The present invention relates to a hydrotreating catalyst composed of a carrier having a Brønsted
acid content of at least 50 mumol / g such as a silica-
alumina carrier or a silica-
alumina-third component carrier, in which the silica is dispersed to high degree and a Brønsted
acid content is at least 50 mumol / g, and at least one
active component (A) selected from the elements of Group 8 of the
Periodic Table and at least one
active component (B) selected from the elements of Group 6 of the
Periodic Table, supported on said carrier. The present invention also relates to a method for hydrotreating
hydrocarbon oils using the same. The hydrotreating catalyst of the present invention provides excellent tolerance to the inhibiting effect of
hydrogen sulfide, high desulfurization activity, and exhibits notable effects for deep desulfurization of
hydrocarbon oils containing high contents of
sulfur, in particular gas oil fractions containing difficult-to-remove
sulfur compounds. The hydrotreating catalyst of the present invention is also very effective for
hydrodenitrogenation, hydrocracking, hydrodearomatization, hydroisomerization, hydrofining and the like of
hydrocarbon oils.