Patent ID: 7644769
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: E21B,E21D,E21F

Abstract:
1. A method for recovering a liquid hydrocarbon, comprising: (a) forming a barrier excavation along a substantial length of a subsurface liquid hydrocarbon-water interface, wherein the hydrocarbon-water interface is in a hydrocarbon-containing formation, wherein the formation has a thickness, wherein the barrier excavation has an inside diameter ranging from about 3 to about 15 meters, and wherein the formation thickness is less than the barrier excavation diameter such that the barrier excavation blocks substantially fluid flow in the formation; (b) positioning a liner in the excavation, the liner being substantially impervious to the passage of the liquid hydrocarbon and water; (c) forming a plurality of recovery ports at selected intervals along a length of the liner, the recovery ports passing through the liner and being in communication with an external subsurface formation; and (d) recovering a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon through at least some of the recovery ports.