Two stage metal-containing oil hydrodesulfurization process employing an activated alumina catalyst in the second stage

A process of hydrodesulfurizing a metalcontaining hydrocarbon feed oil at a temperature between 600.degree. and 1,000.degree.F., and a hydrogen pressure between 50 and 5,000 psi comprising passing said feed oil and hydrogen through first and second hydrodesulfurization zones in series with interzone removal of gaseous by-products, the catalyst in said second zone comprising Group VI-B and Group VIII metals supported on a first alumina said first alumina being prepared by drying and calcining a crystalline alumina hydrate having 1.2 to 2.6 mols of water of hydration per mol of alumina, the catalyst in said first zone comprising Group VI-B and Group VIII metals supported on a second alumina, said second alumina being prepared by drying and calcining an alumina hydrate selected from the group consisting of alumina monohydrate and alumina trihydrate, and maintaining the temperature in said second zone higher than the temperature in said first zone.