The article presents the results of the electromagnetic activation of petroleum feed in the vortex layer apparatus. It is shown that under the electromagnetic influence, there is a significant increase in the proportion of straight-run gasoline fraction distillate, as well as a change in the physicochemical parameters of the light fractions obtained as a result of the cavitation effect and the low-temperature cracking. It has been established that the processes of wave action on oil occurring in the electromagnetic field zone lead to a change in the individual and group hydrocarbon composition of the distillates obtained. The gasoline fraction produced from activated petroleum, due to an increase in the proportion of aromatic compounds, has a high octane number compared to the original straight-run fraction and low content of alkenes, which allows us to recommend its use as a high-octane component of motor fuels in the compounding and production of commercial gasoline.