gamma-Al2O3 and SiO2 supported Co catalysts, with varying amounts of Ru, were prepared and evaluated for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The composition of Ru for optimum activity was found to be support-dependent. The reducible Co3O4 was high in the region of 0-1.64 wt.% of Ru in Co/SiO2 Catalysts. Co/gamma-Al2O3 displayed a maximum for reducible Co species at 0.42 wt.% Ru. Segregation of Ru occurred beyond this composition decreasing the extent of reduction. Co/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts showed lower activity and olefin selectivity, in spite of higher Co dispersion, than CO/SiO2 catalysts. The catalytic performance depends on the amount of reducible Co species, which again depends upon the optimum content of Ru. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.