In this work, a series of NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst was prepared using different Al2O3 supports modified by titania (0-9 wt%). All modified supports and fresh catalysts were characterized by BET surface area, pore volume and pore diameter measurement, TPR, TPD, XRD, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy analyses. The initial activity of these catalysts were tested in a trickle-bed reactor using three different gas oils such as light gas oil (LGO), blended gas oil (blended: 50% LGO and 50% HGO) and heavy gas oil (HGO), all derived from Athabasca bitumen. Little structural change in alumina was observed with the incorporation of Titania. XRD analysis showed the well dispersion of Ni and Mo on the support. Titania in alumina increased the formation of polymolybdenum oxide on the catalyst as evident from TPR and Raman analyses. Weak-intermediate-strong acid sites on the catalyst were observed at all Titania concentrations. The Lewis and Bronsted acidity on the catalyst surface increased with the increase in titania concentration from 0 to 9 wt%. Nitrogen conversion increased from 57 to 71 wt%, from 83 to 93 wt% and from 75 to 80 wt% for LGO, blended and HGO, respectively and also sulfur conversion of LGO increased from 86 to 92 wt% when titania concentration was increased from 0 to 9 wt%. For blended and HGO, sulfur conversion was in the range 96-99 wt% at all titania concentrations. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.