The effect of La promoter on the carbon deposition and catalytic activity in the synthesis gas production with supported Ni catalysts was investigated. Active component was Ni and support was $CeO_2$ and the promoter used was La. The reaction was carried out in a fixed bed reactor at 1 atm and $650{sim}800^{circ}C$. The catalysts were prepared by two methods, the impregnation method and urea method. The catalysts prepared by the urea method showed 10 times higher surface area than those of prepared by the impregnation method. By the introduction of La promoter in the catalyst system, carbon deposition was remarkably reduced from 16% to 2%. It appears that the promoter facilitates the formation of a stable fluoride-type phase, which reduces the carbon deposition. The best catalytic activity and CO and $H_2$ selectivities were obtained with 2.5wt% $Ni/Ce(La)O_x$ catalyst at $750^{circ}C$, giving 90% methane conversion, 93 and.80% of CO and $H_2$ selectivities, respectively.