A process to prepare base oils from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis product by
(a) separating the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis product into a fraction
(i) boiling in the middle distillate range and below, a heavy ends
fraction (iii) and an intermediate base oil precursor fraction (ii)
boiling between fraction (i) and fraction (iii), (b) subjecting the base
oil precursor fraction (ii) to a catalytic hydroisomerisation and
catalytic dewaxing process to yield one or more base oil grades, (c)
subjecting the heavy ends fraction (iii) to a conversion step to yield a
fraction (iv) boiling below the heavy ends fraction (iii) and (d)
subjecting the high boiling fraction (v) of fraction (iv) to a catalytic
hydroisomerisation and catalytic dewaxing process to yield one or more
base oil grades.