| abstract |
A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation comprises providing a first barrier to a first portion of the formation; removing water from the first portion; providing a second barrier to a second portion of the formation, wherein the second portion comprises methane: removing water from the second portion, and then transferring at least a portion of such water to the first portion; and producing fluids from the second portion, wherein produced fluids comprise methane. Hydrocarbon layers 556D-F may contain one or more barriers such as freeze wells 564B-D used to form a perimeter barrier isolating each of the hydrocarbon layers so that each may be developed in turn, such as by in situ conversion to produce hydrocarbons. Dewatering wells may be used to remove water in a second hydrocarbon layer 556E which is transferred to a first hydrocarbon layer 556D so that the second hydrocarbon layer 556E may be developed. Water removed from a third hydrocarbon layer 556F may be stored in the second hydrocarbon layer 556E while the third hydrocarbon layer 556F is being developed. |