Catalytic hydroliquefaction of sapropels differing in organic matter and heteroatom contents in the presence of Fe (2) O (3) -Al (2) O (3) -SiO (2) , (Co/Mo)Al (2) O (3) , and (Fe/Ni)Al (2) O (3) catalysts is studied. The process conditions [(Co/Mo)Al (2) O (3) catalyst, 450A degrees C, reaction time 1 h, and partial H (2) pressure 6 MPa] that maximize the yield of liquid products (53%) and convert the most sapropel organic matter (74%) are determined. It is shown that liquid products of sapropel organic matter degradation contain essentially C (8) --C (29) saturated hydrocarbons and aromatic and naphthenic and oxygen- and nitrogenbearing compounds in much smaller quantities. A scheme is proposed for catalytic hydroliquefaction of sapropel organic matter.