FIELD: oil and gas production. SUBSTANCE: hydrogen sulfide is oxidized by air oxygen into elementary sulfur in presence of water-alkali solution of phthalocyanine catalyst. The latter is added to crude material in amount 0.05-1.0%. Alkali agent utilized is sodium hydroxide, ammonia, or sodium carbonate, and catalyst is disulfo-, tetrasulfo-, dichlorodihydroxydisulfo- or polyphthalocyanines of cobalt. Intake of alkali agent is 0.3-1.6 mol, that of air 0.1-0.2 cu. m, and that of catalyst 0.05-0.2 g per 1 mol of hydrogen sulfide. Process is carried out at 20-70 C and pressure 0.3-1.5 MPa for 5 to 180 min. A part of light mercaptans is also oxidized. EFFECT: improved purification degree and eliminated sulfur-alkali drains. 2 cl, 1 dwg, 3 tbl
