Technology Evaluation
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Technical and economic assessment of new or existing conversion / upgrading processes
- Due diligence of candidate processes or technologies
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Kinetic and stability analysis and scale-up of pilot and demonstration plant data
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Development of conceptual design and preliminary process economics
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Comparison of technology and processing configurations with existing processes and processing routes
Conceptual Studies
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Modeling of heavy oil and associated processes to develop preliminary refinery or Upgrader balances
- Inclusion of secondary upgrading processes: hydrocracking, solvent deasphalting and gasification
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Estimate of plant utilities, required investment, operating costs, cash flow and profitability
- Sensitivity of profitability to key economic assumptions
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Effects of crude source, feed preparation (deasphalting, distillation, froth treatment) and feedrate
- Estimation of bitumen or heavy crude value based on Upgrader design and operation
Comparison of Processing Configurations
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Technical and economic comparison of processing configurations utilizing different upgrading and associated process steps
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Evaluation of new upgrading / conversion technologies in an overall Upgrader configuration
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Evaluation of hydrogen production method (SMR vs. gasification)
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Sensitivity studies on important technical and economic parameters
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Review of EPC Feasibility or Conceptual Studies
Other
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Tailored studies of current "State of the Art" in heavy oil conversion/upgrading
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Commercialization of new technologies
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Assessment of new processes, process development firms, and upgrading projects to the investment community