The catalytic steam reforming of shale gas was examined over NiO on Al2O3 and NiO on CaO/Al2O3 in the double role of catalysts and oxygen carrier (OC) when operating in chemical looping in a packed bed reactor at 1 bar pressure and S:C 3. The effects of gas hourly space velocity GHSV (h(-1)), reforming temperatures (600-750 degrees C) and catalyst type on conventional steam reforming (C-SR) was first evaluated. The feasibility of chemical looping steam reforming (CL-SR) of shale gas at 750 degrees C with NiO on CaO/Al2O3 was then assessed and demonstrated a significant deterioration after about 9 successive reduction-oxidation cycles. But, fuel conversion was high over 80% approximately prior to deterioration of the catalyst/OC, that can be strongly attributed to the high operating temperature in favour of the steam reforming process. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC.