This study focuses on the synthesis of oil-soluble precursor catalysts using iron and nickel and evaluates their performance through laboratory simulations of aquathermolysis processes under varying temperature and duration conditions. The investigation highlights that the initial oil sample exhibits high resin content (27 %) and asphaltenes (∼4 %). Gas phase analysis reveals a significant increase in the levels of n-C1-C5 hydrocarbons and C4–C10 isomers (up to 3.5–4 times compared to control experiments), indicating substantial alterations in the oil's composition. After thermal steam treatment (TST), the viscosity of all samples decreases in comparison to the initial oil. For instance, when using an iron talate catalyst, the viscosity drops to 575 mPa s, which is approximately 10.5 times lower than the initial oil viscosity of 6027 mPa s. Additionally, experiments involving iron-based catalysts consistently exhibit reduced viscosity compared to control experiments, achieving a 2.2-fold decrease after a 72-h duration (from 1928 mPa s to 743 mPa s).Economic evaluations were conducted, demonstrating an additional oil production increase of 2855 tons. The net discounted income over a span of 4 years, resulting from the application of this catalytic aquathermolysis technology, totaled 40,652,750 russian rubles.