Two-step methane conversion process. [Higher hydrocarbons]

This patent describes a process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products. This process consists of: (a) contacting methane with a first agent at conditions effective to produce higher hydrocarbon products and water, the first agent containing at least one reducible oxide of at least one metal which oxide when contacted with methane at a temperature in the range of about 500/sup 0/C, to about 1000/sup 0/C, is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and water; and (b) oligomerizing at least a portion of the higher hydrocarbon product to still higher hydrocarbon products in the presence of an effective amount of a second agent capable of promoting the oligomerization, provided that the composition of the first agent is different from the composition of the second agent.