Aduro Clean Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ADUR) (CSE: ACT) (FSE: 9D5), a clean technology company that leverages chemistry to convert lower-value feedstocks such as waste plastics, heavy bitumen, and renewable oils into valuable resources, has announced its membership in the Utah Petroleum Association (UPA). This trade association represents companies across Utah's oil and gas industry, including producers, refiners, and midstream operators.
Strategic Membership for Petroleum Applications
The membership supports Aduro's expanding petroleum applications program, which focuses on upgrading paraffinic crude oils. This is particularly relevant to the Uinta Basin, known for its distinctive "yellow wax" and "black wax" feedstocks. The Uinta Basin is a major region for paraffinic crude production in North America, but its high wax content requires specialized transport, reheating infrastructure, and selective refinery acceptance.
Founded in 1958, UPA provides a platform for Aduro to engage directly with key stakeholders, including operating companies that can offer insights into how its Hydrochemolytic Technology (HCT) might be integrated into the basin's ecosystem. This collaboration is expected to help transition the technology from laboratory validation to pilot-scale applications.
CEO and UPA President Statements
"Joining the Utah Petroleum Association supports our efforts to advance our petroleum applications program from laboratory validation toward structured, pilot-scale engagement with industry," said Ofer Vicus, CEO of Aduro. "UPA's membership base reflects the full Uinta Basin value chain and gives Aduro the opportunity to present the potential benefits of HCT for paraffinic crude upgrading while deepening our understanding of the transport, handling, and refinery compatibility considerations associated with waxy crude streams. Solidifying industry relationships now positions Aduro to evaluate, alongside operators, where HCT can deliver the greatest commercial impact."
Rikki Hrenko-Browning, President of the Utah Petroleum Association, commented, "We're pleased to welcome Aduro Clean Technologies to UPA. Innovation in how we move and process Utah's waxy crudes has real implications for the competitiveness of our basin. We are excited for Aduro to explore pilot opportunities here in Utah."
Recent Advancements in Petroleum Applications
Aduro's UPA membership follows several recent milestones in its petroleum applications program. The company filed a continuation-in-part patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to extend Hydrochemolytic Technology intellectual property protection to the upgrading of highly paraffinic crude oils. Additionally, Scott Smith, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., was appointed as Program Director, Petroleum Technology Solutions.
Recent bench-scale testing on Uinta Basin yellow wax and black wax feedstocks demonstrated that HCT processing reduced the wax content of treated crude, and the treated crude remained stable at ambient conditions. If reproduced at scale, this result could directly address long-standing transport and refinery compatibility constraints associated with waxy crude production.
