In a methanol production process comprising synthesis gas generation, catalytic synthesis, recovery of crude methanol and purification by distillation, organic compounds of higher boiling point than methanol (the so-called "fusel oil" stream) are contacted in liquid form with a gaseous stream to be fed to synthesis gas generation, whereby to convert those compounds to synthesis gas. When an alkali is added to the crude methanol before distillation the contacting step permits utilisation of the organic compounds in the fusel oil, leaving an alkali compounds solution, which is withdrawn.