Abstract: A method for reducing the concentration of metal contaminants, such as vanadium and nickel, in the distillate from a petroleum fraction is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the petroleum fraction in a contacting zone with an effective amount of sulfur dioxide of a sulfur dioxide precursor at a temperature ranging between about 200.degree. C. and 450.degree. C. for a period of time ranging between about 0.01 and 5 hours after which the fraction is passed to a vacuum separation zone and separated into a distillate having a relatively low metals content and a bottoms having a relatively high metals content.