Sub-Product

Synthetic Crude Oil is a light sweet Crude produced through the upgrading of Bitumen. SCO is typically a blend of Naphtha, Distillate, and Gas Oil streams from the Hydrotreater. The term "Synthetic" distinguishes upgraded Bitumen from conventional Crude, although the two streams are chemically identical. Since Synthetic Crude is light and Sulphur-free, it can be sold to a conventional (less complex) refinery. Synthetic Crude represents about 35% of Alberta's production in Canada. There are four SCO producers in Alberta — Syncrude, Suncor, Canadian Natural Resources and Shell.

Figure 1 - Products derived from the Oil Sands: Diluted Bitumen versus Synthetic Crude Oil (SCO)

Source: Oil Sands Magazine, Products from the Oil Sands: Dilbit, Synbit and Synthetic Crude Explained