent regeneration column, cooling the carbon dioxide enriched hot vapor stream from the absorbent regeneration column in a second cooling device and cooling a carbon dioxide depleted hot absorbent stream from the absorbent regeneration column in a third cooling device. Preheated air streams from the cooling devices are fed as oxidant to the main reforming stage.