"In this study we characterize an Asphalt Ridge bitumen and compare these characteristics to Athabasca bitumen. The Asphalt Ridge bitumen was subjected to pyrolysis under isothermal conditions in a batch reactor and the product properties and kinetics of pyrolysis are presented. Also presented are the results of a preliminary study of the visbreaking of Asphalt Ridge bitumen. These results are compared with those reported for visbreaking of Athabasca bitumen Some qualitative observations about the pyrolysis rnechanism are made which are based on the knowledge of bitumen composition."