The combustible component of a gas stream of low heating value is combusted using less than a stoichiometric amount of oxygen with minor production of carbon monoxide in the presence of an oxygenation catalyst comprising platinum and a cocatalyst selected from Groups IIA and VIIB, Group VIII up through atomic No. 45, the lanthanides, chromium, zinc, silver, tin and antimony. This combusted gas can be directly vented to the atmosphere after energy has been extracted from it for a useful purpose.