RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS USING ARTIFICIAL TOPSEALS

摘要

A method is described for recovering viscous oil such as bitumen from a subsurface formation. The method involves creating an artificial barrier in a subterranean zone above or proximate a top of the subsurface formation. The barrier is largely impermeable to fluid flow. The method also includes reducing the viscosity of the viscous oil and mobilizing hydrocarbons into a readily flowable heavy oil by addition of heat and/or solvent. Heating preferably uses a plurality of heat injection wells. The method further includes producing the heavy oil using a production method that preserves the integrity of the artificial barrier.