Abstract: The catalyst comprises a mixture of hydrocracked residual asphaltene and metal-doped coke. The catalyst is produced by mixing an oil-soluble metal compound catalyst precursor (e.g. Mo or Ni soap) with heavy oil containing asphaltene and hydrocracking the mixture, producing solid coke as a byproduct. The residual asphaltene fraction in the hydrocracked oil is then precipitated, for example with n-pentane. The mixture of solid coke and precipitated asphaltene is separated and used as the catalyst for hydrocracking a new batch of non-hydrocracked oil. The coke and asphaltene mixture provides as effective a catalyst as the original metal soap catalyst precursor. The coke and asphaltene mixture recovered from a second stage of coke and asphaltene mixture catalysed hydrocracking of heavy oil is still an effective catalyst and can be used again without significant loss in catalytic activity.

Abstract: A process is provided for hydrocracking a heavy oil bitumen and chemically related feedstock. The process comprises reacting said feedstock with a gaseous superacid in the presence of hydrogen with or without the use of a hydrogen transfer agent to thereby yield lower boiling point distillates.