Method for producing viscous hydrocarbons from discrete segments of a

Abstract

Method for producing viscous hydrocarbon products such as heavy crude oil or bitumen from tar sands, which products must be thermally converted into flowable condition. A discrete vertical subsection of a productive subterranean layer is marginated by a pair of spaced apart vertical wells and a horizontal well that lies substantially horizontal to the vertical wells. Controlled, pressurized flows of a heating medium such as steam are introduced to one of the vertical wells and to the horizontal well, whereby to establish a controlled thermal front. The latter is progressively urged by the pressurized steam, through the discrete vertical subsection and toward the other of the vertical wells at which hydrocarbon emulsion is produced.