The review summarizes information on the effect of wave effects on various processes in chemistry and petrochemistry. Their classification by nature and by the physical bases of the processes taking place in this process is given. The main stages in the technology of oil refining (production, primary and deep oil refining, the use of fuels, environmental problems), in which wave processing plays a significant role, are considered. The questions of the mechanism of the effect of wave processes on oil systems are discussed.