The optimisations of reduction and operation of Ni-YSZ anode supported micro tubular cells on pure methane were studied. A major problem of SOFCs is nickel anode performance on methane and higher hydrocarbons. The aim of this work was to study the effect of reduction and operation of anode-supported microtubular SOFCs using methane as both reductant and fuel. The results were compared to those from optimised operation using hydrogen. To measure mechanical strength, the three point bending test was employed. Temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) results were investigated to measure the carbon deposition on the anode in order to assess potential damage to the cermet catalyst. Also field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy EDS results were analysed on the anode surface.