Process for converting solid carbonaceous materials to methane, comprising (a) converting the carbonaceous material by means of a reducing gas at 300.degree.-500.degree. C. to a semi-oily phase adapted to be pumped and atomized, (b) heating falling droplets of said semi-oily phase to a temperature of 700.degree.-1600.degree. C. with hot solid particles in downward jets in the presence of reducing gas, under a presssure above 20 bars, (c) separating the solid particles of large size (d), heating them and feeding them back to step (b), (e) cooling the remaining fraction consisting of gas and solid particles of small size by means of a cold reducing gas and separating methane therefrom, and (f) treating the remaining solid phase of fine particles with oxygen and steam to produce a reducing gas fed back to steps (a) and (b).