Abstract: The present research situation of nickel based methanation catalysts in China and abroad was reviewed.The effects of additives，carrier，and preparation methods on the performance of nickel based catalyst for methanation were emphatically introduced.In keeping with the catalytic activity of the catalyst，how to improve the performance of high temperature resistance，carbon deposition resistance，and anti-sulfur poisoning is the main research direction of nickel based methanation catalysts.On the basis of keeping good performance of the catalyst，reducing the production cost of nickel methanation catalysts has an important significance for its application in industry.

Key words: substitute natural gas, methanation, nickel based catalysts, catalytic activity