Aduro Clean Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:ADUR) said Thursday it has extended its Hydrochemolytic Technology (HCT) to highly paraffinic crude oils, supported by bench-scale testing and a new patent filing, positioning the platform to address long-standing transport and processing constraints tied to wax-heavy crude.
The clean technology company confirmed it has filed a continuation-in-part (CIP) patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to broaden intellectual property protection around this application.
The move builds on its existing portfolio covering bitumen upgrading and chemical recycling of waste plastics.
Bench-Scale Results Validate Technical Feasibility
Initial testing focused on "yellow wax" and "black wax" crude feedstocks sourced from Utah's Uinta Basin.
According to the company, HCT reduced wax content and produced lighter crude that remained stable at ambient conditions.
These results suggest the technology can effectively process highly paraffinic crude at the molecular level, reinforcing its versatility across different hydrocarbon inputs.
Paraffinic crude accounts for an estimated 20% to 33% of global oil production but faces limited refinery compatibility due to its physical properties.
The company said high wax content raises pour points and leads to solidification risks during transport, particularly in standard pipeline systems.
Addressing Costly Logistics And Market Access Barriers
Transporting such crude typically requires specialized infrastructure, including heated pipelines, insulated railcars, and steam-assisted unloading systems.
These requirements increase capital costs and restrict market access, ultimately weighing on realized pricing.
Aduro said its HCT platform is designed to mitigate these issues by enabling targeted molecular transformation under moderate conditions. The process aims to produce transport-ready crude while preserving desirable refining characteristics.
Expanding Platform Technology Applications
The latest development marks another extension of HCT's potential use cases, following its application in heavy bitumen upgrading and plastic recycling.
By addressing both logistical and processing challenges, Aduro is positioning HCT as a broader platform technology capable of handling diverse feedstocks, with paraffinic crude representing a significant new commercial avenue.
ADUR Stock Price Activity: Aduro Clean shares were down 0.84% at $11.87 during premarket trading on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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