Syngas is formed by combining a carbon source with steam at an elevated temperature in a generally horizontal reactor. The heat for the reaction is provided by a stoichiometric combustion nozzle at a first end of the horizontal reaction chamber. The carbon source is deposited downwardly into the reaction chamber where it combines with a flowing stream of hot gas formed from the stoichiometric combustion in combination with steam and additional oxygen, if necessary. This flowing stream of gas reacts with the deposited carbon feed source and is directed to a cyclone separator where the formed syngas is recovered from an upper portion of the separator and any formed ash is directed into a collection tank.