FIELD: petrochemical processes. SUBSTANCE: oil feedstock, optionally in presence of hydrogen, is processed at 240-480 C (better at 320-440 C) and pressure 0.2-4.0 MPa (better 0.5-2 MPa) on catalyst containing 0.01 to 5.0 wt % of zeolite Pentasil composed of 
and modified with I-VIII group elements or their compounds or 0.0105.0 % of zeolite composed of 
, wherein ΣEnOm is one or two oxides of elements of II, III, V and VI groups, and k is moisture capacity factor, or zeolite of the same analysis modified with I-VIII group elements or their compounds, after which reaction mixture is cooled and separated into gaseous and liquid fractions involving condensation followed by rectification. Catalyst is regenerated (to burning away catalyst coke) at 450-540 C and pressure 0.1-4 MPa first with regenerating gas containing 0.3 to 5 vol % and then 15 to 21 vol % oxygen. EFFECT: increased catalyst lifetime and preserved high level of catalytic activity. 6 cl, 2 tbl, 23 ex
