BituMax – CNOOC’s Partial Upgrading Technology

Partial upgrading can maximize the benefits of bitumen commercialization. CNOOC’s partial upgrader includes three distinct processing steps: 1) Partial oil/water separation followed by (paraffinic) solvent deasphalting of the water-in-oil emulsion and asphaltenes-water slurry processing; 2) High-conversion thermal cracking designed to achieve viscosity and gravity specifications without the need for more expensive processes such as delayed coking or residue hydrocracking; 3) Olefin-aromatic alkylation that reduces olefins without employing conventional hydrotreating. BituMax integrates these various technologies in a unique manner while minimizing investment, minimizing operating costs, improving overall yield and quality of the upgraded oil, minimizing GHG emissions and eliminating hydrogen use.