Abstract: A pentane-insoluble asphaltene was processed by thermal hydrocracking and catalytic hydrocracking over Ni-Mo/γ-Al2O3 in a microbatch reactor at 430ºC. The experimental data of asphaltene conversion fit second-order kinetics adequately, to give the apparent rate constants of 2.435 x10-2 and 9.360 x10-2 wt frac-1min-1for the two processes respectively. A three-lump kinetic model is proposed to evaluate rate constants of parallel reactions of asphaltenes to produce liquid oil (k1) and gas + coke (k3), and consecutive reaction from liquid to gas + coke (k2). The evaluated k1 is 2.430Х10-2 and 9.355Х10-2 wt frac-1min-1, k2 is 2.426Х10-2 and 6.347Х10-3 min-1 , and k3 is 5.416Х10-5 and 4.803Х10-5 wt frac-1min-1 for asphaltenes hydrocracking in the presence or absence of the catalyst, respectively. Analysis of selectivity shows that the catalytic hydrocracking process promotes liquid production and inhibits coke formation effectively.