Method of producing aromatics and light olefins from a hydrocarbon feedstock

A method of producing aromatics and light olefins from a hydrocarbon feedstock, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) subjecting the hydrocarbon feedstock to a solvent extraction process in a solvent extraction unit;
• (b) separating from the solvent extracted hydrocarbon feedstock obtained in step (a) a raffinate fraction comprising paraffins and a fraction comprising aromatics and naphthenes;
• (c) hydrocracking said fraction comprising aromatics and naphthenes in a hydrocracking unit and separating reaction products from the hydrocracking into a high content aromatics fraction and a stream high in light paraffins, wherein said hydrocracking unit is a selective hydrocracking and hydro-desulphurization unit suitable for preserving aromatic species whilst simultaneously dehydrogenating a portion of naphthenic species into aromatic species, hydrocracking non-aromatic species, including remaining naphthenic species and paraffinic species, into LPG species and hydro-desulphurising any organo-sulphur species present with the non-aromatic species, wherein the operating conditions are WHSV between 0.5 and 3 hr−1, a H2:hydrocarbon ratio between 2:1 and 4:1, pressure between 689475 Pa and 2757902 Pa and reactor inlet temperature between 470 and 550° C.;
• (d) converting said raffinate fraction in a steam cracking unit into light olefins.