A sulfur-containing acid removal process for deacidifying a crude oil and/or crude oil distillate containing sulfur-containing acids comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the crude oil and/or crude oil distillate containing sulfur-containing acids with a basic ionic liquid having a melting point of below 1500 °C, and extracting at least a portion of the sulfur-containing acids into the basic ionic liquid as an extract phase; and (b) separating a crude oil and/or crude oil distillate phase which is reduced in acidity from the basic ionic liquid extract phase.