FIELD: crude oil treatment. SUBSTANCE: hydrogen sulfide and low-molecular mercaptans contained in crude oil are oxidized with air oxygen in presence of water-alkali solution of phthalocyanine catalyst and emulsifiers facilitating emulsification of water-alkali solution in raw material at temperatures 0 to 65 C and pressure 0.1 to 3.0 MPa. 0.1-2.5 mol alkali (sodium, potassium, or ammonium hydroxide) and 0.01-0.2 g phthalocyanine catalyst are taken per 1 mol sulfur. Emulsion is added in amount 1 to 50 g per 1 t raw material. Employed emulsifiers are hydroxides and water- and oil-soluble salts of calcium and magnesium, naphthenic and sulfonic acids and their salts. Calcium and magnesium salts of cobalt sulfophthalocyanines are used simultaneously as catalysts and emulsifiers. EFFECT: reduced raw material and water-alkali solution stirring time and thereby eliminated or decreased volume of reactor (oxidation column) for conducting sulfur oxidation reaction. 4 cl, 2 tbl, 2 ex
