Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydroconversion of heavy crude oil and an improved regenerable catalyst for use therein. The process broadly comprises (a) introducing into a hydroconversion reaction zone a feedstock of crude oil, hydrogen, from about 10 to about 1000 wppm of an active phase source selected from the group consisting of Group VB metals, Group VIB metals, Group VIIB metals, Group VIIIB metals, Group IA metals, Group IIA metals, and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.1 to about 20.0 wt. % of a refractory carrier material having a surface area in the range of from about 10 to about 700 m.sup.2 /g, a total pore volume of from about 0.1 to about 2.0 cm.sup.3 /g, an average pore diameter in the range of from about 20 to about 4,000 .ANG., a particle size diameter in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 .mu.m and pore size distribution according to the following:______________________________________ Pores of radius r (.ANG.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydroconversion of heavy crude oil and an improved regenerable catalyst for use therein. The process broadly comprises (a) introducing into a hydroconversion reaction zone a feedstock of crude oil, hydrogen, from about 10 to about 1000 wppm of an active phase source selected from the group consisting of Group VB metals, Group VIB metals, Group VIIB metals, Group VIIIB metals, Group IA metals, Group IIA metals, and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.1 to about 20.0 wt. % of a refractory carrier material having a surface area in the range of from about 10 to about 700 m.sup.2 /g, a total pore volume of from about 0.1 to about 2.0 cm.sup.3 /g, an average pore diameter in the range of from about 20 to about 4,000 .ANG., a particle size diameter in the range of from about 1 to about 1000 .mu.m and a pore size distribution according to the following:______________________________________ Pores of radius r (.ANG.