Catalyst composition and a process that uses the catalyst composition for the hydroconversion of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock

A catalyst composition for use in the hydroconversion of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, wherein said catalyst composition comprising:

• a support material having incorporated therein:
• a molybdenum component in an amount such that it is present in said catalyst composition in an amount of from 5 wt. % to less than 12 wt. %, wherein the wt. % is based on the total weight of said catalyst composition and assuming said molybdenum component is in the oxide form regardless of its actual form;
• and
• a nickel component in an amount such that it is present in said catalyst composition in an amount such that said catalyst composition has a weight ratio of said nickel component-to-said molybdenum component of at least 0.28, with said weight ratio computed assuming said nickel component and said molybdenum component are each in the oxide form regardless of their actual forms;
• wherein said catalyst composition exhibits an absolute pitch conversion capability exceeding 0.16, and wherein said catalyst composition is characterized by a Raman spectrum that includes at least two Raman peaks having maxima in the Raman band range of from 275 cm−1 to 400 cm−1.