Process for the catalytic steam reforming of a hydrocarbon feed stock with a content of higher hydrocarbons and oxygen comprising the steps of catalytic pre-reforming the feed stock and steam reforming the pre-reformed feed stock, the pre-reforming step is carried out in presence of a fixed bed catalyst comprising at least a portion of a noble metal catalyst being active in oxidation of hydrocarbons to carbon oxides and conversion of higher hydrocarbons to methane, wherein the noble metal catalyst is supported on a carrier of MgO and/or MgAl2O4 spinel.