Results of coking, catalytic cracking, and hydropyrolysis of Asphalt Ridge bitumen are compared. The unusual chemical nature of Uinta Basin bitumen requires that examination of various primary processes and a search for optimum conversion conditions be made. The principal chemical objective in primary processing is to reduce the molecular weight with a minimum cost in light product yields and a minimum requirement for hydrogen. Coking was shown to produce high yields of liquids and gases with a low sulfur coke as a potentially valuable by-product. Temperature was shown to have a significant effect on total yields in coking but had little effect on volatiles composition. Pressure was shown to have a significant effect both on composition and yields. Catalytic cracking produced high yields of liquids and gaseous products. Further research to find optimum conditions and the most appropriate role for catalytic cracking in bitumen processing is indicated. Hydropyrolysis was shown to convert bitumen in virtually 100% yields to gases and medium volatility liquids with low consumptions of hydrogen. This process shows good potential as a viable primary processing step. Analysis revealed that the structure of products can be significantly affected by various processing sequences studied. Analytical results are highly instructive as to what must be accomplished chemically during the conversion of virgin bitumen. The structure of the products also gives important clues as to the gross mechanisms of conversion. The results provide a basis for further evaluation of the most desirable approach to processing of Uinta Basin bitumen.