Petroleum Processing Program
Upgrading Heavy Crude Oils and Residues to Transportation Fuels:
Technology, Economics, and Outlook—Phase 8
SFA Pacific's ongoing program of “Upgrading” reports is an industry standard for analysis of bottom-of-the-barrel upgrading technology. Emphasis is on the technical and economic evaluation of conversion technologies, the influence of feedstock characteristics on conversion technology selection, and future market directions. This program began in 1983 and has been sponsored by over 70 companies worldwide.
Phase 8 Report Issued in late 2009
The Phase 8 report is particularly timely since the need for additional bottoms conversion and refining capability continues in conventional refineries in order to meet changing crude oil feed flexibility and refined products requirements. In addition, major upgrading efforts move ahead aggressively in utilization of the huge oil sands in Canada. Expansion of extra-heavy oil upgrading in Venezuela is also anticipated.
Like its predecessor phases (issued in 1984, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999, and 2003), the Phase 8 report is a stand-alone analysis that incorporates the latest process and market developments together with the impact of higher oil prices on economics.
The Phase 8 report includes the following:
- Incisive analysis of refining trends for utilizing residues, including a critical analysis of commercial operating experience
- Coking and thermal processing
- Residue FCC
- Catalytic residue hydroprocessing
- Critical solvent deasphalting
- Hydrogen production and management
- Gasification as a conversion strategy
- Extensive and detailed evaluation of process economics based on state-of the-art commercial processes and recent developments. The impact of higher oil prices on process economics is addressed.
- Assessment of newer process developments and their outlook, including slurry hydrocracking, and short-residence-time coking with emphasis on technology and economics
- Assessment of upgrading processes and projects—Western Hemisphere heavy oil: Alberta oil sands and Orinoco extra-heavy oils
- Incisive look at selected “wellhead” upgrading technologies and strategies
- Gasification deployment in refining and heavy oil recovery
- Coke production and issues
- CO2 emissions mitigation impacts on refining
Note: The seven earlier reports of this program are also available as part of SFA Pacific’s extensive unique database in bottoms and heavy oil processing.
Contact Us ... for more information on the Phase 8 program content, subscription, and price.