The initiated pyrolysis of heavy oil in the presence of near-critical water (near-CW) was investigated with density functional theory (DFT) calculation and experimental characterization. Theoretical calculation indicated the thermodynamic feasibility of forming hydrocarbon radicals in heavy oil with the aid of appropriate radical initiators. By introducing ditertbutyl peroxide (DTBP) into heavy oil, the H-abstraction of Hp atoms distributed mainly in the fractions of saturates, resins, and asphaltenes occurs, forming hydrocarbon radicals located on aliphatic chains with priority. At the temperature of 653 K and water density of 0.30 g/cm(3), it was experimentally confirmed that the introduced DTBP was capable of initiating the pyrolysis of heavy oil. After 15 min's reaction, the pyrolysis products centered toward the fraction of aromatics whose weight proportion in the liquid product increased drastically by ca. 25.0 wt.%. Meanwhile, only a negligible coke yield of 0.5 wt.% was collected. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.