[skyemoor]

1. What additional resources (i.e, energy, materials, etc) are required to process heavy oils? Anything additional then for heavy sour oils? How does the EROEI change?

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tanada', '.')..refinery gains come at considerable costs for processing heavy oil with Hydrogen. Without a cheap source of hydrogen those gains cease to exist.

[skyemoor]

Partial answer to 1. above.;

Study Evaluates Benefits of Ultrasound Technology for Upgrading Heavy, Sour Crude Oil
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'U')se of ultrasound technology to desulfurize and hydrogenate heavy crude oil adds $3.30 to $3.50 in value per barrel of Maya crude according to tests commissioned by the technology developer, SulphCo. SulphCo’s Sonocracking technology upgrades sour heavy crude oils into sweeter, lighter crudes, producing more gallons of usable oil per barrel at lower cost and environmental impact than conventional HDS (Hydro-Desulphurization) units.

SulphCo positions its process as a cost-effective complement to existing refinery HDS units, enabling refiners to avoid or at least reduce the cost of building new, revamping old or operating high-pressure/high-temperature HDS units. In addition, SulphCo’s technology can help to reduce the need for building more hydrogen generation plants.