APPLICATIONS

Heavy & Extra-Heavy
Crude Upgrading

Upgrade the barrel. Improve flow. Expand value.

MTF’s catalytic technology upgrades heavy and extra-heavy crude at or near the production site, reducing diluent needs, improving transportability, and creating a higher-value, refinery-ready crude.

THE CHALLENGE

The Real Cost of
Heavy Crude. ―

Heavy and extra-heavy crude can be abundant but is costly and complex to move, process, and commercialize.

High Viscosity

Thick, difficult-to-move crude that often requires heating or blending.

Diluent Dependence

Requires imported diluents (e.g., condensate or naphtha), adding cost, complexity, and supply risk.

Refinery Discounts

Heavy, sour crudes can be accepted by fewer refineries and typically trade at a value discount.

THE SOLUTION

MTF’s Catalytic
Upgrading Technology

A proven, integrated process that uses hydrogen transfer from water with a proprietary catalyst to upgrade heavy hydrocarbons under atmospheric pressure and moderate temperatures.
Learn More About Our Technology →
A SIMPLE, INTEGRATED PROCESS
1

Feed Preparation

Condition and prepare the crude feed.
2

Water + Catalyst

Introduce water and proprietary catalyst.
3

Catalytic Reactor

Transfer hydrogen to break heavy molecules.
4

Cooling & Separation

Stabilize and separate product streams.
5

Upgraded Products

Higher-value crude, VGO and liquid fuels.
PROVEN PERFORMANCE

Real-World
Upgrading Results.

Significant improvement in key crude properties, demonstrated at industrial scale.
API Gravity (°API)

14.45

→

25.32

Viscosity at 50°C (cP)

508

→

10.06

Sulfur (wt%)

5.5

→

1.433

Conradson Carbon (wt%)

12.44

→

0.24

Yields

80%

→

90%

Published Altamira crude example. Results vary by feedstock and process design.
WHY IT MATTERS

Value for Producers
and Refiners.

For Producers

For Refiners

MODULAR DEPLOYMENT

From Evaluation
to Operation.

A practical, modular approach that reduces complexity, risk, and time to value.

1

Site Assessment

Evaluate feedstock, logistics, and integration requirements.

❯
2

Engineering

Define process design, equipment, and site layout.

❯
3

Fabrication & Test

Build, test, and pre-commission modular units.

❯
4

Deployment

Install, commission, and start operations with rapid scalability.

Let’s Evaluate
Your Crude.

Share your crude assay and project objectives for a technical evaluation and tailored application plan.