Patent ID: 7819187

Claim:
A system of subterranean wells for producing fluids, comprising: a subsurface flow line extending from the surface and having a lower portion within or underlying at least one subterranean formation; a plurality of drainage wells each extending from the surface and intercepting the at least one subterranean formation at a respective interception location and having a lower portion in fluid communication with the lower portion of the subsurface flow line, each of the plurality of drainage wells including at least one of a perforated casing or a slotted liner for recovery of at least a portion of the formation fluids from the at least one subterranean formation, such that at least a portion of the formation fluids move down the plurality of drainage wells to the subsurface flow line, points along the subsurface flow line between each location of fluid communication with a drainage well and a common recovery well being angled at 45° or less relative to horizontal; and the common recovery well extending from the surface and in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line, such that at least a portion of the formation fluids entering the plurality of drainage wells from the at least one formation flow into the subsurface flow line and then into the common recovery well.