The pyrolysis of methane can be tailored to produce mixtures of acetylene, ethylene and hydrogen in a range of ratios with controlled amounts of carbon monoxide also present if desired. Various strategies can be envisaged for the conversion of such mixtures to higher hydrocarbons. In this work we have examined the potential of metals active for the Fischer-Tropsch reaction (cobalt, iron and nickel) to bring about the conversion. The testing was carried out using 20 wt% metal/silica catalysts in a fixed bed with a feed containing 10% hydrocarbon and 20 or 30% hydrogen. Fe/SiO₂ deactivated instantly when exposed to acetylene but Ni/SiO₂ gave complete conversion for long periods at 100°C with a 45% yield of oligomers, primarily even-numbered olefins. The initial yield of oligomers was even higher with Co/SiO₂ and they were largely paraffinic. However the catalyst showed a precipitous loss of activity after some hours of operation, ethylene breaking through first followed soon after by acetylene. The reaction of ethylene was again slowest over Fe/SiO₂ and the catalyst deactivated. Ni/SiO₂ was stable and very active but the oligomer yield was low. Co/SiO₂ was also very active with the highest yield of oligomers, and unlike the situation for the corresponding reaction of acetylene, was reasonably stable. The reaction of ethylene over both Ni/SiO₂ and Co/SiO₂ was inhibited by small concentrations of carbon monoxide, which also had an effect on oligomer yield, as did temperature and the H₂/C₂H₄ ratio.