Abstract: A process and device for electrically assisted partial oxidation of light hydrocarbons by oxygen. The purpose of the process and device is to produce gases rich in CO and H.sub.2 that may also have high contents of C.sub.2 H.sub.4 and C.sub.2 H.sub.2, without any formation of soot or coke by assisting with gliding electric discharge plasma the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons, accompanied by their steam reforming and/or reforming with CO.sub.2,. This mixture of products is achieved in a plasma reactor with gliding electric discharges that glow in the compartment brought to a temperature lower than 1200.degree. C. and at a pressure of less than 6 bars. The discharges act directly in an exothermic reactive medium consisting of hydrocarbons mixed with gaseous oxygen of any origin, and possibly with H.sub.2 O and/or CO.sub.2.