Process for producing an oligomerization catalyst

A process for producing an oligomerization catalyst, comprising at least the steps of:

• a) mixing an amorphous silica-alumina support material comprising from 10% to 20% by weight of Al2O3 and from 80% to 90% by weight of SiO2, an Al-containing and Si-free or Al-free and Si-containing binder, at least a portion of a nickel source comprising an aqueous, ammonia-free nickel solution of a nickel compound, an aqueous, ammonia-free nickel paste of a nickel compound or a combination of the abovementioned nickel solution and the abovementioned nickel paste, wherein the nickel compound is selected from the group consisting of nickel nitrate (Ni(NO3)2), nickel acetate (Ni(ac)2), nickel acetylacetonate (Ni(acac)2), nickel sulfate (NiSO4), nickel citrate or nickel carbonate (NiCO3), and granulating the resulting mixture, wherein the amorphous silica-alumina support material in step a) is in the ammonia form;
• b) treating the granulate produced in step a) with at least another portion of a nickel source as defined for step a);
• and
• c) calcining the granulate to produce the oligomerization catalyst.