In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a pattern of heat sources

A method of treating an oil shale formation in situ, comprising:

• providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of the formation;
• allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of the formation;
• and
• producing a mixture from the formation through one or more production wells and wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.

A method of treating an oil shale formation in situ, comprising:

• providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of the formation;
• allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of the formation;
• producing a mixture from the formation through one or more production wells;
• wherein at least 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well;
• and
• wherein at least a portion of the heat sources are arranged in the formation in a pattern of units, wherein at least one type of unit comprises three heat sources ordered substantially in an equilateral triangle arrangement.

A method of treating an oil shale formation in situ, comprising:

• providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of the formation;
• allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of the formation to raise the temperature of the selected section to a desired temperature;
• producing a mixture from the formation through one or more production wells;
• wherein at least 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well;
• and
• wherein at least a portion of the heat sources are arranged in the formation in a pattern of units, wherein at least one type of unit comprises three heat sources ordered substantially in an equilateral triangle arrangement.