This article deals with a study of bitumen conversion (the gross-formula CH1.47N0.01S0.007) in a supercritical water (SCW) flow continuously supplied at the bottom of the vertically located tubular reactor. At the first stage, bitumen was continuously supplied from the top of the reactor into a counter-current SCW flow (400 degrees C, 30 MPa) for 60 min. At the second stage (after ceasing the supply of bitumen into the reactor), SCW was pumped through the layer of bitumen residue at uniform (2.5 degrees C/min) temperature increase from 400 to 700 degrees C at 30 MPa. The amount and composition of the liquid and volatile conversion products were measured. It is revealed that during bitumen supply into the reactor and subsequent pumping of SCW through the layer of bitumen residue in the temperature increasing mode from 400 to 500 degrees C, the yields of liquid conversion products are equal to 26.9 and 45.4%, respectively, relative to the weight of bitumen supplied into the reactor. Oils are the major components of these liquid products. Participation of H2O molecules in redox reactions became evident due to the formation of CO and CO2 even at 400 degrees C. A significant increase in the yields of H-2, CH4, and CO2 are detected at T > 600 degrees C. Based on the sulfur balance, it can be stated that the degree of bitumen desulfurization at 400-700 degrees C due to sulphur removal in form of H2S accounts for 21.6 wt.% A solid carbonaceous bitumen residue, obtained after SCW conversion, is characterized by high specific surface (224 m(2)/g). (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.