TIME SEQUENCED HEATING OF MULTIPLE LAYERS IN A HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATION

摘要

A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation includes providing heat for a first amount of time to a first hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a first heater located in an opening in the formation. The opening and the first heater have a substantially horizontal or inclined portion located in the first hydrocarbon layer in the formation and at least one connecting portion extending between the substantially horizontal or inclined portion and the surface. At least one connecting portion of the first heater is removed from the opening. An isolation material is placed in the opening such that the isolation material at least partially isolates the layer in which the substantially horizontal or inclined portion of the first heater is located. An additional substantially horizontal or inclined opening portion is formed in a second hydrocarbon layer. The additional portion extends from at least one of the connecting portions of the opening. A second heater is placed in the additional substantially horizontal opening portion. Heat is provided from the second heater to the second hydrocarbon layer.