Comparison between refinery processes for heavy oil upgrading: a future fuel demand

Petroleum refining industry is entering into the significant era of reformation due to the depletion of light petroleum and an increase in heavy or extra heavy crude oil production. There is a strong need to revise the processes that are commercially available for heavy crude oil refining. Upgrading of heavy and extra heavy oil by means of catalytic processes requires new generation catalyst along with several modifications of process conditions. This review focuses on the description of different ways to convert heavy crude oils into synthetic crude oil. Specific illustrative examples of hydroprocessing indicated how such studies may open up new routes in the search of suitable catalyst and process for upgrading heavy petroleum. [Received: October 10, 2007; Accepted: January 12, 2008]