In order to improve cycle length, catalytic activity and selectivity towards heavy paraffins of Fischer-Tropsch cobalt-based catalysts a better comprehension of the structure and behaviour of supported nano-sized metallic cobalt in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is meaningful. A new X-ray absorption cell dedicated to in situ and operando experiments in heterogeneous catalysis has been built and tested on the SAMBA beamline at SOLEIL. Thanks to new equipments implemented on the SAMBA beamline (Quick-EXAFS monochromator, gas distribution system ...), we are now able to solve local structure of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts under realistic working conditions and improve our knowledge of catalytic property-structure relationship. The efficiency of this setup is illustrated by an operando study of a cobalt-supported catalyst. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.