HEATING HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATIONS IN A SPIRAL STARTUP STAGED SEQUENCE

摘要

A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation includes treating a first zone of the formation. Treatment of a plurality of zones of the formation is begun at selected times after the treatment of the first zone begins. The treatment of at least two successively treated zones begins at a selected time after treatment of the previous zone begins. At least two of the successively treated zones are adjacent to the zone treated previously. The successive treatment of the zones proceeds in an outward, substantially spiral sequence from the first zone so that the treatment of the zones moves substantially spirally outwards towards a boundary of the treatment area.