| abstract |
A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ involves providing barrier walls, such as freeze wells 564B-D, to form a perimeter barrier for a portion of the formation, then reducing a pressure in the portion of the formation in a controlled manner, and producing methane from that portion of the formation. Upon isolation of a treatment area with a barrier, dewatering wells may be used to remove water from hydrocarbon layers 556D-F of the treatment area which creates a reduction in the pressure in the treatment area. Removing water and/or reducing the pressure in the treatment area may facilitate production of methane from the treatment area and increase the amount and/or the production rate of methane from the treatment area. |