Canadian bitumen and heavy oils because of high viscosity have to be blended with 25-35% diluent to meet pipeline specification for viscosity (350 cSt at 11<sup>o</sup>C).  In 2018 the production of Canadian oil sands increased and because of a number of issues other foreseen circumstances such as lack of pipeline capacity and prolonged shutdown of refineries using Canadian heavies for maintenance, the discount of WCS (Western Canadian Select) reached to as high as $50 US.   There is another factor that in a very short time may have a negative impact on the price for heavy crudes is the implementation of IMO for the reduction of sulphur in Marine fuels from 3.5% to 0.5%.  Although visbreaking does not reduce the sulphur content of the heavy feedstocks but the reduction of viscosity may create different processing options that was more difficult with high viscosity fuels.<br/>In this presentation different processing options for viscosity reductions will be reviewed and the activities of Canadian heavy oil producers in the development of partial upgrading technology will be discussed.<br/>

Partial upgrading: A closer reality for Canadian heavy oil producers

2019 Spring National Meeting

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