The invention provides a process for the preparation of an olefinic product comprising ethylene and/or propylene comprising: a) steam cracking a paraffinic feedstock to obtain an effluent comprising olefins; b) converting an oxygenate to obtain a gaseous effluent comprising olefins; c) subjecting both effluents to water removal and compression steps, wherein the effluents are combined before the water removal step, between the water removal and the compression steps or after the compression step to obtain a combined gaseous effluent; d) removing acid gas from the combined gaseous effluent obtained in step c), wherein the combined gaseous effluent is treated with a caustic solution in a caustic tower and a non-aqueous liquid stream comprising one or more aromatic C7+ hydrocarbons is added to the caustic solution to control the formation of red oil, to obtain a treated gaseous effluent; and e) separating the olefinic product from the treated gaseous effluent.