Eight tests were conducted using Asphalt Ridge tar sand to determine the effects of pyrolysis temperature and residence time on oil yield and product distribution and to produce samples for the evaluation of product oil characteristics. A 48-hour test was conducted to measure the operating time required to reach a steady state with respect to the composition of product gas and the elemental compositions of light product oil and heavy recycle oil. A 30-hour test was conducted using Sunnyside tar sand to obtain preliminary data. The product oil samples were analyzed to determine the distribution of hydrocarbon types and to relate this distribution to that typical of various fuel types. No major operational difficulties were experienced with the 2-inch screw pyrolysis reactor system. Experimental results obtained from the Asphalt Ridge and Sunnyside tar sands indicate that oil yields from the ROPE/copyright/ process could be greater than yields from conventional pyrolysis processes. 3 refs., 10 figs., 41 tabs.