Abstract: The present invention concerns low energy requiring methods for processing low cellulosic biomass materials into oil, char and liquid components. One method comprises the steps of subjecting the biomass to hydrothermal carbonization under specified reaction conditions for producing a combined char and oil fraction as well as an aqueous fraction, separating the combined oil and char fraction from the aqueous fraction by filtration; separating the combined oil and char fraction into individual oil and char fractions using an organic solvent for forming an oil depleted char fraction and a liquid oil and solvent solution, and separating the liquid oil and solvent solution into individual oil and solvent fractions by distillation.