A hydrocracking process for converting a petroleum feedstock to higher
gravity, lower sulfur products, especially ultra low sulfur road diesel
fuel. The process may be operated as a single-stage or two-stage
hydrocracking. In each case, a hydrocracking step is followed directly by
a post-treat hydrodesulfurization zone using a bulk multimetallic
catalyst comprised of at least one Group VIII non-noble metal and at
least two Group VIB metals with a ratio of Group VIB metal to Group VIII
non-noble metal is from about 10:1 to about 1:10. In the two-stage option
with interstage ammonia removal, the initial hydrocracking step may be
followed by hydrodesulfurization using the bulk multimetallic catalyst
prior to the ammonia removal which is followed by the second
hydrocracking step. A final hydrodesulfurization over the bulk
multimetallic catalyst may follow. The hydrodesulfurization over the bulk
multimetallic catalyst is carried out at a pressure of at least 25 barg
and preferably at least 40 barg.