PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF A PARAFFINIC FEEDSTOCK

The invention relates to a process for the conversion of a paraffinic feedstock that comprises at least 50 wt% of compounds boiling above 370 ?C and which has a paraffin content of at least 60 wt%, an aromatics content of below 1 wt%, a naphthenic content below 2 wt%, a nitrogen content of below 0.1 wt%, and a sulphur content of below 0.1 wt%, the process comprising: a) subjecting the paraffinic feedstock to a hydroprocessing step to obtain an at least partially isomerised feedstock; b) separating the at least partially isomerised feedstock into one or more middle distillate fractions and a first residual fraction, wherein step a) is carried out by contacting the paraffinic feedstock with a first catalyst having hydrocracking and hydroisomerising activity and then with a second catalyst having hydrocracking and hydroisomerising activity, wherein the second catalyst is more active in hydroisomerisation and less active in hydrocracking than the first catalyst.